A sphygmomanometer is a medical device that can measure blood pressure levels. It is also often used for individuals who really need to monitor their pressure regularly, especially someone with a history of cardiovascular disease. Have we ever wondered if we can take blood pressure through a wrist watch? How can the latest technology solve this complex situation? The answer is to be able to use the new watch Huawei Watch D2 and here is our review for it.
Brief Specifications
Huawei Watch D2
Basic Smartwatch Types
1.82-inch AMOLED display
480 × 408 pixels
PPI 347
Processor –
RAM –
Internal Load –
420mAh battery
SIM / Telephony Calls via bluetooth tethering
9-axis Accelerometer Sensor IMU
Gyroscope
Magnetometer
Optical pulse detector
ECG
Light sensor
Barometer
Temperature
Pressure
NFC None
Infrared None
IP68 Resistance Level
Diameter 48 × 38 × 13.3 mm
Color Moon Black Fluoroelastomer
White Composite Leather
Sale Price
Design
The fact is that it is not the first time that Huawei has produced such a watch, in fact the Watch D2 was launched as a successor to the Watch D that was announced in 2022. It has a rectangular frame with a combination of stainless steel and glass-based construction. The screen is a 1.82-inch AMOLED with a high resolution of 480 x 408 pixels for a clear and bright visual display. It is also protected with durable glass that ensures the watch always looks new even after long-term use.
I personally think there is no problem with the brightness and even the large screen is able to display health data and notifications very well. Brightness levels are also good with text and graphics looking excellent, clear with great viewing angles and touch sensitivity at best.
It's also much smaller and lighter than its predecessor so that's a significant change. The weight is 40 grams (without strap) with a thickness of around 13.3mm which makes the usage experience feel like wearing a regular smart watch. It also led to a different experience than my brief attempt to wear the Watch D in a media meeting session the year before.
The specialty of Watch D2 is certainly on the watch strap equipped with an airbag for the correct blood pressure measurement mechanism. It is attached directly to the watch strap itself which initially received a less than happy reaction from me who thought it would be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. But I was wrong when in reality it sits neatly with some of the airbags providing extra comfort.
I was informed that there are two strap options available which are Black Fluoroelastomer or White Composite Leather. At the same time you can get two strap sizes in the purchase box for each wrist use. I am currently testing the Watch D2 in Black Fluroelastomer which I personally think the material used feels good on the wrist.
It's just that the strap is wider than a normal watch and the sensor on the back is a little thicker. It would be better if Huawei could minimize the size of this sensor like on the Watch GT5 comb for more comfort when used on the wrist. It should be noted that the TruSense System health sensor used is a similar version to the Watch GT 5 to ensure more accurate data readings.
There are two physical buttons on the right side for navigating the watch. One of them is a rotary knob that can be used to navigate or return to the watch face when pressed. It also provides a good haptic effect during use but I use the touch screen more than the buttons provided. Meanwhile the button below is longer which by default is set for blood pressure monitoring but can also be adjusted.
The left side houses the speaker with the microphone placed right next to it. The device is also IP68 certified which should be resistant to dust and water, but is not designed for other activities that involve deep water immersion. It should also not be used in hot water baths or saunas, nor during deep diving or any other activity involving high temperature water pressure. This is because the Watch D2 does not have any 5ATM rating or anything like that.
Application Connection
The use of the Huawei Health app together is highly recommended for a better experience and customizable control. As you know, the app is only available natively through the Huawei AppGallery and Apple Appstore. Meanwhile other Android devices need to download the latest version APK file and reinstall it manually. It is important to consider that APK files downloaded outside the official app store also usually have another important drawback, such as not being updated automatically and not being notified of new updates.
The process of installing and adding devices is also so simple that it can be done in a short time. Setup between device and watch is easy and quick for those who already have the Huawei Health app. If on the other hand the setup is seen as trivial due to several steps that need to be fully equipped to load the account. Next scan the provided QR code and a floating window with the model name will appear for verification purposes. Once finished the user will be presented with a few simple tutorials showing the steps to use. The interface on the Android and iPhone apps looks the same without major differences.
Various health and fitness details can also be easily monitored through the main screen. At the same time quite simple and easy to understand without taking a long time. Activity tracking is also familiar with similar dedicated widgets on most Huawei watches. The accumulated data can also be synchronized with several other applications such as Strava and Apple Health.
Usage Experience
The overall performance is as good as can be obtained through the previous Watch GT5 series. I can scroll through menus and open apps smoothly. The enhanced animation experience can also be felt through the latest software HarmonyOS 5.0 which is also used on Watch GT 5 before. Watch D2 is more focused on health and fitness where most of the applications are provided more directed to the set goals. This helps users clearly understand what to expect through the use of this watch.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is one of the prominent health features. As mentioned this watch is equipped with a special strap that has an airbag inside. You need to make sure the watch is properly placed on the wrist to use the feature. For example, if the size of the strap is not suitable for the wrist, then the feature will not work as it should.
This is said because I am faced with a situation where I cannot access the relevant feature due to the incorrect wrist size. When this happens then a notification asking the user to correct the strap size for the best use will be given. Then you need to follow the instructions given for the purpose of correct blood pressure measurement. It is best to rest for at least five to ten minutes before starting to measure blood pressure.
Make sure you sit in the right position and breathe through your nose at a normal rate for a few seconds. It is better if your back is straight and close to the chair at the same time the shoulders should also be upright and straight. Then place your arm in line with the heart and support the elbow with your other palm. It is recommended not to put pressure or press too hard on the airbag of the watch but instead just put your hand on the chest as usual.
I say this because it won't work if you do it lying down, or the arms press too hard on the chest. The air bag under the strap will expand and deflate like a digital sphygmomanometer and readings will be taken on the watch screen. Measurement results can also be summarized directly on the HUAWEI Health application. You can also set Watch D2 to take readings automatically at certain times including when you are sleeping.
I have tried it several times and the Watch D2 gives results consistent with normal blood pressure readings. But the question is, are these data readings reliable? I say it's best to use it as a reference only since the Watch D2 is not an official medical device.
Therefore, the monitoring results are only for reference and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. For detailed medical information it is better to consult a specialist doctor. I also didn't compare the blood pressure measurement to a traditional pressure monitor since I don't have one at home.
In addition, I also tested the Electrocardiogram (ECG) Detection function on this watch. It can work through the button on the right by having to place the finger for 30 seconds to take a reading. Then you can check the data through the Huawei Health application which also includes a reading graph produced for the purpose of analyzing changes in electrical activity in the heart.
SpO2 readings can also be obtained faster than other Huawei watches through the new TruSense System sensor. It's just that I personally feel that the skin temperature feature still needs to be improved since the Watch D2 cannot measure body temperature quickly. Pressure level tracking is also available if needed.
Most normal daily activities that include walking step counts also work well. Accumulated data readings for steps are almost accurate with small differences according to normal counts. It's just that the settings for GPS take a while to lock in a location.
Another function that is also continuously tested is sleep time tracking. It can support automatic sleep detection then the data tracked is generally similar to others such as breathing rate and resting heart rate. At the same time can give related suggestions, as well as have relaxing music to help the quality of sleep.
Among other features that can be found are smart notification features for a number of applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, YouTube and others. Notifications are read-only without the ability to reply. In addition, there are some useful widgets for daily life such as calendar, weather, lifestyle, incoming call log, women's menstrual cycle calendar and others.
Voice calls are also supported with the ability to dial and answer incoming calls directly from the watch. I don't really use the feature for personal needs but the performance is quite good with clear audio volume from both the dialer and the receiver. Followed by the ability to listen to music on streaming services such as Spotify through speakers provided.
But there are still constraints for basic software that need to be prioritized meaning no app store or mobile payments can be made through the Watch D2. I also faced a problem where the connection to the smartphone was frequently disconnected requiring the app to be opened frequently for the data update process. It's clear that it's not the first time I've faced such a problem, in fact since using most of Huawei's wearable devices.
Battery Endurance
Huawei advertises this watch can last up to 7 days on a single charge. It however depends on the daily scenario which means the frequent use of blood pressure and ECG monitoring causes the battery to drain quickly. The same is the case with GPS and Screen On functions that are constantly activated can also cause the battery to run out quickly. Recharging can be done using a dedicated dock similar to most Huawei watches. But it should also be noted that no fast charging support of any kind is provided through it.
What's in the Box?
Here's what you get with every Huawei Watch D2 purchase in Malaysia;
1 X Huawei Watch D2
1 X USB-A to dedicated dock charging cable.
1X Extra watch strap.
1 X Warranty Notice
1 X User manual.
Conclusion
The Huawei Watch D2 is not a one-size-fits-all watch. Maybe it's perfect for those who really need a portable everyday blood pressure and heart rate tracker. For those who don't need it, there are still many other smart watches with the same performance that can be chosen, for example Watch GT 5 or Watch GT5 Pro.
Despite that it is recognized that the performance of the Watch D2 is indeed at a good level. It is also fully focused on health and fitness features with better reading accuracy through the new TruSense System sensor. It can also perform well in most daily activities with reliable battery life.
Pros And Advantages
Thinner than the previous generation.
Built-in blood pressure monitoring system.
Clear, bright and real display.
Various built-in fitness and health features.
Steady performance of efficient sensors.
Cons And Cons
No third-party app support.
The connection to the smartphone is often disconnected.
Not suitable for everyone.
No fast charging.