Review of the HUAWEI Watch D2 smartwatch: when you know how to cope with pressure

Conceptually, the second version of HUAWEI Watch D, at first glance, is no different from the first – it seems so at a superficial glance at the characteristics. These are still the same traditional (for 2024) smartwatches, but with the ability to measure blood pressure. Yes, thinner, lighter, larger screen… but the game is turned upside down by the ABPM function – 24-hour monitoring of the same blood pressure, thanks to which the HUAWEI Watch D2 has no competitors in its niche at all. No one else can do that simply.

⇡#Design and construction

The main thing that catches your eye when comparing the HUAWEI Watch D2 with its predecessor is a sleeker body with thin frames and a round rotating button instead of the standard flat one. Otherwise, everything is more or less the same as with Watch D. Not too much, right?

At first glance, it seems that in the development of its design, the HUAWEI Watch D2 simply follows modern trends, but what is the basis for a regular smartwatch is almost a breakthrough for a device like the D2. The fact of the matter is that they are perceived as quite standard watches for 2024, without being standard watches.

The key task of the developers was to “normalize” this model, to bring it to a common denominator with other smartwatches, and they coped with this quite successfully. The screen has increased (1.82 inches versus 1.64 inches), while the body has become noticeably smaller – narrower and thinner – thanks to radically reduced frames. The general outline is approximately the same; the manufacturer did not give the watch a round shape in the manner of the Watch 4/Watch GT4.

But I borrowed the control scheme from these models, adding a wheel button to the usual flat key, with which you can not only quickly switch from the main screen to the application bar, but also quickly navigate through lists or scale icons on that same application bar.

The strap has also become noticeably narrower – 26.5 mm versus 30 mm on the first Watch D. But this is not even the main thing that can be said about the strap. Firstly, it is now much easier to change. Yes, it’s pointless to do this on a whim; as you understand, there are no variety of options for straps with inflatable cuffs on the market – but if the size doesn’t suit you, you won’t have to suffer as much as with the previous model (the set includes two cuffs – size M and L). Secondly, the cuff itself is a little thinner and the fabric cover does not slide off it. In fact, you remember that this is a watch with the ability to measure blood pressure only when you measure this very pressure. Well, there are times when, when putting on a watch, the cuff turns up a little, and correcting it is not difficult. The system for adjusting the length of the strap is a little complicated, but again you get used to it very quickly.

The materials used are quite simple – the watch case is made of aluminum and tempered glass with inserts made of plastic and stainless steel. The strap is made of fluoroelastomer, the cuff is made of thermopolyurethane.

However, there is a more interesting version – white, with elements of an artificial leather strap. Previously, the Watch D only came in black.

On the back of the case, as usual, there are sensors and a contact pad for charging the device using a magnetic power supply.

HUAWEI Watch D2 is waterproof. No, you shouldn’t dive or swim in them, and the manufacturer also doesn’t recommend taking a hot shower, but nothing should happen to them in the rain or other accidental exposure to moisture. The declared level of dust and moisture protection is IP68.

⇡#File not found.

The main thing that can be reported about the functionality of the HUAWEI Watch D2 has already been written many times, including in the title – this watch can measure blood pressure. Moreover, they do this relatively accurately – the manufacturer emphasizes that they cannot be used as a medical instrument, the readings are not as reliable as those of specialized tonometers, but for everyday monitoring of alarm signals they are fine. Like the first HUAWEI Watch D, the second version can be safely recommended for hyper- and hypotensive patients for additional control. Well, for any person who takes comprehensive care of their health.

More importantly, HUAWEI Watch D2 can not only measure blood pressure once, but also work during the 24-hour cycle (ABPM), and this is the only watch with such a function in the world (without any discounts on status and convenience). Moreover, they are certified by the European Union Medical Device Regulation and the requirements of the National Medical Products Regulatory Administration of China.

What is this, if you describe it in more detail? The watch measures blood pressure at set intervals over a 24-hour period and then determines the average value for the whole day, day and night, and also analyzes the blood pressure rhythm. These data are used to assess the risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases and further referral to specialists for medical diagnosis and treatment. ABPM is recommended for users whose upper blood pressure averages 120 mmHg. Art. and above or below the pressure is 80 mm Hg. Art. and above, as well as for users whose doctor has recommended 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. The measurement frequency can be increased.

In order to measure blood pressure, you need to launch a special “application” and sit quietly for half a minute in a special position (arm half-bent and almost pressed to your chest). There are practically no failures during measurement; it was necessary to redo the measurement a maximum of a couple of times during a week and a half of testing. The feeling of measuring blood pressure for hours is the same as when using a traditional tonometer.

I wrote above about comprehensive health monitoring not for the sake of rhetoric – the capabilities of the HUAWEI Watch D2 are very wide and are far from limited to measuring blood pressure. There is a proprietary opportunity to conduct a general condition check. When you launch it, you receive data in seven categories: pulse, skin temperature, stress level, blood oxygen level, pressure and the state of blood vessels divided into two indicators (calculated from the ECG). In fact, all this was also on the HUAWEI Watch D, but not combined into one test, which is carried out in a minute. I note that the ECG watch does not take very stable measurements, unlike measuring blood pressure – to do this you need to keep your finger on the bottom key, and the watch regularly requires you to change its position or wet it. For every two or three successful measurements, there is one unsuccessful one. It’s a little annoying. Otherwise, the function is very convenient – detailed results can be viewed in the proprietary HUAWEI Health application.

Yes, this utility must be installed on your smartphone to work with the watch – without being linked to the application, it simply will not be activated. Synchronization (via Bluetooth) occurs quite quickly, but such subtleties cannot be fully appreciated – to work with the pre-production version of the watch, it was necessary to download a special test version of the application, available, by the way, only for devices on Android (or EMUI/HarmonyOS, of course). At the same time, I liked how the watch in this case worked with the application – even the weather information was transmitted stably, which HUAWEI watches have problems with (you have to constantly “pull the slider” in the application).

The application itself has not changed: a decent interface, good Russification, an abundance of available data, a Healthy Living section with an individual goal plan in place. At the same time, goals can now be created not only in the application, but also directly on the watch. A special feature of HUAWEI Watch D2 is the ability not only to create a plan to achieve some results based on steps taken and calories burned (branded “activity circles”).

Otherwise, HUAWEI Watch D2 fully implements the basic program of a companion device. With their help, you can control the player on your smartphone, receive notifications (and partially read directly on the screen – but without the ability to respond), set a smart alarm clock, and you can also use them to release the shutter of a mobile camera, and so on.

Unlike the HUAWEI Watch D, a built-in speaker has been added here, and the microphone was there before. You can answer calls without taking out your smartphone.

All applications are available in a “matrix” – the size of the icons can be adjusted using the wheel, and it is also possible to display them in the form of a vertical list. And yes, now you can add additional applications to those already available, but only through the HUAWEI Health application; there is no built-in AppGallery in the watch.

As a device for athletes, the HUAWEI Watch D2 is limited by the lack of moisture protection, the reduced number of training modes compared to the Watch 4/GT4, and the lack of GPS. They can count steps and measure pulse while jogging or cycling, but no more – there are other models for serious athletes. There is also no eSIM support.

The manufacturer does not indicate the battery capacity of the HUAWEI Watch D2, only stating that with “typical use” the battery should last for 6 days. When using the ABPM function (just the same scheduled blood pressure measurement), you will have to charge the device every day. In fact, everything is individual – my watch calmly held a charge for a week while constantly measuring my pulse and studying my general health (including measuring blood pressure) twice a day.

⇡#Conclusion

HUAWEI Watch D2 is an extremely logical evolution of an already revolutionary device. Its, let’s say, normalization, bringing it to the common denominator of other smartwatches. They are thinner, lighter, more convenient, with an up-to-date interface – you simply don’t remember that there is a cuff with a pump while wearing the watch. And this is clearly exactly what the HUAWEI engineers were trying to achieve – in terms of functionality, everything is at about the same level, you can only add the presence of a speaker and moisture protection according to the IP68 standard.

But there is also the most important nuance – the function of daily blood pressure monitoring, which immediately puts the clock in a slightly different league.

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