Huawei Watch Fit 3 vs Band 9: Breaking down the specs
Huawei fans, listen up! The tech giant dropped two new wearables in early 2024, the Watch Fit 3 and the Band 9. Both aim to be your go-to wrist companion for health tracking and staying connected, but which one’s the right fit for you?
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Let’s break down the differences between these two. Lots of similarities between them but a few big distinctions, as well!
Key takeaways
The Watch Fit 3 offers a larger, more vibrant display, built-in GPS, and the convenience of music storage and calling capabilities, making it a feature-packed smartwatch. On the other hand, the Band 9 boasts a sleek and lightweight design,extended battery life, and a more affordable price point. Not much difference in terms of fitness and health tracking abilities.
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Jump to
Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Price
Bottom line
Huawei Watch Fit 3 vs Band 9: Hardware
Look & feel
We’re comparing a smartwatch to a fitness band here so the look and feel is clearly different. The Watch Fit 3 is slightly larger and thicker than the Band 9, measuring 36.3 x 43.2 x 9.9 mm compared to the Band 9’s 43.45 x 24.86 x 8.99 mm dimensions. This might make the Watch Fit 3 a bulkier option for some, while the Band 9’s slimmer profile could be more appealing to those seeking a more discreet wearable.
They two also differ in materials and build. The Watch Fit 3 boasts a premium feel with its aluminum alloy case, while the Band 9 opts for durable polymer materials with a glossy gilded bezel for a touch of elegance.
Both devices feature a single side button for navigation, but the Watch Fit 3 adds a rotating crown for an extra dimension of control and interaction. This crown enhances the user experience, allowing for smoother scrolling and easier menu navigation. Plus it makes the device very similar in the looks department to the Apple Watch. An accident? Probably not…
Display, colour options, water resistance
The display technology is similar across both models, with both featuring an AMOLED colored 2.5D display. However,the Watch Fit 3’s screen is larger at 1.82 inches compared to the Band 9’s 1.47-inch display. It also boasts a higher resolution of 480 x 480 pixels and a maximum brightness of 1500 nits, making it crisper, more vibrant, and easier to read in sunlight than the Band 9’s 194 x 368-pixel display.
Water resistance is consistent across both devices, with each offering a 5 ATM rating. So no difference there.
When it comes to color options, both the Watch Fit 3 and the Band 9 offer a variety of choices to suit different tastes. The Watch Fit 3 comes in classic Black, White, Pink, and Gold options, while the Band 9 offers a more vibrant selection with Lemon Yellow, Light Pink, Electric Blue, Sand White, and Stellar Black.
Sensor technology
There isn’t much to separate the two when it comes to sensor technology. Both devices are equipped with a 9-axis IMU sensor, encompassing accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer functions for tracking movement and orientation. Additionally, they boast optical heart rate sensors for continuous heart rate monitoring and blood oxygen readings.
In terms of connectivity, Watch Fit 3 supports the newer Bluetooth 5.2 standard versus the 5.0 of Band 9. However, this minor difference is unlikely to have much of an impact on everyday use.
GPS functionality is present on both devices, although the Watch Fit 3 has built-in GPS for independent tracking, whereas the Band 9 relies on connected GPS, utilizing your phone’s GPS signal. So that’s one important difference. It’s also part of the reason Watch Fit 3 is more expensive.
Another difference lies in music storage and playback: the Watch Fit 3 has built-in storage for music files and the ability to play music directly from the watch, while the Band 9 lacks this feature. Additionally, the Watch Fit 3 boasts a built-in speaker and microphone for calls and voice commands, features that are absent on the Band 9.
NFC functionality is included in both devices, but with a caveat: it’s currently limited to China only. This means that users outside of China won’t be able to utilize NFC for contactless payments or other NFC-based interactions.
Battery life
The Huawei Watch Fit 3 packs a larger 400mAh battery as compared to Band 9’s 180mAh battery. Nevertheless, Band 9 outshines it with usage time between charges of 14 days. Under typical usage, the Watch Fit 3 can last up to 10 days, which is also pretty good. However, with heavy usage, this drops to 7 days for the Watch Fit 3 and 9 days for the Band 9. Notably, both devices have comparable battery life when the Always-On Display (AOD) is activated, lasting around 3 days.
When it comes to charging, the Watch Fit 3 takes approximately 60 minutes for a full charge, offering a good balance between battery life and charging speed. Band 9 also has a “fast charge” feature that allows for two days of use with just a 5-minute charge.
Huawei Watch Fit 3 vs Band 9: Technical specs
Here’s a comparison table for the Huawei Watch Fit 3 and the Huawei Band 9:
Feature | Huawei Watch Fit 3 | Huawei Band 9 |
---|---|---|
Release Date | May 2024 | March 2024 |
Case Material | Aluminium alloy | Durable polymer materials, glossy gilded bezel |
Number of Physical Buttons | One side button + rotating crown | One side button |
Shape | Rectangular | Rectangular |
Size | 36.3 x 43.2 x 9.9 mm | 43.45 x 24.86 x 8.99 mm |
Display Type | AMOLED | AMOLED coloured 2.5D display |
Resolution | 480 x 480 pixels, 1500 nits max brightness | 194 x 368 pixels, PPI 282 |
Screen Size | 1.82 inches | 1.47 inches |
Weight (without strap) | 26 grams | 14 grams |
Sensors | 9-axis IMU sensor (Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic sensor), optical heart rate, ambient light sensor | 9-axis IMU sensor (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer), optical heart rate, ambient light sensor |
Water-Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Positioning | Built-in GPS | Connected GPS |
Built-in Speaker | Yes | No |
Microphone | Yes | No |
NFC | Yes | China only |
Music Storage | Yes | No |
Connection | 2.4 GHz, supports BT5.2 and BR+BLE | 2.4 GHz, BT 5.0 and BLE |
Cellular Connectivity | No | No |
Battery Type | 400mAh Li-po | 180mAh Li-po |
Battery Life | Up to 10 days typical usage, 7 days heavy usage, 60 minute charge time | 14 days maximum usage, 9 days regular usage, 3 days when AOD is on |
Operating System | HarmonyOS 4.2 | Proprietary |
Colors | Black, White, Pink, Gold | Lemon Yellow, Light Pink, Electric Blue, Sand White, and Stellar Black |
Typical RRP | $160 for models with plastic strap, $180 for models with leather strap | $60 |
Huawei Watch Fit 3 vs Band 9: Features
When it comes to health and fitness features, the two wearables pack all the basics. They offer heart rate tracking, SpO2 measurement, sleep tracking, stress monitoring,and menstrual cycle tracking for women. They also come equipped with a suite of fitness features, tracking steps, calories burned, distance traveled, and workouts across various activities like running, swimming, and cycling.
And while there’s no difference in the sensor suite, there is the addition of built-in GPS on Watch Fit 3. This makes it better suited for outdoor fitness activities as the device does not require a smartphone nearby for accurate distance tracking. The Watch Fit 3’s larger display allows for more detailed workout data and animated exercise demonstrations, potentially offering a richer experience.
Smartwatch-type features
As for smartwatch-type features, the Watch Fit 3 offers more in this domain. There’s the above mentioned music storage for offline playback, and a microphone and speaker enabling voice calls directly from the watch. These additions make it not only a fitness tracker but also a standalone smart device that can function independently of a smartphone for basic tasks. The Band 9, meanwhile, focuses more on basic notifications and smart interactions, reflecting its position as a more budget-friendly, fitness-focused wearable.
Huawei Watch Fit 3 vs Band 9: Price
The Huawei Watch Fit 3 is positioned in the market with a starting retail price of $160 for models with a plastic strap, rising to $180 for those with a leather strap, reflecting its more advanced features and premium build. On the other hand, the Huawei Band 9 is significantly more affordable, priced at $60. So quite a big price difference.
Huawei Watch Fit 3 vs Band 9: Final thoughts
The Watch Fit 3 offers a more premium experience with its sleek design, larger AMOLED display, built-in GPS, music storage, and additional features like the ability to take calls and respond to messages. If you’re seeking a smartwatch experience with a focus on fitness tracking, the Watch Fit 3 is the one to go for.
However, the Huawei Band 9 shouldn’t be overlooked. It offers a lightweight, comfortable design with a vibrant display,comprehensive health tracking features, and impressive battery life, all at a significantly lower price point. If you’re primarily interested in fitness tracking and prefer a simpler, more streamlined wearable, the Band 9 could be the perfect choice for you.
Buy the Huawei Watch Fit 3 if:
- You want a smartwatch experience with a larger display and additional features like music storage and calling capabilities.
- You prioritize built-in GPS for independent tracking without relying on your smartphone.
- You’re willing to invest in a more feature-rich device.
Buy the Huawei Band 9 if:
- You prefer a lightweight, slimmer design with a comfortable fit.
- You primarily focus on fitness tracking and don’t need additional smartwatch features.
- You’re on a budget and want a value-for-money wearable.
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