The Huawei Watch Ultimate is designed to handle continuous heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking, but these features do impact its battery life. The watch is equipped with a 530mAh battery, which Huawei claims can last up to 14 days with typical usage and 8 days with heavy usage[3][9]. Continuous heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking are considered heavy usage scenarios.
In practice, continuous heart rate monitoring does not significantly drain the battery on Huawei watches, as noted by users of similar models[4]. However, GPS tracking, especially during activities like hiking or running, can consume more power. For instance, during a 4-hour hike with continuous GPS, the battery only dropped by about 6-7% in Expedition mode, which is impressive[1]. In another scenario involving a 3-hour descent with continuous GPS, the battery went from around 90% to 78%[1].
The watch's Expedition mode is particularly efficient, allowing for extended use with minimal battery drain. This mode includes features like GPS, heart rate, and SpO2 monitoring, making it suitable for long outdoor activities[5]. While the battery life is generally good, enabling features like the always-on display can reduce the overall battery life slightly[7].
In summary, the Huawei Watch Ultimate can handle continuous heart rate and GPS tracking without completely draining the battery, but it will reduce the overall battery life compared to lighter usage scenarios. The watch's performance in Expedition mode is particularly noteworthy for minimizing battery drain during extended outdoor activities.
Citations:
[1] https://www.phonearena.com/reviews/huawei-watch-ultimate-review_id5760
[2] https://consumer.huawei.com/uk/wearables/watch-ultimate/
[3] https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_watch_ultimate_review-news-58259.php
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/HuaweiWatchGT/comments/1gd6jjk/most_watch_faces_measuring_constant_heart_rate/
[5] https://www.techradar.com/reviews/huawei-watch-ultimate
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnZpJ4fHlEk
[7] https://www.androidheadlines.com/huawei-watch-ultimate-review
[8] https://manuals.coolblue.nl/4f/huawei-watch-ultimate-zwart.pdf
[9] https://www.androidauthority.com/huawei-watch-ultimate-review-3335995/