Determining whether the Huawei Watch Ultimate's ECG feature is more accurate than the Apple Watch Series 7's involves examining several factors, including the technology used, the specific conditions each device is designed to detect, and any available studies or reviews comparing their performance.
Huawei Watch Ultimate ECG
The Huawei Watch Ultimate features an advanced ECG system with improved electrode technology, allowing for more accurate and responsive signal collection. Users can obtain an ECG reading by touching the electrode on the side of the watch for 30 seconds[1]. However, the availability of the ECG function can be limited by geographical restrictions, such as in the Netherlands, where it is not approved[7]. Despite this, the hardware is capable of supporting ECG measurements.
Apple Watch Series 7 ECG
The Apple Watch, including the Series 7, has been extensively studied for its ECG accuracy, particularly in detecting atrial fibrillation (AF). A systematic review and meta-analysis found that the Apple Watch ECG has high diagnostic accuracy for AF, with a sensitivity of 94.8% and specificity of 95% compared to standard 12-lead ECGs[2]. Another study reported a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 99.18% for detecting AF, though this was in a more specific context[5].
Comparison
While both watches offer ECG capabilities, the Apple Watch has been more thoroughly studied and validated for detecting specific heart conditions like AF. The Huawei Watch Ultimate's ECG feature, while advanced, faces geographical limitations and lacks extensive clinical validation in the same way as the Apple Watch. However, the Huawei Watch Ultimate offers additional health features such as arterial stiffness detection, which is not available on Apple devices[3][4].
In terms of overall ECG accuracy, the Apple Watch has a strong track record for detecting AF and other abnormalities, with high sensitivity and specificity rates. The Huawei Watch Ultimate's ECG feature is promising but lacks the same level of clinical validation and availability due to regional restrictions.
Conclusion
While both watches have advanced ECG capabilities, the Apple Watch Series 7's ECG feature is more extensively validated for detecting specific heart conditions like atrial fibrillation. The Huawei Watch Ultimate offers unique features like arterial stiffness detection but faces limitations in ECG availability and validation. Therefore, for ECG accuracy specifically related to conditions like AF, the Apple Watch might be considered more reliable based on current evidence. However, the Huawei Watch Ultimate provides a broader range of health monitoring features.
Citations:
[1] https://consumer.huawei.com/uk/wearables/watch-ultimate/
[2] https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.101538
[3] https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2023/05/25/forget-apple-watch-huawei-watch-ultimate-beats-apple-to-game-changing-new-features/
[4] https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/smartwatches/1418577/huawei-watch-ultimate-review
[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10757793/
[6] https://www.phonearena.com/reviews/huawei-watch-ultimate-review_id5760
[7] https://www.reddit.com/r/Huawei/comments/12pipxf/huawei_watch_ultimate_a_little_problem_on_the_gps/
[8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9795256/
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esLA4TcLEDo
[10] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip4OZFi_NVQ