Huawei's new 'premium budget' smartwatch could be the fitness tracker to buy this year even over the upcoming Fitbit Air

Date:
Thu, 21 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Description:
The Huawei Band 11 Pro has an impressive set of features but it lacks GPS accuracy

FULL STORY ======================================================================Huawei Band 11 Pro: One minute review The Huawei Band 11 Pro is a bridge device, sitting right between a simple fitness tracker and a full-blown smartwatch. Released in early 2026, it extends the capabilities of the standard Huawei Band 11 by featuring a more sophisticated build and an upgraded set of sensors. In comparison to many of the best fitness trackers , the Band 11 Pro feels more premium than most cheap ones that I've worn, such as the Amazfit Bip 6, but I'm far from convinced about the 'pro' label. To give it its due, one feature inclusion that sets it apart from budget counterparts is the onboard GPS for tracking outdoor runs, cycles, and hikes, which is reason enough for the higher price tag compared to the likes of the Xiaomi Smart
Band 10, which requires users to "piggyback" on a phone's GPS connection. Despite its core focus being a simple tracker for exercise and health, the watch also includes basic smartwatch features such as notification handling, quick-reply texts, and even a remote camera control. These are handy features that help people feel connected to the world around them, but they're far
from deeply integrated due to the lack of a QWERTY keyboard for the text replies, along with non-existent third-party app integration. Latest Videos From

In terms of health tracking, Huawei looks to push the boundaries at this
price point with Pulse Wave Arrhythmia Analysis for detecting irregular heart rhythms and Sleep Breathing Awareness to monitor for potential issues like sleep apnea. I wouldn't want to rely on these for perfect accuracy, but they're helpful indicators of potential health problems.

Within the broader market of the best smartwatches , the Huawei Band 11 Pro sits in the premium budget sweet spot, directly challenging rivals like the Fitbit Charge 6 . While it is considerably more affordable than flagship smartwatches like the Apple Watch or Huawei's own Watch GT series, it
provides nearly all the same core health and tracking features, even if they're not quite as accurate. (Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton) Amazfit Balance 2 at Amazon for 235.59 Huawei Band 11 Pro: Specifications Swipe to scroll horizontally

Component

Huawei Band 11 Pro

Price

$97 USD / 69.99 UK / $139 AUS

Dimensions

43.5 x 28.2 x 8.99mm

Weight

18 g (without strap)

Case/bezel

Aluminium alloy

Display

1.62-inch AMOLED Screen, 286 482 pixels, PPI 347

GPS

GNSS

Battery life

Max 14 days, Typical 8 days, AOD 3 days

Connection

Bluetooth 6.0

Water resistance

5 ATM (Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton) Huawei Band 11 Pro: Price and availability $97 USD / 69.99 UK / $139 AUS Very reasonably priced considering the onboard GPS feature Stiff competition from Fitbit, Garmin, and Amazfit At this price, the Huawei Band 11 Pro is an absolute steal. Getting onboard GPS, an AMOLED display, and an aluminum case is almost unheard of at this price. Unfortunately, its not available in the US.

Comparable options include the Amazfit Bip 6 ($79.99 US / 79.90 UK) and the Fitbit Charge 6 ($159.99 / 139.99). If youd like a cheaper alternative and
are happy piggybacking onto your phones GPS, then you could go for the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 ($73.99 / 39.99). Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The Band 11 Pro ships with a fluoroelastomer strap in either Black or Isle Blue finishes. If youd prefer a braided nylon strap, you can have this in Field Green. Whichever strap you choose, the spec of the watch remains the same. Value score 4.5/5 (Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton) Huawei Band 11 Pro: Design Large and bright AMOLED display Aluminum alloy case, which is a step up from polymer alternatives 5 ATM water resistance rating The Huawei Band 11 Pro is a basic band-style design but with a more premium 'pro' aesthetic than most cheaper trackers. This is most noticeable in the upgraded 1.62-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, which is nearly 30% larger than its predecessor.

As impressive as the size is, it's actually the brightness of it which struck me first. Maxing out at 2,000 nits, it falls short of the much more expensive Apple Watch Ultra 3 , but at this price the brightness is excellent; it delivered clear graphics, whether inside in a dark room or outside in full sun. The 347 PPI resolution isn't too shabby either, with text appearing
sharp and icons vibrant.

From a build quality perspective, Huawei has opted for a CNC-cut aluminum alloy case which looks and feels markedly more premium than the polymer
frames typically found on cheap fitness trackers . This metallic finish is complemented by a slim profile, measuring just 8.99 mm in thickness, allowing the device to sit flush against the wrist. In short, it looks the part, whether you're down the gym, out on a run, or at work.

I tested the version with the breathable fluoroelastomer strap and was surprised how comfortable it was. Its also easily cleaned when exposed to
dirt or sweat. All-day wearability, including at night, is possible due to
the 25g weight (with strap), as its comfortable and you hardly notice it's there.

To ensure durability, the device carries a 5 ATM water resistance rating, meaning it's waterproof and able to withstand showering, swimming and even water sports. Design Score: 4/5 (Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton) Huawei Band 11 Pro: Features Onboard GPS and sleep insights Pulse wave arrhythmia analysis Sleep insights and emotional wellbeing The Pro label is on account
of a number of feature decisions that Huawei has made to elevate the user experience beyond other entry-level alternatives. This begins with built-in GPS (GNSS), which means you can leave your phone at home when going out for a run or cycle and still track your route. It can also detect when you have stopped at a traffic light or for a break and will automatically pause the workout tracking, although like other Huawei watches, you can toggle this feature on or off.

Overnight, it tracks your average sleep HRV, along with heart rate and SpO2, and lets you know when somethings outside your usual range. It also includes Sleep Breathing Awareness, which monitors breathing disruptions during sleep for insights into your nighttime breathing. A basic presentation of your
sleep data is provided on the watch, but a more in-depth set of graphs, reports, and advice are viewable in the Huawei Health app.

Next up is 'Pulse Wave Arrhythmia Analysis', which identifies atrial fibrillation (AFib). It utilizes the same optical sensor technology that measures your heart rate, but applies a much higher level of data processing. The best Apple Watches also have an AFib feature, useful for determining whether your heart rate is irregular and whether you need to see a medical professional. If this is an important measurement to you, then I would go
with this Huawei rather than a cheaper model.

For users who want help with monitoring their mental health, there's the Emotional Wellbeing Assistant. This provides real-time insights through its comprehensive mood and stress management system. Rather than just showing a "stress score", it uses physiological data to categorize your mood into
visual states. These act as quick identifiers of what is going on inside your body. Features Score: 4/5 (Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton) Huawei Band 11 Pro: Performance A very easy and enjoyable watch to use Sub-par GPS accuracy not surprising at this price point Excellent battery performance As is the case with all Huawei watches, the user experience is a positive one. The Huawei OS interface is clearly laid out with easy-to-understand icons. Moving between features and settings is quick and responsive with little room for confusion about how to navigate around the menus. You can also choose between a list or grid view depending on your preference. The lack of a microphone means there are no voice commands, but that would be a lot to ask at this price.

There are over 100 workouts to choose from with the entire set pre-loaded
onto the watch. The order of these, and whether they appear in the quick
list, is easily customized. The watch can auto-detect workouts like running, which I made use of a few times when I had forgotten to set things up prior
to exercising. As soon as you choose your workout, the watch searches for a GPS signal and alerts you when its found. You can begin the workout prior to
a GPS lock, but accuracy will be compromised.

I was impressed by how quickly and easily the Band 11 Pro was able to find a GPS signal, even when I was indoors. In terms of GPS accuracy, I ran side-by-side comparisons with the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 , which performed
as well as our gold standard, the Apple Watch Ultra series. Unfortunately the Band 11 Pro was left wanting with up to a 10% discrepancy on a range of tracked activities, including runs, walks, and bike rides.

As for health tracking, heart rate and SpO2 were in close range compared to the Watch Ultimate 2. Both watches also reported no abnormalities in relation to the Pulse Wave Arrhythmia Analysis, which was not only great to see from
an accuracy point of view but also from a personal health perspective!

When I wore the watch at night, it successfully picked up most of my waking, but not all instances. No surprises there given the low cost of the device
and limited complexity of the sensors. Despite its claims to be able to track REM, deep, and light sleep; HRV (Heart Rate Variability), and more, I would take its reports with a pinch of salt. It can give indications and provide general trends, but this isn't medical quality data. The Oura Ring 4 , one of the best smart rings , is a wearable sleep-tracking gold standard (or as
close as it gets) and is considerably more expensive than this slender band.

The Band 11 Pro excels when it comes to battery performance and is in fact
one of its strongest selling points. Despite having a significantly brighter and larger screen than its predecessor, it manages to achieve a maximum of
two weeks' use when Always-On Display (AOD) is disabled and GPS tracking is kept to a minimum, worthy of one of the best Garmin watches.

When I turned on continuous heart rate monitoring, performed sleep tracking, and carried out a few workouts per week, the battery stayed alive nearly a week, which is reasonable given that you're not going to be using this type
of tracker for long-distance off-grid excursions. I found recharging to be very quick, with 0-100% achieved in a little over an hour. Performance score: 4/5 (Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton) Huawei Band 11 Pro: Scorecard Swipe to scroll horizontally

Category

Comment

Score

Value

A great price for a budget smartwatch with some advanced features.

4.5/5

Design

A simple design with a metal case and AMOLED display sets it apart.

4/5

Features

Onboard GPS and excellent sleep tracking help elevate this smartwatch beyond super-budget alternatives.

4/5

Performance

Intuitive user experience and excellent battery life but lacks GPS accuracy.

4/5 Huawei Band 11 Pro: Should I buy? Buy it if... You want a simple fitness tracker that just keeps on going

With a low-power HarmonyOS, the Band 11 Pro can stretch to up to 14 days.
That means it won't be a problem if you forget to pack the charger when going on holiday. You need to sort out your sleep and need some accurate metrics

Through the use of medical-grade algorithms, the watch is capable of
detecting sleep apnea risks and breathing interruptions. You want a great-looking smartwatch without the premium price tag

With an aluminum alloy case and an AMOLED display, it moves beyond super-budget trackers without entering into flagship or ultra territory.
Don't buy it if... You're an avid fan of the Google or Apple ecosystem

If you're reliant on Google Fit, Apple Health, Maps, or YouTube Music, then you'll find it difficult to make full use of the Band 11 Pro experience. You love having third-party apps on your wrist

With zero support for WhatsApp, Spotify, or even Uber, you'll have a very limited smartwatch experience. You buy a smartwatch for its pro features

Despite the name, it's hard to justify that this is a pro tracker. The lack
of advanced health diagnostics and NFC capabilities limits its use beyond exercise tracking. Also consider Fitbit Charge 6

A very similarly specced smartwatch to the Huawei Band 11 Pro but with a slightly higher price tag. If you want a more recognisable budget smartwatch brand, then this Fitbit will do the job nicely.

Read our Fitbit Charge 6 review View Deal Amazfit Bip 6

A square-shaped alternative with onboard GPS. Very similarly priced, so if
you want a larger display, this is a great option.

Read our Amazfit Bip 6 review View Deal Xiaomi Smart Band 10

A super cute and very affordable fitness tracker, but it lacks onboard GPS. Wed recommend this one if youre on a seriously tight budget and dont mind taking your phone with you for GPS connectivity when exercising.

Read our Xiaomi Smart Band 10 review View Deal How I tested I wore the
Huawei Band 11 Pro almost non-stop for three weeks. I used it while running, cycling, walking, showering, working out, sleeping, playing with my children, texting, photographing, and daily life. I tested its GPS against the reliable Huawei Watch Ultimate and compared its specs to contemporaries in its price category. First reviewed: May 2026 Amazfit Balance 2: Price Comparison 299.90 235.59 View 299.90 247.99 View 270.60 View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/huaweis-new-premium-budg et-smartwatch-could-be-the-fitness-tracker-to-buy-this-year-even-over-the-upco ming-fitbit-air


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