Huawei Band 10 Review: Better Than Fitbit?

The Huawei Band 10 is positioned to shift perceptions of what budget fitness trackers can offer. Priced significantly below many of its rivals, this smartwatch brings an unexpectedly strong feature set to the table. While lower-cost fitness bands often scale back on performance, this one delivers a 14-day battery life and supports more than 100 physical activities—an impressive feat at its price point.

The 1.47-inch AMOLED display isn’t just striking to look at—it’s been designed with workout practicality in mind. In addition, the Huawei Band 10 includes more advanced functions like irregular heart rhythm detection and an Emotional Wellbeing Assistant for mood tracking. It also offers Touch 'n Go QR payment functionality, making wrist-based payments a possibility. But the big question is: can it realistically challenge Fitbit? Our closer examination reveals the answer.

For those planning to pick one up—or already using one—a wide variety of Huawei Band 10 straps and accessories are available for further personalization.

What Is the Huawei Band 10 and Who Is It For?

The Huawei Band 10 introduces an affordable way into the world of fitness tracking, combining everyday usability with health monitoring in a slim and lightweight design. Measuring just 8.99mm in thickness and weighing only 15g, it caters to those seeking comfort, functionality, and style without the premium price tag.

Target Audience: Runners, Sleep Trackers, Casual Users

Designed to address varied user profiles, the Huawei Band 10 brings specific benefits for different needs. Runners will benefit from its 9-axis IMU sensor, which includes an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer—together enabling precise movement tracking across various terrain types. Its minimal weight ensures it doesn’t become a distraction, even on long-distance runs.

For those focused on sleep tracking, the Band 10’s advanced monitoring capabilities cover multiple dimensions. It tracks sleep stages, breathing patterns, and nighttime disturbances, delivering a comprehensive Sleep Summary complete with personalized suggestions. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) tracking also enhances the sleep data, offering deeper insights into recovery and restfulness.

Compatibility with both iOS and Android platforms ensures broad accessibility regardless of the user’s smartphone brand.

Key Features at a Glance

A breakdown of the Huawei Band 10’s core specifications and features reveals just how much is packed into this slim device:

• Display: 1.47-inch AMOLED screen, 194 × 368 resolution, 282 PPI, with Always-On Display support
• Health Monitoring: Continuous heart rate, SpO₂ tracking, stress monitoring, irregular rhythm alerts
• Workout Tracking: 100+ workout modes, including swim tracking with up to 95% reported accuracy
• Battery Life: Up to 14 days on light use, 8 days with regular use, 3 days with Always-On Display
• Water Resistance: Rated at 5 ATM—suitable for swimming pools and shallow water
• Smart Functions: Message and call alerts, music control, Find My Phone

Among its more unique offerings is the Emotional Wellbeing Assistant, which uses biometric data to track emotional state and reflect mood directly on the watch face, delivering a more interactive experience.

Price Point and Market Positioning

The Huawei Band 10 fits firmly in the affordable segment of the smartwatch market. Despite this, its capabilities align more closely with mid-range devices, making it a standout in terms of value.

Two variants are available: a high-end version with an aluminium alloy case in colors like Matte Black, White, Green, Blue, and Purple, and a more affordable version with a polymer case offered in Black and Pink. This split-tier design allows Huawei to reach both price-sensitive buyers and those seeking a more premium look.

When viewed alongside other options in the market, the Huawei Band 10 stands out for its combination of display quality, comprehensive health monitoring, and exceptional battery life. Many fitness trackers in this price range require more frequent charging, while the Band 10 pushes the bar with up to 14 days of runtime.

Its rapid-charging functionality enhances the convenience factor—five minutes of charging yields up to two days of use. A full charge is completed in just 45 minutes, significantly outperforming many competitors in its class.

What the Huawei Band 10 Offers Users

Under close evaluation and in-depth analysis, the Huawei Band 10 reveals its focus on real-world usability and day-to-day practicality. It’s built to perform during workouts and rest alike, offering features that go beyond the spec sheet.

Comfort During Long Runs and Sleep

The device’s slim 8.99mm profile and 15g weight contribute to prolonged wearability without discomfort. This low-profile build reduces the friction typically experienced with sleeve contact and avoids the bulkiness found in many trackers, with minimal irritation even after extended physical activity.

The same lightweight design makes the Band 10 a strong fit for sleep tracking, with its low-profile build supporting uninterrupted overnight wear. Its clasp mechanism is engineered for stability, reducing the likelihood of accidental dislodging during sleep.

Touchscreen Responsiveness and UI Navigation

Though the display specs appear unchanged from earlier iterations, visual feedback and responsiveness have been noticeably enhanced. The thinner bezels give the 1.47-inch AMOLED screen a more immersive look, and the UI runs smoothly under Huawei’s HarmonyOS system.

Swiping between screens is fluid, and the touch input remains accurate—even when fingers are damp from sweat. Navigation across widgets and apps is intuitive, with core functions such as heart rate monitoring and workout initiation accessible without delay.

The menu layout emphasizes ease of access, allowing quick switching between tasks even during high-motion activities.

Watch Face Customisation and AOD Use

With over 700 watch faces available, personalization is a major strength of the Band 10. Switching between designs is done through a simple long press on the current face, or by navigating through the watch’s settings.

The Huawei Health app expands this functionality, including premium and user-uploaded options, such as custom faces featuring personal photos. Notably, the Panda Huahua face is one of the most interactive, reflecting emotional state alongside the time.

The Always-On Display function allows key data to remain visible at all times, though users should expect a reduction in battery life to roughly three days with AOD enabled. Despite this, visibility remains strong even under direct sunlight, and the feature is integrated seamlessly.

Health and Wellness Features in Daily Life

The Huawei Band 10 includes tools for health tracking that operate passively in the background, helping users gain a clearer picture of overall wellness.

Sleep Apnea Detection and Sleep Score

Advanced sleep analysis capabilities allow the device to monitor HRV throughout the night, generating personalized sleep scores that reflect restfulness and recovery. A higher HRV often signals more effective physiological relaxation, while lower values may suggest elevated stress.

In addition to staging and breathing pattern analysis, the device supports sleep apnea detection using a combination of heart rate, respiratory rate, SpO₂, and abnormal movement monitoring.

The Sleep mode feature silences notifications and disables lift-to-wake during rest periods. Additionally, built-in white noise and breathing tools are available for users seeking a more restful experience.

Emotional Wellbeing Assistant and Panda Huahua

The Emotional Wellbeing Assistant uses biometric markers like HRV to assess and visualize mood throughout the day. This data is represented in real time by the Panda Huahua watch face, which responds to stress levels and other metrics with animated feedback.

Interactive wellness options—including guided breathing exercises and workout suggestions—can be accessed via swipe gestures when stress levels are detected. The emotional history is available in daily, weekly, monthly, and annual breakdowns, supporting more informed lifestyle adjustments.

Cycle Tracking and Stress Alerts

The Huawei Band 10 includes comprehensive menstrual cycle tracking for female users. Predictions for future periods and fertile windows are based on recorded data, with alerts delivered automatically each morning.

Stress level monitoring is conducted every 30 minutes while at rest. Measurements are paused during physical exertion to maintain data accuracy. The feature can be fine-tuned through a calibration questionnaire in the Huawei Health app. Once configured, it also alerts users to potential cardiac issues, such as atrial fibrillation and premature beats, providing more depth than typical budget devices.

Smart Features and App Integration

Paired with a smartphone, the Band 10 becomes more than just a fitness tracker. Its integration with the Huawei Health app and support for smart notifications extend its utility well beyond health tracking.

Notifications and Call Alerts

The Band 10 displays call, message, and calendar alerts in real time. Popular third-party apps like Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook are supported, making it easy to stay connected. Users can mute or reject calls directly from the device—particularly useful during workouts or meetings.

Music and Camera Controls

Onboard music control allows users to adjust playback without accessing their phone, while camera shutter functionality adds hands-free convenience for group shots and timed photography.

Huawei Health App: Setup and Syncing

Initial setup is handled by scanning a QR code displayed on the device. The Huawei Health app acts as the central hub for all device management and fitness tracking. Automatic cloud sync can be enabled to protect historical data.

Device compatibility includes Android 9.0+ and iOS 11.0+. iPhone users may need to open the Huawei Health app more frequently due to Apple’s background app limitations.

Touch 'n Go QR Payment Support

An unexpected feature at this price point is QR-based payment functionality. After setting a PIN and verifying the device through the Touch 'n Go eWallet app, users can make contactless payments via a scannable QR code—usually a premium feature reserved for high-end smartwatches.

Is It Better Than Fitbit for the Price?

But let's face it - when it comes to fitness trackers and sports-oriented, discreet smartwatches, Fitbit has long been considered the gold standard (and for good reason). However, direct comparisons reveal significant distinctions between the Huawei Band 10 and similarly positioned wearables like the Fitbit Charge 6.

Fitbit Charge 6 vs Huawei Band 10: Core Differences

The Huawei Band 10 is priced at almost half the price of the Fitbit Charge 6, making it incredibly attracted for those looking for a budget option. The Huawei device includes a larger 1.47-inch AMOLED display versus Fitbit’s 1.04-inch screen and offers a slimmer profile (8.99mm vs. 11.7mm).

Fitbit includes built-in GPS, which is absent on the Huawei Band 10. On the flip side, the Band 10 features sleep apnea detection and mood tracking, both uncommon in this price range.

Battery Life and Charging Speed

Battery life remains one of the Huawei Band 10’s top strengths. It offers up to 14 days of runtime, compared to Fitbit’s 7-day maximum. Under normal usage with all major functions enabled, the Huawei averages around 8 days of use.

Charging efficiency also favors Huawei: a full charge takes 45 minutes, with just five minutes yielding up to two days—outpacing Fitbit in both speed and convenience.

Which One Offers Better Value?

Ultimately, choosing between the two comes down to specific needs. Fitbit offers a well-established software ecosystem and GPS for advanced running metrics. However, the Huawei Band 10 delivers a broader array of wellness features, better battery life, and smart tools for nearly half the price.

Conclusion

Reviewing the Huawei Band 10 reveals how budget trackers have matured in recent years. With a price point far below its competitors (especially when considering everything it offers), it presents an appealing package that includes sleep apnea detection, mood tracking, 100+ workout modes, and convenient payment features.

Its slim, comfortable design and rapid charging support make it ideal for everyday wear. While it lacks built-in GPS, the inclusion of features typically reserved for more expensive wearables sets it apart. For users prioritizing wellness, longevity, and affordability, the Huawei Band 10 represents excellent value in 2025’s wearable market.

If you already have a smartwatch from the brand and you're not yet ready to make the Band 10 switch, then we also have a large collection of Huawei straps and other accessories, for every smartwatch and fitness tracker released by the manufacturer.