Lifestyle

How the Huawei Watch GT made me believe in smartwatches

Even though it’s not that smart

Photos by: Patty Medina

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I have a confession to make: I’m not really into smartwatches. As much as I enjoy taking the hottest phones and laptops with me everywhere I go, I prefer wearing a traditional watch around my wrist, or at most, a hybrid smartwatch.

Full-fledged smartwatches are more cumbersome than convenient for me. Not only would I have to charge it daily, but I’d also need to set it up like an actual smartphone. I already have multiple devices to take care of at any given time.

That’s where Huawei’s latest smartwatch comes in. While it isn’t the usual hybrid I’d gladly pair with my phone, it does offer some compromise — ones that make me forget I’m even wearing a smarter-than-average watch.

Honestly, the main reason I even considered accepting the Huawei Watch GT and reviewing it is because of its battery life. With a promise of two-week endurance on a single charge and greater focus on daily health, I took the plunge.

Yes, the battery endurance is legit. Charging it to full, which takes a little over one and a half hours using its portable dock, is enough to make it last for 15 whole days, and that’s with the heart rate sensor always on!

This has to be the Watch GT’s greatest strength; it’ll tell you your heart rate any time you look at its face, and the simple interface is easier to understand than your typical Android. Huawei has done a good job of optimizing its proprietary operating system for common folk’s use.

And yet, that’s also one of the device’s initial weaknesses. You have to learn something new all over again. It’s not like jumping from one Wear OS to another or an older Apple Watch to a newer one. The interface is simple, but totally different.

Fortunately, there are only two physical buttons to worry about: The top enters the options menu and acts as an alternate back/wake-up switch, while the other offers the selection of available exercises.

We have modes for running, climbing, hiking, cycling, and swimming. Some of these require the watch’s GPS to be turned on, which consumes more battery power. If none of these fit the workout you’re about to embark on, there’s an option for “Other.” I used this while playing basketball and lifting weights at the gym.

Aside from those two, I tried outdoor running and open swimming, both of which needed GPS. Once I start the workout, the watch provides vital info such as pace and distance, on top of the usual heart rate and total time. Once you check your connected phone, it’ll show a more comprehensive summary complete with the mapping of your every location.

I must say, the tracking is quite accurate. I get a graph of my heart rate and speed for every minute of the routine, plus a precise map of what I covered. The Huawei Health app is what keeps all the records, and divides the intensities into warm-up, fat-burning, aerobic, anaerobic, and extreme.

All this data gets synced with every pairing between the Watch GT and Health app. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a way to save the data online and view it on other devices. I managed to integrate Google Fit with Huawei Health, but could never transfer any fitness info.

I doubt this would be a problem for most users, but for techies like myself who go from one device to another, it would be perfect to have cloud access. The watch does hold some data so I can at least look back at some previous workouts after moving to another phone.

While on the topic of downsides, I also experienced several annoyances like sudden disconnections to my phone and the raise-to-wake function not always working, but a couple of software patches solved these issues to an extent. I also don’t like how notifications show up twice or not at all; this prevents the Watch GT from being a reliable assistant.

But, in essence, it seems to serve a different purpose altogether — not simply as a virtual companion. Because it’s so light, it acts like a fitness band while working out. And when you’re done exercising and need to head to a meeting or night out, it remains classy enough to pair with any casual or even semi-formal attire.

Like other smartwatches, you may change the watch face any time to match your outfit. Same applies to the watchband — no proprietary standards here, so swap to your heart’s content. This flexibility may be the primary reason why anyone would consider the Huawei Watch GT in the first place.

At the same time, it’s not that intelligent, feeling more like a fitness watch than a smartwatch most of the time. I was thoroughly impressed by the feature set when I first wore it, and yet, it left me wanting more as time went on.

For one, I’d love to be able to install more apps. Customization would make it, well, smarter. In addition, this wearable would benefit greatly from Qi wireless charging. Imagine charging on any compatible charger at home or in a cafe, or better yet, on your Mate 20 Pro’s back! Huawei missed a golden opportunity here.

These setbacks keep a good smartwatch from being great, especially when the market has reached a point wherein there are so many awesome choices now.

An alternative would be the Galaxy Watch of Samsung. It also has its own interface and focuses more on being a business-fitness watch. The differences are in the shorter battery life — limited to a couple of days depending on use — and ability to install additional apps from Samsung’s own app store.

Of course, you could also consider the Apple Watch Series 4. However, even though it targets health tracking and looks way better than previous generations, it’s really best for those who already use an iPhone. That Apple ecosystem in unmatched in the tech realm.

If you’ve made it this far and are still interested, the Huawei Watch GT starts at EUR 199 for the Sport version and costs EUR 249 for the Classic, which is the model you see here. In this case, style definitely comes at a price.

Entertainment

The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert finally arrives in Manila

The run goes from March 4 to 6 at Solaire.

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As far as films in concert go, The Lord of the Rings is the classic experience for fans. Since 2008, the concert experience has been touring the globe, enamoring fans of the series with live renditions of Howard Shore’s iconic soundtrack. Now, the experience is finally arriving in Manila. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert will run in the Philippines from March 4 through 6 next year.

There’s a reason why the iconic trilogy is the classic experience for films in concert. Besides being a legendary film franchise, the series features Howard Shore’s Academy Award-winning score. Fans will likely still recognize the dulcet strings of the Shire or the grandiose crescendo of the Fellowship.

From March 4 to 6, The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert will run at The Theatre in Solaire. Under the baton of Reuben Blundell, the concert will star the 96-member Filharmonika Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ 100-member adult choir and 50-member boys’ choir, and soloist Malena Rampi.

Film Community Philippines members can get exclusive pre-sale access from November 9 to 11. Meanwhile, public ticket sales will start on November 20 via TicketWorld.com.ph.

SEE ALSO: Kingdom Come devs are working on a Lord of the Rings RPG

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Entertainment

Dune and Dune: Part Two return to cinemas ahead of Dune: Part Three

Return to Arrakis.

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The journey to Arrakis isn’t over just yet. Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures are bringing back Dune and Dune: Part Two to select cinemas and IMAX in the Philippines for a limited one-week run starting November 11.

The re-release gives audiences a chance to revisit Denis Villeneuve’s award-winning sci-fi films before the highly anticipated conclusion to his Dune trilogy. Moviegoers will also get an exclusive sneak peek at Dune: Part Three.

The first film, Dune, follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a gifted young man destined for something greater than himself. When his family becomes entangled in a conflict over Arrakis and its valuable spice, Paul must confront his fears and discover his place in the universe.

In Dune: Part Two, Paul continues his journey alongside Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen. Seeking revenge against those responsible for his family’s downfall, he faces a difficult choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe.

Dune: Part Three arrives in December

The story continues in Dune: Part Three, which takes place nearly two decades after Paul Atreides seizes control of the Imperium. Now ruling as Emperor, Paul must deal with the consequences of his reign as old allies return, new threats emerge, and a conspiracy threatens everything he holds dear.

The film sees the return of Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Javier Bardem. They are joined by Charlotte Rampling, Isaach de Bankolé, and Robert Pattinson.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Three opens exclusively in cinemas and IMAX on December 16, 2026, with sneak previews on December 15.

Tickets for the upcoming film are now on sale. For showtimes and ticket information, visit dunepart3.com.ph.

Meanwhile, Dune and Dune: Part Two return to select cinemas and IMAX starting November 11 for one week only.

Watch the trailer:

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Her GadgetMatch

4 new nutribullet kitchen essentials to make holiday hosting easier

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There are two kinds of people during Christmas: those who arrive at the party carrying a bottle of wine, and those who have been in the kitchen since eight in the morning making sure everyone has something to eat.

If you belong to the second group, you probably already know that hosting can be equal parts enjoyable and exhausting.

Between preparing Noche Buena, accommodating everyone’s food preferences, and making sure the drinks keep coming, even a relatively small gathering can turn into a considerable production.

Fortunately, a few well-chosen kitchen appliances can make things easier. And with more Filipinos paying attention to what they eat, versatility has become just as important as convenience.

That was the idea behind nutribullet’s recent launch of four kitchen appliances in the Philippines, introducing everything from compact personal blenders to a full-sized machine and an ice cream maker.

Celebrity chef Ylyt demonstrated the appliances during the event, which also brought together content creators, lifestyle enthusiasts, and members of the Tita Run Club.

The new lineup caters to different kitchen needs, whether you’re preparing a quick breakfast before work, experimenting with healthier recipes, or entertaining the entire family.

Here’s what each machine brings to the table.

nutribullet 700: For small kitchens and everyday smoothies

Not everyone has the luxury of a spacious kitchen, especially if you’re living in a condominium where every inch of counter space matters.

The nutribullet 700 keeps the brand’s familiar compact design while introducing a 700-watt motor intended for everyday blending.

It’s particularly suited to people who want to prepare smoothies, protein shakes, and other single-serving drinks without bringing out a full-sized blender.

And while it’s easy to associate personal blenders with breakfast, they can be useful for other things, too.

Think homemade salad dressings, small batches of sauces, or a quick dip for your holiday appetizers.

Its relatively small footprint also makes it a practical option for anyone who prefers keeping kitchen appliances within easy reach rather than storing them away after every use.

nutribullet Turbo: For busy mornings and more demanding blends

If smoothies are already part of your daily routine, the nutribullet Turbo offers a step up in power.

Equipped with a 1,000-watt motor, this personal blender is designed to handle a wider variety of ingredients while maintaining the convenience of a compact machine.

It’s an option for anyone who regularly blends fruit, vegetables, ice, and other smoothie ingredients, particularly when mornings are too busy for elaborate meal preparation.

During the holidays, that same versatility can come in handy for preparing fruit-based drinks, sauces, and other blended ingredients.

The appeal is straightforward: enough power for everyday blending without requiring the space of a traditional countertop blender.

For people trying to maintain their usual routines amid the inevitable Christmas indulgence, it could be one of the more useful appliances to have around.

nutribullet Power Core: For the family that comes over hungry

There comes a point during holiday preparations when making everything in individual portions simply stops being practical.

Especially when the entire extended family is coming over.

For larger households and people who regularly entertain, the nutribullet Power Core offers a full-sized alternative to the brand’s personal blenders.

The machine features a 1,200-watt motor, according to the product materials, and is designed for preparing larger quantities of blended ingredients.

That makes it useful for everything from smoothies and fruit drinks to soups, sauces, and other recipes that benefit from a more generous blending capacity.

Imagine preparing a batch of pumpkin soup for Christmas dinner, blending a sauce for the main course, or making enough frozen fruit drinks for several guests.

A larger blender also means fewer batches, which is particularly helpful when you’re already juggling several dishes.

And unlike personal blenders designed primarily for individual servings, the Power Core is better suited to households where cooking and entertaining regularly involve more than one or two people.

nutribullet Chill: For anyone who takes dessert seriously

Now, this is where things get particularly interesting.

The nutribullet Chill is an ice cream maker designed for preparing frozen desserts at home, giving users more control over the flavors and ingredients they want to use.

It comes with five preset programs for ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, and smoothie bowls.

The process involves preparing a dessert base, freezing it in the included pint container, and using the machine to process it into a frozen dessert.

According to nutribullet, its 360DoubleCream Blade Technology uses dual-direction rotation to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.

For Christmas, the possibilities are particularly appealing.

You could prepare mango sorbet, chocolate ice cream, strawberry frozen yogurt, or a dessert inspired by Filipino holiday favorites.

It’s also an opportunity to experiment with ingredients and sweetness levels, particularly if you’re preparing desserts for people with different preferences.

And if you’re hosting, being able to offer several homemade flavors feels considerably more personal than simply opening another tub of store-bought ice cream.

Making room for better everyday habits

Although the holidays provide a good excuse to upgrade kitchen equipment, the more practical consideration is how often you’ll use these appliances once the decorations have been packed away.

A compact blender makes sense for someone preparing breakfast before work. A larger machine is more useful for families who regularly cook together. And an ice cream maker may appeal to people who enjoy experimenting with homemade desserts.

The best choice ultimately depends on your kitchen space, cooking habits, and the kinds of food you actually prepare.

Because while a new appliance can make cooking more convenient, the real value comes from finding one that earns its place on your countertop long after Christmas.

The new nutribullet lineup is available at the brand’s stores on Level 4 of Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, and Level 2 of Glorietta 2, as well as online at nutribullet.ph.

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