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.
Lifestyle
Your coffee nook is getting a makeover with Starbucks’ holiday collections
Seven collections and a Lazada exclusive arrive from November 3 to December 1.
Starbucks Philippines is rolling out its holiday merchandise in waves, starting November 3, and this year’s lineup treats your daily tumbler as a fashion accessory. Here’s what’s arriving, sorted by release dates.
November 3
Midnight Muse (“Wrapped in Sophistication”) is the sparkle-forward pick, with metallic finishes and delicate embellishments.
The 14oz Mug has rhinestone details and a gold rim (PhP 2,645), and the 16oz Mug with Phone Charm comes with a pearl phone chain (PhP 2,245).
The Mini Bag is PhP 1,395, and the Bag Charm, which has heart, clover and flower charms plus a fluffy pom, is PhP 925.
Dusk to Dawn Chic pairs floral artwork with a day-to-night look. Priced at PhP 3,095, it’s sold as a set of 4.9oz stainless steel tumblers with leak-proof lids.
Snow and Ribbon brings festive silk-print artwork to reusable cups, with four designs to collect. The 16oz cups are PhP 245, and the 24oz cups are PhP 285.
On Lazada, the Mallow Charm Bundles pair select holiday drinkware with a Mallow Charm. That includes the 16oz Snowman Marshmallow Coffee Time Tumbler. They’re sold exclusively through the Starbucks Lazada Flagship Store.
November 16
Geometric Holiday (“Wrapped in Vibrance”) is the maximalist collection, with bold patterns throughout. The 19oz Tumbler has a carry handle and a tea infuser lid (PhP 1,595), and the 18oz Cold Cup comes with a cardholder (PhP 2,295). The Bearista
Plushie in a red suit doubles as a bag (PhP 2,145), and the Coffee Coaster, made from recycled coffee waste, is PhP 695.
Champagne Shimmer is all metallic finishes and lightweight, compact designs. The 16oz Cold Cup with Straw Charm has a star-shaped charm and an embossed Siren logo (PhP 2,075). The 8oz Stainless Steel Tumbler is shaped like the classic Starbucks paper cup (PhP 1,895).
The 29th Anniversary collection takes its cues from the sea, with pearlescent finishes and mermaid details. The 12oz Ceramic Siren Mug is PhP 1,345, and the 12oz Ceramic Shell Mug has a seashell-inspired handle (PhP 1,395).
The 16oz Tumbler with Pouch comes with a shell-shaped earbuds pouch (PhP 2,245), and the Canvas Tote Bag has a charm-friendly ring on the handle (PhP 1,295).
December 1
Moonlit Blue (“Wrapped in Enchantment”) is the most understated of the bunch, with cooler tones and dreamy finishes. The 20oz Water Bottle has a handled lid with a retractable straw (PhP 1,775), and the 16oz Water Bottle comes with a metal keyring and charm (PhP 2,195).
The 12oz Tumbler has a glitter finish (PhP 1,895), and the Crossbody Pouch fits most phone sizes (PhP 1,295).
Lifestyle
This pop-up sauna brings the steam room experience into your home
HAZEMOR’s Instant Sauna sets up in about a minute and folds into a closet
A home sauna no longer needs a dedicated room or a permanent spot in your house.
HAZEMOR’s new Instant Sauna is designed to bring the steam room experience into smaller spaces. It comes with a pop-up frame that sets up in about a minute and folds away when the session is over.
The portable indoor steam sauna uses the brand’s QuickFlow semi-automatic frame, which opens without tools or separate poles.
Once the frame is locked and its four support legs are raised, the sauna is ready for its steamer. The 1,300-watt unit has a 3-liter stainless-steel tank. It produces steam in about two minutes with hot water or six to eight minutes with cold tap water.
Inside, the temperature reaches up to 131°F (55°C), with adjustable steam levels and a timer for customizing each session. A remote control lets users change the settings without stepping outside the enclosure.
The design takes a brighter approach to the traditional steam tent. Finished in warm beige and champagne tones, the HAZEMOR Instant Sauna has two transparent ceiling panels under its SKY TOP WINDOWS design, which let natural light into the space.
Its three-layer insulated fabric pairs a water-resistant exterior with a heat-retaining middle layer and a soft interior surface.
With interior dimensions of approximately 43 × 43 inches and 71 inches of headroom, the sauna leaves room to sit comfortably.
It comes with a folding chair and floor mat, along with the steamer, steam hose, remote control, squeegee, and carry bag.
Price, availability
For those looking to expand their setup, HAZEMOR also offers a Red & Near-Infrared Light Kit for an additional US$ 149. It includes three 10-watt tubes that combine 660nm red light and 850nm near-infrared light.
Storage is factored into the design as well. Folded, the sauna measures approximately 41 × 12 × 12 inches, small enough to tuck into a closet or bedroom corner. Assembled, it needs about 47 × 47 inches of floor space and access to a standard household outlet.
The HAZEMOR Instant Sauna is available now in the United States through the brand’s website for US$ 425. An early-bird price of US$ 319 runs from November 3 to 16, 2026.
Each purchase comes with a one-year limited warranty and a 30-day return window from delivery.
Lifestyle
Sticker season is back, and so is the planner your ~friends~ might fill in for you
Starbucks Traditions turns 24 with five pieces in the 2027 collection!
There are two kinds of people during the holidays: those who start planning their Christmas shopping early and those who hear the word merienda and immediately calculate how many Starbucks drinks stand between them and a new planner.
If you belong to the latter, consider this your annual reminder. Starbucks Traditions returns to the Philippines on November 3 for its 24th year, bringing a bigger collection with five pieces this time around. And suddenly, your afternoon coffee plans have acquired a very specific financial objective.
The 2026 collection carries the theme “Wrapped in Joy,” celebrating the little surprises that make the holidays feel special.
Think thoughtful gestures, unexpected visits, and friends who actually follow through on plans. You know, the rarest Christmas miracle of all.
Finally, someone is making plans for the planner
Starbucks is giving this year’s campaign a little emotional backstory with “Kami Naman,” a holiday film about Mara, the friend who somehow became the designated organizer of every barkada gathering.
You know her. She’s the one who starts the group chat, finds the restaurant, checks everyone’s availability, and sends the follow-up message when nobody responds.
This time, her friends decide she’s had enough administrative duties for one lifetime. They surprise her at Starbucks with a planner already filled with gatherings they’ve organized for her throughout the year.
Set to Eraserheads’ “With a Smile,” the film is a sweet reminder that the friend who makes everyone else’s holidays special deserves a little magic herself. The song will also be playing in Starbucks stores from November 3 to January 4.
You can watch the full film on Starbucks Philippines’ social media channels. Consider forwarding it to your group chat, particularly if you have been carrying the entire social calendar on your back.
Why your current coffee accessories suddenly feel inadequate
This year’s collection looks ready to be wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree, with copper, ivory, and black setting the mood. Each piece has its own appeal, which makes choosing a favorite a rather complicated exercise in holiday budgeting.
The Siren Planner with Pouch is for the organized one who has approximately 47 things to remember and would prefer to make that 48 with a beautiful planner. It also comes with a surprise keychain in one of five designs, giving you another tiny mystery to obsess over.
The Travel Case with Towel makes its debut in the collection, and suddenly, the idea of booking a little getaway sounds very reasonable. You may have nowhere to go yet, but at least your travel essentials will be beautifully organized when the opportunity presents itself.
For your everyday caffeine arrangements, there’s the 20oz Stainless Steel Tumbler and the 24oz Cold Cup. Both are practical additions to your daily rotation, although you may find yourself explaining why you need another drinking vessel when your kitchen cabinet is already staging a protest.
Then there’s the 20oz Glass Mug, which is arguably the most emotionally persuasive purchase of the bunch.
You don’t necessarily need another mug. You simply deserve one that makes your morning coffee feel a little more special. That’s a perfectly respectable argument, as far as your holiday shopping budget is concerned.
The 19-sticker strategy
Now comes the part that requires a little planning. From November 3, 2026 to January 4, 2027, every Tall, Grande, or Venti handcrafted beverage earns you one e-sticker. You can collect them through the Starbucks PH App or a QR Promo Card.
Reach 19 e-stickers and you can redeem one piece from the 2027 Starbucks Traditions collection until March 5, 2027.
The strategy is fairly straightforward. You order your usual handcrafted beverage, invite your friends for merienda, and let the stickers accumulate. Suddenly, that afternoon coffee with your best friend has a second purpose, and your usual catch-up session feels a little more productive.
Before committing to a particular piece, take a look at the full collection at starbuckstraditions.ph. You might already have your eye on the planner, or you could find yourself unexpectedly falling for the glass mug. Either way, knowing what you’re collecting for makes the sticker-counting considerably more exciting.
Since its Philippine debut in 2004, Starbucks Traditions has become one of those holiday rituals that people look forward to every year. It’s the season of comparing sticker counts, coordinating coffee runs, and celebrating the little rewards that make an ordinary afternoon feel festive.
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