Honor Watch 5 Ultra specifications and in-depth review

Honor Watch 5 Ultra

Manufacturer: Honor

The Honor Watch 5 Ultra is a full-featured smartwatch that covers a broad range of health monitoring and activity tracking needs. Built around a 1.5″ OLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 px and a pixel density of 310 ppi, it also carries a sapphire glass screen and an always-on display mode. At 51.8 g and 11.4 mm thick, the watch has a square 46.3 x 46.3 mm case with a replaceable 21.5 mm band, giving users some flexibility in how they wear it day to day.

On the technical side, the Honor Watch 5 Ultra is rated at 5 ATM and IP68, with a waterproof depth of 1.5 m, and it even includes a stroke counter for swimming and support for diving activities. Sensors on board include a heart rate monitor, pulse oximeter, barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer, and compass, alongside built-in GPS with Galileo support. The 480 mAh rechargeable battery is rated for up to 15 days of use. Health features extend to ECG, HRV tracking, VO2 max measurement, temperature tracking, and irregular heart rate warnings, while the companion app adds goal setting, coaching, fertility and ovulation tracking, live tracking, and BMI monitoring, among other tools. Connectivity runs over Bluetooth 5.2, and the watch supports voice commands, call control, and a remote camera shutter function.

Pros
  • Sapphire glass display offers solid scratch resistance without relying on branded protective coatings
  • Rated at both 5 ATM and IP68 with a 1.5 m waterproof depth, and includes a swim stroke counter and diving support for water-based activities
  • Comprehensive health monitoring covers ECG, HRV tracking, VO2 max, blood oxygenation, resting heart rate, and irregular heart rate warnings in a single device
  • The free, ad-free companion app includes an unusually wide range of tracking tools, from BMI and water intake to ovulation prediction and fertile window notifications
  • Built-in GPS with Galileo support, route tracking, elevation tracking, and maps make it a capable option for outdoor activities
  • Replaceable band adds flexibility for wear customization over time
Cons
  • No cellular module means the watch depends entirely on a paired smartphone for connectivity outside of GPS use
  • Lacks NFC, which rules out contactless payment functionality
  • Wi-Fi and ANT+ are not supported, limiting wireless connectivity options
  • No fall detection is present despite the range of health-focused features
  • Smart alarm is not available, only a standard silent alarm with vibration
  • No readiness or recovery level indicator, which is a noticeable gap given the depth of other fitness metrics on offer
Who is this for?

This watch is a strong fit for health-conscious users who want detailed biometric monitoring in one place, given its support for ECG, HRV tracking, VO2 max, blood oxygenation, and irregular heart rate warnings. Outdoor and endurance athletes will also find it well-suited to their needs, thanks to built-in GPS with Galileo support, elevation tracking, route mapping, and a 15-day battery life that reduces the need for frequent recharging. Those who spend time in or around water — whether swimming or diving — benefit from the 5 ATM and IP68 rating combined with a dedicated stroke counter. The free, ad-free companion app with its wide range of tracking tools, including fertility, ovulation, and menstrual cycle features, makes it particularly relevant for users looking for a comprehensive wellness platform alongside general fitness tracking.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who need a fully independent wearable will find this watch limiting, as it lacks a cellular module and requires a paired smartphone for most connectivity-dependent functions. The absence of NFC makes it unsuitable for anyone expecting contactless payment support from their smartwatch. Those who prioritize recovery-oriented metrics may also be underwhelmed, since there is no readiness or recovery level indicator despite the depth of other health features. Additionally, users who prefer seamless integration with desktop platforms will find no compatibility with Windows or Mac OS X, and the lack of ANT+ support means it will not connect with the broader range of ANT+-based fitness accessories.

Design:

screen size 1.5"
Display type OLED/AMOLED
water resistance Waterproof
ATM rating 5 ATM
Ingress Protection (IP) rating IP68
waterproof depth rating 1.5 m
Always-On Display
pixel density 310 ppi
resolution 466 x 466 px
Watch band is replaceable
has branded damage-resistant glass
thickness 11.4 mm
weight 51.8 g
height 46.3 mm
width 46.3 mm
Has a display
has a touch screen
Has sapphire glass display
volume 24.438066 cm³
is designed for kids
width of band 21.5 mm

The Honor Watch 5 Ultra features a 1.5″ OLED/AMOLED touchscreen with a resolution of 466 x 466 px and a pixel density of 310 ppi, and it supports an always-on display mode. The screen is protected by sapphire glass, though it does not use branded damage-resistant glass such as Gorilla Glass. The watch measures 46.3 x 46.3 mm with a thickness of 11.4 mm and weighs 51.8 g, with a volume of 24.438066 cm³. Its 21.5 mm band is replaceable, adding some versatility in terms of customization. On the durability side, it carries a 5 ATM rating and IP68 certification, with a waterproof depth rating of 1.5 m, making it suitable for water exposure during everyday activities. The watch is not designed for kids.

Sensors:

Monitors blood oxygenation levels
Has a heart rate monitor
has GPS
has an accelerometer
has a compass
Has a barometer
has a gyroscope
Has a cadence sensor
Monitors perspiration

The Honor Watch 5 Ultra is equipped with a solid set of sensors, including a heart rate monitor, a pulse oximeter for tracking blood oxygenation levels, and built-in GPS for location and route data. Motion tracking is handled by an accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass, while a barometer adds environmental awareness for elevation and pressure readings. The watch does not include a cadence sensor or a perspiration monitor.

Activity tracking:

Tracks your sleep
Tracks distance
Tracks steps taken
Measures pace
Provides sleep reports
Detects activities automatically
Has a route tracker
Tracks elevation
Has exercise tagging
Has a stroke counter for swimming
Tracks calorie intake
Designed for diving

The Honor Watch 5 Ultra covers a wide range of activity tracking capabilities, logging steps, distance, pace, and elevation during workouts, along with a route tracker for mapping movement. It detects activities automatically and supports exercise tagging, making it easier to keep records organized without manual input. Sleep tracking is included alongside detailed sleep reports, and calorie intake can also be logged for a broader picture of daily habits. Water-based activities are well supported too, with a swim stroke counter and dedicated support for diving. All of these features combine to offer fairly comprehensive day-to-day activity and health tracking.

Connectivity:

has a cellular module
Is compatible with iOS
Is compatible with Android
Bluetooth version 5.2
supports Wi-Fi
supports ANT+
has NFC
supports Galileo

The Honor Watch 5 Ultra connects to smartphones via Bluetooth 5.2 and is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. It also supports the Galileo satellite navigation system, which contributes to its location tracking capabilities. The watch does not include a cellular module, Wi-Fi, NFC, or ANT+ support, keeping its wireless feature set relatively focused.

Battery:

battery life 15 days
battery power 480 mAh
has a rechargeable battery
Has a solar power battery
has a removable battery

The Honor Watch 5 Ultra is powered by a 480 mAh rechargeable battery with a rated battery life of up to 15 days. The battery is not removable and does not support solar charging.

Features:

has HRV tracking
measures VO2 max
measures resting heart rate
has fast/slow heart rate notifications
shows readiness level
Can be used to answer calls
Locates your phone
Has call control
Has notifications
has irregular heart rate warnings
Has ECG technology
Has silent alarm
Has vibrating alerts
has fall detection
Has a stopwatch
Has smart alarm
has voice commands
Has a built-in camera remote control function
warranty period 1 years
has a front camera

The Honor Watch 5 Ultra offers a broad set of health and convenience features, including ECG technology, HRV tracking, VO2 max measurement, resting heart rate monitoring, and fast/slow heart rate notifications alongside irregular heart rate warnings. It supports call answering, call control, and wrist notifications, and can also locate your phone and respond to voice commands. A built-in camera remote shutter adds a handy utility function. For alarms, it includes a silent alarm with vibrating alerts, though it does not offer a smart alarm or fall detection, and it does not show a readiness or recovery level. A stopwatch is also on board, and the watch has no front camera. It comes with a 1-year warranty.

App & Software:

Provides activity reports
Has inactivity alerts
Counts how many calories you've burned
Has goal setting
Has achievements
Free app
Has exercise diary
Ad-free
Has coaching
Has temperature tracking
Has period notifications
Supports routes
Has voice feedback
Has music playback
Displays fertile window notifications
Includes maps
Predicts ovulation
Predicts start date
Supports widgets
Can be personalised
Has barcode scanner on app
Tracks water intake
Has weight tracking
Has live tracking
Tracks BMI

The companion app for the Honor Watch 5 Ultra is free and ad-free, and it supports personalisation along with widgets to suit different preferences. It covers a wide range of health and fitness tools, including activity reports, an exercise diary, goal setting, achievements, coaching, and inactivity alerts, as well as calorie burn tracking, water intake, weight, BMI, and temperature tracking. Live tracking, route support, and maps are available for outdoor activities, complemented by voice feedback and music playback during workouts. On the wellness side, the app includes period notifications, fertile window notifications, ovulation prediction, and start date prediction. It does not feature a barcode scanner.

Miscellaneous:

has a battery level indicator
Has auto pause
Has passcode
Compatible with smart scales
Compatible with external heart rate monitors
Is compatible with Windows
has an external memory slot
Is compatible with Mac OS X
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack

The Honor Watch 5 Ultra includes a battery level indicator, auto pause, and passcode protection. It is compatible with smart scales and external heart rate monitors, broadening its utility within a connected health setup. The watch does not support Windows or Mac OS X desktop connectivity, and it has no external memory slot or 3.5 mm audio jack.

Final Verdict

The Honor Watch 5 Ultra is a feature-dense smartwatch that covers a genuinely broad spectrum of health tracking, outdoor activity, and everyday utility within a single device. Its combination of ECG, HRV, VO2 max, and blood oxygenation monitoring alongside GPS with Galileo support, sapphire glass, and a 5 ATM/IP68 water resistance rating gives it a strong footing for users who take both fitness and durability seriously. The free, ad-free companion app further extends its value with an unusually wide range of wellness and tracking tools. Where it falls short — no cellular, no NFC, no readiness scoring — reflects deliberate trade-offs rather than oversights, and those limitations matter most to users seeking a standalone or payment-capable wearable. For health-focused individuals and active users who want comprehensive biometric data paired with reliable outdoor performance, the Honor Watch 5 Ultra represents a well-rounded and capable choice.

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