It's kind of disorienting when you think about our situation today vs this time last year. We've had a taste of normalcy in the past few months and are slowly returning to old normal (with a mask on at all times!) In my case, I've already returned to the office and taking this opportunity to squeeze in some cardio by walking to and from the office. 

My two constants during this daily routine? A dependable smart band and audio wearable to always keep me in the loop may it be in terms of wellness, entertainment, or communication. It was timely getting the new Huawei Band 7 and Freebuds SE as I try to establish sustainable habits.

"You're still on your adjustment period." I always tell myself when this phrase when things don't go my way after I moved out of my parents' house. There are just too many things to think about all at the same time—work, maintaining the household, taking care of a dog, and blogging. 

That fine morning where I ride a bike to Alabang wearing the Huawei Watch 3

I'm at that awkward learning stage again where I had to deal with keeping up with my to-do list all at the same time without snapping. My realization? The past four months of quarantine-ing alone made me think that I can continue to enjoy the things that I love doing if I keep moving. As they say, physical activity is not only good for the body but is also good for the mind.

As we continue to deal with the changes brought by the pandemic, I easily knew I had to go easy with myself, step back, and think of ways to maintain a positive mindset. Now that I was finally able to juggle the solo-living-slash-pawrenting sitch, I realized it's time to overcome the exercise relapse and release endorphins. What better way to kickstart this by equipping myself with the new Huawei Watch 3 and Scale 3 Pro. I already shared my first impressions here, but you can read on for my full review of these devices! 

Exercise relapse is real with the current pandemic situation. There are many things happening (or not happening) that kind of derailed me from my goals—to be in a better headspace as things remain uncertain and focus on the things that I can control. To achieve this, I've got two new powerful flagship devices from Huawei to help pace myself back in the habit of working out—the Huawei Scale 3 Pro and the Huawei Watch 3. Read on to know about my unboxing experience and first impressions on these devices!

Huawei Scale 3 Pro and Watch 3

Huawei Scale 3 Pro

Unboxing

Similar to other Huawei devices, one can see right off the bat the product name and how it looks in front of the box. While the back part showcases a sample of the analysis report that the Huawei Health app generates after one's weigh-in. The packaging also breakdowns the device's other features like 8-electrode, dual-frequency, and Wi-Fi & Bluetooth connection capabilities. 

The Huawei Scale 3 Pro's front and back packaging

Also, both Android and iOS users can benefit from the device as long as the Huawei Health app is installed on the phone. It also states that all fitness data is for reference only and not intended for medical use.

The Huawei Scale 3 Pro packaging once opened

The package contains the Huawei Scale 3 Pro, warranty card, and a plain booklet (not sure why this is included lol)

Exquisite Aesthetics

Setting up

As soon as it's paired, I got a notification saying that I can connect the device to Wi-Fi so that the data will be easily synced to the Huawei Health app. Setting up was quick and easy that it only took me less than five minutes to configure and set up the scale.

How to Use

On the Huawei Health app, click the "weight" option and then the "measure" icon on the lower part of the screen afterward. It will then ask you to step on the scale barefoot and pull up the handle. The device requires you to stand straight with your arms out and feet comfortably apart as the scale analyzes the data. The total process of taking my weight, body fat rate, and heart rate took a total of 32 seconds. The smartphone also gets a notification indicating the final weight and body fat rate.

Professional Health Management

After the quick weigh-in, there's an option on the Huawei Health app to render a body composition analysis report to summarize the data that it had gathered comprising of body composition, skeletal muscle, fat, key indicators, and other indicators. This data is readily available for download as soon as you head to the "Analysis Report" option at the lower part of the screen.

Huawei Watch 3

After having an overview of my body's current state, it's now time to put in the work with the help of the Huawei Watch 3. Aside from being all-around health and sports management tool, it also can help elevate one's lifestyle through its plethora of features.

Unboxing

The Huawei GT2 Pro Watch and Huawei Watch 3 unboxing experiences are similar given that they both are housed in a premium-looking box with a photo of the device in front. Once opened, the two compartments welcome the user—one for the watch and the other for the Charger, User Guide & Quick Start Guide, Safety Information, and Warranty Card.

The first thing I noticed after taking the wearable out of its box is its round-shaped edge and two buttons on the side, with the up button being a fully rotatable crown. Because I have the Active Edition, the watch came with a black silicone strap that's perfect for sweating out. There's also a gap between the strap and the watch face allowing air to seep through the skin. 

Setting up

Once turned on (by holding the rotating crown button), I was welcomed by the Huawei logo and the HarmonyOS logo. It's the first time I saw the latter on a Huawei wearable because Watch 3 is the first watch from the tech giant with HarmonyOS 2 that creates a new smart interactive experience on the wrist and turning the smartwatch into an interaction, smart and health center. 

It was a breeze pairing my Huawei Nova 7se with this wearable. I only had to place them beside each other and wait for the prompt signaling the pairing. After a minute or two, the watch appeared in the phone's Health app indicating 25% battery left. 

First Impressions

The Watch 3 felt chunkier with the watch face a tad smaller than my GT2 Pro. On the other hand, the silicone strap felt familiar because it's also the same strap as the GT2 Pro sans the embossed watch model on it. 

The AMOLED color screen is evident at first glance given the vibrant color of the watch face down to the icons on the menu. It also supports full-screen touch operations, including swiping, tapping, pressing, and holding. Thanks to Harmony OS 2, there's a stark difference on the frames per second versus the GT2 Pro, making the navigating experience on the Watch 3 quick and seamless.

The Griddy watch face (default one) gives a glimpse of the all-around professional sports and health management capability of Watch 3. One can click on any of these apps just by waking up the screen: V02 Max (maximum rate of oxygen consumption measured during incremental exercise), Stress Rate,  Steps, Heart Rate, Weather, and Call Logs apps. 

On to the side buttons, I found it thrilling with the many functions the home button (rotating crown) and side button can do. I was surprised when I learned that the Watch 3 has the option to organize the apps via a grid—a feature that wasn't in previous Huawei wearables. To navigate, one can use the rotating crown can maximize or minimize the display or swipe on the screen to locate a specific app.

As for the service widgets (shortcuts apps when you swipe left), I noticed that new apps are present like the skin temperature and the wallet apps. Yes, this watch can detect skin temperature and know right away if it's higher than usual. How cool is that?

The Huawei Watch 3 also comes with different watch faces and corresponding always-on displays. There are 30 pre-installed watch faces to match the user's preference. I already have my go-to workout and minimalist watch faces depending on my daily activities. There's also an indicator if a certain watch face is low power or power-intensive, giving the user an idea of which watch face to go with depending on the watch's current battery percentage.

Verdict

I'm not a mom myself but I came across different inspiring women who are amazing with motherhood among their other responsibilities. Mothers the epitome of multi-tasking and they only deserve love and recognition every day. Even if their special day is already over, we can still gift them something that can help them towards their pursuit of healthier living. My recommendation–the Huawei Watch Fit and FreeBuds 4i.

I've been using the Huawei Watch Fit since late last year while I've only used the Huawei FreeBuds 4i for about a month already. Regardless of the time I spent with these devices, I was able to fully maximize their features and loving them to this date. What are these features, you ask? Make sure to read on!

My work entails having conference calls with my "virtual" officemates at least thrice a week, averaging at least an hour per session. While my current true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds are a godsend because of their good audio quality, I don't like how it goes low battery after before lunchtime. I almost caved in and bought wired earphones to get by with long hours of work call until I got my hands on the HUAWEI Freebuds 4i. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't cut myself short and still living the seamless TWS lifestyle.

Here's the thing with me, I easily snap when my devices cannot keep up with my pace, most especially on laptops. As a social media manager and blogger, I'm no stranger to having multiple tabs on my browser with Spotify in the background. There'll also be days when Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro will be utilized as well. My work requires me to provide content stat and having a trusty laptop is a must. Now that I have the new Huawei MateBook 14 2021, a put it to the WFH (Work from Home) test to see if it can keep up with my work demand.

Unboxing

I'm thrilled with the idea that the device no longer comes with thick product manuals. Instead, a User Guide icon is available on the desktop upon turning on the laptop. Also, I liked the idea that I can reverse-charge my phone using the laptop even when it's closed using the same USB-C cable. (It's also fast-charging) No need to lug heavy power banks anymore when working on a remote location woohoo! 😍

If you've been following my Huawei Watch GT2 Pro journey these past few weeks, you'll know that I swear by this sleek wearable for many reasons. Regardless if I'm doing a workout or other chores at home, this watch is glued to my wrist to be able to keep track of my activities. While there are so many reasons why I keep raving about the GT2 Pro (like its week-long battery life), let me highlight the top five features that I love most about this wearable.

Huawei Watch GT2 Pro up close and when worn

The Huawei Watch GT2 Pro makes a fantastic flagship smartwatch contender because of its looks and power-packed features.

Huawei Watch GT2 Pro and Huawei Nova 7 SE

UNBOXING

Fun fact: The Huawei Watch GT2 Pro watch size on the packaging is the same size in real life!

Opening the box is an experience of its own because the GT2 Pro is snugged perfectly in its compartment, showcasing its beauty in all its glory without any distractions (aka other compartments where the other contents are).

It's fantastic to know that the materials used to create the box came from responsible sources as certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, an organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests.

What's in the Huawei Watch GT2 Pro Box

Inside the box contains the following: the watch, Charging Cradle, Type-C Charging Cable, and User Guide & Safety Information & Warranty Card. The charging cradle hugs the sapphire glass on the back, allowing one to charge the watch without the worries of accidentally disconnecting it from the charger–an issue that I've experienced while using the Huawei Watch Fit. 

SETTING UP

Pairing the Huawei Watch GT2 Pro with the Huawei Nova 7 SE

FIRST IMPRESSION

At first, I was afraid that the watch face might be too big for my liking. However, my reaction changed 180 degrees after fitting it for the first time. Given that I am big-boned, I figured that this watch size suits me perfectly. (No more squinting!) Also, the Night Black colorway and Black Fluoroelastomer strap give off that classy and luxurious look. I'm excited to see how the watch can transform once I pair it with other straps.

I also commend the Huawei ecosystem for seamless connectivity between their different gadgets. Setup was done in a few minutes enabling me to switch smartwatches in no time. With the help of the Huawei Health app, I was also able to discover different watch faces to enjoy. I ended up using the NightWish watch face that showcases the real-time constellations in the sky–how cool is that? 😍

Huawei Watch GT2 Pro when worn

The one thing that surprised me while I was tinkering around this wearable is the idea that I can play music on a loud speaker without a phone! In fairness, the small speakers produce good quality audio given their size. I can also imagine the possibility of going phone-free while jogging because this watch can store music through the same app. And yes, you can connect your wireless earphones directly to the watch as well.

I'm also at ease after knowing that the GT2 Pro's surface is scratch-resistant because I'm not the most careful watch wearer out there. And my favorite features from the Huawei Watch Fit are also present in this watch, plus a few more amazing things to help me get a few steps closer to my wellness goals. (Yes, I'm referring to the 100 workout modes to choose from!) I can't wait to try them myself in the coming days! 😊

After trying other Huawei smartwatches in the past, I trust that the GT2 Pro can also last for a week or two depending on the usage. Because I prefer turning on the always-on display, mine would probably last for about a week. 

Huawei Watch GT2 Pro Promo

If you're also eyeing this wearable for a while already, I highly suggest scoring the Huawei Watch GT2 Pro through their latest promo. Give yourself a gift of good health and time this 2021 by availing this watch for PHP 11,999 until January 17, 2020. Each purchase comes with a FREE Entertainment Gift Package worth PHP 2,099 so make sure to not miss this one-of-a-kind deal! 😉

Whether you're into fitness or not, equipping yourself with the new Huawei Watch Fit allows you to get more conscious about yourself holistically.

THREE NEW FLAGSHIP PHONES

Modern. Minimal. Elegant.
With nature as inspiration, the #HUAWEIP40 Series brings a new twist to classic hues. Which colour will you choose? #VisionaryPhotography
Watch us LIVE now https://t.co/QdwooYadDM pic.twitter.com/uth2HkfO0z

— Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) March 26, 2020

The brand marks the P40 series as the age of visionary photography where they continue the heritage of imaging excellence on top of video capture possibilities. The phones feature cutting-edge designs with ground-breaking camera innovations to evoke that sleek yet powerful tool.

HUAWEI P40 Pro and HUAWEI P40 Pro+ are equipped with a curved edge on all four sides with super-narrow bezels and streamlined round corners to ensure an ergonomic hold. Users are in for a treat because these gadgets also house an enhanced in-screen fingerprint reader that offers 30 percent faster biometric authentication.

Read more: Huawei Y9 Prime 2019 Unboxing and Review

Available in three glossy glass finishes – Ice White, Deep Sea Blue and Black – and two innovative refractive matte glass finishes – Blush Gold and Silver Frost, the HUAWEI P40 Pro and HUAWEI P40 exude classical elegance from every angle. 

HUAWEI P40 Pro+ features an exquisite nano-tech ceramic back panel that is kilned and polished to ensure it stands the test of time with incredible durability and timeless style. This unique design comes in two iconic colors: Ceramic White and Ceramic Black.

THE BRAND'S LARGEST CMOS SENSOR YET

Here's a friendly tip: If you want to use a phone as a camera alternative, make sure to also check its sensor size before buying. The larger the sensor, the more light it will catch. In the case of the P40 series, it boasts a large 1/1.28-inch sensor, with a binned pixel size measuring 2.44μm, to massively boost light intake for enhanced low-light performance. 

Other notable features are the Full Pixel Octa PD AutoFocus for high-speed focus at any time of day and the HUAWEI XD Fusion Engine that integrates and processes data from multiple cameras to generate a comprehensive improvement in picture quality.

ADVANCED ULTRA VISION LEICA CAMERA SYSTEM

Triple-camera, quad-camera and penta-camera configurations are embedded in the HUAWEI P40 series to achieve all-day super definition photography. Plain and simple.

Discover what makes #VisionaryPhotography possible on the #HUAWEIP40 Series.#Specsheet
Watch our global launch LIVE now at https://t.co/QdwooYadDM pic.twitter.com/yFKe4e2lFZ

— Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) March 26, 2020

• HUAWEI P40 - ultra-wide-angle, wide-angle and telephoto lenses
• HUAWEI P40 Pro - an evolution of the Leica Quad Camera with a more powerful Ultra Wide Cine Camera and ToF Camera alongside 50x SuperSensing Zoom
• HUAWEI P40 Pro+ - features SuperZoom Array (supports 10x true optical zoom and 100x maximum digital zoom) on top of the Ultra Wide Cine Camera and ToF Camera 

HUAWEI P40 Pro and HUAWEI P40 Pro+ have a 32MP AF Camera and IR Depth Camera that support autofocus and Bokeh reproduction to deliver the same outstanding portrait effects that are signature to Huawei devices. I've seen some portrait shots taken using this latter and I was really blown away with the on-point bokeh effect! 😮

This phone series also enables the users to remove passerby and remove reflection in just a few clicks with the help of its AI tech. With most of my photos taken during travels, I can't wait to explore this feature and improve my photos with minimal taps on the screen in the future.

A POWERFUL POCKET-SIZED VIDEO CAMERA

The 40MP Ultra Wide Cine Camera has a focal length that is equivalent to 18mm and a 1/1.54-inch sensor supporting the 3:2 aspect ratio. The cam's light sensitivity is also boosted up to ISO51200 plus the 7680fps Ultra Slow-Motion video capture is also attainable with this camera lens!

Real-time bokeh effects for video? The P40 series is proud of its progressive Bokeh to help highlight the main subject of the footage. The telephoto camera can capture high-quality zoom footage as well as 4K time-lapse videos. Directional Audio Zoom, available on HUAWEI P40 Pro and HUAWEI P40 Pro+, allows users to zoom in on an audio source and amplify its sound at the same time.

5G CAPABLE UNITS

The HUAWEI P40 Series is powered by Kirin 990 5G to deliver integrated 5G connectivity with the most comprehensive 5G band support, robust AI performance and power efficiency. Now, all we need are a 5G sim upgrade and a quick 5G rollout nationwide courtesy of our telcos!

Also, display responsiveness and gaming experience are taken to the next level by the upgraded graphics rendering engine making the most of the 90Hz panel on the HUAWEI P40 Pro and HUAWEI P40 Pro+.

INTRICATE HUAWEI ECOSYSTEM

Apart from the phones, the following new releases also kept me on the edge of my seat. Read on to know why! 😉

• HUAWEI Share - This feature facilitates high-speed file transfer between the smartphone and other devices such as tablets and PCs. With Huawei Share on the HUAWEI P40 Series, users can stream music to a smart speaker, initiate screen projection, and connect to Wi-Fi by tapping the device they want to connect to with their phone.

• AppGallery - The phone's official app marketplace is powered with a rich library of quality entertainment media on HUAWEI Video, HUAWEI Music and HUAWEI Reader, with new additions from top content providers being added on a continuous basis. 

• HUAWEI WATCH GT2e, HUAWEI Sound X and the latest HUAWEI X GENTLE MONSTER Eyewear - Here are other tech innovations that are designed for everyone to live a better digital life.
  
  I'm most excited to know more about their newest eyewear for one reason – it's the same eyewear that Yoon Se-ri in Crash Landing on You is wearing! (Hello, fellow CLOY fans!) I love the Gentle Monster specs that she's wearing on the series that I badly wanted one for myself. Never thought that I'd see the day it becomes accessible locally (plus with a tech upgrade!)

As someone who has a penchant for both photo and video taking, I see the HUAWEI P40 series is a versatile content partner who won't let you down – may it be photo or video-wise. With its advanced camera technology, one can only imagine the possible content we can create using these phones in the near future.

You can avail the new P40 and P40 Pro in Lazada Flagship Store and MemoXpress and enjoy freebies worth Php 12,285. This includes HUAWEI Freebuds at Php 8,990, Band 4 at Php 1,890, 50GB cloud storage for 1 year at Php 588, GCash voucher at Php 70, Php 50 worth of Paymaya credits, Php 100 discount in GMovies and a Booky Prime membership for 3 months at Php 597. The final payment for purchases via Lazada must be settled from April 22 to 24.

Pre-order may also be done via Shopee Flagship Store as they offer freebies with a total worth of Php 10,395 (HUAWEI Freebuds at Php 8,990, 50GB cloud storage for 1 year at Php 588, GCash voucher at Php 70, Php 50 worth of Paymaya credits, Php 100 discount in GMovies and a Booky Prime membership for 3 months at Php 597.

So what do you think of the new products launched? Drop a comment below or tweet me at @HearItFromPatty! 😊

Wearing the Huawei Band 4 in Sakura Pink

SLEEP QUALITY

Sleep stats from the Huawei Health App

ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

My relationship with exercise was on and off last year. Even if this is the case, I'm glad I was able to try spinning and get back to boxing classes with my friends. This year, I hope to commit to at least one type of exercise and be consistent with it.

Tracked my Outdoor Running and Cycling exercises with the Huawei Band 4

With HUAWEI TruSeenTM 3.5's technology, this wearable can provide detailed data results like heart rate, heart rate zone, steps, distance, speed, calories, and more. These data can definitely help one adjust for better exercising or training. Just look at all the data available in the app!

My Outdoor run stats from the HUAWEI Health App

The TruSeenTM 3.5 tech monitors the heart rate with accuracy. It also provides intelligent reminders via vibrations if your heart rate exceeds the maximum average heart rate.

Heart rate stats from the Huawei Health App

  

WEARABLE DESIGN

It's a no-brainer for me to choose the Sakura Pink band color because of how plain and simple it looks. In fact, some friends loved this on me, too! I also had to get Jonas his own Band 4 because he's eyeing mine since the day I got it. haha I got him the Graphite Black version because I know it's the perfect color for his outfits—whether at work, during his basketball games, or at home in general.

(L-R) HUAWEI Band 4 in Sakura Pink and Graphite Black

I also live for the flat touch screen because I tend to be careless with watches at times. In my opinion, this would accumulate fewer scratches compared to the curved screens. Also, I like how this wearable offers different watch faces to choose from. In fairness to HUAWEI, the majority of the faces available via the app looks fantastic. They even came up with seasonal faces, too. Too bad I can only save up to five watch faces at a time. 

Some of the watch faces available at the HUAWEI Health App

I'm already sold after hearing the features mentioned above. But, this one really made me convert in no time! The Huawei Band 4 actually comes with a built-in USB plug. How cool is that? I already bring with me lots of cables for my gadgets. In this case, I only need to unstrap one of the straps so I can plug easily plug it in.

I can recall that one instance in the office where I simply plugged this wearable in my laptop after realizing my watch is low on battery. I only waited for approximately 1.25 hrs for it to be fully charged.

HUAWEI Band 4's built-in USB plug

I honestly don't remember wearing an analog watch after switching to the Huawei Band 4. My only wish for this gadget? I hope the brand sells stainless steel bands in the future, so I can also don this one on formal events.

Overall, I'd recommend this wearable for those who want to kick off their resolutions this year (just like me!). I initially wanted to grab the P23,000 smartwatch. But after using the HUAWEI Band 4 for about a month or two, I realized that this one works just fine for the kind of lifestyle that I have. Plus, we can't deny how cute the Sakura Pink band color is, yes? 😍

Strolled around the village with Jonas' bike and the HUAWEI Band 4

This wearable was launched alongside the HUAWEI Watch GT 2 and the HUAWEI Band 4e. Interested in getting yours soon? Score one (or two!) in a nearby HUAWEI store or via Lazada. The HUAWEI Band 4 retails for P1,890. 😁