Huawei Watch GT 5 Series Gets HarmonyOS 5.1

Huawei has been steadily rolling out new firmware upgrades for the WATCH GT 5 Pro, introducing a series of impactful features and improvements that keep the device at the forefront of smart wearable technology. Here’s an in-depth look at what the latest updates bring to users of this flagship watch in 2025.

## Major Updates and New Features

### HarmonyOS 5.1.0.18: Summer July 2025 Rollout
With the July 2025 introduction of HarmonyOS 5.1, Huawei significantly enhances both the user interface and health-tracking capabilities of the GT 5 Pro:

– **New Home Screen Styles:** The update introduces the “star ring” home screen, alongside chessboard and list views, making navigation more personalized and visually appealing. Users can now freely switch between these layouts, adjust app names, and select large icons via intuitive swipes.
– **Watch Face Innovation:** Several new preset watch faces are included, with a focus on Chinese-style designs such as the “Landscape Ink Realm.” The new universal module feature allows even more customization with functional components tailored to user needs.
– **Voice Memo Function:** Users can quickly record voice notes directly from their watch—useful for capturing inspiration or information on the go.
– **Health Insights App:** This new app tracks trends in sleep, heart health, stress, and exercise, providing comprehensive analysis and personalized health recommendations.
– **New Health Indicators:** The firmware adds sleep average HRV (heart rate variability) monitoring, allowing for deeper insights into physical fatigue and stress levels, with easily accessible sleep quality analytics.

– **Expanded Sports Data:** Dozens of sports now benefit from more detailed metrics (e.g., stair climbing step count, orienteering altitude data, new stats for sports like Frisbee and football).
– **Contact Management:** The maximum number of frequently used contacts synced to the watch increases to 30.
– **Optimized Notifications:** Notification types, icon diversity, and message source clarity are enhanced for a more streamlined user experience.

### Previous Key Updates
Earlier in 2025, the **HarmonyOS 5.0.0.159** update delivered transformative improvements:

– **Expanded Fitness and Exercise Tools:** New fitness classes were added to the Workout app. Training modes now automatically sort by frequency of use, with the lower hardware button acting as a customizable quick-launch for favorite exercise types.
– **NFC & QR Code Payment Features:** The update enabled contactless payment by scanning QR codes, an upgrade fueled by growing support for on-wrist transactions via Mastercard integration (availability may depend on region and future rollouts)[2][5][9].
– **Optimized Text Input:** Users in many global regions enjoy direct voice input (especially for Chinese) for quick wrist-based replies, and the keyboard experience is further streamlined.
– **Offline Map Enhancements:** The direction arrow in map navigation updates in real time as your orientation changes, and tapping the compass switches between north-up and forward-facing views for navigation[5][9].
– **System Stability Improvements:** Multiple updates focus on foundational tweaks to optimize battery life, responsiveness, and minimize software hiccups.

Minor Updates
Smaller firmware push-outs, like version **5.0.0.166** (April 2025), primarily target system **stability** and compatibility. While their changelogs may be vague, user reports indicate incremental progress in performance and emerging support for NFC contactless payments.

## The Huawei GT 5 Pro in 2025: What’s New and What Stands Out

This year’s firmware releases solidify the GT 5 Pro’s reputation for **blending premium design with advanced fitness tracking and health analytics**. Notable is Huawei’s commitment to rolling out **major OS upgrades** (such as HarmonyOS 5.1) that deliver tangible user-facing changes, not just background tweaks.

**Design language** remains a highlight—titanium alloy casings, high-end straps, and sapphire glass produce a durable, luxury feel[1][6]. All the while, Huawei has pushed software innovation with new UI options, richer workout analytics, and an evolving suite of **health-centric features** that leverage the watch’s TruSense system.

**Battery life** is still among the best in class, with up to 14 days possible under standard use on the 46mm model.

In Summary

The Huawei WATCH GT 5 Pros 2025 firmware journey showcases a steady push toward smarter health monitoring, smarter payments, and smarter interfaces, all wrapped in a beautiful, robust package. Whether you’re upgrading for the new Health Insights app, NFC payments, or simply a smoother, more tailored user experience, this year’s updates bring meaningful value to one of Huawei’s flagship wearable lines.