Huawei Watch D2, the watch now measures blood pressure

The most appropriate term is pioneering. Yes, the Huawei Watch D2 is truly a pioneering object (if we refer to mass consumer devices). It is so for two main reasons. The first is that it uses an exclusive technology that allows you to measure blood pressure from the smartwatch and in a rather simple way; the second is that it paves the way for what will be the future of wearables. Raise your hand if you have not undergone the ritual of home measurement, and perhaps in a group, thanks to the presence of a family member with hypo or hypertension problems: the arm stretched out on a surface, the small monitor and a more or less bulky band on the wrist. Well, all of this could quickly end up in the attic (like many other objects scrapped in the last twenty years) thanks to the Watch D2 which has also obtained certification as a CE medical device.

The previous version (the D), to tell the truth, already integrated the measurement functionality but it was rather massive and square. The Watch D2, on the other hand, is not very different from a normal smart watch, it has a nice design - which is very close to that of the Fit 3 - and a larger display (1.82-inch AMOLED) with a resolution of 480x480 pixels that provides excellent brightness even outdoors. Finally, it weighs 41 grams excluding the strap. Not too much, that is. Huawei's ability is to have inserted a sort of ultra-thin mechanical airbag in the strap that, when inflated, presses on the wrist (but without particular discomfort) and associated with specific sensors returns a very precise measurement, with a margin of error estimated by the company between ±3mm Hg.

The tests we carried out confirm its reliability and the blood pressure measurements of the D2 end up getting closer to those of a professional sphygmomanometer than an Omron digital meter. The smartwatch, moreover, is ready to use and does not require any particular precautions, it just needs to be paired with an iOS or Android phone, rather it is more important to choose between the two straps supplied the one that best suits the circumference of your wrist. The peculiarity of the Watch D2 does not go to the detriment of the normal functions of a smart watch: It has everything that is present in the most recent Huawei . It is possible to measure atrial fibrillation via ECG, monitor blood saturation, analyze sleep and identify any sleep apnea. In total, there are 9 body indicators that can be consulted through the Huawei Health app: a good test of your health status, even if it is not enough to replace the evaluations of a doctor.

Also in line are the sports functions that include 84 different training modes, from running to climbing also thanks to the integrated GPS. The battery has a six-day autonomy (but Huawei claims double), and as always a lot depends on how you use the smartwatch, the Always On display - which is an option to activate - or the 24-hour blood pressure monitoring significantly reduce its duration. The Watch D2 has IP68 certification and is therefore resistant to water and dust, it allows you to answer calls and notifications (but not from Apple devices) and for those who are light sleepers perhaps the night measurement may not be the best. Two colors - black and gold -, it costs 399 euros . Final consideration: very useful for those who need to frequently monitor their blood pressure, less so for others, there are also more convenient alternatives from Huawei itself.