Huawei's Watch D3 Attempts to Bridge the Gap Between Wearables and Clinical BP Monitoring
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The latest iteration of Huawei's cuff-based smartwatch offers medical device certification, but design trade-offs and data privacy concerns linger.
Opinion: Huawei has entered the next phase of its blood-pressure-monitoring strategy with the release of the Watch D3, as The Register first reported. Unlike many competitors that rely on optical sensors to estimate blood pressure, the D3 utilizes a pump and an inflatable airbag integrated into the strap to provide readings. The device carries CE certification as a medical device under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR).
While the inflatable cuff is a step toward clinical accuracy, we need to see peer-reviewed longitudinal data before calling this a viable replacement for traditional sphygmomanometers. The D3 does offer ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), which allows for readings at intervals over a 24-hour period to track fluctuations during the day and night. The Register reports that the measurement process takes approximately one minute and requires the user to sit still, remain silent, and place a hand over their chest.
However, the commitment to a physical cuff results in a bulkier form factor. The Register notes the watch body is 11.3 mm thick and weighs 40 g. While this is a slight improvement over the previous D2 model, it remains chunkier than other wearables from Huawei and its competitors. These design choices also impact durability; Huawei informed The Register that while the device has an IP68 rating, it should not be submerged for swimming or worn in the shower, nor is it water-resistant during the actual blood pressure measurement process.
Beyond the hardware, the device raises questions regarding data handling. Users must install the Huawei Health app to operate the watch. When questioned by The Register about privacy and data protection, Rico Zhang, Huawei's president for the product line, stated that the company follows all local policies on personal data and user privacy, acknowledging that these issues are fundamental to remaining a wearable business in Europe.
Other technical specifications reported by The Register include a 1.92-inch display with 3,000-nit peak brightness. Battery life is claimed by Huawei to be up to six days under typical use, though this drops to approximately one day when ABPM is enabled. The Register's own testing yielded about five days of battery life. The Watch D3 is scheduled to launch in the UK on September 23 at a price of £399.99.