Wearing Huawei's new smart band, the Huawei Band 11, the first thing you notice is its light weight. The main unit weighs only about 17g, so it feels comfortable even when worn all day.
The thinnest part of the main unit measures just 8.99mm in thickness. It doesn't feel intrusive whether you're working while wearing it on your wrist or walking around, and it's also comfortable to wear while sleeping. This is especially appealing for users who previously found it inconvenient to wear a smartwatch all night for sleep tracking.
Despite its small size and light weight, the device features a 1.62-inch AMOLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display. The resolution is 286×482 pixels, with a peak brightness of 1500 nits. The relatively large screen makes it easy to check messages or exercise and health information at a glance. It also supports AOD (Always-On Display).
To sync with your smartphone, you need to download the 'Huawei Health' app and pair it with the band. It works not only with Android phones but also with iPhones.
Once connected, you can play music, pause playback, or skip to the next track directly from the band without taking out your phone, which is convenient while on the move. When notifications appear in apps like X, you can view their content and send short replies directly from the band.
On the customization front, there were some shortcomings. While you can change the wallpaper according to your preference, the default wallpapers available felt somewhat lacking in design sophistication. Considering that smart bands also serve as fashion accessories, this is a drawback.
With AOD turned off and under normal daily use, the battery lasted about 12 days without needing a recharge. According to Huawei, the Band 11, equipped with a 300mAh battery, offers up to 8 days of usage in typical conditions and up to 14 days when usage is light. With AOD enabled, it lasts up to 3 days. In practice, not having to search for a charger for over ten days felt very convenient, even during outings or trips.
The Huawei Band 11 also allows you to monitor heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂), sleep status, and more. In actual use, the sleep tracking felt quite accurate based on personal experience. The recorded times for falling asleep and waking up generally matched real-life patterns. During workouts, you can choose from various activities such as walking, running, yoga, strength training, and more to track your progress.
The biggest advantages of the Huawei Band 11 are its lightweight comfort and long-lasting battery. It also includes all the essential features needed for a smart band. Currently, it is available for around 70,000 won on online platforms. However, it's disappointing that while the product was released overseas in late February, it only became available domestically in late August.
in TECH
