PERSONAL tech
Inflatable wrist cuff delivers 24-hour blood pressure readings, though the design remains chunky
Huawei has released the Watch D3, the third generation of its blood-pressure-measuring wearable, as the company continues plowing a relatively lonely furrow in cuff-based technology.The D3 is an intriguing device for anyone seeking more credible blood pressure readings than many smartwatches claim to provide. Where many brands use optical technology to estimate blood pressure, the D series uses a pump built into the watch and an inflatable airbag inside the strap. The D3 is CE-certified as a medical device under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR).This is hardly Huawei's first rodeo: two predecessors have refined the formula and made the device feel less like clinical equipment and more like an ordinary piece of consumer technology. That said, it remains chunky compared with other wearables sold by Huawei and its rivals – the watch body weighs 40 g and is 11.3 mm thick. It's a noticeable improvement over the D2, but still feels like a large device.
As it should. It includes a pump, and the removable strap (two sizes come in the box) has a built-in airbag.
The Register was given a pair of these watches for a long-term test, and there is a noticeable physical difference between the D2 and D3. Subjectively, it was difficult not to be aware of the D2, but the D3, despite being only a few grams lighter and a few millimeters thinner, is far less obtrusive. Until, of course, it measures your blood pressure, when the tightening strap makes its presence obvious.Although virtually silent, the strap noticeably tightens as the watch measures blood pressure, and the software recommends sitting still, not talking, and placing a hand over your chest while the measurement takes place. The process takes barely a minute and produced plausible, consistent readings during our test. The device supports ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), taking readings at intervals over 24 hours to provide a broader picture of how blood pressure changes during the day and night. A gentle nudge from the watch signals it's time to measure, and away it goes. It also supports blood pressure measurements before and after exercise, and can issue reminders following changes in altitude or temperature. Huawei's Health Community feature allows users to share health information and alerts with family members.
