Assessing diabetes risk is the new feature coming to Huawei watches

At the World Health Expo Dubai 2026, Huawei unveiled a diabetes risk assessment feature that leverages non-invasive Photoplethysmography (PPG) technology via advanced sensors embedded in its smartwatches. The company said the function is designed to raise awareness of diabetes risk factors and encourage users to seek early medical intervention.

According to the 2024 report by the International Diabetes Federation, 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 live with diabetes worldwide. Globally, 43% remain undiagnosed, and 81% reside in low- and middle-income countries. In the MENA region, 85 million adults are living with diabetes, a figure projected to increase by 92% to 163 million by 2050. In the UAE, the prevalence among adults stands at 20.7%.

Huawei noted that recent research has identified a shared genetic link between resting heart rate and diabetes, while diabetes-related vascular and neurological conditions can influence PPG signals. Based on these findings, Huawei developed a feature to identify blood sugar fluctuation patterns through smartwatch-based PPG measurements.

Users must wear the smartwatch continuously for 3 to 14 days. Upon completion, the Diabetes Risk app categorizes wellness patterns into three groups: Low, Medium, or High. Huawei recommends that users identified within the Medium and High categories seek professional medical consultation for accurate diagnosis. The company emphasized that the feature does not replace precise blood glucose measurement or professional medical diagnostics.

Professor Jiguang Wang, Director of the Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, addressed the event and highlighted the effectiveness of wearable-based PPG technology as a reliable approach to proactive health-trend awareness. Professor Wang collaborated with Huawei in advancing wearable health management and played a key role in developing the HUAWEI WATCH D and its successor, HUAWEI WATCH D2.

Huawei has made the feature available via an OTA update on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro, with broader compatibility planned for additional smartwatch models. The company stated that the feature is safe for users and has no side effects or contraindications, but it is not a substitute for a professional diabetes diagnosis.