Huawei unveiled a new smartwatch feature at the World Health Expo Dubai 2026 to monitor diabetes risk. The tool uses non-invasive Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors to track wellness patterns and deliver proactive alerts. According to the company, it is designed to raise awareness of potential diabetes risks and encourage early medical consultation.
Globally, 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 live with diabetes, according to a 2024 International Diabetes Federation report. Meanwhile, 43% remain undiagnosed, and 81% of cases occur in low- and middle-income countries. In the MENA region, 85 million adults have diabetes—a figure expected to rise 92% to 163 million by 2050. In the UAE, the adult prevalence rate stands at 20.7%.
Recent research indicates a link between resting heart rate and diabetes. In addition, microvascular and nerve complications from the disease can affect PPG signals. Huawei applied these findings to develop the smartwatch feature. Users wear the device for 3 to 14 days. The app then categorizes wellness patterns as Low, Medium, or High.
For users flagged as Medium or High, Huawei recommends consulting healthcare professionals. The company emphasized that the feature is intended for wellness monitoring only and cannot replace clinical diabetes testing or precise blood glucose measurement.
Professor Jiguang Wang, director of the Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, spoke at the expo about the reliability of wearable PPG technology for proactive health monitoring. He previously collaborated with Huawei on the HUAWEI WATCH D and HUAWEI WATCH D2 blood pressure smartwatches. He also contributed to the development of this diabetes feature.
Currently, the feature is available on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro via an over-the-air update. Huawei plans to expand compatibility to additional smartwatch models in the future. The company said the tool is safe for all users and does not produce side effects or contraindications.
By helping users track wellness trends early, the feature allows individuals to take preventive action. Consequently, users can seek professional guidance in a timely manner and prioritize their health.
