The dream of non-invasive blood sugar measurement has been a major goal for smartwatch manufacturers for over a decade. Companies like Apple, Samsung, and numerous startups have promised the feature, but none have yet delivered a reliable, medically validated solution. The challenge lies in the physical limitations of the technology, which Huawei claims it has now overcome. The main issue is that the industry has largely focused on near-infrared spectroscopy, a method that uses light to detect glucose levels without drawing blood. However, in practice, this method is complicated by factors like hydration levels, skin temperature, and tissue thickness, which vary from person to person and over time. Without invasive calibration, ensuring accuracy has proven difficult. Apple has been researching the problem for about ten years, using a laser device known internally as "E5" to scan glucose in the interstitial fluid. However, miniaturizing this technology to fit inside a watch has been a major hurdle. According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the sensor may not fit in a watch casing before 2028 at the earliest. Samsung has also made claims about progress with its Galaxy Watch, but ultimately withdrew due to a lack of regulatory approval. Beyond these major players, the race includes companies like Google, which has launched its own health measurement initiatives, and Apple, which is reportedly exploring a health bracelet for 2028. The global smartwatch market remains highly competitive, with shifting rankings among manufacturers. Huawei’s recent claim about its progress came not from a major product launch, but during a student Q&A session at Beijing University, as reported by Ithome. The company’s vice president, He Gang, mentioned that it took four years to develop a technology that is both "acceptable" and "industrializable"—in other words, ready for mass production. However, Huawei has not provided specific details about a release date, product design, regulatory status, or clinical data. The device could be a traditional watch or a screenless bracelet, formats Huawei is currently testing with users. The company had previously experimented with health-related features, such as the Watch 4, which could estimate the risk of hyperglycemia without directly measuring blood sugar levels. Huawei has long been involved in connected health, offering features like heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, and even a real blood pressure cuff on its Watch D3. Its current models, such as the Watch GT 7 Pro and Watch 6, emphasize health and endurance tracking. However, the key difference between a smartwatch and a real medical tool lies in validation. Currently, the gold standard for diabetics is the continuous glucose sensor, such as FreeStyle Libre, a small patch implanted under the skin. An optical measurement on the wrist, without proper certification, would be more of a convenience feature than a medical tool. In fact, Germany has already banned 1,200 watch models that made false claims about blood sugar measurement. With over 4.4 million people living with diabetes in France in 2024, according to the Diabetes Federation, if Huawei successfully obtains certification, it could significantly change the landscape for diabetes management.