On October 6, the Japan corporation of Huawei Technologies, a leading Chinese telecommunications equipment company, announced the Japan limited model smart watch “HONMA×HUAWEI GT 6 Pro” jointly developed with the long-established golf brand Honma Golf in Tokyo. The release is scheduled for the 14th.
Since Huawei was sanctioned by the United States in 2019, it has become difficult to continue its smartphone and base station business in Japan. Currently, the company is focusing on wearable products, mainly smart watches. This limited edition model is designed for golfers and is poised to open up a new customer base. In addition to Honma Golf stores, it will be sold mainly at electronics retailers and e-commerce sites.
He Lei, president of Huawei Devices Japan and Korea, said that the reason for launching a unique product is because the Japan market is important. Although it has been at the mercy of politics such as friction between the United States and China, it plans to make use of its brand power in collaboration with Honma Golf to solidify its foothold in the Japan market.
Leading the global wearable market
Huawei is increasing its presence in the global wearables market. According to IDC, a US research company, it surpassed Apple and others in the global smart watch shipments in the fiscal year ending January ~ June 2025. In the April~June period, it gained a 20.2% market share and ranked first in the world in terms of market share and shipments, and ranked first in the world for two consecutive quarters following the January~March period.
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Meanwhile, Honma Golf is Japan’s leading luxury golf brand and is known for giving the company’s golf clubs to US President Trump before former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office in 2016. However, in 2010, due to financial difficulties, it has already become a subsidiary of a Chinese company, and is facing a shrinking golf market in Japan and a departure from young people. This collaboration is a fusion of technology and traditional brands, and the two companies aim to develop new markets that leverage their respective strengths.
AI plays the role of a caddy, corresponding to 99% of domestic courses
The biggest feature of the new product is its golf-focused function. The HONMA×HUAWEI GT 6 Pro is equipped with a number of AI (artificial intelligence) analysis features to support golfers’ play. AI suggests the best club based on wind speed and terrain information that can visualize the slope and direction of the green in real time and correct the strength and line of the shot.
The map data is compatible with about 99% of golf courses in Japan, and can be displayed by correcting for height differences. In addition to the high accuracy of GPS, it is said that stable positioning is possible even in mountainous areas where satellite signals are difficult to reach. The battery lasts up to about 21 days with normal use, and the price is 52,580 yen including tax, which is significantly lower than Apple’s Apple Watch Ultra series (129,800 yen).
Honma Golf President Noritoshi Ogawa said at the presentation, “We are delighted to be able to bring together Honma Golf’s tradition and Huawei’s innovation to offer top-of-the-line smart watches.”
In recent years, the caddy shortage has become chronic in Japan, and statistics show that about 80% of golf courses nationwide are complaining of a “labor shortage”. This new product is also likely to attract attention as a “next-generation caddy” in which AI assists play.
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(Text: 36Kr Japan Editorial Department)
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