Oppo offers an update to its activity bracelet, just over 2 years following the release of the first Oppo Band of the name. An upgrade that comes to perfect a product that was already very interesting.
The Oppo Band 2 indeed fills the gaps of the first model, especially in terms of functionality.
A great entry-level model
First of all, there is a major change in design. The new activity tracker is now closer to what’s in the smartwatch market, with a square-shaped AMOLED display measuring 1.57 inches versus 1.1 inches. The latter is less elongated and wider, which allows it to display text more easily.
The display is indeed more comfortable, even if some words still lack space. It’s not very disturbing, especially for a device under 80 €.
A price that will undoubtedly excuse the somewhat “cheap” appearance that the Oppo Band 2 may have, both in terms of the plastic dial and the strap. Also in plastic, the plastic strap, available in black or a “baby blue” – a light blue gradient which did not particularly find favor with our eyes – does not seem to be of high quality. To be seen over time.
Credit: Jennifer Mertens
A simple and effective experience
The handling is easy, as well as its navigation. Novices will get by without a problem. Here, there is no button to activate the bracelet – the dial is quite responsive – or to access the functions of the bracelet, everything is done by swiping up, down, left or right. Simple gestures for simple use.
Moreover, the display and the features offered also embody this simplicity. No complex sub-categories, it is very easy to find. The Oppo Band 2 does not fuss, it goes to the essentials while being complete.
The bracelet indeed offers tracking sports activities (running, cycling, walking, yoga or even swimming), daily (number of steps, calories burned, training duration) and physiological data such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, stress or even sleep. It also automatically detects when you walk or run, the same for breaks and complete stops. To this are added more gimmicky features such as music control, a flashlight, location of your smartphone, etc.
It might almost compete with our Huawei Watch 2 GT which cost more than twice its price when it was released (2019).
Note, however, that to take advantage of more details, you will have to go to the dedicated application, HeyTap Health. Fortunately, the latter is just as easy to understand and fast as the Oppo Band 2. It is through it that you will have to go to customize the dial, as well as activate or deactivate the display of notifications.
Autonomy, a plus
To all these good points is added that of the autonomous. The Oppo Band 2 indeed benefits from a battery that lasts a long time up to 14 days without monitoring sports activity. Otherwise, its autonomy will decrease, as for connected watches, it will however remain quite correct.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for your first activity tracker with a few connected features, easy to learn and under $80, the Oppo Band 2 is a great candidate. With this new version, Oppo has indeed corrected the main aspects that were lacking in the first Oppo Band of the name and offers a simple and effective product, accessible and very convincing. Nothing really darkens the picture, if not perhaps the choice of materials, a little cheap, but at 79 €, difficult to demand more.
