Honor Band Zero SS version review: unique appearance, details need to be optimized

Tencent Digital News (Yokii) Since this year, as a smart hardware editor, I have come across more and more reviews of various smart watches and smart bracelets. I believe everyone has a similar feeling. If these products were only toys for a few people in the past two years, they are now exploding. However, what makes us a little disappointed is that the core functions of smart watches have not changed much. In this case, various manufacturers have begun to move towards "differentiation", one of which is appearance. The Honor Band Zero, which was unveiled at the Honor 7 launch conference, is a typical example of this difference.

The appearance is distinctive but not refined enough

This affordable bracelet, priced at 399 yuan, features a "buttonless" and "noble" design. Once released, it has received considerable attention for its unique shape. The Zero SS version that I recently reviewed can be seen as the "girls version" of Zero. It uses the same round buttonless dial as Zero, with a gold border around the outer ring. When the screen is off, it looks like a piece of black gold-inlaid jade, which is more personalized than the digital smart watches we see every day. In addition, the SS version has gone a step further in appearance, using an extra-long imitation leather strap, which needs to be wrapped around the arm an extra circle when worn, similar to some of the bracelets we wear every day. In addition to the appearance becoming more like a piece of jewelry, the price of the Zero SS version has also increased to 599 yuan.  

Although if I were to define it, Zero would definitely be classified as a "smart watch", but Honor officially defines it as a "bracelet", which I think is also related to its "jewelry-like" appearance design. The benefits of such an appearance design are obvious - after seeing too many cookie-cutter designs, it can easily become your "first sight beauty". I have been wearing this watch for almost two weeks. No matter what occasion or what clothes I wear, it will not feel very jumpy, and almost every time I get together with friends, this watch can successfully attract the attention of others. Everyone's first reaction is basically "quite special", but this exclamation does not last very long. As long as you hold it in your hand and play with it carefully, most friends will come to the conclusion that it is "a bit rough". Indeed, as an affordable bracelet, the Zero SS version is in no way made of real gold, real leather, or real jade. In fact, as soon as you hold it in your hand, you can immediately find that the entire body is made of plastic. The texture of the artificial leather is not as great as it looks. The OLED display looks a bit simple, and you can easily see the square display inside through the round plastic panel when viewed from the side. This is also the inevitable price to pay for the low price.  

The long strap of the Zero SS version is a little more difficult to wear than a normal watch. I believe that girls who have worn similar bracelets will have a deep understanding of this. At the beginning, I had to try several holes to find the right position. However, this bracelet is much more comfortable to wear than I thought. Because the overall weight is very light, the strap is relatively soft, and the back and edge design of the dial itself are also very smooth. I usually wear it when writing and sleeping, and I can ignore its existence. This watch supports IP68 waterproof level, and splashes in daily life will not have any impact on it, but it is a bit difficult to wear it in the shower or swimming.  

The Zero SS version uses contact charging. When the watch is placed on the charging base, it can be automatically adsorbed and charged. It takes about 1.5 hours from full discharge to full charge. The charging time is not long, but the battery life is basically satisfactory. If it is not used frequently, the bracelet can basically guarantee a battery life of 5-6 days. If it is used frequently, it can also support 3-4 days. For a bracelet with a display and touch screen support, this result is already good.

Functional basic details need to be optimized

In terms of functions, the Zero SS version can only be regarded as a very basic device. Its main functions can be roughly divided into three categories: display, monitoring and reminder. And in any aspect of these three categories of functions, it cannot open up a gap with similar products, and even has a lot of room for improvement in some aspects.

First of all, let's talk about the display. Since there is a display, it is naturally an important function to see the time. The Zero SS version supports raising the hand to light up the screen. The feedback to the action is still relatively sensitive in most cases, but if the action is small, there will still be a delay. In addition, this bracelet also supports switching interfaces by flipping the wrist. For example, when running, if you want to see how many calories you have consumed, you don't need to use your other hand to slide the screen. You can switch to the statistics interface by simply turning your wrist. Like the feedback of raising your hand, this function is still very smooth in most cases, but if the action is not so "standard", you need to try it a few more times. The bracelet supports several different dial styles, but as I mentioned earlier, the display inside this watch is actually a square display that is smaller than the circular panel, so the design of several dials is also very limited, so don't expect to get the feeling of a traditional watch by changing the dial. In addition to time, the Zero SS version can also display some other basic information such as timing, exercise and sleep data. You can switch data by turning your wrist or sliding the screen as mentioned above. The operation is very simple and there is almost no learning cost. You can master the direction after trying a few times.  

  In terms of monitoring, the Zero SS version supports the monitoring and statistics of some very basic light exercise data, including walking, fast walking (or running), sleep, sedentary and calorie statistics. The data of the day can be viewed directly on the watch, and the statistical data during the wearing period can be viewed on the App. For people who don’t do much fitness, this basic function is definitely enough as a reference, but if you are a sports enthusiast, it probably won’t meet your needs.  

In terms of reminders, after pairing with the phone via Bluetooth, this bracelet can provide reminders for incoming calls, SMS reminders, push reminders from third-party social applications (WeChat, QQ, etc.), and optional Bluetooth disconnection reminders, sedentary reminders, and smart alarms. These are all relatively basic functions, but I have to complain about two issues here. First, the Bluetooth connection distance of this bracelet is a bit short. My house is a medium-sized apartment with an area of ​​more than 90 square meters. I put my phone in the bedroom, and the connection is often disconnected when I go to the kitchen diagonally. I have noticed the Apple Watch on my other hand many times, and the Apple Watch has never been disconnected at this distance. In addition, the Zero SS version has a bit strange rules for message reminders. After being disconnected for a long time, it will remind you of some messages during the disconnection period when you reconnect, even if I have already seen these messages on my phone. As a media person who receives almost 20 WeChat messages per hour, you can imagine how I feel when I forget to bring my bracelet for a day and have to watch it vibrate for a long time... As for reminders, "not missing" is certainly good, but more effort should be put into "not disturbing" at the same time.  

The Zero SS version, like other Huawei smart wearable devices, needs to be used with the Huawei Wear App. There is nothing special about this App. The design is also relatively basic and simple. Users can see their own exercise and sleep data statistics through the App, and can also set personal information and goals through the App. Other reminder functions such as alarms must also be adjusted through the App. Through this App, you can also retrieve data from some other applications and devices, such as WeChat Sports, Health, Sports Tracks and Jawbone UP, which can be associated with Huawei Wear and realize data sharing.  

Summarize

After using it for two weeks, I have not developed a special dependence on the Honor Band Zero SS version. As the use time increases, my impression of this device always stays on the first day - it looks good at first glance, but it can't stand a closer look. I think the price of 599 yuan is quite attractive to most users, but don't forget that the current bracelet market is no longer what it was a year ago, and affordable products are no longer a new thing for consumers. If a product is not refined and pleasing enough under the current circumstances, it may be difficult for consumers to take out their own wallets. However, the Zero SS version is indeed unique in appearance design. If you are interested in this jewelry-like design and your demand for bracelets is relatively basic, this bracelet is not without its consideration.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.