OICIIDO Z172 2.01-Inch Smart Watch

That size pays off for anyone who struggles with small digits. Reading glasses left at home, a bouncing arm on a run, or a quick look while carrying shopping: a bigger face makes each check faster, and faster checks mean the watch gets used more.

The Z172 offers more than 130 faces through its app, and any photo can become the background. Brightness is adjustable, which helps both on sunny afternoons and in a dark bedroom.

Three good face setups for different goals:

• Step goal: a face with the live step total as the biggest element.
• Heart focus: heart rate and time only, for interval sessions.
• Motivation: a photo of a race, a trail or a person you walk for.

A screen this large does make for a wide case. People with slim wrists may prefer a 1.8-inch watch, while anyone with a medium or large wrist will find it sits naturally. The silicone and rubber strap uses a standard buckle.

The custom face guide explains cropping a picture so the time and step count stay readable on top of it.

The case holds an HD speaker and a microphone, and the conversation happens on the wrist. Ringing home from the end of a walk, calling a gym partner to confirm a time, or dialling a number read off a sign all work without reaching for the phone.

Bluetooth 5.3 is a recent version of the standard, and it is designed for a steady, low-power link. That helps the watch stay connected when the phone sits in a bag or on the far side of the room.

Alerts arrive from the apps you choose, including:

• SMS and incoming calls
• WhatsApp and Facebook
• Instagram and other social apps

Replies are not supported, so messages are for reading at a glance and answering later.

Talk to the watch

An AI voice assistant listens through the same microphone. Use it to control music playback, check the weather or set an alarm while your hands are full. It is quickest for short, single commands.

The first time you pair the Z172, approve both Bluetooth prompts: one for data and one for call audio. If calls keep ringing only on the phone, the audio link is the missing piece, and the phone pairing walkthrough shows where to find it on iPhone and Android.

Extra tools include a camera shutter for the phone, a calculator, find-phone and a do-not-disturb mode for bedtime.

1. Give it 2.5 to 3 hours on its magnetic cable for 2.5 to 3 hours.
2. Install TechWear and allow Bluetooth, notifications and background activity.
3. Pair the Z172 in the app, then approve the call audio link.
4. Enter height, weight and a daily step goal.
5. Turn on sedentary and drinking-water reminders.

With the app set, use the tracking to build a week:

• Daily: hit the step goal and answer each sedentary buzz with a short walk.
• Three sessions: pick from the 112+ sport modes, such as walking, cycling, basketball, yoga or skiing.
• Every morning: check last night's deep, light and awake time.
• Once a week: review heart rate and SpO2 trends in TechWear.

Heart rate runs 24 hours a day from an optical sensor, with blood-oxygen measurement and sleep detection alongside it. A menstrual cycle log adds another layer for women tracking energy through the month.

Know the 1ATM limit

The Z172 carries a 1ATM water and dust rating. That covers hand washing and rain, which is less than the IP68 or 5ATM ratings on some rivals. Take it off for showers, swimming and washing up, and dry it after a sweaty session before charging.

The 350mAh battery gives 7 to 9 days of daily use. A fixed charge day each week keeps it topped up, and the charging guide covers what to do if the magnetic cable stops connecting.

The MOSOKI 2.01-inch matches the screen size with a stronger IP67 rating. The Yoever IDW20 brings Alexa and IP68. The smaller OICIIDO 1.81-inch suits slimmer wrists from the same maker.

Choose the Z172 for:

• the largest readable face at this level
• a dial pad, recent calls and contacts on the wrist
• Bluetooth 5.3 for a steady connection
• 7 to 9 days between charges

Think twice if:

• you want to wear it in the shower or pool
• you need to reply to texts from the watch
• you prefer a small, low-profile case

Big face, small habits

A large watch works best when it stays on through the night as well. Loosen the strap by one hole at bedtime, dim the screen and switch on do-not-disturb, and the sleep log fills in without the face lighting up the room. On a cool morning, a quick look at the night's deep and light sleep split is the first data point of the day.

Keep the magnetic charging cable somewhere obvious, such as beside the phone charger. If it goes missing, measure the gap between the two pins on the case back before ordering a spare, and match it to the sizes in the bands and spares guide.

The Z172 also comes in a rose gold 2.01-inch finish, and OICIIDO sells 1.83-inch versions of the same design for smaller wrists. For a first calling watch where readability comes first, the big face carries much of the load.