COLMI P82 Smart Watch Review: 2.13-Inch AMOLED with Built-In GPS
The COLMI P82 Smart Watch is one of the most feature-packed smartwatches in the COLMI lineup, combining a massive 2.13-inch AMOLED display with built-in GPS — two premium features that are rarely found together at under £50. For runners, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts who need accurate location tracking without carrying their phone, the P82 represents exceptional value. Here's everything you need to know.
Why Built-In GPS Matters
Most budget smartwatches rely on your phone's GPS for location-based tracking — which means you need your phone with you during outdoor activities. The COLMI P82 has standalone built-in GPS, allowing it to track your route, distance, and pace independently. This means you can leave your phone at home on a run, cycle ride, or hike and still get precise location data recorded directly to the watch.
At the price point of the P82, built-in GPS is genuinely unusual. Competing smartwatches with standalone GPS typically start at £100 or more (Garmin, Polar, Amazfit Cheetah). The P82 brings this capability to the sub-£50 market, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
The 2.13-Inch AMOLED Display
The P82's 2.13-inch AMOLED display is another headline feature. This is one of the largest smartwatch displays available at any price point, and AMOLED technology ensures the picture quality matches the size. Deep blacks, vivid colours, excellent contrast, and sharp text make this display genuinely impressive to use day to day.
The large screen is particularly beneficial during workouts — you can see your pace, heart rate, and GPS route data at a glance without squinting. It's also great for reading notifications and navigating menus, especially for users who find smaller displays difficult to interact with.
Touchscreen response is smooth and accurate, and the watch supports a wide library of customisable watch faces through the companion app. Always-on display mode is available but will reduce battery life significantly.
Design and Build
The P82 has a larger, bolder design befitting its oversized display. The watch has a rectangular case with slim bezels that maximise the screen-to-body ratio, and it's available in multiple colour options with silicone straps that are comfortable for extended wear. The overall build quality is solid, with a premium feel that belies the affordable price.
IP68 water resistance is standard, so you can wear the P82 in rain, through sweaty sessions at the gym, or during casual swimming. The large case means the watch is most comfortable on wrists of medium to larger size — users with very slender wrists may find it slightly oversized.
Health and Fitness Tracking
The P82 combines its GPS capabilities with a comprehensive health monitoring suite:
Built-In GPS Route Tracking
The standalone GPS connects quickly and tracks your route with good accuracy for outdoor activities. Running, cycling, hiking, and walking routes are recorded with breadcrumb trail maps visible in the companion app after your session. Alongside route data, the GPS enables accurate distance and pace metrics without needing your phone's location services.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Continuous 24/7 heart rate monitoring provides real-time readings throughout the day. During GPS-tracked workouts, heart rate and pace data are recorded together, allowing you to review how your effort varied throughout a session. Zone-based training alerts can be configured to notify you when you move between heart rate zones.
Blood Oxygen (SpO2) Monitoring
On-demand SpO2 measurements provide blood oxygen saturation readings, which are particularly useful for altitude activities, recovery monitoring, and general wellness tracking. Readings are stored in the app for historical reference.
Sleep Tracking
Automatic sleep detection tracks light, deep, and REM sleep stages throughout the night. A morning sleep quality score and detailed breakdown help you understand your rest quality over time. The P82's sleep tracking benefits from the AMOLED display — even the sleep data presentation looks visually appealing in the morning.
100+ Sports Modes
Beyond GPS-tracked outdoor activities, the P82 supports over 100 sports modes for gym-based and indoor activities. Running, cycling, swimming, yoga, weight training, badminton, and many others are covered. GPS-assisted modes activate the built-in GPS automatically for relevant outdoor activities.
Additional Health Features
- Stress monitoring via HRV analysis
- Step counting and daily activity tracking
- Calorie burn estimation
- Menstrual cycle tracking
- Sedentary reminders
- Breathing exercise guidance
Battery Life
The trade-off for built-in GPS and a large AMOLED display is battery life. The P82 delivers approximately 7–10 days under normal use without GPS tracking enabled. When GPS is used continuously — for example, during a long run or hike — battery consumption increases significantly, and you can expect a full GPS session to use roughly 10–15% of battery per hour depending on conditions.
For daily health monitoring with occasional GPS sessions, the P82 will comfortably last a week, which is very competitive for a GPS smartwatch at any price. Dedicated GPS devices like entry-level Garmins often deliver similar GPS battery life at three to four times the cost.
Smart Features
The P82 handles all the smart features you'd expect from a modern smartwatch:
- Bluetooth calling — make and receive calls from the watch
- Message notifications from all major apps
- Music control from your wrist
- Weather forecast display
- Find my phone function
- Alarm with vibration wake-up
Companion App
The P82 syncs with the Da Fit app (iOS and Android), which displays GPS route maps alongside your health data. Post-workout route reviews, pace charts, and heart rate zone analysis are all available. The app is free with no subscription requirement and stores data indefinitely for historical review.
COLMI P82 vs Dedicated GPS Running Watches
At under £50, the P82 competes with the lower end of the Garmin and Polar ranges, which start around £150–£200 for GPS capability. The trade-offs are in software depth and ecosystem maturity — Garmin's training analytics are far more sophisticated. But for casual runners, cyclists, and hikers who simply want accurate GPS distance and route tracking at an affordable price, the P82 more than holds its own.
Who Should Buy the COLMI P82?
- Runners and cyclists who want standalone GPS without premium prices
- Outdoor enthusiasts who want route tracking on hikes and walks
- Users who want a large, high-quality display for easy readability
- Anyone who wants comprehensive health tracking plus GPS in one device
- Budget-conscious athletes upgrading from a basic fitness tracker
Verdict
The COLMI P82 is arguably the most impressive value proposition in the entire COLMI range. Built-in GPS and a 2.13-inch AMOLED display at under £50 is genuinely remarkable, and the watch delivers on both features. If you want GPS tracking without paying Garmin prices, the P82 should be at the top of your shortlist.
Rating: 4.5 / 5 — Best budget GPS smartwatch available. Outstanding display, accurate GPS, comprehensive health tracking.