The $79 Amazfit Bip 6 vs the $249 Apple Watch SE 3: A Battle of the Budget Smartwatches
In the world of smartwatches, the Apple Watch SE 3 and the Amazfit Bip 6 are two budget-friendly options that have caught my attention. While the Apple Watch SE 3 starts at $249, the Amazfit Bip 6 is a fraction of the cost at just $79. But does the cheaper smartwatch hold up against the competition? I put both models to the test, comparing them across seven key categories: price, design, display, fitness and health tracking, safety tools, smart features, and battery life.
The Verdict: A Surprising Outcome
I was surprised to find that the Amazfit Bip 6 held its own against the Apple Watch SE 3, especially in certain areas. The cheaper smartwatch emerged as the winner in two categories: price and battery life. The Bip 6's starting price of $79 is significantly lower than the SE 3's $249, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. And when it comes to battery life, the Bip 6 lasted up to two weeks per charge, while the SE 3 managed just 18 hours.
Design: A Matter of Comfort and Feel
In terms of design, the Amazfit Bip 6 and the Apple Watch SE 3 both offer comfortable and lightweight options. The Bip 6, however, is slightly heavier than the 40mm SE 3, but still feels comfortable on the wrist. The SE 3, on the other hand, has a more premium and robust feel due to its fully aluminum alloy construction. The physical controls on the SE 3, including the digital crown, provide a more tactile response compared to the Bip 6's two buttons.
Display: Brightness and Size Matter
The display is where the Amazfit Bip 6 shines. With a 1.97-inch AMOLED screen and 2,000 nits of maximum brightness, it outshines the SE 3's 1.57-inch OLED display with 1,000 nits of brightness. The brighter and larger display of the Bip 6 makes it easier to view in direct sunlight, giving it an edge in this category.
Fitness and Health: A Draw
When it comes to fitness and health tracking, both smartwatches offer similar capabilities. They both track sleep, providing insights into total sleep time, sleep cycles, heart rate, and disturbances. The SE 3 offers a daily sleep score, while the Bip 6 provides a readiness score. Both watches also track common workout types and offer insights into heart rate variability. However, the Bip 6 takes it a step further, covering 140+ activities, including nuanced ones like shuttlecock and indoor surfing.
Smart Features: Apple's App Ecosystem Reigns
In the realm of smart features, the Apple Watch SE 3 takes the lead. It offers access to the world's largest third-party smartwatch app store and a wide selection of handy native apps, including Apple Maps, Walkie-Talkie mode, and NFC for mobile payments. The SE 3 also has an onboard microphone and speaker for taking calls from the wrist. On the other hand, the Amazfit Bip 6 can mirror smartphone notifications from both iOS and Android devices, but it falls short in terms of native smart features.
Safety Features: Apple's Lead in Safety Tools
Safety features are where the Apple Watch SE 3 truly excels. It offers Apple's excellent Check In safety feature, fall and crash detection, emergency SOS, and compass backtrack. These tools provide peace of mind and help users stay safe. The Amazfit Bip 6, while offering some health-related wellness monitoring tools, doesn't match the SE 3's comprehensive safety features.
Overall, the Apple Watch SE 3 emerges as the winner in this comparison, offering a better-built package, more smart features, and superior safety tools. However, if health and fitness tracking are your primary focus and you don't require advanced smart features, the Amazfit Bip 6 is a reliable and affordable option, providing comparable post-effort insights and onboard GPS tracking.
