Huami’s Amazfit Bip line of smartwatches is known to offer value for money for those looking for a smartwatch or fitness tracker that doesn’t break the bank. The series which boasts more than five models including its latest model, the Amazfit Bip U, is now getting worthy challengers and one of them is the new Redmi Watch.
The Redmi Watch is the first smartwatch from the Xiaomi subsidiary and its price and features put it as a direct competitor to the Amazfit Bip series, most especially the Bip U. If you are wondering which of these two watches you should purchase, this post should help you decide.
| Amazfit Bip U | Redmi Watch | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.43-inch screen with 2.5D glass and anti-fingerprint coating 320 x 302 308 ppi | 1.4-inch with 2.5D glass 320 x 320 323 ppi |
| Watch Faces | Up to 50 watch faces | Up to 120 watch faces |
| Sports modes | 60+ sports modes | 7 sports modes (outdoor running, treadmill running, cycling, indoor cycling, walking, swimming, and freestyle) |
| Heart Rate and Sleep Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Oxygen Level Detecton | Yes | No |
| Menstrual Cycle Tracker | Yes | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| NFC | No | Multifunction NFC |
| AI Assistant | No | Yes (XiaoAI assistant) |
| Waterproof Rating | 5 ATM (water resistance up to 50 meters) | 5 ATM (water resistance up to 50 meters) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 BLE | Bluetooth 5.0 BLE |
| Sensors | BioTracker 2 PPG optical sensor (heart rate, blood oxygen), accelerometer, gyroscope | Heart rate sensor, geomagnetic sensor (electronic compass), six-axis motion sensor, and ambient light sensor |
| Battery Capacity and Charging Time | 230mAh 2 hours | 230mAh 2 hours |
| Battery Life | Typical usage - 9 days | Typical usage - 7 days Basic usage - 12 days |
| Dimension and weight | 40.9mm x 35.5mm x 11.4mm 31 grams | 41mm x 35mm x 10.9mm 35 grams |
| Price | INR 3999 (~$54) €59.90 | CNY 299 (~$45) |
| Colors | Black, Green, and Pink | Watch colors: Elegant Black, Ivory, Ink Blue Strap Colors: Elegant Black, Ivory, Ink Blue, Cherry Blossom, and Pine Needle Green |
Design
The Amazfit Bip U and Redmi Watch can pass for similar watches. They both have a square face dial and a single button. Their dimensions and weight are also very similar. However, they are not identical. Not only are their buttons of different shapes and are placed in different positions, but the Bip U’s case has lugs while the Redmi Watch doesn’t.
Even though the Redmi Watch has the advantage with respect to the number of colors you can choose from, we are sure both watches will enjoy a plethora of third-party watch straps that owners can purchase to give their watch a unique look.
Display and Watch Faces
The Bip U and Redmi Watch have nearly the same screen size but the former is slightly bigger at 1.43-inches. The Redmi Watch does have higher pixels per inch value due to its higher resolution and smaller screen size.
Both screens are surrounded by thick bezels, which is not unexpected at this price point. They also each have a 2.5D glass covering their display. Huami says the Bip U has an anti-fingerprint coating but Redmi doesn’t say if its watch has.
When it comes to the number of watch faces you can choose from, the Redmi Watch wins with up to 120 in total. This means you can choose a different watch face every day for four months.
Sports Modes
The Bip U is the clear winner here as it can track up to 60 different sports and physical activities, leaving the Redmi Watch in the dust with its measly seven. Sure, you probably won’t use all of them but it should cover the basics. Sadly, we couldn’t get our hands on the complete list of supported sports modes for the Amazfit Bip U.
Blood Oxygen Level Detection
Blood oxygen level detection is a feature that has appeared on more watches announced this year. The sensor detects the level of oxygen in the blood which is a vital sign of how healthy an individual is. It is also one of the vitals that are checked for those that may have COVID-19. Being able to easily check it whenever and wherever you are is an advantage and one you have with the Amazfit Bip U. Do note that it is not a screening test for COVID-19.
NFC and AI Assistant
The Redmi Watch has NFC and allows users to use it to make payments. It also has a microphone and Xiaomi’s XiaoAI assistant, so users can use their watch to control compatible smart home devices.
The Amazfit Bip U doesn’t have NFC neither does it have an AI assistant. However, Huami is working on a Pro model that will have an AI assistant (most probably Amazon’s Alexa) and a microphone.
EDITOR’S PICK: Understanding Huami’s Amazfit Bip line of smartwatches
GPS and Geomagnetic Sensor
Both watches do not have a built-in GPS module which means if you want a watch that will track your position and outline your route when you go for an outdoor walk/run/cycling, then neither of these two are for you. However, if you have your phone with you and have your watch connected to it, the Amazfit Bip U will be able to use the GPS on your phone.
Redmi didn’t say if its smartwatch has connected GPS but unlike the Amazfit Bip U, it has a geomagnetic sensor which means it has an electronic compass that can come in handy when hiking and you need to find your way back.
The pro version of the Amazfit Bip U launching soon has been confirmed to have GPS and GLONASS.
Menstrual Tracker
The Amazfit Bip U has a women’s health feature that allows female users to track their cycle. The watch will record your menstrual and ovulation periods and also alert you before they arrive so you can plan ahead. Unfortunately, the Redmi Watch doesn’t have this feature.
Battery life
The two watches have the same battery capacity but the Amazfit Bip U has a longer battery life by two days. It is not a significant difference, so it won’t be a dealbreaker when it comes to choosing either of the two smartwatches.
Price
The Amazfit Bip U is the more expensive model no doubt. However, the Redmi Watch is expected to launch outside China as the Mi Watch Lite and when it does, there is a chance it will be more expensive. If Xiaomi keeps the price tag the same, then it most likely will drop some features such as NFC and the Chinese AI assistant.
Conclusion
The Amazfit Bip U is the logical choice here as it offers more features albeit at a higher price tag. However, it is not without its shortcomings, but if you can live with them, then you should pick it up.
The Redmi Watch is an excellent first attempt from Redmi but I won’t recommend it for buyers outside China as you won’t be able to use the XiaoAI assistant and the NFC features outside China. Nevertheless, you may want to wait for the launch of the global version but bear in mind that it may cost more.
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