I tested the $79 Amazfit Bip 6 vs the $249 Apple Watch SE 3 — and the cheaper smartwatch is a lot better than I thought

Close-up of the Apple Watch SE 3 on a user's wrist next to the Amazfit Bip 6, also on a user's wrist.

Can the $79 Amazfit Bip 6 smartwatch compete with the $249 Apple Watch SE 3, one of the best entry-level smartwatches available in 2026?

I've tested both models and, to answer that question, I've compared the Apple Watch SE 3 and the Amazfit Bip 6 across seven categories: price, design, display, fitness and health tracking, safety tools, smart features, and battery life. At the end, I declare an overall winner, and the Amazfit holds its own, especially when it comes to health and fitness features.