Amazfit Bip 5 Unity

The Amazfit Bip 5 Unity is a square-faced, low-cost smartwatch that Zepp Health announced on 2 May 2024 with a starting price of $69.99. It sits in the Bip family, which has always been Amazfit's answer to the question "what is the least I need from a smartwatch?", and it follows the original Bip 5 with a sturdier metal frame, a newer operating system and a few changes to the display. This review is based on the published specifications and the manufacturer's own information, so it concentrates on what the watch is built to do, where the numbers come from and where the trade-offs sit.

Where it sits in the lineup

Amazfit sells watches at very different price points, from this entry model to the rugged and premium lines. The Bip 5 Unity is the budget end of that range. Its direct successor, the Amazfit Bip 6, moves to an AMOLED panel and adds satellite navigation, so the two are worth reading side by side through the Bip 5 Unity vs Bip 6 comparison. If you want a rounder, more sport-oriented design you would look at the Amazfit Active 2, and if you are shopping towards the premium end the Amazfit Balance 3 shows how far the brand goes above this price. The Unity's job is simpler: a large screen, long battery life and the Zepp app ecosystem for the cost of a dinner for two.

Design and display

The headline feature is the 1.91-inch screen. Amazfit lists it as a TFT touchscreen with 320 x 380 pixels, roughly 260 pixels per inch, covered by 2.5D tempered glass with an anti-fingerprint coating. That is a physically large display for a watch weighing 24 grams without the strap, and the rectangular shape gives text-heavy watch faces and notifications more room than a round dial of the same width. The case measures 45.8 x 37.08 x 10 mm without the sensor base, and there is a single button on the side.

The "Unity" name refers to the materials as much as anything: Amazfit describes a stainless steel middle frame, which is unusual at this price and is visible in the promotional images as a polished silver rim around the glass. The strap is a 22 mm quick-release band made from antibacterial liquid silicone with a classic pin buckle, and the listed wrist range is 155 to 210 mm, which covers most adult wrists. Because the strap is a standard 22 mm fitting, third-party straps are an easy upgrade.

The trade-off is the panel type. The earlier Bip 5 and many competitors at similar prices moved to AMOLED, whereas this Unity uses a TFT LCD. In practice that usually means lower contrast and a screen that is less striking indoors, though Amazfit does not publish a brightness figure for it. If a deep-black watch face matters to you, the Bip 6 is the better fit; if you prefer a bright, readable and easy-to-see layout and care mainly about size, the Unity remains a reasonable choice.

Software and smart features

The Bip 5 Unity runs Zepp OS 3.0, and Zepp Health's press release describes it as the second device to launch with that version after the Amazfit Balance. Amazfit says the platform is aimed at smooth interaction and power efficiency, and it opens the door to a catalogue of downloadable mini apps and games; the product page quotes 70+ apps and games and more than 100 downloadable watch faces, plus the option to upload your own picture as a face through the Zepp app.

Calling is the other notable feature. According to Zepp Health, models sold in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region include a built-in microphone and speaker, which allows Bluetooth phone calls and the Alexa voice assistant. The wording in the press release is regional, so if calling matters to you, check that the model sold in your country actually includes the hardware before buying. Phone compatibility is listed as Android 7.0 and above or iOS 14.0 and above, and the watch connects over Bluetooth 5.2 LE.

The spec sheet does not list built-in GPS. For runs and rides you would therefore rely on the phone connection for route data. That is common at the entry level, but it is a clear dividing line against watches such as the Bip 6.

Health and fitness tracking

Health data comes from Amazfit's BioTracker PPG sensor, which the company says supports blood-oxygen readings, alongside a three-axis acceleration sensor. The product page lists continuous heart-rate monitoring, sleep tracking with sleep stages and breathing quality, a personalised sleep score in the app, a one-tap test that checks three metrics at once, and cycle tracking with predictions for menstrual and fertile windows. Amazfit does not publish an accuracy comparison for the sensor, so these should be treated as wellness indicators rather than medical measurements.

For exercise, the watch offers more than 120 sports modes and can auto-detect six activities: treadmill, outdoor running, elliptical, indoor walking, rowing machine and walking. You can build interval-training plans directly on the watch and share workouts to services such as Strava and adidas Running. Detailed coaching features that appear on higher-priced Amazfit watches are not part of the listed feature set, and with no GPS the outdoor data quality depends on the phone.

Battery and charging

Battery life is the strongest argument for the Bip 5 Unity. Amazfit specifies a 300 mAh rated battery and quotes up to 11 days of typical use, up to 5 days in a heavy-use scenario and up to 26 days in Battery Saver mode. The company's own footnotes define those scenarios, and real results will depend on how often the display wakes, how many notifications arrive and whether calling is used on models that support it. Charging is by a magnetic cable and takes roughly two hours from empty according to the theoretical figure on the specification table.

For comparison, the newer Bip 6 lists a longer typical-use figure, so the Unity is not the endurance leader of the family, but eleven days is still far longer than the one-to-two-day cycle of mainstream full-featured smartwatches.

Durability

The watch is rated IP68, which covers dust and submersion in fresh water to a limited depth, but it does not carry the 5 ATM rating that Amazfit lists on other models such as the Bip 6. That is enough for sweat, hand-washing and rain; swimming is a case where you should check the manufacturer's guidance rather than assume. The stainless steel frame adds scratch resistance at the edges, while the glass is described as tempered.

Price, availability and accessories

At launch Zepp Health quoted prices starting from $69.99 or €69.90 and noted that they may vary by country. The watch was sold through the official Amazfit website and retail partners. The box contains the watch with its silicone strap, the magnetic charging cable and a user manual; no mains adapter is mentioned, so an existing USB charger is needed. Thanks to the 22 mm fitting, spare straps generally fit without adapters, and Amazfit lists the Unity in the compatibility notes for its replacement straps and charging docks.

Who it is for

The Bip 5 Unity is best for people who want a large, easy-to-read display, week-plus battery life and a competent step, sleep and heart-rate tracker without paying for premium features. It works well as a first smartwatch, as a secondary watch for gym days or as a gift for someone who is not interested in an elaborate ecosystem. Shoppers who want GPS, a bright AMOLED screen or a newer design should start at the Bip 6 instead.

Compromises to keep in mind

• TFT display: larger than many rivals but not AMOLED, so contrast and visual impact are lower.
• No GPS listed: outdoor tracking relies on the phone.
• Regional hardware differences: the microphone and speaker for calls are described for Europe and Asia-Pacific models only.
• IP68, not 5 ATM: fine for daily life, less clearly suited to pool or sea swimming.
• Software support window: as with any budget wearable, check how long Zepp Health will keep issuing updates for this model.

Overall, the Amazfit Bip 5 Unity is a straightforward value watch: big screen, metal frame, long battery life and a broad set of sports modes at an entry price. Compare it with the current rankings to see how it stacks up against other smartwatches on the site.