6 Best Smartwatches For Calling And Texting [2024 list]

Despite tracking your fitness and health, smartwatches can call and reply to text messages. 

Even though many smartwatches are available in the market, only a few can be used for calls and texts. 

We have tested several smartwatches, their microphone and speaker quality, and a few other aspects, and we have found the six best smartwatches that can answer calls and texts without a phone.

So if you want to stay connected with your loved ones even if you don’t have a mobile phone in your pocket, stick with this guide.

Two Types Of Smartwatches That Can Make Calls And Reply To Text

Before going to the list, understand how a smartwatch can make calls. 

Well, a smartwatch can make calls on Bluetooth connection or cellular. 

A Bluetooth calling watch must be connected to your mobile phone to receive and answer calls and reply to texts. 

A cellular smartwatch acts as a standalone watch, so it doesn’t depend on any phone connectivity to make phone calls. 

The cellular watches come with embedded e-sim; you just need to activate them via your phone carrier operator

Top 6 Smartwatches That Can Answer Calls And Text Without Phone

1- Galaxy Watch6 : Best Texting Smartwatch For Android

Galaxy Watch6 is the current flagship watch, equipped with all the essential features you demand. 

The LTE feature is the Inheritance of Galaxy Watch 6 that lets you make phone calls without a phone. And you can also reply to messages directly from your watch screen. 

Unluckily, the Galaxy Watch6 is incompatible with iPhone, so only Android users can invest in this Smartwatch.

This flagship Galaxy watch features a 1.4″ AMOLED display (450 x 450 pixels ), which is 20% larger than its previous Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. The new QWERTY keyboard makes it pretty nifty to reply to text messages on such a large and vibrant display. 

On Galaxy Watch 6, users can send emojis, direct messages, voice notes, and even see the images of others. You can even answer WhatsApp calls and texts, which is my favorite thing. 

When it comes to performance, the Galaxy Watch 6 offers a 1.4GHz processor that gives a smooth performance and won’t get stuck while calling. Whereas the RAM and storage are similar to the predecessor, it has 1.5GB RAM and 16 GB storage.

Note:
Galaxy Watch 6 runs on Wear OS; this platform drains more battery, so this Watch gives only 40 hours of battery life.

Plus Point: The Wear OS offers comprehensive third-party app compatibility. So you can sync the data with a lot of other apps. Additionally, Wear OS seems faster than Tizen OS, which was the base operating system of Galaxy Watches.

Apart from that, Galaxy Watch 6 is also your best fitness companion and offers a wide range of health tracking features. It also comes with some upgrades and new fitness tracking features. Below is a quick overview of some features.

  • Galaxy Watch 6 has an FDA-approved ECG, so you can monitor your heart health. 
  • The new 3-in-1 Bioactive sensor lets you know about your overall health. It monitors your body fat, body water, and skeletal muscle, so you can set your goals based on your fitness level. 
  • Sleep Coach is a new feature in this Smartwatch; it tracks your sleep habits and sends you a checklist and tips to improve sleep quality. 
  • The Watch also monitors your heart rate, calories, SpO2 level, etc. 
  • Over 90 sports modes allow you to track your workouts for effective performance.

Apart from making phone calls on Galaxy Watch 6, you can also use its smart features like Google Pay for contactless payments. 

Similarly, this standalone Smartwatch features a built-in GPS, so you don’t need to put your phone in your pocket while running. The Watch itself tracks your distance, speed, pace, etc.

You can also store and stream music directly from your wrist, which gives convenience to switch and pause music while workouts. 

Pros

  • Microphone and Speaker quality is better than previous models. 
  • Excellent LTE connectivity for a seamless calling experience. 
  • The armor aluminum frame makes it a durable and suitable gadget for outdoor use. 
  • The Silicon strap feels comfortable and sweat resistant.

Cons

  • The ECG and blood pressure monitoring are limited to Samsung phone users. 
  • No such advance outdoor features.
  • No big improvement over the predecessor.

2- Apple Watch Series 8 : Best Calling Smartwatch For iOS

Apple Watches always remain notable among iPhone users due to their outstanding performance and accuracy. 

The new Apple Watch Series 8 is a standalone watch that offers cellular for making phone calls. 

It has an embedded e-sim that you can activate via your mobile phone carrier operator. Once the e-sim is activated, you receive all the notifications, calls, and messages on your Watch. And you can respond to text messages from your wrist. 

The Apple Watch Series 8 has excellent connectivity and gives a seamless calling experience. And the messaging features are superb; it supports iMessage, WhatsApp, Messenger, and other social media apps. 

Upgrade: Unlike the predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 8 has a large 1.9″ Retina OLED display. Such a large display makes it easy to type messages using the QWERTY keypad and makes this Apple Watch the best for texting.

Tips:
With the built-in Siri assistant, you can send us the Voice to Text feature to reply to someone. This is my favorite feature that makes life much easier, and you no more need to type messages on a keyboard.

The latest Apple S8 chipset ensures faster performance and refresh rate, so everything seems faster, from notifications to calls and texts. 

Under the hood, Apple Watch Series 8 offers useful smart features that make your life easier. These features include 

  • The built-in GPS provides accurate mapping and tracks your space, speed, distance, etc, without phone connectivity. 
  • Apple Pay allows you to make contactless payments in stores. 
  • Crash detection, the latest feature, detects car accidents and automatically sends SOS to emergency services. 
  • The 32GB vast storage lets you pile up your playlist. And you can also play music on your Watch. 
  • The built-in Altimeter and compass measure the altitudes and directions during outdoor activities.

Besides these smart features, Apple Watch Series 8 is your fitness companion. It has an ECG app, heart rate tracking, SpO2, and sleep monitoring. You can keep an eye on your daily health using these key features. 

Downside: One of the major drawbacks of the iWatch Series 8 is the inferior battery life. Even the battery life of this Watch is similar to the predecessor, and it last for 18 hours which includes;
90 minutes notification, 90 minute check, 60-minute workouts, 45-minute app usage.

Your Apple Watch Series 8 gives 1.5 hours of battery backup if you’re calling over LTE. 

Pros

  • Sapphire crystal glass protection.
  • The stainless steel bezel makes the Watch look premium. 
  • Huge third-party app compatibility. 
  • Comfortable and water resistant. 
  • Seamless connectivity over LTE. 
  • The large display makes give a next-level texting experience.

Cons

  • The LTE Variant of the Apple Watch Series 8 is expensive.
  • Temperature sensing is limited to a few countries. 
  • Battery life needs big improvements.

3- TicWatch Pro 5

If you’re looking for a durable smartwatch to answer calls and texts, look no further than TicWatch Pro 5. 

With a classical look, this Watch gives an aesthetic look, and the top-grade aluminum bezel makes it durable and the best choice for outdoor lovers. 

Unlike the Apple or Galaxy Watches, the TicWatch Pro 5 lack LTE features. So you can make phone calls and reply to texts only when your Watch is connected to your phone.

Upgrade:
TicWatch Pro 5 is powered by Snapdragon W5+, which gives 2X better performance than the previous model. And this Watch never stuck or overheated, even after a long hour of calling.

TicWatch Pro 5 offers an iconic notification system; it can receive notifications from WhatsApp, Facebook, Gmail, Messenger, and other social apps. With a simple swipe, you can navigate through multiple notifications simultaneously. 

Drawback: Unlike Apple Or Galaxy Watches, the texting features on TicWatch Pro 5 are limited. It won’t allow you to reply to text messages with voice, and the keyboard design is also complicated.

With the advanced dual-layer display, you will get an extended 80 hours of battery life. The TicWatch Pro 5 automatically switches to Essential mode if you’re wearing it while sleeping or leaving it on charge. In Essential mode, the battery life remains preserved. 

The Digital Crown is another plus point in this Watch, and you can easily scroll notifications, raise or decrease music volume, and zoom in/out maps. 

TicWatch Pro 5 meets US-MIL-STD 810H standards, one of the most durable watches in the lineup. The robust aluminum casing corning Gorilla Glass protection ensures durability. That’s why you can use this Watch for outdoor adventures like biking, hiking, cycling, etc. 

Under the hood, the TicWatch Pro 5 offers a PPG heart rate sensor that accurately monitors your heart rate, blood oxygen level, sleep data, and calories burned. 

Pros

  • The rotating crown provides easy navigation. 
  • Snapdragon W5+ gives better performance. 
  • Look very classical 
  • Accurate health and fitness tracking
  • Durable design

Cons

  • No virtual assistant 
  • No LTE; you need to connect it to the phone for texting and calling.

4- Google Pixel Watch 

Google has recently owned Fitbit and launched a new Google Pixel Watch that rivals all the features of Fitbits. The new Google Pixel Watch is a host of smart features, including LTE

The nice and clean design makes this Watch looks attractive, and its sleekness makes it much more comfortable on your wrist.

With 4G LTE, this Watch can answer phone calls and reply to text messages. Because of its lightweight design, it’s so easy to bring your wrist near your mouth for calling.

Google Pixel Watch gives a next-level texting experience. Imagine typing text on a sleek 1.2″ AMOLED screen; it’s beyond the imagination. Plus, the Dual-core 1.15 GHz makes your texting process much faster.

You can send emojis, voice notes, and default messages on Google Pixel Watch. It also offers Google Assistant to open contacts and send them messages with your voice. 

Drawback:
The Pixel Watch is powered by Wear OS, which eats the battery life of a dragon; that’s why it gives 24 hours of battery life on a single charge.

The Google Pixel Watch is not only limited to calling and texting but is also equipped with some of the latest smart features. You can stream music on it via Spotify. Due to 32GB internet storage, it also lets you store music for offline listing.

You can also use Google Pay, Google Calendar, Google Assistant, Google Maps, Gmail, etc, to bring convenience to your lifestyle. Accessing all these Google products from your wrist gives the ultimate experience. 

The Google Pixel Watch is your 24/7 fitness companion; it tracks your daily fitness goals and pushes you towards healthier living. This Watch tracks your sleep, heart rate, ECG, calories burn and steps, etc. 

Pros

  • Very catchy and pleasant design. 
  • Comfortable and lightweight. 
  • Solid LTE connectivity that gives a seamless calling experience. 
  • Comes with 6 months of Fitbit Premium and 3 months of Youtube Music Premium. 
  • Excellent compatibility

Cons

  • Wear Os drains battery life
  • The LTE model is expensive 
  • Display seems small

5- Garmin Venu 2 Plus 

Are you a fan of Garmin watches? And you wish that Garmin could make phone calls and reply to texts? You can now answer phone calls and texts via Garmin Venu 2 Plus. 

The Garmin Venu 2 Plus is the first Garmin Watch that comes with a built-in microphone and speaker for answering phone calls. 

Unluckily, this Garmin watch doesn’t have LTE features, so you have to keep it connected to your smartphone to receive notifications and make phone calls.

Garmin Venu Plus is also the best Smartwatch for texting, but the texting feature only works with Android phones. So if you’re an iPhone user, you will remain deprived of the texting feature. 

Plus Point:
Unlike the Apple or Galaxy Watch, the Venu 2 Plus offers 9 days of battery back in smartwatch mode, which is insane. So you will remain connected with your loved ones.

With a built-in voice assistant, you can instantly control smart home devices with your voice command, check weather updates, and open apps. 

The Garmin Venue 2 Plus doesn’t stop at basic calling and texting features. It also offers premium sports training features like animated workouts, stress tracking, strength training, and respiration tracking. 

You can also make your Garmin Venu 2 Plus your music hub, it lets you stream music from Spotify, and you can also download music for offline listening. Additionally, Garmin Pay features are also there for cardless payments. 

Pros

  • Durable and robust design. 
  • Easy to use. 
  • The high quality microphone gives HD calling experience. 
  • Advance sports features. 
  • Long-lasting battery life.

Cons

  • The texting feature is only available for Android users. 
  • Expensive

6- Apple Watch SE Gen 2 : Best Budget Smartwatch For Calling

If you don’t want to break your bank account and still wish for an Apple Watch, then go for Apple Watch SE Gen 2. 

This new iWatch is equipped with cellular, so it’s a great alternative to Apple Watch Series 8 and Galaxy Watch 5. 

Apple Watch SE’s connectivity features are similar to the flagship iWatch Series 8. This iWatch offers a calling and texting experience similar to the expensive Series 8.

When it comes to texting, this Watch stands ahead. It supports iMessage and allows you to send emojis, voice replay, and manual text with dictation and QuickPath

Using the built-in Siri assistant, you can open contacts and reply to them in a few seconds, which makes your life easier. 

The Apple Watch SE Gen 2 also allows you to play music and podcast. Similarly, the Apple Wallet is your ultimate and secure place for home keys, car keys, and passes. 

Drawback:
You won’t get ECG apps and SpO2 feature in Apple Watch SE Gen 2. It can only track your heart rate, sleep, calories, steps, etc.
Similarly, battery life is another downside; this Watch only offers 18 hours of battery backup.

Another interesting feature is the built-in GPS, a big plus point under this price tag. The Watch provides turn-by-turn navigation during running or cycling and tracks your speed and distance. 

Pros

  • Excellent Cellular connectivity 
  • Advance sleep tracking
  • A good alternative to the expensive iWatch Series 8
  • Lightweight and comfortable.

Cons

  • NO ECG and SpO2 features
  • No Always-on display

What To Consider Before Buying The Best Smartwatch For Texting And Calling?

Being a wearable guru and spending loads of time with a smartwatch, I know that not every Smartwatch is perfect for calling and texting. 

If you want a smartwatch that can last longer and fully fill your exceptions, you should consider a few factors.

So below, I have mentioned what to look for. 

1- High-Quality Microphone & Speaker

To enjoy a clear and HD calling experience, you should invest in a smartwatch with a high-quality microphone and speaker.

The Apple & Samsung watches offer premium-quality microphones and speakers to prevent distractions. 

2- Compatibility 

Before getting a calling or texting watch, ask yourself if this Smartwatch is compatible with your smartphone. 

The Apple Watches can’t pair with Android phones, and Galaxy Watches can’t connect with iPhones. 

Similarly, other Wear OS watches also don’t work with iPhones. So before making a decision, keep this point in your mind. 

3- Cellular Feature

If you feel bothered with a smartphone in your pocket, then you should choose a smartwatch with cellular or LTE. 

The cellular or LTE Smartwatch allows you to answer phone calls and texts without phone connectivity. But these smartwatches are more expensive than Bluetooth variants. 

4- Battery Life

Most smartwatches with LTE offer inferior battery performance than Bluetooth ones. So if you want an LTE smartwatch with a long-lasting battery, Galaxy watches are a good option. 

Similarly, if you’re an Android user, the Garmin Venu 2 Plus is the best option as it offers 9 days of battery backup. 

5- Texting Experience

A smartwatch with voice to text feature offers a more convenient texting experience. Similarly, a smartwatch with a QWERTY keyboard is also best for texting, as most folks, including me, are customary to the QWERTY keypad. 

Similarly, Wear OS and Watch OS watches offer outstanding texting experiences. They can save you time because they let you share emojis, voice notes, photos, and default text. 

FAQs:

Does the Smartwatch need a sim card?

No, smartwatches don’t need a SIM card. There is no SIM slot in these wearables; smartwatches come with embedded SIMs. You need to activate the SIM via your phone carrier. Once you have activated the plan, your Smartwatch becomes standalone and can answer phone calls.

Can I use WhatsApp on my Smartwatch?

There is no dedicated WhatsApp app for smartwatches. You can receive WhatsApp notifications on your Smartwatch, and a few smartwatches let you rely on these messages.

What smartwatches can you reply to texts on Android?

There are a plethora of smartwatches out there that can reply to text messages. But for Android users, Galaxy Watch 6 LTE, TicWatch Pro 5, Google Pixel Watch, and Garmin Venu 2 Plus are the best choices. 

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