Best smartwatches for making calls

Apple Watch Series 12 is the best smartwatch for making calls if you use an iPhone. Choose Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 for the least-fiddly Galaxy setup, Pixel Watch 5 for Pixel-friendly Wear OS, Huawei Watch 5 for long rated battery life, or Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro for lower-cost LTE calling - provided your carrier supports it.

On this page

• Best calling smartwatches at a glance
• What makes a good smartwatch for calls
• What does LTE smartwatch calling mean?
• Best for iPhone - Apple Watch Series 12
• Best for Galaxy phones - Samsung Galaxy Watch 9
• Best for Pixel users - Google Pixel Watch 5
• Best for long rated battery life - Huawei Watch 5
• Best-value LTE option - Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro
• How to choose
• Frequently asked questions

Best calling smartwatches at a glance

The right calling watch is determined by your phone and mobile network before battery life, brightness or design enter the decision.

The deciding point is simple: establish whether you need calls away from your phone, then match the cellular watch to your handset and carrier.

What makes a good smartwatch for calls

A good calling smartwatch combines reliable phone compatibility, the right cellular hardware and enough battery for the time you plan to spend away from your handset.

Phone and operating-system compatibility

Your phone shapes the whole experience: pairing, contact syncing, call notifications and mobile-service activation. Staying within the phone maker’s own ecosystem is usually the least-fiddly route because setup and call handover are designed together.

Compatibility matters more than speaker volume or display size. A watch may have excellent hardware, but it is the wrong choice if its cellular service cannot be activated with your handset or mobile network.

Standalone cellular calling

Phone-free calling requires a cellular-capable watch and active watch service. Without both, the watch acts as a convenient wrist speakerphone while the paired handset supplies the connection.

This distinction matters on runs, dog walks and commutes. If your phone always stays in your pocket or bag, Bluetooth calling may be enough. If you want to leave it at home, confirm the exact cellular or eSIM version before paying.

Battery life away from the phone

Rated battery life shows the broad gap between these watches, but it is not a promise of continuous talk time. Calls, mobile data and a bright display all consume power, and no dedicated phone-free calling duration is established for these models here.

Use the ratings as planning guidance rather than call-time guarantees. A longer overall rating gives you more breathing room when the watch is handling its own mobile connection, while a shorter rating makes regular charging part of the routine.

Readability and real-world call quality

A bright screen makes it easier to identify callers and find call controls outdoors. It does not fix the basic limitation of every wrist speakerphone: in wind, traffic or a busy station, privacy and clarity can suffer.

For quick conversations, the built-in microphone and speaker are practical. For longer calls or noisy surroundings, paired earbuds are the more comfortable answer.

What does LTE smartwatch calling mean?

LTE smartwatch calling means the watch has its own mobile connection, allowing it to place and receive calls when the paired phone is not nearby.

Three parts must line up in practice: a cellular or eSIM version of the watch, a compatible paired phone and a mobile network that supports the model’s eSIM or number-sharing service. Owning an LTE watch alone does not activate phone-free calls.

A Bluetooth-only model takes calls through its connection to your phone. It is useful when the handset is in a pocket, bag or nearby room, but it cannot replace that handset connection when you head out alone. An activated cellular model can use its own mobile connection instead.

Best for iPhone - Apple Watch Series 12

Apple Watch Series 12 is the most straightforward calling choice for an iPhone user because it keeps pairing, contacts and cellular activation within Apple’s ecosystem.

Choose the cellular-capable version if you want to leave your iPhone behind. Its 24-hour rated battery life means charging will remain a regular habit, particularly if you use the mobile connection frequently, but the familiar call interface keeps everyday use uncomplicated.

• Case sizes: 42 / 46 mm
• Peak brightness: 2000 nits, helping with caller details and controls in daylight
• Storage: 64GB
• Water resistance: 50 meters
• Price at the time of writing: 42mm £369; 46mm £419

The two case sizes give smaller and larger wrists a sensible route in. Fit is easy to personalise too: Apple Watch 12 straps are available in silicone, nylon, leather, Milanese and metal, so a sweat-friendly running band and a work-ready bracelet do not require different watches.

It suits you if an iPhone is already central to your day and you want phone-free calls without mixing ecosystems. Android users should look elsewhere rather than trying to work around that relationship.

Best for Galaxy phones - Samsung Galaxy Watch 9

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 is the closest-integrated Android calling option for people already using a Galaxy phone.

The LTE model is the one to choose for calls beyond Bluetooth range. With active watch service, it can use its mobile connection; when the paired phone is available, calls can instead run through the normal connected setup. That flexibility works well for commuters who sometimes leave the handset behind but do not do so every day.

• Case sizes: 40 / 44 mm
• Display sizes: 1.34 / 1.47 inches
• Peak brightness: 3000 nits, useful for checking incoming calls outside
• Rated battery life: up to 30 hours
• Battery capacity: 390 / 445 mAh
• Storage: 32 GB
• Connectivity: Bluetooth v6.0
• Price at the time of writing: 40mm £349; 44mm £379

The fitment choice deserves attention because the cases and accessories are size-specific. Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 straps include silicone, nylon, leather, Milanese, metal and titanium options across the range, but you should still match the listing to your case size.

This is the natural pick if you use a Galaxy handset and want the cleanest Android call setup. With another Android phone, check the supported features and your network’s LTE watch service before treating it as the default.

Best for Pixel users - Google Pixel Watch 5

Google Pixel Watch 5 is the most natural fit for a Pixel owner who wants calling inside Google’s Wear OS environment.

The LTE version can make phone-free calls after activation with a compatible carrier. Its up to 40-hour rated battery life offers more breathing room than watches rated for daily charging, though sustained LTE use and calls will shorten the time you actually see.

• Case sizes: 41 / 45 mm
• Peak brightness: 3000 nits
• Storage: 64 GB eMMC flash
• Operating system: Wear OS 7.0
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 6.0
• Water resistance: 5 ATM
• Display protection: Gorilla Glass 5
• Price at the time of writing: 41mm £369; 45mm £399

Its case uses 100% recycled aluminum. Strap fit is size-dependent, while silicone, nylon, leather, Milanese and metal choices are available for both cases; the larger selection can be found under Google Pixel Watch 5 45mm straps. For the smaller variant ofcourse you can also find Pixel Watch 5 - 41mm straps. 

Choose it when you value the Pixel and Wear OS relationship more than the longest battery rating. If you use a Galaxy phone and want tighter Samsung integration, Galaxy Watch 9 remains the simpler route.

Best for long rated battery life - Huawei Watch 5

Huawei Watch 5 is the strongest option here if long rated battery life matters alongside independent eSIM calls.

Its 11 days max. battery life stands apart in this group, making it attractive for travel, long weekends and people who dislike frequent charging. That maximum is not continuous call time: independent calling and mobile data place heavier demands on the battery.

• Case sizes: 42 / 46 mm
• Display sizes: 1.38 / 1.5 inches
• Peak brightness: 3000-nit peak brightness
• Display resolution: 466 × 466 pixels
• Water resistance: 5 ATM
• Operating system: HarmonyOS 5.1
• Case material: aerospace-grade titanium
• Price at the time of writing: 42mm £399.99; 46mm £399.99

Carrier checking is especially important here: independent eSIM calls depend on a supported service rather than the watch hardware alone. Once compatibility is settled, both case sizes can be paired with silicone, nylon, leather, Milanese or metal bands; Huawei Watch 5 46mm straps cover those materials for the larger case. For the smaller case there are also Huawei Watch 5 42mm straps available. 

It suits you if fewer charging stops carry more weight than staying inside Apple, Samsung or Google’s phone ecosystem.

Best-value LTE option - Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro is the lower-cost choice for buyers who want a stated LTE version and Wear OS calling without paying for one of the premium alternatives.

Its single 46mm case is substantial, so it will suit larger wrists better than buyers looking for a compact watch. The up to 65h battery rating is useful for time away from a charger, while the up to 600-nit display is less bright than the leading alternatives in this shortlist.

• Case size: 46mm
• Display size: 1.43 inch
• Display resolution: 466 x 466 pixels
• Battery capacity: 495 mAh
• Storage: 32GB
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1
• Operating system: Android Wear OS 3.5
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
• Water resistance: 5ATM
• Case material: stainless steel frame
• Price at the time of writing: £189

Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro straps are available in silicone, nylon, leather, Milanese and metal. A lighter silicone or nylon option can make the larger case more comfortable for exercise, while Milanese and metal suit smarter use.

Pick it when price and standalone LTE availability outweigh having the brightest screen or the closest phone-maker integration. As always, confirm that your carrier supports the watch before relying on phone-free calls.

How to choose

Choose by working from your phone and calling habits, not by selecting the longest specification sheet.

• If you use an iPhone: choose Apple Watch Series 12 for the most direct pairing and calling experience.
• If you use a Galaxy phone: choose Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 for the closest-integrated Android setup.
• If you use a Pixel phone: choose Google Pixel Watch 5 for Google’s Wear OS experience and compatible-carrier LTE calling.
• If you spend longer away from a charger: choose Huawei Watch 5 for its standout maximum battery rating, after checking eSIM support.
• If you want lower-cost LTE calling: choose Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, provided its 46mm case fits comfortably and your carrier supports it.
• If your phone is always nearby: a Bluetooth calling model may be enough, so do not pay for cellular hardware and service you will not use.
• If you take calls in traffic, wind or crowded stations: prioritise earbud compatibility; a wrist speaker is better for quick conversations than private or lengthy ones.

Apple Watch Series 12 remains the leading iPhone answer, while Galaxy Watch 9, Pixel Watch 5, Huawei Watch 5 and Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro each make more sense for a particular Android user. The best one is ultimately the watch your phone and carrier can support when the handset is left behind.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a separate mobile plan for a smartwatch that makes calls?

Yes, phone-free calling requires mobile service for the LTE or eSIM watch. Depending on the network, this may be a number-sharing add-on to your phone plan or a separate watch line.

Can a smartwatch use the same phone number as my phone?

Yes, when your mobile network supports number sharing or eSIM twinning. Pixel Watch LTE uses the phone’s number after compatible-carrier activation, while Huawei and Xiaomi offer equivalent One Number or eSIM-twinning arrangements.

Can I make calls from a smartwatch over Wi-Fi?

Yes, although the setup varies: Apple Watch can use Wi-Fi Calling when the network supports it, while Galaxy Watch 9 can call through Wi-Fi when connected to its paired phone.

Can I use Bluetooth earbuds for smartwatch calls?

Yes, if the earbuds are paired for call audio. Pixel Watch and LTE Galaxy Watch models support this, while Huawei Watch 5 can use paired earbuds for independent eSIM calls.

Can I call emergency services from a smartwatch?

Yes, where the watch has the required connection and emergency calling is available. For phone-free emergency calls, an LTE watch generally needs an active mobile connection; Wi-Fi models may require the paired phone nearby.