The modern rhythm of life dictates its rules, and more and more users are striving to free themselves from the constant dependence on the smartphone, without losing touch with the world around them. The ideal solution for those who appreciate the mobility and technologicalness of the Xiaomi ecosystem, is a smartwatch that can partially or completely replace a mobile phone. These are not just activity trackers, but full-fledged gadgets that allow you to take calls, send messages and even go online without having to take a smartphone out of your pocket.
Xiaomi and its sub-brands like Redmi and Imilab offer a wide range of wearables with advanced communication modules, which go far beyond simply displaying time and steps. Now you can get a full smartphone experience on your wrist, from navigation to listening to music online. Understanding which models have the functionality of your phone will help you make the right choice.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the technical features, battery life and the nuances of customizing a watch that works like a phone. SIM-How to turn your gadget into an independent communication center, this guide will help you understand the intricate world of wearable electronics and choose a device that truly fits your needs.
Autonomous communication: eSIM and Bluetooth technologies
The key difference between a watch that can function as a phone is that it has its own channel. Xiaomi and partners most often have two main types of connection: direct connection via built-in eSIM or using a smartphone as a modem via Bluetooth. The first option provides complete independence, allowing you to leave the phone at home, while the second only broadcasts notifications and calls from the main device.
The eSIM (embedded SIM) technology is a virtual SIM card built directly into the watch board, which allows the device to have its own phone number or share a number with your smartphone (MultiSIM service). 4G LTE-enabled models provide high-quality voice and fast mobile Internet, which is critical for navigating and streaming music on the go.
⚠️ Note: Not all models of watches marked "Pro" or "Global" support work with Russian telecom operators via eSIM. Before buying, be sure to check the list of compatible operators in the specification of a particular model on the official website.
On the other hand, Bluetooth connectivity saves a lot of battery life, but it ties you to a smartphone within 10 meters. If you're out of touch, the clock goes offline, saving data until you're back on the phone. If you're fully reconnected, you need a mobile-enabled option that uses a dedicated modem to process the signal.
Model range: what Xiaomi can call
Xiaomi’s line of wearables is extensive, and not all of them boast features of a full-fledged phone, which can be divided into three categories: basic fitness bracelets, advanced smartwatches with Bluetooth calls, and flagship models with eSIM support. Understanding these differences will help avoid disappointment when buying.
The flagship series Xiaomi Watch S and Xiaomi Watch 2 is often equipped with the operating system Wear OS from Google, which opens access to the app store and full work with 4G networks. At the same time, more affordable models of the Redmi Watch or Mi Band series can only support loud communication via Bluetooth, without having their own access to the network. It is important to distinguish these concepts: the ability to "take a call" is in many models, but the ability to "call without a phone" is the lot of the chosen.
Below is a comparative table of popular models, demonstrating their capabilities in the context of telephony:
| Model | Support for eSIM | Dynamician and microphone | Operating system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro | Yes (4G LTE) | There is. | Wear OS |
| Xiaomi Watch S1 Active | No (Bluetooth only) | There is. | MIUI for Watch |
| Redmi Watch 3 Active | No. | Got it (Bluetooth) | Proprietary |
| Imilab KW66 | No. | Got it (Bluetooth) | Proprietary |
When choosing a device, pay attention to the presence of a built-in speaker. Some budget models allow you to only see the incoming call and reset it, but not talk. To fully replace the phone, a speaker and a quality noise-cancellation microphone are mandatory design elements.
Operating system and application installation
The operating system is the foundation of smartwatch functionality. Xiaomi devices are most commonly used for two platforms: proprietary MIUI for Watch (or HyperOS) and Google’s universal Wear OS, and it’s the engine that determines whether you can install third-party messengers, maps, or music services directly on the watch.
Wear OS models like the Xiaomi Watch 2 are actually miniature smartphones, which allow you to install Google Maps, Telegram, Spotify and other apps directly from the Google Play Store, which allows you to respond to messages with voice, build routes in real time and listen to music online without the help of a smartphone, and the processor in such devices is more powerful, which ensures a smooth interface.
Can I install WhatsApp on a Xiaomi watch?
Devices on own HyperOS platform (previously) MIUI) They have a closed ecosystem. You can't arbitrarily install applications from APK-The functionality is limited to a preset set: alarm clock, weather, pulsemeter, basic sports modes. Interaction with messages here is limited to reading and sending template phrases or emojis.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party apps on a watch with a proprietary OS can lead to unstable device operation, fast battery discharge and even software failure ("brick"). Use only official customization methods.
Mi Fitness (formerly Zepp Life for older models) is used to manage applications and set up watches, and it pairs, updates, and adjusts notifications, without it, the watch becomes a normal dial, as the initial activation requires a mandatory connection to the Mi Account.
Set up notifications and manage calls
To effectively replace your phone, you need to set up the notification system correctly. In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile → My Devices → App settings. Here you can choose which apps will transmit data to your wrist. Disabling unnecessary notifications will help save battery power and nerves.
To control calls, the watch interface usually has a separate phone icon. When you call in, you can take in, reset or drown out the sound. In Bluetooth-enabled models, the speaker works like a headset. If you have an eSIM model, you can dial directly from the screen using a digital keyboard or voice input.
☑️ Set-up of notifications
An important aspect is contact synchronization, and to make calls from the clock or see the names of the callers, the phone book needs to be synchronized, which is usually automatic when you first pair, but sometimes you need to manually allow access to contacts in the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone.
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To save battery power, turn off the constant calendar and mail sync if you are not actively using these functions on your watch. Leave only critical notifications from messengers.
Multimedia and Navigation on the Wrist
Xiaomi’s modern smartwatch turns the wrist into a multimedia center. With built-in memory (typically 4 to 32 GB), you can download music to listen to through a Bluetooth headset. It’s ideal for jogging: you can leave your phone at home, and listen to music directly from the clock.
Navigation is another feature that brings the clock closer to the smartphone. Models with built-in GPS/GLONASS module can plot routes and display them on the screen. However, full navigation with voice prompts and online traffic jams is available mainly on devices with Wear OS and mobile Internet support. On simple models, GPS is only used to track the route after training.
The voice assistant is also part of the ecosystem, and depending on the region and the software version, it can be Google Assistant or Xiao AI, which allows you to send messages, put reminders and learn the weather with voice commands, which improves the security and usability of the device on the go.
Energy efficiency and autonomous operation time
Using a phone watch has a significant impact on battery life: If the tracker normally runs for 10-14 days, heavy use of 4G, GPS and constant data transfer reduces this time to 1-2 days, and sometimes less.
To extend the life of the battery, manufacturers are implementing various energy-saving technologies, including adaptive brightness of the AMOLED screen, and optimization of background processes, and the user is advised to turn off unused functions, such as constant monitoring of oxygen in the blood or "always on screen" (AOD), if long-term work is the priority.
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Flight mode or LTE shutdown at night allows you to save up to 20% of battery power, ensuring the clock runs in sleep tracker mode until the next evening.
The charging process in modern models has been made faster by the support of accelerated charging technologies. A full cycle is often enough for several days of mixed use. However, if you plan to use the watch as the main phone on a hike or trip, having a powerbank or compact charger in your backpack will be useful.