Xiaomi Watches with the ability to talk: how to choose and customize in 2026

Smart watches Xiaomi has long ceased to be just fitness trackers β€” modern models have turned into full-fledged gadgets for communication, able to replace the smartphone in many situations. But not all Xiaomi models support this option: calls require either a built-in slot for nano-SIM or support for eSIM (virtual). SIM-map).

In this article, we will analyze what kind of Xiaomi watches can ring on their own, how to configure. SIM You will also learn how to optimize the quality of communication, which tariffs are better for the watch, and why some models do not work with Russian operators (even with a slot for the watch). SIM). The information is relevant for 2026 and takes into account the latest firmware updates.

What Xiaomi Watches Can Support Calls Without Phone

Not all Xiaomi smartwatches can ring autonomously.This feature requires either a physical one. SIM-Nano-SIM card or eSIM support: Below is the current list of models with the possibility of calling (June 2026):

  • πŸ“± Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro – flagship with support for eSIM (works with operators in Europe and Asia, in Russia – limited).
  • πŸ“ž Xiaomi Watch S3 β€” slot + eSIM, optimized for the Chinese market (in Russia may not catch the network).
  • πŸ”‹ Redmi Watch 4 – budget model with support for Bluetooth calls (you can call, but only if the phone is near you).
  • 🌍 Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro – eSIM, but not officially supported in Russia (requires circumvention of restrictions).
  • ⚑ Amazfit GTR 4 (from a subsidiary brand Xiaomi) – nano-SIM + eSIM, better catches networks in Russia than watches under the brand Xiaomi.

It is important that the model supports SIM, This does not guarantee work in your country. S3 It is sold in China with the support of local operators (China Mobile, China Unicom), but in Russia it may not be recognized. SIM-MTS, Beeline or Megaphone cards due to differences in frequency bands. Check compatibility on forums before buying (for example, check compatibility on the forums, 4PDA or Mi Community).

πŸ“Š What function in smartwatches do you use most often?
Calls.
Notifications
Fitness tracker
Payment
Other

If you need a watch for calls, pay attention to models with full support. 4G/LTE (Like Amazfit. GTR 4). Bluetooth-based models (like Redmi Watch) 4) They are suitable only for answering calls when the phone is nearby – they can not call on their own.

SIM vs eSIM: What’s better for Xiaomi watches

Choosing between the physical SIM-The card and the virtual eSIM depend on your tasks and the region you use:

CriteriaNano-SIMeSIM
Support in RussiaWorks with any operator (if the clock supports local frequencies)Limited (only Megaphone and Tele2 officially support eSIM for watches)
ConvenienceYou need to physically insert the card, the risk of losingRemotely activated, does not require a slot
CostRate as for the phone (from 300) β‚½/moss)Often more expensive (for example, Megaphone takes) +100 β‚½ eSIM-rate)
Compatibility with modelsXiaomi Watch S3, Amazfit GTR 4Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch S1 Pro

⚠️ Note: If you buy a Xiaomi watch with eSIM for use in Russia, note that most models will need to bypass regional restrictions (for example, changing the region in the firmware or using Chinese Mi Accounts.

For most users in Russia, nano-SIM remains a more reliable option, but only if the clock supports local frequencies. GTR 4 works with Russian operators out of the box, but Xiaomi Watch S3 may require further development.

πŸ’‘

Before buying a watch with SIM Check the supported frequencies on gsmarena.com or 4pda.to. For example, for Russia, ranges are important. LTE Band 3 (1800 MHz), Band 7 (2600 MHz) and Band 20 (800 MHz).

How to set up calls on Xiaomi watches: step-by-step instructions

The process of setting depends on the type SIM-Below is a universal instruction for most models (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch). S3, Amazfit GTR 4).

For physical nano-SIM:

Turn off the clock (press the power button for 10 seconds)

Remove the tray for SIM with a paper clip (the hole is usually on the right)

Insert nano-SIM (stop micro-SIM if necessary)

Make sure the card contacts are looking upwards

Turn on the clock and wait for network recognition-->

After installation SIM:

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ Mobile network on the clock.
  2. Select Network Search and wait for the operator to be detected.
  3. If the network is not found, enter the parameters. APN manually (check them with the operator). For example, for Megaphone: Name: Megafon APN: Internet Proxy: Port not specified: Username not specified: gdata Password: gdata
  4. Save the settings and restart the clock.

For eSIM:

The process is more complex and depends on the operator.

  1. Get it. QR-eSIM code in the personal account or office of the operator.
  2. On the clock, go to Settings. β†’ Mobile network β†’ Add eSIM.
  3. Scan it. QR-phone-screen.
  4. Wait for activation (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi Watch) S1 Pro) to activate eSIM requires a Chinese Mi Account. If you have European or Russian firmware, the eSIM may not work, in which case the flashing to the Chinese version will help (but this will void the warranty).

Communication problems on Xiaomi watches: causes and solutions

Even if the clock is maintained SIM/eSIM, Users often experience communication problems, and these are the most common causes and ways to address them:

  • πŸ“Ά No network: Check if your carrier’s clocks support your carrier’s frequency (e.g. Xiaomi Watch) S3 No one works with Yota due to lack of Band 28 support.Solution: change operator or use watch only in the coverage area of supported bands.
  • πŸ”• Calls stop: Power saving mode may be on. Turn it off in Settings. β†’ Battery.
  • πŸ“΅ They don't come. SMS: Make sure that in the settings SIM selected to be used for SMS. On some models, the Amazonfit GTR 4) SMS default-off.
  • πŸ”Š Interviewer can't hear: Check if the microphone is closed (usually on the left end of the case). On Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, the microphone can be drowned out with a strap - try to loosen it.

If the watch doesn’t catch the net at all, try:

  1. Reboot the device (press the power button for 15 seconds).
  2. Reset network settings in Settings β†’ System system β†’ Resetting the network.
  3. Update the firmware via the Mi Fitness or Zepp app (for Amazfit).
What to do if the watch doesn’t see SIM-map?
If the clock doesn't recognize SIM, Check: 1. Correct installation of the card (contacts must be clean). 2. Operator compatibility (some watches block Russian ones) SIM). 3. Firmware updates (sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions).If nothing helps, try using the new version. SIM Contact Xiaomi support (but note that Chinese models often lack support in Russia).

What price to choose for Xiaomi watches

For the clock with SIM/eSIM It's not a normal smartphone fare, you need special options. This is what Russian carriers are offering (June data) 2026 year-end):

Operator.Rate for watchesCost/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/mos/Features
MegaphoneSmartwatch.300 β‚½1 GB of traffic, unlimited calls and SMS Russia
Beeline"For gadgets"250 β‚½500MB of traffic, 100 minutes of calls
Tele2."My gadget."200 β‚½300 MB of traffic, unlimited SMS
MTSSmart Watch.350 β‚½2 GB of traffic, unlimited calls in Russia

⚠️ Attention: Most of the rates for watches do not include mobile Internet by default - it must be purchased separately. For example, at the rate of MegaFon "Smart Watch" for 300 β‚½ You'll only get calls and SMS, You will have to pay for the Internet for another 150 β‚½/month.

If you plan to use the watch for streaming music (for example, through Spotify or Yandex Music), choose a tariff with a large amount of traffic (from 2 GB). 500 MB is enough for regular calls.

πŸ’‘

The best option for most users is the tariff of MTS "Smart Watch" (350). β‚½/2GB of traffic, covering both calls and basic Internet needs (weather, notifications, maps).

Xiaomi Watches Comparison with Call Support: What to Buy in 2026

If you need a Xiaomi watch specifically for calls, here is a comparison of the most relevant models for today:

ModelType SIMAutonomy (calls)Price (June 2026)PlusesCons
Xiaomi Watch 2 ProeSIM24 hours~25 000 β‚½AMOLED-screen, fast charging, support NFCeSIM is difficult to set up in Russia, high price
Xiaomi Watch S3nano-SIM + eSIM48 hours~18 000 β‚½Long working hours, solid bodyProblems with the Russians SIM, weak-back
Amazfit GTR 4nano-SIM + eSIM72 hours~15 000 β‚½Best Autonomy, Works with Russian OperatorsLess premium design, no Google Assistant
Redmi Watch 4Bluetooth calls10 days~5 000 β‚½Cheap, easy, long work.You can only call if the phone is near you.

For most users in Russia, the best choice is Amazfit. GTR 4.This watch:

  • πŸ“ž Support nano-SIM and work with MegaFon, Beeline, MTS.
  • πŸ”‹ Keep charge up to 3 days with active calls (vs 1 day for Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro).
  • πŸ’° They are cheaper than Xiaomi flagship models, but offer similar functionality.

If you need a premium watch and you are ready to mess with the eSIM setting, you can consider the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro.

  1. Use Chinese firmware (you can install it through the Mi Flash Tool).
  2. Activate eSIM through VPN (For example, selecting the Hong Kong region in the settings).
  3. Maybe buy. SIM foreign operators (e.g. Airalo or Holafly).

Alternatives: can you call from Xiaomi watch without SIM

If your Xiaomi watch model doesn’t support yours SIM/eSIM, There are several ways to call them indirectly:

  • πŸ“± Bluetooth calls: Watches connect to phone and use it SIM-This card works on all models (Mi Band 8, Redmi Watch 3), but the phone should be close (radius). ~10 meters).
  • 🌐 Wi-Fi + IP-Telephony: You can call via WhatsApp, Telegram or Skype if the watch is connected to Wi-Fi.
  • πŸ”„ Call forwarding: Set up a phone redirect to a clock number (if they support it) SIM). For example, with MegaFon, this can be done through the USSD-command: 21 [hour number]#

⚠️ Note: When using Bluetooth calls, the battery of both the phone and the watch is severely reduced. For example, the Redmi Watch 4 in constant communication with the phone discharges in 1-2 days instead of the declared 10.

If you need full-fledged offline calls, alternatives without SIM/eSIM It's better to choose a physical-enabled model right away. SIM (Like Amazfit. GTR 4).

FAQ: Frequent questions about calls on Xiaomi watches

Can I insert SIM from Yota to Xiaomi Watch S3?
No, Xiaomi Watch. S3 It does not support band 28, 700 MHz, optimized for Chinese operators and only works with MTS, Megaphone or Beeline (and then not all tariffs). 4pda.to β€” There are lists of verified operators.
How to make the notifications of calls come on the clock, if the phone is turned off?
The watch must support autonomous calls (i.e. have its own phone). SIM-If you have a Bluetooth-only model (like the Redmi Watch 4), notifications will only come when the phone is turned on within Bluetooth range. The alternative is to set up call forwarding to the clock number (if it supports the phone). SIM).
Why does Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro not work with MegaFon eSIM?
The problem is regional restrictions. Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro with European firmware does not support Russian eSIM. Solutions: Reflash the watch to the Chinese version (risk of losing warranty). VPN when activating eSIM (select Hong Kong or Singapore region). SIM (But the Watch 2 Pro doesn't have a slot for nano-SIM).
What Xiaomi Watch Should You Buy for Calling Your Child?
For a child, the optimal option with physical SIM and GPS: Amazfit GTR 4 – long work, solid body, support of Russian operators. Xiaomi Mi Bunny Watch (children’s watch) – a specialized model with a button SOS Avoid eSIM models, which are difficult to set up and often glitch with Russian operators. LBS-tracking (to determine location without GPS).
Can I call with Mi Band 8?
No, the Mi Band 8 doesn't support calls -- neither offline nor Bluetooth. This model is designed for fitness tracking and notifications only. Calls require a full-fledged smartwatch (like the Redmi Watch 4 for Bluetooth calls or the Amazfit). GTR 4 for autonomous communications).