I never thought much of smartwatches until I tried one. A cheap smartwatch that can call and text opened my senses to a world of possibilities. When I first used its dial buttons to get in touch with the outside world, it made me realize that calling on the wrist is no longer just a style statement. It addresses several unspoken needs that can change a person’s life, as it did mine.
The Need for Smartwatches that Can Call and Text
A smartwatch that can answer calls and texts without a phone is not a novelty. The technology has been around for nearly a decade, yet many people don’t want to be seen wearing one. As it is with every new technology, there are the skeptics and laggards who resist change. I myself felt these displays with cheap nylon straps just weren’t what I needed from a wristwatch.
Something like an Apple Watch Series 9 has its own style statement. But at a starting price of $399, I felt it was too expensive, as there are so many non-smart alternatives. What I was really looking for was one of the best budget smartwatches with Bluetooth call function and supported text options for WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook, and other apps.
My search ended with a relatively unknown smartwatch called Fire-Boltt, which costs less than $35.
The watch has an IP68 waterproof rating, dust protection, and a shock-proof metal body. It has all the trappings of a regular Android smartwatch, including Google Assistant support, physical activity trackers, and blood oxygen and heart rate measurements.
But I really loved Fire Boltt’s calling and texting features. And they’ve been life changing.
1. Uninterrupted Calling on the Move
Smartphones have been getting bigger and bigger. Just a few years ago, 4.5 inches felt huge. Yet today, we think nothing of carrying large devices with screen sizes of up to 7 inches. I bet many of us can’t find suitable dress pockets to accommodate the increasing phone sizes.
If you have enabled your smartwatch to make and receive calls, it’s just so useful in many situations. For example, when you’re riding a crowded subway, bus, or other public transportation, a smartwatch that lets you make calls without a phone is an absolute lifesaver.
When flying on a plane, I found my Fire-Boltt smartwatch pretty handy in the lines near airport check-in counters, baggage screening, and other transit areas. The phone SIM syncs just fine with the watch, even when under international roaming, as the call push notifications do not depend on the Internet.
2. Uninterrupted Texting on Multiple Apps
Texting on the move is important if your contacts insist on texting you instead of calling. The Fire-Boltt watch is designed to check the messages and reply to them on the move. It is enabled using the push notifications on an Android/iOS app.
Most leading smartwatches support multiple text platforms, including SMS, email, WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Instagram, Skype, Slack, and so on.
With a texting smartwatch, you really don’t need to pull out your phone to reply to someone’s urgent messages. You can also delete multiple messages.
There’s only one problem: the dialing pad is much smaller than you’d find on a smartphone. You’re probably better off sticking to brief replies like, “I am on a bus. Talk to you later.” With Fire Boltt, the keyboard becomes comfortable with regular use.
Tips for Purchasing Smartwatches that Call and Text
When it comes to a cheap smartwatch that can call and text, there are a few buying tips that I learned from first-hand experience:
- Find a watch according to your wrist size: if you have a fat wrist, go for a 1.85-inch (45 mm) display or bigger.
- Get rid of the cheap straps: you can find many metallic or silicone straps online that look elegant. Splurge!
- Long charging time: wristwatches are meant to be worn at all times. A single charge can last you more than 10 to 15 days, if not longer.
As I discovered soon enough, calling and texting features in a smartwatch like Fire Boltt are an absolute necessity in many situations, where using the smartphone is just not very convenient.
On a final note, let’s not forget that there are plenty of non-smart wristwatch alternatives that have more value. If you’re the proud owner of a Breitling, Cartier, Omega, Piaget, or TAG Heuer, why would you trade one for a digital display?
If this made you curious, however, have a look at our best smartwatch picks.
All screenshots and images by Sayak Boral.
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