Watch SE 3 - calling features

[Sensamic]

Hey all.

I want to buy my parents an Apple Watch SE 3, but have some questions about the calling features.

1. Is it possible to answer incoming calls just by voice? Or do you have to tap an icon in the screen to answer them?

2. Is it possible to make calls to specific contacts just by voice? Does this feature work well or is it a hit and miss?

3. Is it possible to dismiss an incoming call using a gesture or by voice?

4. Is it possible to end a call using a gesture?

Thanks for any help!

 

[cynics]

1. Yes, "Hey Siri answer phone call". However I've found if you have "Screen" phone calls from unknown contacts turned on Siri will say "Nobody is calling" even while it's ringing. Turning off Screen phone calls OR pressing the green answer button on the Apple Watch OR using a gesture will answer the call.

2. Yes, "Hey Siri call (contact)" or "Hey Siri call (number)". This actually works perfectly for me.

3. Kind of. Covering the watch face with your palm completely silences the call (no ring or vibration). It will still ring and goto voicemail though, so not technically dismissing.

4. Yes, on Apple Watches with the S9 chip or later (including the SE 3) you can double tap your thumb and index finger.

 

[Sensamic]

1. Yes, "Hey Siri answer phone call". However I've found if you have "Screen" phone calls from unknown contacts turned on Siri will say "Nobody is calling" even while it's ringing. Turning off Screen phone calls OR pressing the green answer button on the Apple Watch OR using a gesture will answer the call.

2. Yes, "Hey Siri call (contact)" or "Hey Siri call (number)". This actually works perfectly for me.

3. Kind of. Covering the watch face with your palm completely silences the call (no ring or vibration). It will still ring and goto voicemail though, so not technically dismissing.

4. Yes, on Apple Watches with the S9 chip or later (including the SE 3) you can double tap your thumb and index finger.

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[jetsam]

4. Yes, on Apple Watches with the S9 chip or later (including the SE 3) you can double tap your thumb and index finger.

Even simpler (and more reliable) you can just turn your wrist upside down and back again to dismiss anything on a newer Apple Watch (including the SE3).

 

[MacCheetah3]

To add some more detail to what has already been shared:

1. Is it possible to answer incoming calls just by voice? Or do you have to tap an icon in the screen to answer them?

1. Yes, "Hey Siri answer phone call". However I've found if you have "Screen" phone calls from unknown contacts turned on Siri will say "Nobody is calling" even while it's ringing. Turning off Screen phone calls OR pressing the green answer button on the Apple Watch OR using a gesture will answer the call.

If the Announce Calls feature is enabled, it’s as simple as responding “Yes” to answer or “No” to decline.

Announce calls with Siri on Apple Watch

With Announce Calls on Apple Watch, Siri identifies incoming phone calls and FaceTime calls, which you can accept or decline using your voice.

support.apple.com

The gesture is the double tap:

Use double tap to perform common actions on Apple Watch

On compatible Apple Watch models, tap your index finger and thumb together twice to perform common actions.

support.apple.com

There is a third, related choice, to automatically answer calls following an adjustable delay. The feature is available within the accessibility options.

3. Is it possible to dismiss an incoming call using a gesture or by voice?

3. Kind of. Covering the watch face with your palm completely silences the call (no ring or vibration). It will still ring and goto voicemail though, so not technically dismissing.

Supposedly, a second wrist flick (after the mute/dismiss) will decline the call — or so I interpret.

You can use Wrist Flick to:

• Dismiss incoming calls with a forward-back wrist flick (double flick to decline).
• Mute alarms and timers.
• Dismiss notifications on the lock screen.
• Close Control Center or Smart Stack widgets.
• Navigate back to watch face from apps.

How to Use Wrist Flick and Gesture Controls in watchOS 26 for Better Experience (US) - MobilityArena

Once you get the hang of Wrist Flick and Gesture Controls, simple tasks like silencing alarms or skipping interruptions become second nature.

mobilityarena.com

By the way, this looks like a generally nice guide.

Even simpler (and more reliable) you can just turn your wrist upside down and back again to dismiss anything on a newer Apple Watch (including the SE3).

I wouldn’t say “upside down,” mostly just away from you. And the motion doesn’t need to even be fast (as demoed below), though you can do it aggressively — I haven’t had any problems with recognition.

Quickly mute notifications with gestures on Apple Watch

On Apple Watch, instantly mute incoming calls, stop timers, dismiss notifications, and more with a wrist flick or cover to mute gesture.

support.apple.com

In fact, also in accessibility options:

4. Is it possible to end a call using a gesture?

4. Yes, on Apple Watches with the S9 chip or later (including the SE 3) you can double tap your thumb and index finger.

Indeed. Unfortunately, the Call Hang Up feature doesn’t appear to be implemented on watchOS.

How to Use Siri to Hang Up a Call on iPhone

In iOS 16, Apple added a new setting that allows you to hang up on an active phone or FaceTime call using the virtual assistant, Siri. Keep reading...

www.macrumors.com

Related:

Use Siri on Apple Watch

On your Apple Watch, use Siri to perform tasks and deliver answers.

support.apple.com

 

[waw74]

A couple things to keep in mind, since it sounds like you're new to watches, and may depend on their health and capabilities

the watch is an add on to an iPhone, it can't be used standalone. without a phone, you can't activate a watch.

There is a way to set up a cellular watch for a family member, it's more geared towards kids but would work for older adults. It is limited in features though.

Set up Apple Watch for a family member - Apple Support

Family Setup lets family members who don't have their own iPhone enjoy the features and benefits of an Apple Watch.

support.apple.com

Watches need to be charged daily. If they'll be unable to remember to do that, and put it back on, the watch will be useless.

Also without a phone nearby, the watch will drain quicker. Usually it uses bluetooth to your phone, If it can't find that it turns on wifi, if it can't find that it turns on cellular. Each of those radios draws more power than the previous one.


as a possible alternative, Homepods will allow you to do speaker phone calls with voice. and putting one in each room will be cheaper than 2 watches. They have an intercom feature, so you can reach out from your phone to all of the rooms in their house.

 

[iHorseHead]

I also have original SE and I'm thinking of upgrading, however… I can't really find any new features, besides the new battery.