I would say NO to your question. If you do not have a SIM card, or your SIM card is unlocked with no carrier assigned, the only thing you can do with the phone is dial 911. That much is a federal (FCC?) requirement. Otherwise you just have teeny-tiny boat anchor.
“If you do not have a SIM card, or your SIM card is unlocked with no carrier assigned, the only thing you can do with the phone is dial 911.”
Our phones have no SIM cards and we text every day. One of us in the Philippines right now. We also voice and video call.