Initially, when Casio revealed its smart ring, I was skeptical and almost thought it was a prank. I had never owned the Casio GMW-B5000 it was based on, so there was no nostalgia factor for me. It was surprising when Casio offered to send me one, and even more unexpected was how much I enjoyed it. But here we are!
Sunday Runday
In this weekly column, Android Central Wearables Editor Michael Hicks talks about the world of wearables, apps, and fitness tech related to running and health, in his quest to get faster and more fit.
The “Casio ring watch” isn’t your typical smart ring, making it an easy target for criticism. The stainless steel design is impressive, but its bulky components are primarily dedicated to timekeeping and stopwatch functions with small buttons on a screen that’s hard to read. It’s not groundbreaking.
Comparing it to devices like the Oura Ring 4 or Ultrahuman Ring Air, which offer a plethora of health tracking features while being significantly lighter, it’s clear that the Casio ring doesn’t quite measure up in terms of functionality. However, the price point of both smart rings being $230 higher than the Casio ring, makes it an unfair comparison. Nonetheless, as smart rings gain popularity, this comparison seems inevitable.
Having seen the Casio ring up close, rather than through press photos that mostly showcase the display, I have to admit that it has its charm, even without the nostalgia factor. It’s reminiscent of a high school class ring in size, but with a less gaudy appearance and an eye-catching ridged steel design.
It only comes in one size, but comes with a few translucent inserts to adjust the fit; with one of these, it fits comfortably on my right ring finger. The weight is noticeable, so I avoid wearing it while running. However, the decision to prioritize the steel, watch-like aesthetics and a two-year battery life seems justified by Casio.
The grayscale display is only visible at the right angle; otherwise, it blends in as a glossy layer above the metal, making it unobtrusive. I had anticipated some judgment for wearing a quirky mini-watch, but the design isn’t overt unless you’re up close. The few comments I’ve received have been more out of curiosity rather than mockery.
From my recent smartwatch fashion contest, it’s evident that I’m not completely in tune with what non-tech-savvy individuals find appealing in wearables; perhaps my tastes are silently judged. However, there’s certainly a niche audience who would appreciate the bulky and distinct look of the Casio or Garmin Instinct watches and already have heart rate tracking from another device.
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