The wearable market is consistently in movement, which is good news for somebody like me who makes a dwelling reviewing the most effective smartwatches. I solely have two wrists, although, limiting the variety of clever timepieces I can assessment on the time (two, to be exact). Because of this the assessment of some watches deemed much less time-sensitive will at all times be pushed again, and that is precisely what occurred to the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600.
It is unlucky, as this retro-looking watch is definitely a enjoyable timepiece. I examined many sensible G-Shock watches, together with the Casio G-Shock Professional GSW-H1000, the Casio G-Shock GBD-H1000, and most just lately, the Casio G-Shock GBD-H2000, the latter of which is most carefully associated to the DW-H5600, because of the Polar integration, permitting the watch to gather and analyse well being and health information like a ‘correct’ working watch.
Not like the cumbersome G-Shocks talked about above, the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 is not cumbersome, making it higher suited to all-day put on. It contains a extra sustainable resin physique and, most significantly, appears and behaves like a wrist wearable individuals within the 80s thought smartwatches would appear to be nowadays. Must you get one? Let’s discover out!
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 assessment
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 assessment: worth and availbility
The Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 was introduced in April 2023 and launched in Could 2023 and is that can be purchased now instantly from Casio UK and Casio US with costs from £269/ $299 (approx. AU$ 471).
I attempted discovering out what number of colors it is out there in throughout my analysis, however Casio would not make it straightforward to find out this. The UK web site lists three colors, whereas Casio’s worldwide web site has round three million completely different choices. Both approach, I examined the DW-H5600-2ER model, which has a pale blue case and strap.
For the most effective Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 costs in your location, take a look at the worth widgets on the prime and backside of this assessment.
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 assessment: specs
(Picture credit score: Matt Kollat/T3)
- Weight: 59 grams
- Dimension: Not acknowledged
- Case supplies: Bio-based resins
- Show: Reminiscence-in-pixel (MIP) with LED backlight (decision not acknowledged)
- Bezel measurement: Not acknowledged
- Processor: Not acknowledged
- Battery life: Not acknowledged
- Charging: proprietary Casio charger and photo voltaic charging
- Sturdiness: WR20BAR (200 metres), Shock-resistant construction
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Storage: Not acknowledged
- Positioning: No
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 assessment: design and construct high quality
(Picture credit score: Matt Kollat/T3)
- First ever 5600 sq. G-Shock G-SQUAD mannequin
- MIP display screen
- Coronary heart charge monitor
- Shock-resistant construction
- Photo voltaic-assisted and USB charging
Casio is horrible at disclosing details about its merchandise the identical approach Apple/Google/Samsung does, so you will should excuse me for not with the ability to let you know a variety of technical particulars concerning the G-Shock DW-H5600. What I do know is that it’s the first ever 5600 sq. G-Shock G-Squad mannequin and likewise one of many first ones to utilise the Powered by Polar system.
I am going to focus on the latter in additional element beneath, however what you want to know is that the Powered by Polar bundle is compromised of 25 algorithms, which can be found for Polar’s industrial companions, together with Casio, to select and select from, fuelled by tons of consumer information protecting sleep, coaching, wellness, exercise, efficiency, and restoration. Primarily, Casio allowed entry to among the best efficiency wearable algorithms in the marketplace.
Well being information to feed the algorithm is supplied by the optical coronary heart charge sensor behind the watch. There isn’t a GPS, nor are there the sensors you’d discover in trendy smartwatches.
Nonetheless, one thrilling new addition is the bio-based resin bezel and band made with a brand new eco-friendly materials. Bio-based resin is alleged to make use of renewable and sustainable natural sources equivalent to corn however is rugged and affords the identical carrying expertise as basic plastic G-Shock fashions. Certainly, the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 is water-rated to WR20BAR (200 metres) and has the identical shock-resistant options as all G-Shock watches.
(Picture credit score: Matt Kollat/T3)
The watch contains a small memory-in-pixel (MIP) always-on show, much like basic Garmin watches. MIP shows aren’t as flashy as a few of the AMOLED screens you see in trendy wearables. They’re additionally much less energy-intensive, which helps enhance battery life. Surrounding the MIP display screen, you will discover a photo voltaic harvesting ring, which is alleged to enhance battery life much more so long as you expose the watch to sufficient daylight.
I discussed that the show is not large, which suggests the info on the watch is fairly small, too. I often get away with studying my smartwatches with out utilizing my glasses, however not the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600. The menu choices are completely tiny!
You may discover 4 push buttons across the fringe of the case, and they’re a little bit of a ache to manage. They’re shallow and sit too deep of their recesses, making it not possible to press until you utilize your nails. I’ve fairly huge fingers, which I assume did not assist, however I might’ve appreciated the buttons being operated extra effectively, contemplating the watch hasn’t received a touchscreen.
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 assessment: options
(Picture credit score: Matt Kollat/T3)
- Fundamental smarts
- All of the digital watch options below the solar
- Respiration train timer
The Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 is not the neatest smartwatch on the town, that is for certain. It tracks coronary heart charge, blood oxygen stage and sleep and might obtain notifications out of your linked smartphone. The wearable can monitor 4 completely different exercises (extra on this within the subsequent part) and gives some further info by way of the Powered by Polar ecosystem, however that is just about it.
It does all of the digital watch stuff, although, equivalent to with the ability to inform world time (38 cities + UTC), dawn/sundown instances, and moon age. It additionally has a stopwatch performance, a countdown timer (60 Min.), 4 each day alarms (with snooze), and a vibration alert. Most smartwatches can do these items, too, so nothing tremendous thrilling right here.
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 assessment: well being and health monitoring
(Picture credit score: Matt Kollat/T3)
- Supported sports activities: Operating, strolling, fitness center and interval timer
- No GPS
What differentiates the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 out of your commonplace G-Shock watches is its supposed functionality to watch well being and health. Polar watches are famend coaching instruments amongst athletes; the concept of mixing this performance with the retro aesthetics of G-Shock watches is certainly engaging.
Nonetheless, as I discussed above, Powered by Polar permits corporations to select and select which of the 25 algorithms they want to use, and clearly, now all 25 have made it into Casio G-Shock DW-H5600. You do get some thrilling options included, although, like Nightly Recharge, which is fairly cool.
Sadly, there is no such thing as a GNSS, so the watch depends on the movement sensor to find out distance, which can by no means be as correct as GPS-backed methods. Remarkably, the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 is not too far off in comparison with full-blown multisport watches with regards to monitoring distance. That mentioned, I would not use it for something too severe.
One other slight hindrance is the Casio app. Not like well-thought-out companion apps like Garmin’s Join, the Casio app feels reasonably clunky, with the homepage not appearing as a dashboard however extra like an promoting house for Casio. You may discover most of your information below the third tab, grouped below the scrollable playing cards you get for every day you put on the watch.
It isn’t the worst system, however there’s a full lack of gamification, and you’ll’t see your developments both, each of which often assist individuals keep energetic over time. For passive monitoring, it is greater than sufficient information, however one wonders what is the level of getting the refined Polar algorithm on board if you happen to aren’t actually utilizing it. Possibly Casio has to tweak its app to make it look extra just like the redesigned Fitbit app.
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 assessment: verdict
(Picture credit score: Matt Kollat/T3)
I mentioned many less-than-appealing issues concerning the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 on this assessment. The reality is, I do not dislike the watch, though I want it had been higher. It is the primary sensible G-Shokz I did not wish to take off as quickly as I completed testing, because of the extra compact case and the throwback aesthetic. As a millennial, these sorts of wearables will at all times have a particular place in my coronary heart.
That mentioned, until you are a G-Shock fan, you will discover higher smartwatches for a similar or much less cash. Casio must pivot in direction of not promoting digital watch options as sensible options, like World Time, which a smartwatch ought to routinely be capable of inform anyway because it’s linked to your smartphone. Notifications and respiratory workouts with out a respiration sensor simply will not reduce it in 2023.
I respect if you happen to’re a G-Shock fan, the DW-H5600 is an thrilling proposition, because it incorporates some well being and health monitoring and gives that very same old-school G-Shock watch expertise. For those who just like the look of the watch and would not thoughts getting access to a few of your well being information, by all means, get the watch. I will be ready patiently for an up to date model that irons out the {hardware} and software program points. Hopefully, I will not have to attend for too lengthy.
Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 assessment: additionally take into account
There may be nothing fairly just like the Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 in the marketplace at the moment I can suggest. There are many glorious wearables on T3’s greatest smartwatch information, however I really feel the closest different could be one thing like an older Garmin with a MIP display screen, just like the Garmin Forerunner 245 or the Garmin Forerunner 55. None of them has as a lot swag because the Casio, however they’re much higher at monitoring health.
