Searching for a G-Shock smart watch turns up a confusing mix. Some listings call a $90 step counter “smart”, others point to a $399 GPS watch, and a few still mention a Wear OS Casio that is no longer easy to buy. So is there really such a thing? Yes, but Casio uses the word loosely. This guide sorts the lineup into three clear tiers, shows what each one tracks, and tells you who should buy which.
Quick answer
Casio does not sell a full app-store smartwatch under the G-Shock name. It sells connected “hybrid” watches. The DW-H5600 (about $299) adds Polar-powered heart rate and phone notifications but has no GPS. The GBD-H2000 ($399) adds built-in GPS, solar-assisted charging and blood oxygen. Cheaper GBD step-tracker models only count steps and relay basic alerts. If you want apps, music and payments, a true smartwatch is the better buy.
Is There a Real G-Shock Smart Watch?
Not in the way most people mean it. A smartwatch such as an Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch runs apps, answers messages and pays at a checkout. If you are not sure where that line sits, our explainer on what a smartwatch is and what it can do covers the basics.
G-Shock’s connected models take a different path. They keep the classic tough case, a screen you can read in sunlight and battery life measured in weeks. On top of that they add Bluetooth, a handful of health sensors and a companion app. Reviewers tend to describe the result as a watch for people who like the idea of tracking but do not want a daily-charging gadget.
The one Casio that did behave like a full smartwatch was the Pro Trek Smart WSD-F30, a Wear OS model with downloadable apps and Google Assistant. Reviews noted it had no NFC and no heart rate sensor, and retailer listings now show it as out of stock or discontinued. Casio has not made an official announcement that we could find, so treat that as a retailer signal rather than a confirmed end of the line.
The Three Tiers of Connected G-Shock Watches
It helps to stop thinking about “the G-Shock smartwatch” and think in tiers instead.
| Tier | Example models | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Step trackers | GBD-100, GBD-200, GBD-300 | Bluetooth, step counting, training log, basic phone alerts and a phone finder. |
| Fitness hybrid | DW-H5600 (G-Shock Move) | Optical heart rate built with Polar, sleep and training analysis, notifications. No GPS. |
| Multi-sport GPS | GBD-H2000 (G-Squad) | Built-in GPS, heart rate, blood oxygen, solar-assisted charging, seven sport profiles. |
G-Shock Smart Watch Prices in 2026
Prices swing a lot depending on color, retailer and sale timing, and sources disagree. The chart uses list prices from G-Central, Casio’s US listings and reviews. Expect to find the cheaper models on sale below these numbers.
DW-H5600: The Fitness Hybrid Most People Mean
When people search for a G-Shock smart watch, the DW-H5600 (also called G-Shock Move) is usually what they want. It keeps the squared digital look and adds an optical heart rate sensor developed with Polar. Polar’s algorithms also drive the sleep tracking, cardio status and in-workout analysis.
- Heart rate and sleep: Polar-based sensor with training analysis and sleep scoring.
- Notifications: alerts from your phone through the Casio Watches app, plus a phone finder and automatic time setting.
- No built-in GPS: it can estimate distance if you carry your phone, which reviewers call a miss at this price.
- Build: resin case and band, 200 meter water resistance, 59 grams and about 51.1 x 44.5 x 17.4 mm.
- Battery: Casio claims about 35 hours with heart rate tracking running, or around a month in watch mode.
Real-world results are more modest. One reviewer got about a week with regular workouts, and another found that leaving heart rate on all day drains it in a day or so. Still, that is far better than most mainstream smartwatches. Charging uses a clip-style charger that Wareable described as a little temperamental.
GBD-H2000: The One With GPS
The GBD-H2000 is the closest Casio gets to a sports watch. It lists at $399 and adds multi-system GPS (GPS, QZSS, Galileo, Beidou and GLONASS), a heart rate and blood oxygen sensor, barometer, altimeter, compass and thermometer. It also charges from solar light or USB, which helps keep it alive between workouts.
It is bigger and heavier than the DW-H5600, at about 59.6 x 52.6 x 19.4 mm and 63 grams. Reviewers praise the toughness but criticize the limits: only seven sport profiles, and an app that several testers found hard to navigate. One cycling review called it overbuilt for riding. If you want GPS watch features without fuss, see our best GPS smartwatch roundup for faster, more flexible options.
Battery Life: Where G-Shock Still Wins
Battery is the strongest argument for a connected G-Shock. The two figures below measure different things, so do not compare them directly, but they show how far a workout lasts on each model.
With heart rate switched off, the GBD-H2000 is claimed to last about two months, and around 23 months with the power-saving function on. One tester only topped it up once over three weeks. For a longer list of long-lasting options, check our guide to smartwatches with the longest battery life.
The Cheaper Step-Tracker Models
The GBD-100, GBD-200 and GBD-300 are the entry point. G-Central lists the GBD-100 at $150 and the GBD-200 at $165, and Casio’s US page has shown the GBD-100 on sale near $90. They count steps, keep a training log, relay call and message alerts, and find your phone. The GBD-300 uses an octagonal bezel and an MIP display, and launched in Japan in July 2024 at 25,300 yen with no confirmed US release or price.
Note that the old G-Shock Move app has been replaced by the Casio Watches app. Sources also disagree on how detailed the notifications are. Some reviewers say the watch only shows a short app name and sender, so do not expect to read full messages.
G-Shock vs a Regular Smartwatch
| Feature | DW-H5600 | GBD-H2000 | Typical smartwatch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart rate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in GPS | No | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | Not listed | Yes | Often |
| Apps and music | No | No | Yes |
| Water resistance | 200 m | 200 m | Varies |
| Battery in daily use | Days to weeks | Weeks | 1 to 2 days |
If your main worry is toughness, our roundup of the best rugged smartwatches compares models that keep real smartwatch features and still survive hard use.
Who Should Buy a G-Shock Smart Watch?
Pick this if you want
- A watch that looks like a classic G-Shock and still tracks heart rate (DW-H5600).
- Weeks of battery and low maintenance.
- Basic phone alerts without a busy screen.
- A tough watch for the gym, trades or outdoors.
Skip it if you need
Apps, offline music, contactless payments, voice replies or deep running analytics. None of the connected G-Shocks do these, and the DW-H5600 has no GPS at all. A mainstream smartwatch or a dedicated running watch will serve you better.
What About the Rumored Metal G-Shock?
Notebookcheck reported that Casio may be preparing a metal-cased, square fitness G-Shock with heart rate tracking, reportedly a GM-H5600, for spring or summer 2026. We found no confirmed price or launch, and it is not an official product, so treat it as a rumor. If you can wait, it may be worth watching before you buy a DW-H5600.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does G-Shock make a smartwatch?
Not a full one. G-Shock makes connected hybrids such as the DW-H5600 and GBD-H2000 with sensors and phone alerts. The only Casio with true smartwatch software was the Wear OS Pro Trek Smart WSD-F30, which now appears discontinued at retailers.
Which G-Shock has heart rate and GPS?
The GBD-H2000 has both, plus blood oxygen and solar-assisted charging. The DW-H5600 has heart rate but no GPS.
Can a G-Shock show text messages?
It can show alerts from your phone through the Casio Watches app, but reviewers describe the display as limited. Expect an app name and sender rather than a full message.
How long does a G-Shock smartwatch battery last?
Casio claims about 35 hours of heart rate tracking or about a month in watch mode on the DW-H5600. The GBD-H2000 is claimed at up to 16 to 19 hours of GPS and about two months in watch mode with heart rate off. Real results are usually lower.
Are G-Shock smartwatches waterproof?
The DW-H5600 and GBD-H2000 are both rated for 200 meters, which suits swimming and showering. For rating details, see our waterproof smartwatch guide.
Final Verdict
The Bottom Line
Treat the G-Shock smart watch as a tough fitness watch with a long battery, not a wrist computer. Buy the DW-H5600 if you want heart rate and sleep tracking in a classic case, and the GBD-H2000 only if built-in GPS matters. If you want apps and payments, look elsewhere.
Prices and specifications come from reviews and retailer listings and change often. Verify details on Casio’s site before you buy.
Sources and Further Reading
- Wareable: Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 review
- Gadgets & Wearables: G-Shock DW-H5600 review
- Digital Trends: Casio G-Shock GBD-H2000 review
- G-Central: GBD-200 specifications
- Casio US: G-Shock Move GBD-100
- Android Authority: Casio Pro Trek WSD-F30 review
Featured image: Pexels.
About this article: GeekBlog covers U.S. technology news, AI, phones, smartwatches and gaming. Every story is written and checked under our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake or have a story tip? Contact our editors.
