Casio will first introduce in China a new wearable that combines health management functions with a ring-shaped digital watch. It keeps the existing ring watch design while adding smart ring features such as heart rate and sleep tracking.

On July 30 local time, IT outlet Engadget reported that Casio plans to launch the new CRW-H001M-8 in the Chinese market.

The new product is a ring-shaped device worn on a finger, but its exterior is a scaled-down version of Casio's classic digital watch. Users can check the time on a small digital display. It also supports stopwatch and calendar functions, keeping the ring watch's existing features.

It also adds smart ring-level health management functions. It offers measurement of heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep status and body temperature. Users can also check step count and calories burned. Battery life is about 4 to 6 days, and the China selling price is set at about $294 including local taxes.

The product is an extension of Casio's existing ring watch series, but its character is somewhat different. While earlier products focused on watch functions and accessory elements, the new model has added health data measurement functions and has evolved into a product targeting the smart ring market.

Its design, which differs from typical smart rings, stands out. The smart ring market is currently dominated by simple ring shapes made mostly of metal. Casio, by contrast, has implemented a digital watch-style design in ring size, emphasising not only functions but also visual individuality.

Engadget said major smart ring products such as Oura are continuing to compete on functions, but assessed that there is not much design differentiation. It analysed Casio's new product as one that presents a new design direction for the market.

The industry is also paying attention to the product as an attempt to break down the boundary between smartwatches and smart rings. It has been assessed as proposing a new form of wearable experience by combining the usability of a wristwatch with the health tracking functions of a smart ring in a single device.

Casio's strategy is interpreted as an attempt to use design and brand identity as new differentiating factors in a wearable market where competition on functions has intensified. Attention is focused on whether smart rings can move beyond performance-centred competition and expand the competitive arena to the wearing experience and design.

The CRW-H001M-8 is expected to be launched first in China, and a global release schedule has not been disclosed. The market is watching whether sales will later expand to other countries and whether a smart ring incorporating a watch-style design can create new demand.