Casio is adding limited smart features to a traditional digital watch without sacrificing the simplicity or battery longevity that classic watch enthusiasts value. The new F-B100W model includes Bluetooth connectivity and a built-in step counter. It retains a replaceable CR2016 battery that Casio claims can deliver about two years of operation.

What You Need to Know

This is not a full smartwatch. There is no touchscreen, app store or notification stream. The watch uses Bluetooth Low Energy to sync step data once a day to a smartphone app. It targets users who want basic activity tracking without giving up a replaceable battery or a simple digital display.

A Calculated Step Into a Growing Gap

The F-B100W sits between the ultra-simple Casio F-91W and feature-packed smartwatches such as the Apple Watch. The Casio F-91W has sold tens of millions of units thanks to its low price and seven-year battery rating, but it offers no connectivity. The Apple Watch, meanwhile, provides a rich app ecosystem but requires daily charging and a sealed battery. Casio’s new model attempts to capture buyers who want a middle ground: a durable digital watch with a step counter and automatic time setting via Bluetooth. The company has previously offered similar features in the heavier and more expensive ABL-100, but the F-B100W brings them to a smaller and lighter form factor at a price of about £55. Enthusiasts on Hacker News and Reddit have taken notice. Our own appreciation for long-lasting, low-complexity devices aligns with this approach. Another key detail is that the watch communicates with Casio’s proprietary smartphone app, though FOSS alternatives such as Casio G-Shock Smart Sync have emerged for those who wish to avoid vendor software.

Key Features and Realities

  • Bluetooth Low Energy: The watch sends one daily activity summary to the companion app, keeping power draw minimal.
  • Replaceable CR2016 battery: Users can swap the cell themselves after about two years, maintaining the watch’s long-term usability.
  • Limited date format: The display shows dates in US MM/DD format only, a restriction that has frustrated some international buyers.
  • No notification mirroring: Unlike pricier G-Shock models, the F-B100W cannot display phone alerts or use vibrating alerts.

Why This Matters

The F-B100W represents a broader trend: consumers increasingly want devices that connect without overwhelming. The watch’s ability to run for years on a standard replaceable battery challenges the planned obsolescence of sealed smartwatches. For users who find full smartwatches distracting or intrusive, this Casio offers a way to track steps and keep accurate time without constant recharging or notifications. That combination could attract a market that the industry has largely ignored. This move also shows that Casio sees value in preserving the design language of its classic digital watches while adding modern connectivity. Another consequence is that it pressures competing brands to offer similar hybrid options. Casios have long stood for durability and simplicity, and the F-B100W extends that reputation into the connected era without sacrificing either.