All-new GA-B010 with Bluetooth is the first G-Shock watch with Tough Solar and Step Tracker combo

For those who prefer the more value-oriented side of the G-Shock lineup, the analog-digital GA-010 and full digital GD-010 were welcome additions in 2024, as they offered a 10-year battery life with a large case, large display, and front light button. They are effectively modern updates to the classic GA-1XX and GD-1XX series of the 2010s, with a focus on utility and practicality. G-Shock is now introducing the GA-B010 analog-digital series which is equipped with Tough Solar power, Bluetooth smartphone link, and a step tracker. There are a few reasons why this series is unique and why some may find it desirable over similar G-Shock watches.

The GA-B010 is one of the few affordable (under $200) G-Shock watches that has both Tough Solar and Bluetooth. Other affordable series with this combination include the analog-digital GA-B2100, GW-B5600 (which may be active in Japan only at this stage and phased out soon), and the upcoming full-digital GW-BX5600. Compared to the GA-B2100, the GA-B010 has a step tracker and a front light button which is easier to press, as well as larger side buttons that are more glove-friendly.

Along with the life log for step counting data transfers to the Casio Watches app, one of the main functions of the Bluetooth feature is the automatic time adjustment, which provides automatic time-syncing like Multi-Band 6 but via a data connected smartphone instead of radio signals, so it is not dependent on being in range of the six radio time transmitters which are limited to certain countries. Other available Bluetooth functions include easy watch setting (timer and alarm), phone finder, around 300 world time cities, hand alignment correction, and the Time & Place log.

First G-Shock with Tough Solar and Step Tracker

The GA-B010 is the first and only G-Shock watch that has both Tough Solar power and a pedometer for step tracking. Casio states that the watch uses an all-new module design that uses about 40% less power. Some advanced fitness series like the DW-H5600 and GBD-H2000 have “solar-assisted” charging that help to charge the battery, but wired USB charging is required to use the major functions regularly. Tough Solar power is able to fully power the watch and all of its functions without additional charging methods. The addition of Tough Solar is a sizeable advantage over other battery-powered G-Shock series with Bluetooth and a step counter, which typically have a battery life of approximately two years.

A daily step count goal is settable between 1,000 to 50,000 steps. Daily step count data is viewable on the LCD display and the daily goal progress is displayed on the circular indicator. More comprehensive data is available with the Casio Watches app, including calories burned data.

GA-010 Comparisons

Unlike the GA-010 which has a single LED light for the whole dial, the GA-B010 has a double LED light with a light for the dial and a backlight for the LCD display. There is also the full auto light option, which automatically activates the light with a turn of the wrist and only in dark environments. The GA-B010 is updated with 38 time zones and 55 cities, compared to the 31 time zones and 48 cities of the GA-010, although most people will not need those additional time zones. The countdown timer has also been upgraded with a maximum of 24 hours and setting units of 1 second.

An advantage of the older GA-010 is that is has a 1/100-second stopwatch for the full 23:59’59.99” duration and not just for the first hour, and it also has a target time alarm and direct timing start from timekeeping mode, which the new GA-B010 lacks. The GA-B010 has five daily alarms but no snooze alarm.

The GA-B010 is a Carbon Core Guard model measuring 52.3 x 49.3 x 15.2 millimeters and weighing 57 grams, which is slightly smaller and 10 grams lighter than the GA-010. An exterior upgrade is the grooved metallic ring around the display, which gives the watch a more premium feel. The GA-B010 may not look entirely new, but it deserves a closer look by those who favor Tough Solar power, Bluetooth functions, and step tracking.

In Japan, the GA-B010-1A, GA-B010-1A1 (all-black bezel and inverted LCD display), and olive green GA-B010-3A have a price of 27,500 yen each,.

Update: G-Shock U.S. released the GAB010-1A, GAB010-1A1, and GAB010-3A for $180 each, which is unfortunately a little higher than what we were expecting.

View G-Shock GA-B010-1A at casio.com/intl

G-Shock GA-B010-1A:

G-Shock GA-B010-1A1:

G-Shock GA-B010-3A: