Imagine slipping on a smartwatch that's so slender it feels like a whisper on your wrist, brimming with cutting-edge AI possibilities, and boasting a battery that laughs in the face of frequent charging – all without emptying your wallet. Pebble is making waves again with the Pebble Round 2, and it's got everyone talking! But here's where it gets controversial: is sacrificing advanced fitness features like heart rate monitoring worth the unbeatable longevity and simplicity? Let's dive deeper and uncover what makes this device tick, exploring its rebirth from a nostalgic past and its forward-looking tech that's sure to spark debates among gadget enthusiasts.
Fresh on the heels of reviving the classic Pebble smartwatch and introducing an economical AI-powered smart ring, Pebble is gearing up to unveil its latest innovation: the Pebble Round 2. True to its moniker, this model revives the essence of a Pebble smartwatch but elevates it with a circular display that exudes a premium, polished vibe. Yet, mirroring the brand's ethos, this new timepiece remains a budget-friendly option at just $199, proving that sophistication doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag.
Pebble achieves this affordability by focusing on the essentials, stripping away extras that drive up costs – and, some might argue, complexity. For the Pebble Round 2, that means providing straightforward health and activity monitoring, such as tracking your daily steps and sleep patterns. However, it deliberately omits high-end sensors like a heart rate monitor, positioning it not as a rival to dedicated fitness trackers or sports gadgets, but as a reliable companion for everyday wellness basics. And this is the part most people miss: this intentional minimalism isn't a shortcoming; it's a strategic choice that prioritizes what truly matters for many users, potentially clashing with those who crave feature-packed devices.
The payoff? An impressively long-lasting battery that promises 10 to 14 days of use between charges – a game-changer in a world where smartwatches often need nightly plugs. Picture this: no more scrambling for your charger mid-weekend adventure; the Pebble Round 2 just keeps going.
Similar to the recently released Pebble Time 2, the Round 2 represents Pebble's fresh take on a vintage design. Back in 2015, Pebble introduced the original Pebble Time Round, hailed as the slimmest smartwatch of its era. The updated model honors that legacy, clocking in at a mere 8.1mm thick – a tad bulkier than the first's 7.5mm, but still razor-thin by today's standards. For beginners wondering why thinness matters, think of it as the difference between wearing a bulky jacket and a sleek hoodie: it's about comfort and style that blends seamlessly into your life.
In a candid chat with TechCrunch, Pebble's founder Eric Migicovsky reflected on the original: '[The Pebble Time Round] was, by far, one of my favorite Pebbles, but it wasn’t perfect. It had a few things we could improve, most notably being the gigantic bezel around the edge.' To craft that initial round face, the team relied on an octagonal glass piece with softened corners concealed by a wide border. The outcome was a compact screen that felt cramped. Fortunately, tech advancements have paved the way for a bigger display on the Round 2, letting you view more content at a glance – like reading full messages without squinting. Plus, the refined aesthetics simply look sharper and more modern.
At the heart of it all is a vibrant 1.3-inch color e-paper screen, boasting 260 x 260 pixels at a crisp 283 DPI – that's double the resolution of the original Pebble Time Round. For those new to e-paper, it's a special display technology that mimics ink on paper, offering sharp visuals while being incredibly energy-efficient, perfect for that extended battery life. And with a built-in backlight, you can check the time or notifications even in the darkest rooms.
Powering it is the open-source Pebble OS, ensuring a familiar yet customizable experience. But here's where things get a bit divisive: the watch includes dual microphones for voice commands and message replies. Currently, this voice feature is exclusive to Android devices due to Apple's stricter policies, though iOS support is slated to roll out soon in the EU. Is this a fair limitation, or does it unfairly favor one platform over another? It's a point worth pondering in our interconnected tech world.
Physical buttons on the side add another layer of intuitive control, letting you silence calls, control music playback, navigate menus, backtrack, or scroll effortlessly. Migicovsky emphasizes their practicality, especially in situations where glancing at the screen isn't ideal. 'Say, for example, someone’s calling, and you’re in a meeting, and you just don’t want to answer the call,' he explains. 'You don’t even want to look at your watch. You always know that the bottom button cancels the call. Or if you’re listening to music and you’ve got AirPods in and you don’t want to fiddle with the AirPods or look at your phone, you always know that the center button pauses music.' This tactile approach could be a breath of fresh air for those tired of touchscreens, or perhaps it's an outdated relic in the swipe-and-tap era – what do you think?
The build quality shines with a stainless steel frame, complemented by an accelerometer for motion detection, a magnetometer for orientation sensing, and a silicone strap plus a charging dongle included. Leather bands are available as optional add-ons for a more luxurious feel.
Customization extends to color choices, though band compatibility varies: the matte black version pairs with a 20mm quick-release band; the silver offers flexibility with either 14mm or 20mm options; and the polished rose gold sticks to 14mm bands only.
Dive into a vast library of apps and watch faces via the Pebble Appstore, where developers can adapt their creations for the circular screen using the provided SDK. You'll find integrations with AI helpers, including ones powered by Claude and other leading assistants, turning your wrist into a hub for smart queries.
Looking ahead, Pebble is enhancing its lineup with AI-driven capabilities, having just launched a $75 smart ring for capturing and transcribing audio notes on the fly. Migicovsky hints that similar transcription features are on the horizon for Pebble watches, bridging the gap between wearable tech and AI assistants.
Pre-orders for the Pebble Round 2 kick off on January 2 directly through Pebble's website, with shipments expected by May. Those who snagged the Pebble Time 2 can even opt to swap it for the Round 2 via their order portal.
What stands out about the Pebble Round 2 is its blend of nostalgia and innovation, but is this minimalist philosophy the future of smartwatches, or are we sacrificing too much for style and battery life? Do you prefer devices loaded with sensors, or does the simplicity of the Round 2 resonate more? Share your thoughts in the comments – agree or disagree, we'd love to hear your take!
Sarah Perez has been a dedicated reporter at TechCrunch since August 2011, bringing her expertise from over three years at ReadWriteWeb. Before delving into journalism, she honed her skills in I.T. across diverse sectors like finance, retail, and software development.
Reach out to Sarah for verification or queries at sarahp@techcrunch.com or through an encrypted message on Signal at sarahperez.01.
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