TL;DR
Pebble has announced the Pebble Round 2, a $199 slim smartwatch with a rounded 1.3-inch color e-paper display and up to 10–14 days of battery life. The watch focuses on basic activity and sleep tracking rather than advanced fitness sensors, runs open-source Pebble OS, and opens for pre-order on January 2 with shipments expected in May.
What happened
Pebble unveiled the Pebble Round 2, a reboot of its earlier rounded model that emphasizes a thin profile and long battery life at a $199 price point. The Round 2 uses a 1.3-inch color e-paper touchscreen (260 × 260 pixels, ~283 DPI) and a larger visible display than the original by reducing bezel size. It measures 8.1mm thick and keeps hardware simple — an accelerometer, magnetometer, stainless steel frame, silicone band and a charge dongle are included, while leather bands are sold separately. The company limited advanced fitness hardware: there is no heart-rate sensor, and tracking is confined to steps and sleep. The watch runs the open-source Pebble OS, supports thousands of apps from the Pebble Appstore (developers must update apps for the rounded screen with a provided SDK), and includes dual microphones for speech input and message replies (Android only for now; iOS support in the EU is slated to follow). Pre-orders start January 2 on Pebble’s website, with shipments planned for May.
Why it matters
- Long battery life (10–14 days) reflects a deliberate tradeoff by limiting power-hungry sensors and features.
- A rounded, slimmer design attempts to broaden appeal beyond sports watches to a more classic watch look.
- Lower $199 price point positions the Round 2 as an affordable smartwatch alternative rather than a high-end fitness device.
- Open-source Pebble OS and the Appstore ecosystem mean existing and new apps can run on the device once adapted.
- Physical side buttons and e-paper display aim to offer glanceable controls and readable screens without frequent charging.
Key facts
- Price: $199.
- Battery life: estimated 10–14 days per charge.
- Display: 1.3-inch color e-paper touchscreen, 260 × 260 pixels (~283 DPI), with backlight.
- Thickness: 8.1mm (original Pebble Time Round was 7.5mm).
- Fitness tracking: steps and sleep monitoring included; no heart-rate sensor.
- OS and apps: runs open-source Pebble OS and can access thousands of Pebble Appstore apps; developers must update apps for the rounded screen using the provided SDK.
- Input: dual microphones for speech input and message replies (Android only at launch; iOS support in the EU is expected in the days ahead).
- Materials and sensors: stainless steel frame, accelerometer, magnetometer; includes silicone band and Pebble charge dongle; leather bands sold separately.
- Pre-order and shipping: pre-orders open January 2 on Pebble’s website; shipping targeted for May. Customers who ordered the Pebble Time 2 can opt to switch to the Round 2.
What to watch next
- Whether developers quickly update popular Pebble apps and watch faces to support the rounded display.
- The pace and scope of Pebble’s planned AI feature rollout to watches — not confirmed in the source.
- Real-world battery performance and how consumers respond to the lack of heart-rate tracking — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- E-paper display: A low-power screen technology that mimics ink on paper, often used to extend battery life and improve readability in bright light.
- DPI: Dots per inch, a measure of display pixel density that affects the sharpness of text and images.
- SDK: Software development kit — a set of tools and libraries developers use to build or adapt apps for a specific platform or device.
- Accelerometer: A sensor that detects motion and orientation, commonly used to count steps or track activity.
- Magnetometer: A sensor that measures magnetic fields, frequently used in devices for compass functionality or orientation.
Reader FAQ
How much does the Pebble Round 2 cost?
$199.
When can I buy one?
Pre-orders begin January 2 on Pebble’s website; shipments are expected in May.
Does it track heart rate?
No — the watch offers basic activity and sleep tracking but does not include a heart-rate monitor.
Is voice input supported on iOS?
Voice replies and speech input are available on Android at launch; iOS support will be available in the EU in the days ahead.
Can I run apps on the watch?
Yes — it can run thousands of apps from the Pebble Appstore, though developers need to update apps to support the rounded screen via the provided SDK.
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Sources
- Pebble reboots its thinnest smartwatch with the Pebble Round 2
- Pebble Resurrects Its Round Smartwatch After a Decade
- Pebble brings its round-faced smartwatch back from the dead
- Pebble Round 2 smartwatch ships in May, available for pre …
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