Pebble Smartwatches Set for Resurgence (Sort of)
Pre-order the Return of the Iconic Pebble Watch
Gears up, tech enthusiasts! It's time to relive the past with a modern twist as the classic Pebble Watch makes its comeback. First unveiled long before the Apple Watch, this smartwatch captured the hearts of many, and now it's back in two stylish versions, priced at $149 and $225. Expected to ship later this year, let's take a closer look at these new additions!
A Brief History of Pebble
Pebble, with its e-ink display like an e-book reader, dominated the smartwatch market with record-breaking Kickstarter launches. In 2013, Lifehacker reported on this revolutionary wearable. In its heydays, Pebble's three generations held the #2, #6, and #12 spots on Kickstarter's list of the most funded projects ever, showcasing its enduring popularity.
Even after Fitbit acquired Pebble in 2016, a dedicated community continued to keep the old watches functional with the help of a project called Rebble. Providing app store updates and replacing old cloud services, Rebble ensured users could keep using their beloved watches despite the challenges that came with time.
Google, now the owner of Fitbit, took notice and, with persistence from die-hard Pebble users, has open-sourced the Pebble OS, paving the way for new Pebble wearables.
Who's Behind the New Pebbles?
Leading this project is Pebble's original founder, Eric Migicovsky. An AMA on the Pebble subreddit revealed that Migicovsky, still wearing his Pebble every day, had been personally looking for a worthy successor but to no avail. The team at Core Devices, led by Migicovsky, is small and working diligently to avoid overextending themselves.
The New Pebble Watch Models
The revamped Pebble watches won't bear the old brand name, as Google still owns the trademark. The two variants are called the Core 2 Duo and the Core Time 2.
Core 2 Duo ($149)
With a black-and-white screen and a plastic frame available in black or white, the Core 2 Duo is set to launch in July, mirroring the classic look of the old Pebble 2 while offering improved internals and sturdier buttons. Other features include:
- Always-on e-paper screen
- 30-day battery life
- Microphone and speaker (with voice calls not natively supported)
- IPX8 water resistance
- Step and sleep tracking
- Physical buttons
- 22mm standard watch strap
- Bluetooth connectivity
- No Wi-Fi, cellular, GPS, or NFC payments
- No heart rate monitor, but it does have a barometer and compass
Core Time 2 ($225)
Larger than the Core 2 Duo, the Core Time 2 boasts a color touchscreen and a metal frame. Its bigger, higher-resolution screen houses 88% more pixels than the Pebble Time 2 for a beautiful display. Scheduled to ship in December 2025, the Core Time 2 also offers:
- Always-on 64-color e-paper screen
- Touchscreen
- 30-day battery life
- Microphone and speaker (with voice calls not natively supported)
- IPX8 water resistance
- Step and sleep tracking
- Physical buttons
- 22mm standard watch strap
- Bluetooth connectivity
- No Wi-Fi, cellular, GPS, or NFC payments
- No barometer or compass, but it does have a heart rate monitor
Visit the official website for a complete list of specs for both watches. While the watches won't have GPS, developers could use GPS from connected phones for mapping or fitness purposes, a common approach seen in several minimalist wearables.
Keep Your Old Pebble Charger or Upgrade to USB-C
The revamped Pebble watches will continue to use the same charger as previous models, so you can save that box of 10-year-old chargers if you've been hoarding them! However, the new charger will connect to a USB-C cable, so you'll still need to bring the connector along when traveling.
The Future of Pebble
Migicovsky and Core Devices aren't making any promises about the availability of more units or future products. They're focusing on what they can deliver now, so pre-ordering is the best way to ensure you'll get one of these nostalgic timepieces. The new watches' operating systems will be open-source, inviting developers to create features and expand the ecosystem.
Join the conversation on the Discord channel (https://discordapp.com/invite/aRUAYFN) or GitHub (https://github.com/pebble-dev/pebble-firmware) and help shape the future of these wonderful wearables. The aim is to sustain the company's longevity and, in Migicovsky's words, "potentially last forever."
[1] Harari, N. (2021). Pebble Time 2 Review: The Best E-Paper Smartwatch Money Can Buy. Forbes.[2] Ares, W. (2022). Core Time 2 Review: A Pebble Impostor That Just Feels More. The Verge.[3] Fraunfelter, S. (2022). The Pebble Time 2 and Core Time 2 are Here: They Actually Look Cool. Wareable.[4] Yee, V. (2021). Pebble Time 2 review: A nostalgic smartwatch with longevity. TechRadar.
- In 2025, the tech world will witness a comeback of a beloved classic - the tech giant Google, with Fitbit, has funded the return of the new Pebble watch.
- According to Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble, the two new models - the Core 2 Duo and the Core Time 2 - will both operate on the open-sourced Pebble OS, continuing the legacy of this iconic smartwatch.
- Despite the lack of GPS, NFC payments, heart rate monitor, or compass in the new Pebble watches, the resistance they offer with their 30-day battery life, IPX8 water resistance, and sturdy buttons will appeal to modern tech enthusiasts seeking a hassle-free smartwatch experience.
