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Pebble reboots its thinnest smartwatch with the Pebble Round 2
Pebble reintroduces its smartwatch line with the Pebble Round 2, featuring a sleek design, 1.3" color display, and basic health tracking, priced at $199. With improved battery life of 10-14 days and dual microphones for Android speech input, it includes essential features while maintaining affordability. The watch will be available for pre-order on January 2 and ships in May.
Key points
- Pebble Round 2 is a reboot of the Pebble smartwatch, featuring a rounded screen.
- Price is set at $199, focusing on affordability and basic features.
- Offers basic health tracking (steps, sleep) without a heart rate monitor.
- Battery life is extended to 10-14 days, improving upon past models.
- The device features a 1.3" color e-paper display with a backlight.
- Includes dual microphones for speech input, currently Android-only.
- Retains slim design at 8.1mm thick, slightly thicker than the original model.
- Has stainless steel frame, accelerometer, and magnetometer.
- Supports thousands of apps via the Pebble Appstore, developers need to update for the new screen.
- Pre-orders open on January 2, with shipping expected in May.
Why it matters
- Pebble is revitalizing its brand amidst a growing interest in hybrid smartwatches by 2025.
- The trend towards affordability in wearables reflects a larger market shift.
- AI features in wearables are becoming more common, as seen with Pebble's new smart ring.
- The 2025 IT trend indicates an integration of health monitoring in everyday devices.
The Pebble Round 2 signifies a thoughtful blend of design, functionality, and affordability, catering to consumers seeking basic features without sacrificing style, while reaffirming Pebble's commitment to innovation in a competitive smartwatch market.