In a surprising return to the smartwatch market, Pebble has announced the Pebble Round 2, a reboot of its circular-faced wearable that promises to be the company's thinnest smartwatch yet. According to TechCrunch, the new device marks a significant milestone for the brand, which was acquired by Fitbit in 2016 and subsequently became part of Google's ecosystem. The Pebble Round 2 represents an attempt to revive the beloved e-paper display technology that made the original Pebble watches cult favorites among tech enthusiasts.
The Announcement: Pebble's Comeback Strategy
The Pebble Round 2 announcement comes as a surprise to many in the wearable technology space, given that the original Pebble brand effectively ceased operations nearly a decade ago. As reported by The Verge, the round smartwatch is getting a complete reboot with modern specifications while maintaining the design philosophy that made Pebble watches distinctive.
The new device builds upon the legacy of the original Pebble Time Round, which was released in 2015 and stood out for its slim profile and circular e-paper display. Unlike the Apple Watch and other mainstream smartwatches that rely on OLED or LCD screens, Pebble's e-paper technology offers exceptional battery life and always-on readability in direct sunlight.
Key Features and Technical Specifications
While detailed specifications are still emerging, the Pebble Round 2 is positioned as the company's thinnest smartwatch to date. The original Pebble Time Round measured just 7.5mm thick, making it one of the slimmest smartwatches available at the time. The new iteration is expected to maintain or improve upon this slim profile while incorporating modern connectivity and sensor technology.
Key anticipated features include:
- E-paper display technology for extended battery life and outdoor visibility
- Circular watch face maintaining the classic timepiece aesthetic
- Ultra-thin profile designed for all-day comfort
- Modern connectivity options including Bluetooth and potential cellular capabilities
- Extended battery life leveraging e-paper's power efficiency
- Water resistance for everyday wear and fitness tracking
The device is expected to run an updated version of Pebble's operating system, which was known for its simplicity and efficiency. The platform supported thousands of watchfaces and apps through the Pebble app store, a feature that helped build a dedicated community of developers and users.
Context: The Rise, Fall, and Revival of Pebble
Understanding the significance of the Pebble Round 2 requires context about the brand's tumultuous history. Pebble began as one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns in history, raising over $10 million in 2012 for its original smartwatch. The company went on to ship millions of devices and established itself as a pioneer in the wearable technology space.
However, competition from Apple, Samsung, and other tech giants eventually overwhelmed the independent company. In December 2016, Fitbit acquired Pebble's intellectual property and key personnel for approximately $23 million. Fitbit itself was later acquired by Google in 2021 for $2.1 billion, bringing Pebble's technology under the Alphabet umbrella.
The revival of the Pebble brand suggests that Google sees value in the unique approach that made Pebble watches popular: extended battery life, always-on displays, and a focus on notifications and quick interactions rather than trying to replicate a smartphone on your wrist.
Market Position and Competition
The smartwatch market has evolved significantly since Pebble's original devices. Apple dominates with approximately 30-35% market share, while Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit (Google) compete for the remaining segments. The Pebble Round 2 enters a crowded market but with a unique value proposition.
Unlike mainstream smartwatches that require daily charging, e-paper technology could potentially offer:
- 5-7 days of battery life compared to 1-2 days for most competitors
- Better outdoor visibility without requiring high brightness settings
- Lower power consumption enabling thinner designs with smaller batteries
- Reduced eye strain from always-on displays that don't emit light
This positions the Pebble Round 2 as a potential alternative for users who prioritize battery life and simplicity over the extensive app ecosystems and large color displays offered by Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch devices.
Pricing and Availability
According to The Verge, pricing and availability details for the Pebble Round 2 are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The original Pebble Time Round launched at $249, though it was later discounted as the company faced financial difficulties.
Industry analysts expect the new device to be positioned as a mid-range smartwatch, potentially priced between $199 and $299 to compete with offerings from Fitbit, Garmin, and Samsung's more affordable models. This would place it below the Apple Watch but above basic fitness trackers.
What This Means for the Smartwatch Industry
The return of Pebble signals several important trends in the wearable technology market. First, it suggests that there's still demand for smartwatches that prioritize battery life and simplicity over feature abundance. Second, it demonstrates Google's willingness to maintain multiple smartwatch brands with distinct identities rather than consolidating everything under the Fitbit or Pixel Watch labels.
The revival also validates the e-paper display approach for wearables. While color OLED screens have dominated the market, e-paper's advantages in battery life and outdoor visibility remain compelling for certain use cases. Companies like Garmin have successfully maintained e-paper displays in their fitness-focused watches, proving there's a sustainable market for this technology.
For developers, the Pebble Round 2 could represent an opportunity to revisit the platform that once supported a thriving app ecosystem. If Google provides modern development tools and integration with its broader services, the device could attract both nostalgic Pebble fans and new developers interested in creating experiences optimized for e-paper displays.
Technical Challenges and Opportunities
Rebooting Pebble in 2025 presents both challenges and opportunities. On the technical side, the company must balance the simplicity that made Pebble popular with the modern features users now expect, including:
- Advanced health sensors for heart rate, SpO2, and potentially ECG monitoring
- GPS tracking for fitness activities without requiring a phone
- NFC payments for contactless transactions
- Voice assistant integration with Google Assistant
- Improved water resistance for swimming and water sports
The challenge lies in incorporating these features while maintaining the thin profile and extended battery life that define the Pebble experience. E-paper displays consume minimal power, but GPS, heart rate monitoring, and wireless connectivity can quickly drain even efficient batteries.
Community Response and Nostalgia Factor
The original Pebble community remains active years after the company's acquisition, with users still maintaining and developing for existing devices. Online forums and subreddits dedicated to Pebble watches continue to see activity, with enthusiasts sharing custom watchfaces, apps, and tips for keeping old devices running.
This dedicated community represents both an opportunity and a challenge for the Pebble Round 2. Long-time fans will have high expectations for the device to maintain the spirit of the original while incorporating modern improvements. Meeting these expectations while also appealing to new users who never experienced the original Pebble watches will require careful product design and marketing.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About the Pebble Round 2
When will the Pebble Round 2 be available for purchase?
According to The Verge, specific availability details have not yet been announced. Pricing and release date information is expected to be revealed in the coming weeks. Based on typical product launch timelines, the device could potentially be available within the first half of 2025.
How does e-paper display technology differ from traditional smartwatch screens?
E-paper displays, like those used in Kindle e-readers, reflect ambient light rather than emitting their own light. This makes them highly readable in direct sunlight and extremely power-efficient, enabling battery life measured in days rather than hours. However, e-paper displays typically offer lower refresh rates and limited color capabilities compared to OLED or LCD screens used in most modern smartwatches.
Will the Pebble Round 2 work with both iPhone and Android?
While official compatibility details haven't been confirmed, original Pebble watches supported both iOS and Android devices. Given Google's ownership of the brand, it's expected that the Pebble Round 2 will maintain cross-platform compatibility, though Android integration may be more deeply featured.
What happened to the original Pebble company?
Pebble was acquired by Fitbit in December 2016 for approximately $23 million after struggling to compete with larger tech companies. Fitbit was subsequently acquired by Google in 2021, bringing Pebble's intellectual property and technology under Google's control. The brand has been dormant since 2016 until this new announcement.
How long will the battery last on the Pebble Round 2?
Specific battery life figures haven't been officially announced. However, the original Pebble Time Round offered approximately 2 days of battery life despite its ultra-thin design. With modern battery technology and power management improvements, the Pebble Round 2 could potentially achieve 3-7 days depending on usage patterns and features enabled.
Information Currency: This article contains information current as of January 2, 2025. For the latest updates on the Pebble Round 2, including official pricing, availability, and technical specifications, please refer to the official sources linked in the References section below.
References
- Pebble reboots its thinnest smartwatch with the Pebble Round 2 - TechCrunch
- Pebble's round smartwatch is getting a reboot - The Verge
Cover image: AI generated image by Google Imagen
