Pebble is back at it again. After a surprising return in 2025, the company is resurrecting another fan favorite: the Pebble Round. The new Pebble Round 2 aims to right the wrongs of its predecessor, the Pebble Time Round, which was lauded for its thin design but criticized for its short battery life and hefty price tag back in 2015. Can Pebble deliver this time around?
Fixing Past Mistakes
The original Pebble Time Round was ambitious, but it fell short on several fronts. According to Engadget, the massive bezel, lackluster battery, and high cost were major pain points. The Pebble Round 2 directly addresses these issues. The new model boasts a larger 1.3-inch edge-to-edge color e-paper display, dramatically improved viewing angles, and a claimed two-week battery life. At just 8.1mm thin, it remains one of the slimmest smartwatches on the market.
A Return to Core Values
Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky emphasized a return to the company’s core values. As The Verge reports, the focus is on utility and customization, not just flashy features. The device includes dual microphones for AI agent interaction and message dictation, as well as step and sleep tracking. Notably absent is a built-in heart-rate sensor, a deliberate choice to prioritize battery life and maintain the device's slim profile. This aligns with Migicovsky's 2022 commentary that Pebble strayed too far in trying to appeal to everyone.
Pricing and Availability
The Pebble Round 2 is available for pre-order today for $199 and is expected to ship in May. For those who pre-ordered the Pebble Time 2 and have a change of heart, Pebble is allowing order switches. Whether this reboot can capture the magic of the original Pebble remains to be seen, but the focus on addressing past shortcomings and staying true to its core user base is a promising start. For enterprises looking for simple, functional wearables, the Pebble Round 2 could be an interesting, low-TCO option, assuming the software and integration are enterprise-grade.