Pebble launches the Round 2 smartwatch for $199

Pebble is launching the Pebble Round 2, a $199 smartwatch that reboots the company’s rounded design from 2015. The new device measures 8.1 mm thick, compared to the 7.5 mm thickness of the original 2015 model. The watch offers basic health and activity tracking, but does not include a heart rate monitor. This trade-off allows for extended battery life, which should last 10 to 14 days before requiring a charge. Preorders for the device open on January 2, with shipping expected to begin in May.

The Round 2 addresses design limitations of the original Pebble Time Round. Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky noted that “[The Pebble Time Round] was, by far, one of my favorite Pebbles, but it wasn’t perfect. It had a few things we could improve, most notably being the gigantic bezel around the edge.” The updated design reduces this bezel to accommodate a larger screen. The watch features a 1.3” color e-paper display—a low-power screen technology—with a 260 x 260 resolution at 283 DPI, doubling the pixel count of the original rounded model.

The smartwatch runs on Pebble OS, an open-source operating system, and relies on physical side buttons for navigation. Migicovsky explained that physical buttons allow users to operate the watch without looking down, such as using the bottom button to cancel an incoming call during a meeting, or using the center button to pause music. The watch also includes dual microphones for voice input and message replies, though this is currently an Android-only feature. iOS support will be available in the EU in the days ahead.

The device features a stainless steel frame and is available in three color options, each supporting specific band sizes:

• Matte black: features a 20 mm quick-release band.
• Silver: supports either a 14 mm or 20 mm band.
• Polished rose gold: supports only a 14 mm band.

The Round 2 is compatible with thousands of existing apps and watch faces on the Pebble Appstore, though developers will need to update their software using the provided SDK to support the rounded screen. Users can access AI assistants, including those powered by Claude. Migicovsky also stated that AI functionality similar to Pebble’s recently launched smart ring will later come to Pebble watches.

Why it matters

Pebble is expanding its product lineup with the Pebble Round 2, a reboot of its 2015 rounded smartwatch, as part of a broader effort to reintroduce its hardware ecosystem.