The biggest tech show in the world is underway in Las Vegas and features the most bonkers (and expensive) tech you can imagine. However, this $200 smartwatch is the thing I want the most.
It’s the Pebble Round 2 and I would consider switching my Pixel Watch 4 for it (which I ironically dubbed as ‘pebble perfection’).
If you didn’t know, Pebble is back after being owned by Fitbit (and then Google by proxy) and shut down. Fortunately, Google released the source code for PebbleOS and the original owner, Eric Migicovsky, is now making new Pebble devices under a new company, Core Devices.
Pebble
Complicated history aside, it means brand-new Pebble smartwatches are here and after the Pebble 2 Duo and Time 2, the watch I’ve been waiting for will be on sale very soon.
The Pebble Round 2 is the spiritual successor to the iconic Pebble Time Round from 2015. I never reviewed that model, but that’s what makes me even more excited.
Square smartwatches are not for me, they have to be round and this is one of the best-looking wearables to date. Pebble says it’s “The Most Stylish Pebble Ever,” and I fully agree.
For the first time ever, Pebble has a presence at CES, where it has launched the device as well as showing off the recently announced Index 01 – a smart ring which can record your ideas and notes.
Pebble
Along with the stylish good looks, Pebble says it has “made improvements in every dimension,” starting with no bezel, so a 1.3-inch colour e-paper display takes up the entire front.
The original was (and reportedly still is) the thinnest smartwatch ever made at 7.5mm. The Pebble Round 2 is a little thicker at 8.1mm, but it’s still impressive and around a third thinner than the Google Pixel Watch 4.
That will make it great for comfort, especially while travelling and it lasts longer than the big-name flagship smartwatches too, at a whopping two weeks.
Other specs include a touchscreen, backlight, four buttons, dual microphones, water resistant to 30m, health tracking including steps and sleep. There are thousands of apps and watchfaces – and yes, I’ve got my eye on that Super Mario one too.
Pebble
Pebble has also made sure to cater to different wrists and tastes. The Round 2 comes in three colours surrounding the stainless steel frame with two different band sizes as follows:
- Matte black (20mm)
- Brushed silver (14 or 20mm)
- Polished rose gold (14mm)
Each includes the necessary Pebble charging dongle a silicone watch band, though others, including leather, will be available, or you can use any standard 14/20mm band. The device works with both Android and iPhone.
The Pebble Round 2 costs $199 and will start shipping in May 2026 via RePebble.
Author: Chris Martin, Managing Editor, Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor Managing Editor Chris got his break as a reporter at infamous site The Inquirer and has been with us for more than 12 years. With a BA degree in Music Technology, audio is his specialism, but over the years he has reviewed all kinds of gadgets, from smartwatches to mesh Wi-Fi to coffee machines.