Pebble, the legendary pioneer of smartwatches, is back! Well, at least its spirit is. Leveraging the open-source PebbleOS platform, founder Eric Migicovsky is going back to basics with the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2. Minimalist design, epic battery life, and a focus on essential features – without the unnecessary “bling.”
Do you still remember Pebble? In 2012, their first smartwatch broke Kickstarter records, proving that a small startup can beat the tech giants. Then Fitbit came along, bought it in 2016, and we know the rest of the story – Google swallowed Fitbit, and Pebble disappeared into digital non-existence. But now it’s back – well, at least part of it. Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky took advantage of the fact that Google had open-sourced the code PebbleOS, and decided to revive a simple but effective smartwatch. The result? Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2.
What do the new Pebble watches bring?
The Core 2 Duo is actually the most “Pebble” of the two models – minimalist, ultra-durable and with a battery that lasts up to an incredible 30 days. It’s equipped with a 1.26-inch black-and-white e-paper display that’s always on and perfectly readable even in sunlight. Its polycarbonate body is lightweight, and the straps are standard 22mm, meaning you can adjust them to your liking. Despite its simplicity, it has a built-in speaker, allows for step and sleep tracking, and retains what once set Pebble apart from the competition – a simple yet useful experience without unnecessary distractions.
The Core Time 2 goes a step further and is the spiritual successor to the legendary Pebble Time 2. Its display is a 1.5-inch color e-paper touchscreen that can display up to 64 colors. The body is metal, which gives it a more premium feel, and it also includes a heart rate monitor, which the Core 2 Duo does not have. The battery also lasts for several weeks, which is a real rarity these days. And, of course, it remains compatible with standard 22mm straps.
Why would you buy a Core 2 Duo or Time 2 instead of an Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch?
The first and most obvious reason is the battery. While the Apple Watch desperately craves a charger after a day or two, Pebble watches can easily last for weeks. The second reason is simplicity – smartwatches these days tend to become extensions of phones, full of apps, notifications and features that most users don’t need. Pebble, however, goes back to its roots and offers a minimalist yet useful experience, with the emphasis on essential features that work without complications.
And of course, there's the nostalgia. The Pebble was one of the few true alternative tech products to have a cult fan base. If you once owned a Pebble and sadly watched it sink into oblivion, this might be your moment to make a comeback.
When can we expect them?
Core 2 Duo will start shipping in July, while the Core Time 2 will be available in December. Pre-orders are now open and are $149 for the Duo and $225 for the Core Time 2, but the question is whether nostalgia will be enough of a reason to buy. But if you're tired of hyper-complex smartwatches that require daily charging and bombard you with notifications, it might be time to return to the simple elegance of the Pebble.
