Core Devices has shipped more than 25,000 units of its new $225 Pebble Time 2 across 93 countries, marking a significant second act for the indie smartwatch brand that originally died in 2016. The rebooted device, led by original founder Eric Migicovsky, is a deliberate departure from the mini-computer approach of the Apple Watch, instead embracing a playful, tactile design philosophy that feels more like a modern Swatch than a wrist-worn smartphone.
The Pebble Time 2’s defining feature is its 64-color e-paper display, which is always on and remains readable in bright sunlight. This screen, paired with physical navigation buttons and a silicone band, gives the watch a retro, hacker-inspired energy. The trade-off for the muted display is a battery life of roughly 21 days per charge, a figure that dwarfs the daily charging routine required by most OLED competitors.
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A comeback driven by community loyalty
The Pebble Time 2’s existence is a direct result of an unusual show of brand loyalty. After Pebble’s initial shutdown, Fitbit kept the watch’s servers alive until mid-2018, after which the user community took over the job for free. In 2025, Migicovsky, with help from ex-Pebblers and Fitbit staff at Google, convinced the tech giant to open source the original Pebble operating system. This allowed him to launch Core Devices and take another crack at the hardware.
Core Devices has already shipped a limited edition Pebble 2 Duo and is now ramping up the Time 2. A third device, the Pebble Round 2, is expected to begin shipping in September. The company is also shipping new firmware every few weeks, adding APIs and improving the companion mobile app.
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Software is the differentiator
Where the Pebble Time 2 truly stands apart is in its software ecosystem. The device ships with over 2,120 watch faces and apps built by the community, including more than 500 new ones from a spring developer contest. This catalog is less about polished commercial applications and more about individual creators building tools for specific needs—from tracking a local train schedule to a virtual pet fitness tracker called FitCat.
The app store is filled with whimsical and niche offerings, such as a watch face featuring Nyan Cat or games like the self-described “pointless” Pixelminer. There are also practical utilities like timers, Spotify controls, and navigation aids. The sheer volume of content, however, can be overwhelming, and the store lacks the search and discovery tools found in Apple’s App Store.
The watch also includes a classic Pebble feature called the timeline, accessed via a dedicated button, which lets users scroll through their day’s calendar events, reminders, and weather. Core functionality like notification mirroring, music controls, and basic health tracking for steps, sleep, and heart rate are all present without requiring extra app installs.
What to consider before buying
The primary limitation of the Pebble Time 2 is its compatibility with iOS. Apple’s restrictions prevent the watch from taking actions on notifications, responding to texts, or integrating with many iOS apps. Even daily alarms must be set directly on the watch rather than syncing from the phone. For some users, this limitation is a feature; it reduces the urge to constantly engage with the device, making it a more passive notification tool.
With a 30-meter water resistance rating, the watch is safe for handwashing and rain but not for swimming. The company plans to add features in future updates, including enabling the second microphone for noise cancellation. For those who value a long-lasting, customizable, and genuinely fun wearable over a feature-packed mini-computer, the Pebble Time 2 offers a unique alternative in the current market.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. The consumer electronics market is volatile, and product availability and pricing are subject to change.
