Pebble Time 2 Launches at $225 as Founder Reboots Indie Smartwatch Brand
Eric Migicovsky, the original founder of Pebble, has revived the brand under his new venture, Core Devices, launching the $225 Pebble Time 2 smartwatch. Rather than emulating modern touchscreen wearables, the device revives the indie spirit of the original lineup with physical buttons, a color e-paper display, extended battery life, and an active open-source developer ecosystem.
What Happened
Pebble initially launched as a Kickstarter project, recording two million watch sales and $230 million in revenue before financial pressures led to an acquisition by Fitbit, which eventually became part of Google. After official server support ended in mid-2018, community volunteers maintained backend services until Migicovsky worked with Google in 2025 to open-source the original operating system. Under Core Devices, the team released the Pebble 2 Duo and has now distributed more than 25,000 units of the $225 Pebble Time 2 across 93 countries.
Key Highlights
- Pricing and Design: The Pebble Time 2 retails for $225, pairing silicone straps with a stainless steel frame in silver or black, complemented by casing color options of blue, red, silver, or black.
- Display and Battery Life: The device features an always-on 64-color e-paper screen with an RGB LED backlight, readable in sunlight, and delivers approximately 21 days of battery life per charge.
- Hardware Controls: It includes four physical buttons (up, down, select, and back) with customisable shortcut functions, plus 30-metre (3 ATM) water resistance for everyday splash exposure.
- Software Ecosystem: Supported by an enthusiastic developer base, the platform offers more than 2,120 watch faces and independent utility and gaming applications.
- Core Utilities: Standard features include step, sleep, and heart rate tracking, music controls, phone notification mirroring, and a dedicated timeline interface for past and upcoming alerts.
- Platform Limitations: On iOS, Apple platform rules limit interactivity, preventing users from directly taking actions on notifications or syncing alarms automatically.
Why This Matters
The Pebble Time 2 represents an alternative philosophy in consumer electronics, prioritising utility, battery longevity, and low-distraction design over high-resolution touch displays and continuous connectivity. Sustained entirely by an independent developer community after the original company shuttered, the platform demonstrates how open-source software can preserve and revitalise abandoned consumer hardware ecosystems.
What to Watch Next
Core Devices continues to push firmware updates and companion app improvements every few weeks, with plans to activate hardware features such as the second microphone for noise cancellation. In addition, the company is preparing to ship its third modern device, the Pebble Round 2, scheduled for release in September.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Pebble Time 2 cost?
The Pebble Time 2 is priced at $225.
How long does the battery last on the Pebble Time 2?
The watch provides around 21 days of battery life on a single charge, depending on usage.
Can the Pebble Time 2 be used for swimming?
The watch carries a 30 m / 3 ATM water resistance rating, making it safe for rain and handwashing, but it is not intended for swimming or diving.
When will the next Pebble device be released?
Core Devices expects to begin shipping the Pebble Round 2 in September.
Source: TechCrunch