Tech

Pebble Round 2 announced: the thinnest smartwatch returns with major upgrades

The new e-paper display doubles resolution while keeping Pebble’s iconic look.

Update: Jan 2nd, 2026 20:47 CET

The relaunch of the Pebble brand continues, and the team behind the project has just unveiled its latest hardware revision. Revisiting one of the most beloved devices from 2015, the company has announced the Pebble Round 2, a direct successor to the Pebble Time Round. This new iteration aims to fix the compromises of the original while maintaining its title as the thinnest smartwatch on the market at just 8.1mm thick.

For longtime fans, the most immediate visual change is the display. The original model was infamous for its large bezel, but the Pebble Round 2 eliminates this entirely. It features a 1.3” color e-paper display that covers the entire face of the watch. This screen offers a resolution of 260 x 260 pixels at 283 DPI, effectively doubling the pixel count of its predecessor. This “always-on” technology reflects light rather than emitting it, which makes it incredibly easy to read in direct sunlight without draining power.

Pebble Round 2 announced: the thinnest smartwatch returns with major upgrades

A classic design, modernized for daily use

Beyond aesthetics, the biggest functional improvement comes in power management. Thanks to advancements in Bluetooth chip technology, the Pebble Round 2 boasts an estimated battery life of two weeks. This is a massive leap forward for users who want a low-maintenance wearable that doesn’t need to sit on a charger every night.

The device runs on PebbleOS, which is now fully open source. This ensures that the device remains community-driven, with access to over 15,000 apps and watchfaces via the Pebble appstore. The interface relies on four tactile buttons, allowing users to navigate menus or control music without ever looking at the screen—a great benefit for staying focused during gaming sessions or commutes. While it includes a touchscreen, the physical controls remain the primary way to interact.

The watch also features dual microphones for interacting with AI agents and replying to messages (currently on Android, with iOS support coming to the EU), water resistance targeted at 30 meters, and standard health tracking for steps and sleep. It is important to note that the Pebble philosophy remains distinct: this is a productivity and notification tool, not a dedicated sports fitness tracker.