Pebble fans, rejoice – years after its disappearance, the brand has somewhat made a return to making new devices, which now consists of two models set to launch within this year. Now marketed under the “Core Devices” brand, the new smartwatches pack a lot of the same hardware elements found on older Pebble watches, albeit with some new upgrades added in as well. This resurgence is led by Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky, who earlier on announced that new hardware was under development.
CHECK OUT: Received your Pebble Watch? Here’s what you need to do next..
Migicovsky clarifies that the new devices – officially dubbed the the “Core 2 Duo” and “Core Time 2” – still run on PebbleOS, which was made open-source by Google not too long ago. Everything from the software right up to the new hardware design is designed to give former Pebble users a familiar feeling when using the devices. He also states that users are free to modify the software on devices as they see fit, since it is open-source after all. According to Migicovsky:
My new company (Core Devices) and I are proud to introduce two new watches that closely follow the original Pebble DNA. If you had a Pebble and loved it, or missed your chance 10 years ago but heard about it since, we think you will really enjoy these new devices.
For those unfamiliar with Pebble, it’s an e-paper smartwatch with simple functionality, long battery life and a fun, quirky design. It first launched on Kickstarter in 2012. The company was sold in 2016 to Fitbit. In January 2025, Google graciously open sourced PebbleOS, enabling anyone to build upon the amazing Pebble software foundation.
Eric Migicovsky
Let’s go over what you’re getting with the hardware – for one, the Core 2 Duo comes with a 1.2-inch display. It’s a black/white e-paper screen, something that’s not so commonly seen on wearable devices. The Core 2 Duo also comes with a polycarbonate frame that comes in black or white, with a built-in barometer and compass. Meanwhile, the more expensive Core Time 2 comes with some differences, such as a metal chassis which wraps around a larger 1.5-inch display. Unlike the Duo’s display, the Time 2 comes with touch functionality and a color display, and even features a heart rate monitor.
CHECK OUT: The OnePlus Watch 3 is Probably the Best Wear OS Device on the Market Right Now
As for battery life, the new Core models can last for up to 30 days, and are designed with IPX8 water resistance which should keep them safe from most splashes and such. In addition to a built-in microphone and speaker, the watches come with fitness tracking features such as sleep tracking and step counts, in addition to thousands of different apps and watch faces. In terms of pricing, the Core 2 Duo will start shipping in July for $149, while the Core Time 2 will be available in December for a slightly-more expensive $225.
