Yes—Pebble is returning in the form of new watches from Core Devices, the small company founded by Pebble creator Eric Migicovsky. The revived watches keep Pebble’s reflective e-paper displays, physical controls, long battery estimates and open software, but they are designed as simple companions to a phone—not as replacements for an Apple Watch or Garmin. The current lineup includes the Pebble 2 Duo, Pebble Time 2 and Pebble Round 2; the right choice depends on whether you value a lower listed price, a heart-rate sensor or a dressier round design.
What is coming back—and who is behind it?
Eric Migicovsky is bringing Pebble’s smartwatch idea back through Core Devices, an independent company. Google’s decision to open-source PebbleOS made the relaunch technically possible without requiring Core Devices to recreate the operating system from scratch. PebbleOS is open source; Core Devices is not Google, and its official product information says the company has no affiliation with Google.
Pebble began on Kickstarter in 2012 and sold more than two million watches before its intellectual property was sold to Fitbit in 2016, according to Core Devices’ founder page. Migicovsky’s explanation for returning is direct: “It’s time to take matters into my own hands.”
The idea is to return to a narrower purpose than the increasingly feature-heavy smartwatch market. Migicovsky has described the desired watch as “a companion to my phone, rather than a replacement for my phone.” In practice, Core Devices emphasizes time, notifications, music controls, alarms, weather, calendar access, and basic step and sleep tracking.
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How the revived Pebble range compares
Core Devices’ current store lists three revived watches. The table distinguishes official product specifications from figures reported for the first 2025 model by WIRED; listed prices and estimates can change, and a store listing alone does not establish current stock or a delivery date.
| Model | Display | Battery estimate | Sensors and health features | Controls and construction | Water resistance | Listed price | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pebble 2 Duo (also called Core 2 Duo in WIRED’s 2025 coverage) | 1.26-inch monochrome e-paper display (WIRED, 2025) | 30 days (WIRED, 2025) | Step and sleep tracking, barometer and compass (WIRED, 2025); heart-rate sensor not stated by WIRED | Four buttons and microphone; case material and strap width not stated by WIRED | IPX8 (WIRED, 2025) | $149, as reported by WIRED in 2025 | A modern take on the black-and-white Pebble 2, with a microphone and physical buttons. |
| Pebble Time 2 | 1.5-inch, 64-color e-paper; 200 × 228 resolution (Core Devices) | 30 days, estimated by Core Devices | Heart-rate sensor, compass and 6-axis IMU; heart-rate, step and sleep tracking (Core Devices) | Stainless steel and polycarbonate; 33 g without a strap; input method and strap width not stated by Core Devices | 30 m (Core Devices) | $225 (Core Devices) | A larger color display and the lineup’s stated heart-rate tracking. |
| Pebble Round 2 | Full-face, 1.3-inch color e-paper display with 64 colors (Core Devices) | Approximately two weeks (Core Devices) | Compass and 3-axis IMU; step and sleep tracking (Core Devices); heart-rate sensor not listed in the product table | Stainless-steel case; 26.8 g without a strap; standard quick-release 14 mm or 20 mm bands, depending on version (Core Devices) | 30 m target (Core Devices) | $199 (Core Devices) | A slimmer, dressier round watch with a choice of case finish and band width. |
The product table for the revived models specifies iOS and Android apps and open-source software. The first Pebble 2 Duo/Core 2 Duo’s details above come from WIRED’s 2025 description rather than the current store’s product table, so its features should not be treated as a guarantee that every specification carries over unchanged to another model.
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Which new Pebble should you choose?
Choose Pebble 2 Duo for the original Pebble feel
Its monochrome e-paper display and four physical buttons make the Pebble 2 Duo the closest match for people who liked the straightforward black-and-white Pebble 2. WIRED reported a $149 price in 2025, plus a microphone, step and sleep tracking, and a 30-day battery estimate. It is the least expensive of the three figures available here, but that price is from 2025 coverage rather than a verified current listing.
Choose Pebble Time 2 for a heart-rate sensor and larger screen
Time 2 is the specification-led option if you want a 1.5-inch color display and a listed heart-rate sensor. Core Devices estimates up to 30 days of battery life and lists a $225 price. The product information includes heart-rate, step and sleep tracking; it does not establish that the watch offers the training analysis or sports features of a dedicated fitness watch.
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Choose Pebble Round 2 for a round, more traditional look
Round 2 pairs a stainless-steel case with a full-face color e-paper display. Core Devices lists matte black, brushed silver and polished rose gold finishes, with 14 mm and 20 mm versions. The standard quick-release bands can be replaced with standard bands of the matching width. Its listed battery estimate is approximately two weeks, and the product table names a compass, 3-axis IMU, step and sleep tracking, and 30 m target water resistance.
Round 2’s official announcement says more than 15,000 apps and watchfaces are available through the Pebble ecosystem. That is an ecosystem-wide figure, not a promise that every app or watchface will work identically on every revived model.
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Can you use PebbleOS and older Pebble apps?
PebbleOS is open source, and Core Devices lists open-source software and iOS and Android apps for the revived watches. The open-source release is important because it allows the software foundation to continue beyond the original company’s ownership changes.
However, an open-source operating system does not by itself guarantee that every legacy app, watchface, phone integration or community service still works. Core Devices’ stated ecosystem count indicates that a large app and watchface library is available, but the material available for these products does not establish compatibility for each individual older app. If a particular legacy app is essential, check its current listing and compatibility before buying.
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Is a revived Pebble an Apple Watch or Garmin alternative?
Only if “alternative” means a different kind of phone-connected watch. Core Devices explicitly warns that its watches are not for buyers who need a perfectly polished smartwatch or a fitness and sports watch. The company also says third-party watches cannot match Apple Watch on iOS because Apple limits functions such as replying to notifications.
The practical trade-offs are about priorities:
- Phone dependence: Pebble is intended to work alongside a phone. Its purpose is to surface essentials and provide controls, not to replace a phone’s apps or communications.
- Fitness depth: The listed health features include steps and sleep, with a heart-rate sensor specified for Time 2. The available product information does not substantiate advanced workout guidance or Garmin-style sports functions.
- Battery routine: Core Devices estimates about two weeks for Round 2 and 30 days for Time 2; WIRED reported 30 days for the 2025 Pebble 2 Duo/Core 2 Duo. These are estimates or reported figures, not a guarantee for every user’s settings and usage.
- Controls and display: Pebble’s reflective e-paper screen and physical-button approach prioritize an always-on, glanceable display and tactile controls over a conventional high-refresh smartwatch experience.
- Software openness: PebbleOS is open source, and the ecosystem includes a large library of apps and watchfaces. That is a different proposition from buying into a tightly integrated platform, though it also does not promise every third-party integration will be polished or maintained.
Why the revival is deliberately small
Pebble’s comeback is also an attempt to avoid repeating the company’s earlier growth path. TechCrunch reported that Migicovsky believed rapid expansion and adding features caused Pebble to lose sight of its original vision. WIRED quoted him saying, “I’m intentionally trying to build something that’s sustainable, rather than a fast-growing do-or-die company.”
TechCrunch reported in January 2026 that Core Devices had five people, no outside funding, and 25,000 smartwatch preorders; it also reported about 5,000 preorders for the Index 01 ring. WIRED reported roughly 10,000 initial Core 2 Duo units and slightly more Core Time 2 units in 2025. These are dated reports, not current inventory counts. A small direct-to-customer operation can keep the company focused, but supply, dispatch estimates and the capacity to handle support may change as orders develop.
Quick Recap
What to check before ordering
- Confirm the exact model, listed price, stock status and shipping estimate on Core Devices’ store; the figures above do not confirm that a watch is currently in stock.
- For Round 2, choose the 14 mm or 20 mm version to match the band size you want. Its announcement specifies standard quick-release bands in the corresponding width.
- If you rely on an older Pebble app, verify that specific app’s present compatibility rather than assuming open-source PebbleOS guarantees it.
- If you need extensive sports tracking, polished iPhone integrations or a fully featured standalone smartwatch, compare those requirements against the manufacturer’s stated limitations before ordering.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
