The $225 Pebble Time 2 is a refreshingly fun smartwatch
TechCrunch
β’Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:57:46 +0000
π° What Happened
TechCrunch reviewed the new $225 Pebble Time 2, a rebooted version of the popular indie smartwatch revived by its original founder. The watch features a 64-color e-paper display, physical buttons, a silicone band in blue, red, silver or black, and a battery that lasts around 21 days per charge. Reviewers praised it as casual, playful and retro, compared favourably with the Apple Watch yet intentionally simpler.
π The Backstory
Pebble was a trailblazing crowdfunded smartwatch company of the mid-2010s that built a devoted fanbase before it was shut down and its assets sold. Its reboot has been driven by the original founder and a passionate community who wanted the quirky, long-battery e-paper watch back. The resurgence plays on nostalgia and a desire for simpler, less distracting wearables.
π― Why It Matters
The Pebble Time 2 appeals to buyers tired of costly, battery-hungry smartwatches, offering a simpler, longer-lasting alternative at a modest price. Its success signals whether there is still a market for intentionally minimalist wearables. For tech readers, it's a feel-good story about how a beloved product can return through community and passion.
TechCrunch reviewed the new $225 Pebble Time 2, a rebooted version of the popular indie smartwatch revived by its original founder. The watch features a 64-color e-paper display, physical buttons, a silicone band in blue, red, silver or black, and a battery that lasts around 21 days per charge. Reviewers praised it as casual, playful and retro, compared favourably with the Apple Watch yet intentionally simpler.
Pebble was a trailblazing crowdfunded smartwatch company of the mid-2010s that built a devoted fanbase before it was shut down and its assets sold. Its reboot has been driven by the original founder and a passionate community who wanted the quirky, long-battery e-paper watch back. The resurgence plays on nostalgia and a desire for simpler, less distracting wearables.
The Pebble Time 2 appeals to buyers tired of costly, battery-hungry smartwatches, offering a simpler, longer-lasting alternative at a modest price. Its success signals whether there is still a market for intentionally minimalist wearables. For tech readers, it's a feel-good story about how a beloved product can return through community and passion.