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Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. I've got a bit of a history with the Pebble brand. In 2013, I backed its first watch on Kickstarter, and then a couple of years later, I purchased the Pebble 2. For the past couple of weeks, I've been wearing the latest Pebble 2 Duo which builds upon the features introduced in the Pebble 2. What's new? A bit of everything, as the Duo name -- a play on the words "do over" -- implies. Also: I tested the best smartwatches in 2025: Here are the latest from Apple, Samsung, Google, and more At first glance, the Pebble 2 Duo looks about the same as the Pebble 2. It has a familiar crisp and clean high-contrast e-paper display, a quick-release 22mm watch band, one button on the left, and three on the right side. The best part? It supports both iOS and Android, with an active developer community that has since generated over 10,000 apps and watch faces to explore. After my weeks of usage, here's my verdict on one of the more polarizing smartwatches in 2025. Some key improvements have been made since the launch of Pebble 2 in 2017, including increased battery life from 7 days to 30 days, enhanced water resistance from 30 meters to iPX8, and a newer generation Bluetooth chip, speaker, and barometer/compass sensors. All of this equates to a more burdenless experience, as I'm spending less time stressing about endurance and connectivity than in the past. Notably, the Pebble 2 Duo isn't designed to compete with the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch, or any of the advanced sports watches from Garmin, Suunto, and other manufacturers. Also: This 30-second routine keeps my Samsung Galaxy watch running like new every month While it exudes nostalgia, it is also a very affordable and capable smartwatch that can last a month between charges. This one's for folks who just want something minimal, free of distractions and unnecessary pop-ups that tend to pause your day rather than move things forward. I've found the open-source Pebble OS interface fairly enjoyable and functional, with slick animations, thousands of customization options in the app store, and a smartwatch that excels at basic communication from the wrist. The included 22mm silicone band is well-designed with thick, soft material, offering a comfortable band that makes it easy to wear throughout the day (and probably into the night). The buttons are large enough, but there is little tactile feedback when you press them. Although the interface remains responsive, it took me a bit of time to get used to the stiffness. Folks who crave that satisfying tactile feedback won't find it here. Core Devices, the company behind the Pebble, says the buttons should last 30% longer than those on the previous Pebble 2, for what it's worth. Also: The smartwatch I'm most excited for in 2025 isn't an Apple Watch or Google Pixel Setting up the watch is quick and straightforward, as you mainly configure things from the Pebble app on your smartphone. I spent most of my time testing the Pebble 2 Duo with an iPhone 17 Pro Max. You can get the watch working with basic core functionality through the app, but I highly recommend setting up a Rebble account to access the massive number of watch faces and apps that developers have created over the past decade. I have spent most of the past week browsing the app store and testing out some of my favorites from the past. Most apps are compatible with the new Pebble 2 Duo, but the display is slightly larger, so some apps may be framed differently, and certain services connected to these apps may not be active yet. With this watch, you definitely want to experiment with the various tools provided, which I understand may turn some users away. ZDNET's buying advice Eric Migicovsky launched the original Pebble in 2013 and set the record for fundraising on Kickstarter at the time. Clearly, he hasn't lost his passion for Pebble and has now delivered a worthy successor in the Pebble 2 Duo So far, I'm enjoying the experience and blast from the past. For $149, it's a smartwatch I recommend for those looking to try out a smartwatch and for those who want a watch that lasts for a month between charges, while providing smartphone communication and triage. If you want more out of your wrist device, you have plenty of options already available on the market. Just don't expect them to get as many looks from passersby as this one.
