Pebble Time 2 Review

It’s been a year since the Pebble Time was released and it seems Pebble thinks it’s time for another watch – or two including the Pebble 2 plus a non-wrist wearable, the Pebble Core.

While the Pebble 2 is is bringing a more fitness feel to the lineup in in the form of a ‘sportier Pebble’ the Time 2 isn’t without its own fitness functions. In the words of Pebble, the Time 2 is for the ‘active professional.’

The Pebble Time 2 is arriving with Pebble’s usual array of features – along with some new ones in tow. Read on to find out everything we know about the Pebble Time 2.

Pebble Time 2: Design and style

The Time 2 is being touted as a ‘premium smartwatch’ meaning it’s the fanciest of the new bunch.

Available in marine grade stainless steel with colors in gold, silver and black, the Time 2 will remain an affordable, stylish timepiece you can wear to the office then on a job afterwards.

The silicone strap with stainless steel buckle has the same quick release mechanism making it easier to swap in other bands including the Pebble Time Steel leather and metal link straps.

Time 2 also works with any 22mm watchband, so you can mix and match to suit your style if the stock colors aren’t to your liking.

Measuring in at 10.8mm thick and weighing in at 64.6g, it’s actually heavier and thicker than the original, no doubt to accommodate the bigger display and additional heart rate monitor. You can still take it for a dip though as it’s swim, shower and rain-proof up to 30 metres depth.

Pebble Time 2: Features

If you’ve been disappointed by the brightness level or small real estate of the first Time, Pebble listened.

Time 2 features a full color e-paper display that is more than 50% larger and has a higher resolution of 80% more pixels so more can be seen on the screen. It’s a 228 x 200 1.5-inch display covered in Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

There’s a built-in microphone for voice notes and replies, while Pebble has also said that Smartstraps will be supported with updates resources and guides on its Developer Website.

The Time 2 runs on Pebble OS with the same ARM Cortex M7 processor found inside the first Time powering performance. There’s no Wi-Fi or GPS, but it’ll still work with both iPhones and Android devices.

Pebble Time 2: Fitness and sleep tracking

The Time 2 is introducing an optical heart rate monitor, to work alongside the built-in accelerometer to deliver activity and sleep tracking via Pebble Health.

All the previous updates, like Smart Alarms and Mobile Health Snapshot will be available through Health.

To recap: Health tracks when you fall asleep, wake up, and how much deep sleep you’re getting (that’s the really good stuff). Smart Alarms determine your optimal wake-up time based on your sleep cycle, so you’re less groggy and more energized to tackle the day.

The snapshot provides graphs of daily, weekly, and monthly breakdowns show your average wake-up times, calories burned on long walks, changes in heart rate zones and more.

Auto detecting long walks and runs and sending you quick summaries immediately afterwards are also part of the Time 2 package.

There are two new features that Pebble is sticking in the Time 2. Adaptive Goals is one goody that tailors activity goals to fit you, keeping the goals within reach, but still challenging. Goals ensures you won’t get demotivated (and you won’t get bored) as you make incremental progress.

The second includes Pebble Health integrating with your calendar so despite last-minute changes or unpredictable variations in your schedule, Health will find free hours and help you take full advantage of them for a workout.

Pebble Time 2: Battery life

In typical Pebble fashion, the battery life of the Time 2 remains lengthy (for a smartwatch) and can last up to 10 days on one charge. That’s 3 more days than the Pebble 2 can muster up and is still considerably more than the one or two days you get from the Apple Watch and most Android Wear watches.

You’ll still need a standard Pebble USB charging cable, so there’s no wireless charging support like the Pebble Core.

Pebble Time 2: Price and release date

Announced as another Kickstarter exclusive, the Pebble Time 2 is selling for $169 which is only $20 more than the original Pebble Time, after the recent Pebble price drop. It’ll be $199 when it goes on sale ‘properly’ which starts globally in November and will be heading to other retailers later this year into early 2017.