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I love my Pebble Time Steel! I originally purchased a regular Pebble Steel but quickly realized that it's really annoying to receive the notifications and not be able to reply to them. I purchased the Pebble Time Steel to solve that problem and haven't regretted the purchase yet.
Features I use most:
- Voice Reply: My biggest gripe was not being able to reply on the Pebble Steel. Pebble has now partnered with AT&T so that iPhone users on the carrier can use the reply functionality to reply to texts. Previously, only Android users could do this since Apple's iOS software does not allow Pebble access to send messages. This workaround through AT&T is a huge win for qualified users (AT&T post paid accounts) and it sounds like Pebble is working with other carriers to allow them similar functionality. I now have the ability to receive a text message on my watch, speak a voice reply, and it gets translated to text for me to review before sending. The voice translation using the Nuance API so the voice-to-text conversion is very accurate.
- Music Control: I love being able to play Pandora, Spotify, podcasts, etc. on bluetooth speakers (connected to my phone) while doing things around the house. If I want to adjust the volume, pause, or skip tracks I can do it all directly from the built in Music app. You can also view the song and artist name directly on your watch which is great for streaming services that may play music you haven't heard of before. Pandora also has their own app that let's you thumbs up/down songs.
- Uber: While it may sounds like a gimmick to request an Uber from your watch when you can just do it from your phone, walking around with your phone out makes you more of a target to getting robbed in most cities. The more you can control from your watch, the less you have to take out your phone and expose yourself to theft.
- Navigation: To go along with the safety aspect of Uber that I mentioned, if I'm walking around a city that I'm not too familiar with, I like the ability to get directions on my wrist and not have to take out my phone. There are several navigation apps that will provide on-screen maps or navigation instructions but I generally use Google Maps. There isn't a native app for this but if you just set your destination on your phone and minimize the app, the app will notify you when you are approaching your turn (assuming you have notifications turned on) and you will receive that notification directly on the watch. No need to launch any special app that will drain your watch battery, just use what you already have on your phone.
- Biking: I'm lumping a few benefits here together because of how well it works for me. If i'm biking around the city, I don't want to pull out my phone to make sure I didn't miss my turn but using the navigations aspect I mentioned above, I receive a notification on my wrist when I'm approaching my turn. I can also control the bluetooth speaker I bring with me when I ride instead of fumbling around with my phone. There's even a bike sharing app that uses your phone's GPS to locate the closest bike sharing station in most major cities.
- Running: RunKeeper and iSmoothRun both have Pebble apps that display your stats directly on your watch. I use iSmoothRun (which syncs with Strava) and love the customizability of it. The app lets you configure up to three stats (per page) on the screen and you have full control of what data you want displayed and in what order. Strava does not have a Pebble app that will work for iOS users yet (I believe there is an Android one) but the iSmoothRun integrates seamlessly with Strava.
- Weather: Quickly check the weather from your wrist including upcoming forecasts. There are even watchfaces that include this on the main screen.
- Watchface customization: There are thousands of watchfaces in the Pebble app store which allows for so much customization. If you don't find one you like, there are iOS apps that allow you to easily create one, or you can quickly learn to program your own using Pebble's SDK.
- Quick release watchbands: The Pebble Time Steel uses standard 22mm watch bands which gives you the ability to add just about any band you want to the Pebble. The quick release feature of the band that comes with it is great for swapping bands for different occasions. I typically wear the
Egeek Watch Band/Strap for Pebble Time Smartwatch Band Replacement Accessories with Metal Clasps Watch Strap/Wristband Silicone
band (pictured) for every day use and the leather band that comes with the watch for nicer occasions. The bands have quick release pins which allow me to swap bands in only a few seconds.
Considerations:
- The watch is very durable; however you need to keep in mind that your watch will get banged around a lot more than your phone would. I purchased the
ArmorSuit MilitaryShield - Pebble Time Steel Screen Protector [2-Pack] Anti-Bubble and Extreme Clarity HD Shield with Lifetime Replacements
screen cover to protect the glass portion of the screen. There are also wraps that cover the surrounding metal but I don't feel that is necessary.
- Apple iPhone users will not have as much flexibility and control as Android users do. This has nothing to do with the Pebble software, it is because Apple restricts this type of control from third-party developers. So you will not be able to trigger Siri (without jailbreaking your phone) or reply to messages (unless you are an AT&T post-paid customer). I still believe the watch is worth considering if you find a good deal on it but you may want to consider the entry-level Apple Watch instead. I don't plan on upgrading to the Apple Watch any time soon because I think there is still a lot of functionality that they need to add in order to justify the price.
- The color screen is very basic so don't expect to be viewing pictures on it. The screen uses epaper technology so that you can have incredible battery life when compared to the competitors. I feel like this tradeoff is worth it, especially when outside because you can read the Pebble very clearly without the need for a backlight. You may read that the colors appear washed out and this is why. If you want something with bright, brilliant colors you should look elsewhere but you will sacrifice battery life for it. If you are a Pebble OG or Pebble Steel user considering the Time line of products, the black and white contrast does seem better on the original devices than on the Time models but it is still worth the upgrade in my opinion.
I'll add more as I think of it...
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From the manufacturer
The New King of Smartwatches
Make Time Steel Your Own
Choose from thousands of custom watchfaces in the Pebble appstore, with more added every day.
- Find favorite apps like Uber, ESPN, Pandora, Swarm, Swim.com, and hundreds more in the Pebble appstore
- Includes Pebble Health, a built-in activity and sleep tracker with daily reports and weekly insights.
- Supports all existing apps & watchfaces in the Pebble appstore
- Works with iPhone 4S and above running iOS 8+
- Works with all Android devices running 4.3 (Jelly Bean) and above
It'll Steel Your Heart
Meet the newest smartthrob: Pebble Time Steel
Pebble Time Steel keeps you connected to the things that matter most, and look great doing it. Its unparalleled battery lasts up to 10 days between charges, and its bright always-on display never keeps you waiting.
Manage notifications, calendars, calls, music playback, and more - right from your wrist. Includes Pebble Health, a built-in activity and sleep tracker with daily reports and weekly insights.
Buttoned up or dressed down, it's Time well-spent.
- Always on, color e-paper display with LED backlight
- Water resistant to 30 meters
- Built-in microphone for voice notes and quick replies*
- 10.5mm thin design with curved, ergonomic profile
- Marine Grade Stainless Steel chassis and bezel, PVD coated in matte with polished detailing
- Tough, 2.5D glass display
- 22mm, genuine Italian leather band with Quick-Release pins for easy swapping with bands of your choice; 22mm stainless steel band sold separately
- Tactile, textured buttons for easy, eyes-free control
- Magnetic charging cable that works in any USB port
- * Sending voice replies works with AT&T iPhone accounts, and most major Android apps including SMS, Hangouts, Gmail, Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, and hundreds more. iOS voice features for other carriers will be available in a future software update.
Plays Well With Everyone
Pebble Time Steel works with both Android and iPhone smartphones. Whichever your device preference, we’ve got you covered.
Fitness and Sleep Tracking
Pebble Health allows you to automatically track steps and sleep seamlessly, with daily stats that appear on you timeline, and weekly graphs to show trends.
The Past, Present and Future
Pebble timeline adds your daily calendar to your wrist in a simple yet effective way. Events, notifications, missed calls - all the moments that matter, organized together. Review what's happened and see what's ahead, all at a glance.
Battery Life Up to 10 Days
It’s a watch, not a phone. Whether you’re managing your packed weekly schedule, or getting out of town for a long weekend, a full charge powers you for over a week.
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Works great with my iPhone 6+
I love my Pebble Time Steel! I originally purchased a regular Pebble Steel but quickly realized that it's really annoying to receive the notifications and not be able to reply to them. I purchased the Pebble Time Steel to solve that problem and haven't regretted the purchase yet.Features I use most:- Voice Reply: My biggest gripe was not being able to reply on the Pebble Steel. Pebble has now partnered with AT&T so that iPhone users on the carrier can use the reply functionality to reply to texts. Previously, only Android users could do this since Apple's iOS software does not allow Pebble access to send messages. This workaround through AT&T is a huge win for qualified users (AT&T post paid accounts) and it sounds like Pebble is working with other carriers to allow them similar functionality. I now have the ability to receive a text message on my watch, speak a voice reply, and it gets translated to text for me to review before sending. The voice translation using the Nuance API so the voice-to-text conversion is very accurate.- Music Control: I love being able to play Pandora, Spotify, podcasts, etc. on bluetooth speakers (connected to my phone) while doing things around the house. If I want to adjust the volume, pause, or skip tracks I can do it all directly from the built in Music app. You can also view the song and artist name directly on your watch which is great for streaming services that may play music you haven't heard of before. Pandora also has their own app that let's you thumbs up/down songs.- Uber: While it may sounds like a gimmick to request an Uber from your watch when you can just do it from your phone, walking around with your phone out makes you more of a target to getting robbed in most cities. The more you can control from your watch, the less you have to take out your phone and expose yourself to theft.- Navigation: To go along with the safety aspect of Uber that I mentioned, if I'm walking around a city that I'm not too familiar with, I like the ability to get directions on my wrist and not have to take out my phone. There are several navigation apps that will provide on-screen maps or navigation instructions but I generally use Google Maps. There isn't a native app for this but if you just set your destination on your phone and minimize the app, the app will notify you when you are approaching your turn (assuming you have notifications turned on) and you will receive that notification directly on the watch. No need to launch any special app that will drain your watch battery, just use what you already have on your phone.- Biking: I'm lumping a few benefits here together because of how well it works for me. If i'm biking around the city, I don't want to pull out my phone to make sure I didn't miss my turn but using the navigations aspect I mentioned above, I receive a notification on my wrist when I'm approaching my turn. I can also control the bluetooth speaker I bring with me when I ride instead of fumbling around with my phone. There's even a bike sharing app that uses your phone's GPS to locate the closest bike sharing station in most major cities.- Running: RunKeeper and iSmoothRun both have Pebble apps that display your stats directly on your watch. I use iSmoothRun (which syncs with Strava) and love the customizability of it. The app lets you configure up to three stats (per page) on the screen and you have full control of what data you want displayed and in what order. Strava does not have a Pebble app that will work for iOS users yet (I believe there is an Android one) but the iSmoothRun integrates seamlessly with Strava.- Weather: Quickly check the weather from your wrist including upcoming forecasts. There are even watchfaces that include this on the main screen.- Watchface customization: There are thousands of watchfaces in the Pebble app store which allows for so much customization. If you don't find one you like, there are iOS apps that allow you to easily create one, or you can quickly learn to program your own using Pebble's SDK.- Quick release watchbands: The Pebble Time Steel uses standard 22mm watch bands which gives you the ability to add just about any band you want to the Pebble. The quick release feature of the band that comes with it is great for swapping bands for different occasions. I typically wear the Egeek Watch Band/Strap for Pebble Time Smartwatch Band Replacement Accessories with Metal Clasps Watch Strap/Wristband Silicone band (pictured) for every day use and the leather band that comes with the watch for nicer occasions. The bands have quick release pins which allow me to swap bands in only a few seconds.Considerations:- The watch is very durable; however you need to keep in mind that your watch will get banged around a lot more than your phone would. I purchased the ArmorSuit MilitaryShield - Pebble Time Steel Screen Protector [2-Pack] Anti-Bubble and Extreme Clarity HD Shield with Lifetime Replacements screen cover to protect the glass portion of the screen. There are also wraps that cover the surrounding metal but I don't feel that is necessary.- Apple iPhone users will not have as much flexibility and control as Android users do. This has nothing to do with the Pebble software, it is because Apple restricts this type of control from third-party developers. So you will not be able to trigger Siri (without jailbreaking your phone) or reply to messages (unless you are an AT&T post-paid customer). I still believe the watch is worth considering if you find a good deal on it but you may want to consider the entry-level Apple Watch instead. I don't plan on upgrading to the Apple Watch any time soon because I think there is still a lot of functionality that they need to add in order to justify the price.- The color screen is very basic so don't expect to be viewing pictures on it. The screen uses epaper technology so that you can have incredible battery life when compared to the competitors. I feel like this tradeoff is worth it, especially when outside because you can read the Pebble very clearly without the need for a backlight. You may read that the colors appear washed out and this is why. If you want something with bright, brilliant colors you should look elsewhere but you will sacrifice battery life for it. If you are a Pebble OG or Pebble Steel user considering the Time line of products, the black and white contrast does seem better on the original devices than on the Time models but it is still worth the upgrade in my opinion.I'll add more as I think of it...
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2016
I love my Pebble Time Steel! I originally purchased a regular Pebble Steel but quickly realized that it's really annoying to receive the notifications and not be able to reply to them. I purchased the Pebble Time Steel to solve that problem and haven't regretted the purchase yet.
Features I use most:
- Voice Reply: My biggest gripe was not being able to reply on the Pebble Steel. Pebble has now partnered with AT&T so that iPhone users on the carrier can use the reply functionality to reply to texts. Previously, only Android users could do this since Apple's iOS software does not allow Pebble access to send messages. This workaround through AT&T is a huge win for qualified users (AT&T post paid accounts) and it sounds like Pebble is working with other carriers to allow them similar functionality. I now have the ability to receive a text message on my watch, speak a voice reply, and it gets translated to text for me to review before sending. The voice translation using the Nuance API so the voice-to-text conversion is very accurate.
- Music Control: I love being able to play Pandora, Spotify, podcasts, etc. on bluetooth speakers (connected to my phone) while doing things around the house. If I want to adjust the volume, pause, or skip tracks I can do it all directly from the built in Music app. You can also view the song and artist name directly on your watch which is great for streaming services that may play music you haven't heard of before. Pandora also has their own app that let's you thumbs up/down songs.
- Uber: While it may sounds like a gimmick to request an Uber from your watch when you can just do it from your phone, walking around with your phone out makes you more of a target to getting robbed in most cities. The more you can control from your watch, the less you have to take out your phone and expose yourself to theft.
- Navigation: To go along with the safety aspect of Uber that I mentioned, if I'm walking around a city that I'm not too familiar with, I like the ability to get directions on my wrist and not have to take out my phone. There are several navigation apps that will provide on-screen maps or navigation instructions but I generally use Google Maps. There isn't a native app for this but if you just set your destination on your phone and minimize the app, the app will notify you when you are approaching your turn (assuming you have notifications turned on) and you will receive that notification directly on the watch. No need to launch any special app that will drain your watch battery, just use what you already have on your phone.
- Biking: I'm lumping a few benefits here together because of how well it works for me. If i'm biking around the city, I don't want to pull out my phone to make sure I didn't miss my turn but using the navigations aspect I mentioned above, I receive a notification on my wrist when I'm approaching my turn. I can also control the bluetooth speaker I bring with me when I ride instead of fumbling around with my phone. There's even a bike sharing app that uses your phone's GPS to locate the closest bike sharing station in most major cities.
- Running: RunKeeper and iSmoothRun both have Pebble apps that display your stats directly on your watch. I use iSmoothRun (which syncs with Strava) and love the customizability of it. The app lets you configure up to three stats (per page) on the screen and you have full control of what data you want displayed and in what order. Strava does not have a Pebble app that will work for iOS users yet (I believe there is an Android one) but the iSmoothRun integrates seamlessly with Strava.
- Weather: Quickly check the weather from your wrist including upcoming forecasts. There are even watchfaces that include this on the main screen.
- Watchface customization: There are thousands of watchfaces in the Pebble app store which allows for so much customization. If you don't find one you like, there are iOS apps that allow you to easily create one, or you can quickly learn to program your own using Pebble's SDK.
- Quick release watchbands: The Pebble Time Steel uses standard 22mm watch bands which gives you the ability to add just about any band you want to the Pebble. The quick release feature of the band that comes with it is great for swapping bands for different occasions. I typically wear the [[ASIN:B014J5NVM0 Egeek Watch Band/Strap for Pebble Time Smartwatch Band Replacement Accessories with Metal Clasps Watch Strap/Wristband Silicone]] band (pictured) for every day use and the leather band that comes with the watch for nicer occasions. The bands have quick release pins which allow me to swap bands in only a few seconds.
Considerations:
- The watch is very durable; however you need to keep in mind that your watch will get banged around a lot more than your phone would. I purchased the [[ASIN:B015JW1YGC ArmorSuit MilitaryShield - Pebble Time Steel Screen Protector [2-Pack] Anti-Bubble and Extreme Clarity HD Shield with Lifetime Replacements]] screen cover to protect the glass portion of the screen. There are also wraps that cover the surrounding metal but I don't feel that is necessary.
- Apple iPhone users will not have as much flexibility and control as Android users do. This has nothing to do with the Pebble software, it is because Apple restricts this type of control from third-party developers. So you will not be able to trigger Siri (without jailbreaking your phone) or reply to messages (unless you are an AT&T post-paid customer). I still believe the watch is worth considering if you find a good deal on it but you may want to consider the entry-level Apple Watch instead. I don't plan on upgrading to the Apple Watch any time soon because I think there is still a lot of functionality that they need to add in order to justify the price.
- The color screen is very basic so don't expect to be viewing pictures on it. The screen uses epaper technology so that you can have incredible battery life when compared to the competitors. I feel like this tradeoff is worth it, especially when outside because you can read the Pebble very clearly without the need for a backlight. You may read that the colors appear washed out and this is why. If you want something with bright, brilliant colors you should look elsewhere but you will sacrifice battery life for it. If you are a Pebble OG or Pebble Steel user considering the Time line of products, the black and white contrast does seem better on the original devices than on the Time models but it is still worth the upgrade in my opinion.
I'll add more as I think of it...
Features I use most:
- Voice Reply: My biggest gripe was not being able to reply on the Pebble Steel. Pebble has now partnered with AT&T so that iPhone users on the carrier can use the reply functionality to reply to texts. Previously, only Android users could do this since Apple's iOS software does not allow Pebble access to send messages. This workaround through AT&T is a huge win for qualified users (AT&T post paid accounts) and it sounds like Pebble is working with other carriers to allow them similar functionality. I now have the ability to receive a text message on my watch, speak a voice reply, and it gets translated to text for me to review before sending. The voice translation using the Nuance API so the voice-to-text conversion is very accurate.
- Music Control: I love being able to play Pandora, Spotify, podcasts, etc. on bluetooth speakers (connected to my phone) while doing things around the house. If I want to adjust the volume, pause, or skip tracks I can do it all directly from the built in Music app. You can also view the song and artist name directly on your watch which is great for streaming services that may play music you haven't heard of before. Pandora also has their own app that let's you thumbs up/down songs.
- Uber: While it may sounds like a gimmick to request an Uber from your watch when you can just do it from your phone, walking around with your phone out makes you more of a target to getting robbed in most cities. The more you can control from your watch, the less you have to take out your phone and expose yourself to theft.
- Navigation: To go along with the safety aspect of Uber that I mentioned, if I'm walking around a city that I'm not too familiar with, I like the ability to get directions on my wrist and not have to take out my phone. There are several navigation apps that will provide on-screen maps or navigation instructions but I generally use Google Maps. There isn't a native app for this but if you just set your destination on your phone and minimize the app, the app will notify you when you are approaching your turn (assuming you have notifications turned on) and you will receive that notification directly on the watch. No need to launch any special app that will drain your watch battery, just use what you already have on your phone.
- Biking: I'm lumping a few benefits here together because of how well it works for me. If i'm biking around the city, I don't want to pull out my phone to make sure I didn't miss my turn but using the navigations aspect I mentioned above, I receive a notification on my wrist when I'm approaching my turn. I can also control the bluetooth speaker I bring with me when I ride instead of fumbling around with my phone. There's even a bike sharing app that uses your phone's GPS to locate the closest bike sharing station in most major cities.
- Running: RunKeeper and iSmoothRun both have Pebble apps that display your stats directly on your watch. I use iSmoothRun (which syncs with Strava) and love the customizability of it. The app lets you configure up to three stats (per page) on the screen and you have full control of what data you want displayed and in what order. Strava does not have a Pebble app that will work for iOS users yet (I believe there is an Android one) but the iSmoothRun integrates seamlessly with Strava.
- Weather: Quickly check the weather from your wrist including upcoming forecasts. There are even watchfaces that include this on the main screen.
- Watchface customization: There are thousands of watchfaces in the Pebble app store which allows for so much customization. If you don't find one you like, there are iOS apps that allow you to easily create one, or you can quickly learn to program your own using Pebble's SDK.
- Quick release watchbands: The Pebble Time Steel uses standard 22mm watch bands which gives you the ability to add just about any band you want to the Pebble. The quick release feature of the band that comes with it is great for swapping bands for different occasions. I typically wear the [[ASIN:B014J5NVM0 Egeek Watch Band/Strap for Pebble Time Smartwatch Band Replacement Accessories with Metal Clasps Watch Strap/Wristband Silicone]] band (pictured) for every day use and the leather band that comes with the watch for nicer occasions. The bands have quick release pins which allow me to swap bands in only a few seconds.
Considerations:
- The watch is very durable; however you need to keep in mind that your watch will get banged around a lot more than your phone would. I purchased the [[ASIN:B015JW1YGC ArmorSuit MilitaryShield - Pebble Time Steel Screen Protector [2-Pack] Anti-Bubble and Extreme Clarity HD Shield with Lifetime Replacements]] screen cover to protect the glass portion of the screen. There are also wraps that cover the surrounding metal but I don't feel that is necessary.
- Apple iPhone users will not have as much flexibility and control as Android users do. This has nothing to do with the Pebble software, it is because Apple restricts this type of control from third-party developers. So you will not be able to trigger Siri (without jailbreaking your phone) or reply to messages (unless you are an AT&T post-paid customer). I still believe the watch is worth considering if you find a good deal on it but you may want to consider the entry-level Apple Watch instead. I don't plan on upgrading to the Apple Watch any time soon because I think there is still a lot of functionality that they need to add in order to justify the price.
- The color screen is very basic so don't expect to be viewing pictures on it. The screen uses epaper technology so that you can have incredible battery life when compared to the competitors. I feel like this tradeoff is worth it, especially when outside because you can read the Pebble very clearly without the need for a backlight. You may read that the colors appear washed out and this is why. If you want something with bright, brilliant colors you should look elsewhere but you will sacrifice battery life for it. If you are a Pebble OG or Pebble Steel user considering the Time line of products, the black and white contrast does seem better on the original devices than on the Time models but it is still worth the upgrade in my opinion.
I'll add more as I think of it...
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2016
Top reviews from other countries
walk on water
A great, usable smartwatch!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2017
walk on water
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2017
IMHO, Pebble Time Steel is the most usable smart watch produced to date. It features a classic design, durable steel case, long battery, and always-on screen. It doesn't feel like a gimmick. It is easy to use, reliable and dependable.
During the business day, thanks to its excellent notifications, it allows me to put my phone aside and forget it exists for a while. And this, for me, is priceless.
BUILD QUALITY
The entire case is made of steel with a black surround band just beneath the screen. PVD (Physical vapor deposition) powder coating is used to give colour, more obvious with the Black and Gold versions. Silver is also powder coated (why? it was not necessary) but probably masks any scratches better.
The buttons operate well with distinct pressure points, excellent ergonomics and the micro-dotted texture is tactile enough to operate without even looking. Left top button takes you back to the home screen. Top and bottom right buttons to scroll and middle right button to select. Easy.
The beige strap that comes with the watch is usable but will not last long. The watch accepts standard 22mm straps so replacing it with stainless steel or a silicone straps is a no-brainer.
The screen is covered with Gorilla glass which seems to feature an oleophobic coating. The bezels are less obvious that the plain Pebble time simply because the glass covers the entire screen. It would be useful to have larger screen and slimmer bezels. This would be the case for Pebble 2 until Fitbit bought Pebble and killed off the future release.
Design wise, I love the classic rectangular shape with rounded corners. Also if you look closely from the side, you will notice that the whole watch has a slight curvature. This makes it more comfortable on the wrist. It feels just right. A great deal of attention to detail seems to have gone into the design.
FUNCTION
Installation is simple and took no more than 5 minutes. Download the Pebble app on your phone, connect the watch to the phone via bluetooth and setup through the app. Easy.
The Pebble App has three main menus: Watchfaces, Apps and Notifications.
Having tried a few watchfaces, my favourites are:
YWeather by David Rodriguez Rincon, Clean&Smart by Yuriy Galanter and Blue Futuristic by Paliantech. I settled for YWeather because it provides all the information I need: time, day/date/month, temperature and weather, current location and battery charge. It is well designed, although if I am honest, the alignment for the day and date could be better. But this is me being pedantic.
Every time there is a notification, it pops up on the watch. Gmail, twitter, whatsapp, facebook, google maps - it's all there. Even Uber, call the taxi and check the registration plate and ETA on the watch, no need to hold your phone. All notifications can be turned on/off from the app or the watch. You can mute on weekdays and/or weekends.
The watch vibrates every time there is a notification, so it alerts you even in noisy environments. Since I started used Pebble, my phone is always on silent and I have never missed any calls. Fantastic!!
I installed a couple golf apps and tried them. The watch relies on the phone for GPS reception but it works. Swing by Swing was a good allrounder. It displays your distance to the hole and records your round.
There are also apps for running, cycling, tools and utilities, remote controls and games. Some are more useful than others.
BATTERY
The manufacturer suggests a 10-day battery. I have been using the watch about 12 hours a day connected to my phone and I am getting approximately 15-17 days from a single charge, even without switching on airplane mode. I don't use step counting or any other health features which probably improves battery life.
When not on my wrist, I simply turn off the phone's bluetooth and that's it. In the morning I turn on the phone bluetooth on and the phone simply reconnects.
When on airplane mode, I think it will last about a month on a single charge.
SCREEN
The reason the battery lasts this long is its e-ink screen. It is a beautiful 64-color e-paper always-on display with 144x168 resolution and a pixel density of 182 ppi. The pixel density is lower than the ~300dpi of the Apple watch but all content is perfectly legible. E-ink screens (like the Amazon kindle) are like printed paper. So,like paper, it is perfectly legible in bright sunlight. Emails and notifications are easy to read but most importantly the screen is always on. Always. Just like a normal watch. You turn your writch, you read the the time, date and temperature.
For dimmer environments, the screen has backlighting so you can read even in complete darkness.
OVERALL
I love the design, it is well-built, easy to use and easy to operate. Charging is required every couple of weeks and it is very easy. The cable is magnetically attached to the watch - similar to the magnetic adapter used on Apple's macbooks.
But Pebble's genius is that it is a perfectly usable watch, even when not paired to a phone. Its e-ink screen is always on, you don't have to press a button or lift your wrist. And the extra long battery means you only have to charge it every couple of weeks or even every month.
Images in this review
Richard P S
Amazing deal for the price, mid range watch for low end price
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 7, 2017
M
Not so much Rock and Roll as Pebble and Pleased!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2017H. Byatt
Basic compared to more expensive smart watches, with at least 7 days from a battery charge.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2018BenG
Fantastic watch for a great price
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2017