Smartwatch manufacturer Pebble announced that it will start shipping the new Pebble Time Round on Nov. 8. The smartwatch will fetch a price tag of $249 once it hits retail stores.
The new Pebble Time Round is the third smartwatch that Pebble released this year following the Pebble Time and Pebble Time Steel. Unlike its two predecessor and as its name suggests the Pebble Time Round sports a circular design that looks more like a traditional timepiece than a tech gadget.
The new Pebble Time Round is also thinner and sports a lightweight design. The new Color e-paper display is particularly easy to read even under bright light. Pebble is also considering to support smart straps created by third-party companies.
In order to fit all the hardware into the 7.5mm thick body of the Pebble Time Round, the company has to cut some edges. The new Pebble Time Round has reduced battery life compared to its predecessor. It is also less water-resistant compared to the previous models, according to Wired.
According to Engadget, the $249 price tag is quite expensive considering the features and application of the Pebble Time Round. In terms of features, the Time Round cannot compete with other smartwatches within its price range. For one, the Time Round does not have a touch screen display, or NFC and GPS sensors which are pretty much standard feature on almost all Android smartwatches.
Critics praised the elegant round design of the new Pebble Time Round. This makes the smartwatch more of a fashion accessory rather than a robust gadget with useful features.