Since its initial introduction in 2013 following a highly successful Kickstarter campaign, the Pebble wristwatch has evolved significantly from its simple design and sometimes limited functionality, so let's take a look at Pebble Steel and see if it's worth the upgrade.

Take a look at the original Pebble Smartwatch we reviewed to get a better understanding of the concept of smartwatches.

Design

If the original Pebble has a retro aesthetic that may not suit everyone, the Pebble Steel has a better, more appealing material option that now looks really excellent with suits and standard attire, and, while very similar in design to the original, Best Cheap Smartwatches now looks more stylish and pleasant.

The case appears to be more durable, wrapped in metal (with brushed or matte finishes), with black edges around the screen, and either leather or metal wristbands.

The Pebble steel is 1.51.40.4 inches long and weighs roughly 1.95 ounces, making it slightly shorter and heavier than the original Pebble. On the left side, there is a somewhat enhanced magnetic charging socket for the unique cable (which is not compatible with the original Pebble) as well as a "back" button.

The other three buttons for navigation and selection are on the right side.

If you don't want a smartwatch that looks like a toy or something out of a sci-fi movie, the Pebble Steel is one of the better options because it has a more discrete, sophisticated design that is appropriate for adults.

Display

The Pebble Steel has a 1.26in 144168 pixel e-paper display that is scratch-resistant thanks to Gorilla Glass (which also lowers glare). Aside from that, the display is very similar to the one seen on the original Pebble, with a monochrome LCD and backlight (ideal for reading in direct sunlight).

like previously stated, you must utilize the four buttons to traverse the menu, and we discovered that the menu is clean and intuitive, and navigation is simple and to-the-point (like in the previous model).

The Pebble Steel does not have a touchscreen. Some may see this as a benefit because swiping on such a small screen can be awkward and laborious, while others may regard it as inferior to rival smartwatches that offer this capability.

Battery Life and Performance

Pebble Steel adheres to the same 5 ATM waterproof standard, allowing you to swim up to 165 feet in both salty and fresh water and, of course, shower with it (just be careful with the wristband selection).

The processor is a 120MHz ARM M3 Cortex capable of running apps and games smoothly, and sensors include a light sensor, compass, and 3D accelerometer.

The battery life, like that of the original Pebble, is excellent. With a 7-day battery life, it outlasts all other smartwatches on the market, which can barely last a day or two.

Android and iOS

The Pebble Steel, like the original Pebble smartwatch, is compatible with both iOS and Android and connects through Bluetooth.

Syncing with both operating systems is simple, and you are then presented with a well-organized and extensive list of software (including the new AppStore!).

Pebble Steel, like all other smartwatches, can receive SMS, emails, answer or hang up calls, play music or skip tracks, make calendar appointments, and take notes.

One disadvantage is that you can only have 8 applications open at once, so if you get tired of a watch face or want to try out a new app, you will quickly run out of space. However, thanks to the Pebble Locker, you can save apps on your phone and simply access them on your watch.

We had a wonderful assortment of apps while testing with both the Android OS and iOS, the synchronization was solid and had no problems, and the experience was very comparable to what you would find on the original Pebble.

Conclusion

The Pebble Steel continues to be the greatest overall smartwatch, despite stiff competition from both Android and iOS, but this is owing to its lifespan. We're still waiting for other smartwatches to live up to their full potential and challenge for the crown.