Review of the new Pebble Steel. The best smartwatch is now more elegant.

At last my Pebble Steel has arrived, the new smartwacth Pebble with the same functionalities as the previous version but with a "premium" finish, with better materials and a design that more closely resembles a conventional watch. Pebble has achieved a smartwatch with much more advanced functions since it launched the new version Pebble 2.0 for iOS and Android and that also now gives the impression of being a real watch, with a quality leap that is noticeable from the moment you open the package that you just received at home. If you want to see all the photos and details of the new Pebble Steel, read on.

The low-cost cardboard box that the original Pebble came in has been changed to a better-designed and sturdier box, more typical of a high-end watch. Inside we will find our Pebble Steel, which is available in two finishes: steel and black. I opted for the first option despite the fact that I liked black more, since I had serious doubts about how black would withstand the passage of time, friction and blows. I have to say that I like the steel finish. It is not too glossy or too matte.

Either model includes a black genuine leather strap and a steel strap, in the same color as the watch. Although I am not a fan of leather straps, the watch does not look bad with it. In order to exchange the straps, Pebble suggests that you go to a watchmaker, something I will have to do after trying it myself without success. Both straps are a standard size although I get the impression that women with very small wrists may have problems. Unfortunately this new Pebble Steel does not accept standard belts, unlike the original Pebble. A shame to be honest, and a negative point that we hope will soon be resolved through agreements with other belt manufacturers.

The finish of the watch is very good, really from the moment you have it in your hands you notice that the Pebble ones have improved this aspect a lot. A more compact design than the original Pebble, with a steel case and glass «Gorilla Glass» which is better resistant to scratches, a weak point of the original Pebble. The screen is still the same size as the previous one, but as it has less frame around it, it seems that it is smaller, it is also off-center, since at the bottom we have a small label with the brand of the smartwatch, something that the first version. What you do notice is that there is less space between the glass and the screen, something that in my opinion makes it look better. The buttons are much better finished than in the previous model. In addition to being made of steel, the touch is much better and when you press it, it feels more "in tune" than the plastic buttons on the original Pebble.

They have also improved the appearance of the charging port, which goes somewhat more unnoticed than in the original model. The metal connectors are no longer gold, but steel color, and together with the fact that it is smaller, it makes it better integrated into the overall design of the watch. But this has another negative point: it is not compatible with the charging cable of the previous Pebble. It is easier for me to place the charger than in the first model, but it still has the problem that at the slightest movement it disconnects. I still think that a Dock to charge these devices is essential.

A novelty of the Pebble Steel is the Tri-color LED on the front that lights up when you charge the watch, and will be available to app developers soon. At the moment it only serves to indicate the charging of the device, changing to green when it is completed. It would be nice to blink when the battery is low, or to know that there are pending notifications. It will be a matter of waiting for future software updates.

Pebble Steel is submersible up to 5 atmospheres, so there is no problem with water. Despite this, I do not see it as suitable for sports as the previous model. I have run and swim with my previous Pebble with no problems, but this model will not be used for this purpose, although there is no recommendation against it.

I will not go into details about the operation of the Pebble, since it is exactly the same as the previous one. The arrival of the version Pebble2.0 iOS and Android have multiplied the possibilities offered by this smartwatch, and although there is still much to improve, the broad community of developers behind the Pebble makes it clear that those improvements are coming soon.

Conclusion

The new Pebble Steel achieves what Pebble intended: the best smartwatch of the moment in a conventional watch that you can wear without attracting anyone's attention. A watch with a quality finish that is far superior to the original Pebble, with a much more resistant glass that you will never get tired of. To this we must add all the functions of the original Pebble, plus the tricolor LED that for the moment remains a charge indicator, but which in the future will serve more.

On the downside, this new model has a much higher price ($ 229) to the original Pebble ($ 150), and you will also have to wait about two months to receive it at your home address. If you live outside of the US, free delivery will take several more weeks, unless you want to pay $ 25 to get it 3-5 days after shipping. Also, since you are unlucky at customs, you may have to pay an additional € 80 for it in taxes and customs fees. Another negative point that in my opinion could have been avoided is the not being able to use standard straps, something that the previous model did allow.

Despite the price and its negative aspects, if someone is looking for a smartwatch and does not want to wait for the end of the year, when it seems that smart watches will rain everywhere, the best option without a doubt is the Pebble. Original model or Pebble Steel already depends on the taste of each one. I keep the latter.