According to Pebble, Round 2 features a 1.3-inch colour e‑paper touchscreen display that now covers the entire face of the watch, eliminating the large bezel found on the original model. The display has a resolution of 260×260 pixels, offering roughly twice the pixel count of the Pebble Time Round. Despite the larger screen, Pebble says the watch remains exceptionally thin at 8.1mm.

One of the most significant upgrades is battery life. Pebble said that Round 2 will last approximately two weeks on a single charge, a notable improvement over the original Round. The company credits advances in Bluetooth chip technology for the gain.

Pebble Round 2 is constructed from stainless steel and will be offered in three finishes: matte black, brushed silver, and polished rose gold. Band sizes vary by model, with options supporting standard 14mm and 20mm quick‑release bands. Other hardware features include linear resonance actuator for vibration, dual microphones and 30m water resistance.

Round 2 will on run PebbleOS, which remains open source. The watch supports thousands of apps and watchfaces available through the Pebble Appstore and works with both iOS and Android smartphones.

Pebble Round 2 is available for pre‑order now for US$199 through rePebble.com. The company expects to begin shipping the Round 2 in May 2026. For those who have pre-ordered Pebble Time 2, they will be given the option to switch their orders to Round 2.

I am one of those who pre-ordered Time 2, but I think I will still get the Round 2! Time to support the OG smartwatch!

• Price: From S$529 (41mm) and from S$599 (45mm, version reviewed), get it at Shopee and Google Store
• Case size: 41mm and 45mm (version reviewed)
• Display: 1.27 inches (41mm) and 1.46 inches (45mm) AMOLED; up to 3,000 nits
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Weight: 68g (45mm, with silicone watch band)

When I took a first look at the new Pixel Watch 4, I wondered: “Hey, didn’t I already review this two years ago?” Wait, I did. It was the Pixel Watch 2. Jokes aside, they really look alike. The silhouette is unchanged: the same pebble-like dome design, soft curves, and minimalist demeanour. Yet, if you look closer, the refinements start to show.

The bezels are thinner (by about 16%), and the new Actua 360 domed display now truly curves under the glass, giving it a distinctly premium look — almost liquid, like someone melted the screen around the edges. Add to that a ludicrously bright 3,000-nit AMOLED panel, and you have got one of the most legible and good-looking smartwatch screens around, rivalling even Apple’s best.

Unfortunately, the default silicone watch band looks pretty “meh” and did the watch a disservice. It is like fitting a Ferrari with taxi-standard rims and tyres. Plus, the watch band mechanism is still somewhat fiddly, not exactly intuitive. But at least, the smartwatch remains compatible with previous watch bands.

Colours remain recognisably Google — Obsidian, Porcelain, Moonstone (version reviewed) — but the colour availability still depends on size, which is an odd but might not make much difference for most.

Nonetheless, the Pixel Watch 4 still feels more refined in ways earlier models never did. Notifications are smarter, the haptics more precise, and even small touches — like a warning when the charger isn’t plugged in — show that Google is finally sweating the details.

The display’s brightness and animated flair make WearOS 6 genuinely pleasant to use. And while Gemini’s conversational features are still a work in progress, AI-generated smart replies and new gesture tweaks (like “raise-to-talk”) hint at a wearable becoming context-aware, and not just connected.

Furthermore, Google deserves a clap for finally making the Pixel Watch repairable. You can now replace the screen or the battery yourself (with some help from iFixit). This change might sound boring, but in this era of disposable tech, it is quietly revolutionary.

Health tracking remains Fitbit-powered — and for good reason. The heart rate accuracy has been improved, sleep tracking is sharper (though still guilty of counting lying awake as “light sleep”), and dual-frequency GPS finally means running in downtown areas doesn’t look like you teleported through buildings. It took only three seconds to lock onto a GPS signal. Step trackings and jogs are on-par with my calibrated Apple Watch Ultra 2, differing by mere 100 steps or 10m respectively. In other words, it is very accurate.

Auto workout detection now happens after your activity. You will get a gentle nudge like 30 minutes later asking: “Was that a workout?” This happened a lot when I was in Taiwan for vacation when I clocked up 20,000 steps daily. Some might find this delayed detection thoughtful; others will find it slightly un-Google in its lack of immediacy. I think it is totally fine.

Fitbit Premium requires a subscription (S$12.98 per month), but new features like AI-powered coaching promise a personal trainer who actually listens and adjusts your plan accordingly to your fitness levels. Getting this smartwatch gives you a six-month free subscription to Fitbit Premium. So, you can give it a try and decide if it is worth your money.

On the other hand, battery life is where the Pixel Watch 4 quietly flexes. While WearOS watches traditionally struggled to last a full day, this one will easily go up to two days with the always-on display off. But that’s not the best part.

The charging speed is ridiculous. From near-empty to 50% in about 15 minutes, and a full charge under an hour. Although it is disappointing that Google went with yet another proprietary charger (the third in four generations) in this iteration, the super-fast charging softens that blow.

Not to mention, for the first time, a Pixel Watch can be docked nicely while being charged. In previous versions, you can’t even get to attach the charger properly to the watch at times.

VERDICT: It took Google four tries, but the Pixel Watch 4 is the real deal. It is not longer just an accessory for Pixel smartphone hardcore fans, but a top-tier smartwatch in its own right.

It is not perfect, of course. The reliance on custom chargers is frustrating, Gemini still needs polishing, and Fitbit Premium content creeping behind a paywall feels very . But for S$599, the Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) delivers a complete, fast, and highly wearable smartwatch experience. It is one that finally gives Samsung and Apple something to look over their shoulders for.

Now, where to buy a better looking Pixel 4 watch band, anyone?

MicroLED displays offer higher brightness in any lighting, but yet longer lifespan and higher burn-in resistance. It also offers superior energy efficiency for longer battery life, and higher contrast ratios and color accuracy due to its emissive nature without a backlight.

Offering remarkable brightness in exquisite detail, the fēnix 8 MicroLED features over 400,000 individual LEDs delivering up to 4,500 nits, making it the brightest smartwatch ever, according to Garmin. The new display also delivers approximately 15% wider colour gamut for richer and more accurate colors.

Its ultra-wide viewing angle keeps images clear and sharp even from the side. Garmin claimed that its enhanced burn-in resistance and durability triple the display’s toughness, thereby significantly extending its lifespan. As such, the display is able to produce rich colors and high pixel densities with wide viewing angles and superior readability—even in direct sunlight.

Sounds too good to be true? Well, its price tag will shock you. The fēnix 8 MicroLED will be available next month (Oct 2025) at a whopping S$2,649 in Garmin Brand Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Garmin Online Store, Takashimaya and selected authorised retailers. You can buy two latest Apple Watch Ultra 3 smartwatches and still get some change with that kind of money.

The Venu X1 features a titanium caseback with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, a 2-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, LED flashlight, built-in speaker, and a microphone, all with an 8mm watch case. And it weighs a mere 40g (with included 24mm quick-release ComfortFit nylon band).

You can practically do everything with it, from taking calls, swim with it (5ATM water resistant) to making payment with Garmin Pay.

Not to mention, the Venu X1 is supposed to last up 8 days on a single charge when in smartwatch mode. You do not need to worry about charging your smartwatch every day. This smartwatch also comes with up to 100 sports apps, including strength training and golf, as well as built-in mapping, so you can go hike, jog or ride using it without having to worry about getting lost.

The smartwatch also offers advanced performance features such as training readiness to help you know when it is time to push your workout or take a recovery day. It also tracks and analyses your sleep to ensure you get adequate rest. It even tracks your heart rate variability when you sleep for a better understanding of your heart health.

The Garmin Venu X1 is not cheap though at S$1,099. It will be available from 8 July 2025 at Garmin Brand Stores, Garmin Online Store, Lazada, Shopee and other authorised retailers.

The Forerunner 570 is built for runners who want to take their training to the next level. Packed with advanced running metrics and Garmin’s brightest AMOLED display yet, this smartwatch is as functional as it is stylish. Available in two sizes (42mm and 47mm) and vibrant colour options like raspberry with translucent bone/mango accents, it’s perfect for athletes who value both performance and aesthetics.

Key features of the Forerunner 570 include advanced metrics tracking such as VO2 max, training status and running dynamics. Its PacePro technology allows you to execute race-day strategies with grade-adjusted pacing guidance, ensuring you stay on track during challenging runs. It is also said to last 11 days (smartwatch mode), so you do not need to charge it every other day.

For athletes who demand more, the Forerunner 970 takes everything great about the 570 and adds exclusive features for serious performance tracking and navigation. With a 47mm case, rugged titanium bezel, scratch-resistant sapphire lens, and built-in mapping, this watch is engineered for those who leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of excellence. It is available in stunning colourways like carbon gray DLC titanium with a black band or soft gold titanium with a French grey band.

Apart from built-in mapping, Forerunner 970’s key features include built-in LED flashlight for those early-morning or late-night runs. Its Step Speed Loss feature analyses how much you slow down when your foot hits the ground and refine your running form for maximum efficiency (requires Garmin HRM 600). Its battery life is longer at 15 days (smartwatch mode). In addition, it features ECG app that use sensors on the watch to record the electrical signals that control how the heart beats. The app then analyses the recordings to detect signs of an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation.

Both the Forerunner 570 and 970 are powered by Garmin’s cutting-edge technology, including SatIQ multi-band GPS for superior positioning accuracy, Pulse Ox for breathing variation insights, and the Evening Report feature, which provides sleep reminders, weather updates, and workout previews for the next day.

The Garmin Forerunner 570 and Forerunner 970 are both available now at S$759 (Get it at Shopee or Lazada) and S$1,029 (Get it at Garmin Online Store) respectively.