The Apple Watch may be making headlines with its pre-roder estimates and but it is is not the only smartwatch on the market. Competitors include the Pebble Time, the Moto 360 and the Samsung Galaxy Gear. We previously compared the Apple Watch with the Moto 360. Now it is time to compare the Apple Watch with its closest competitor — the Pebble Time.
Pricing
Pebble trumps Apple in the pricing category with Time smartwatch selling for $199 for the plastic model and $299 for the steel version. The Apple Watch, on the other hands, starts at $349 for the Sport edition and climbs to $549 for the Apple Watch and up to $10,000 for the Watch Edition.
Availability
The Pebble Time is expected to ship in early May for those customer who pre-ordered via the company’s Kickstarter campaign. The Apple Watch will edge out the Pebble with pre-orders arriving as soon as April 24th. Early sales and pre-orders of the Apple Watch will be limited to online transactions only due to strong demand and constrained supplies of the device. In light of these constraints, Apple recently changed its Watch web page, removing the April 24th launch date from the page and replacing it with a coming soon banner.
Mobile OS Compatibility
Unlike other smartwatches, the Pebble Time is compatible with both Android and iOS, including all Android 4.0+ phones and the iPhone 4s or above running iOS 8. The Apple Watch is compatible only with newer iOS devices including the iPhone 5, 5s, 5c, 6 or 6 Plus.
Software OS
The Apple Watch runs Watch OS, which shares a similar look and feel to iOS. The Pebble Time is powered by Pebble OS v3, a proprietary operating system designed specifically for Pebble’s smartwatch lineup. The new timeline-based OS displays notifications, news, reminders and events in a chronological fashion.
Dimensions
The Pebble Time is available only in a 40.5mm size, while the Apple Watch is available in 38mm and 42mm sizes.On the depth scale, the Watch measures slight more bulky 10.5mm as compared to the 9.5mm for the Pebble Time.
Connectivity Options
The Apple Watch offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, NFC and Bluetooth 4.0, while the Pebble Time includes Bluetooth 2.1 (default), 4.0 + EDR 4.0 + LE. Neither the Apple Watch nor the Pebble Time include 3G or 4G cellular connectivity options.
Storage and RAM
Hardware details on the Apple Watch and Pebble Time are not yet known. Apple typically does not divulge this information, which means we will have wait until iFixit can obtain an Apple Watch and tear it down.
Camera
Neither the Apple Watch or the Pebble Time include a camera.
Display Size and Resolution
Though both the Apple Watch and Pebble have square displays, the two smartwatches differ significantly in their display properties. The Pebble is small with a measurement of 1.25-inches and a resolution of 144 × 168. In comparison, the two Apple Watch models are larger with the smaller 38mm model boasting of a 1.5-inch display with 272 x 340 pixels and the larger 42mm Apple Watch including a 1.7-inch display with a resolution of 312 x 390.
Apple also uses a standard Retina display, while Pebble incorporates an always-on color ePaper display with LED backlight. The ePaper display conserves power while providing instant access to the smartwatch information.
Display Material and Technologies
The Apple Watch uses Ion-X glass for its display material in its Sport model and Sapphire in its Watch and Watch Edition. Ion-X is known for its shatter and impact resistance while Sapphire delivers exceptional scratch resistance and clarity. Similar to competing smartwatches, the Pebble Time uses Gorilla Glass 3 oleophobic (anti-fingerprint) coating for its display material. Pebble’s display also is curved
The Apple Watch also includes a multitouch touchscreen display, while the Pebble uses buttons for its input. Apple further sets its Watch apart with the new Force Touch technology that can discern the difference between a light tap and a long touch. This allows users to tap for some actions and long press for others.
Processor
Apple custom designed the new S1 processor exclusively for the Apple Watch. The System in Package” (SiP) includes an application processor, RAM, NAND flash and support for connectivity processors, sensors and more. Performance details are sparse, but estimates suggest the Watch will be more powerful than the first iPad. The Pebble Watch doesn’t need a lot of horsepower to drive its display and operating system, and consequently uses a ARM Cortex-M4 processor clocked up to 100 MHz.
Casing styles and Band Options
The Apple Watch is available in 54 possible stock configurations that are designed to suit a variety of consumers. Casing choices include the aluminum Sport model in silver or space gray, the stainless steel Watch model in silver or black and the rose or yellow gold Watch Edition. Band options also run the gamut with a colorful sport band, a leather band, a link bracelet, and a Milanese loop. Though you can swap bands, they must be compatible with the Apple Watch.
The Pebble Time offers fewer stock options than the Apple Watch with only plastic casings of black, white or red and matching silicone bands. The Time Steel is available with a stainless steel casing and genuine leather and stainless steel bands. Bands, however, are swappable with the Pebble supporting any third-party 22m straps. Pebble also allows for third-part smart straps that attach to the device’s battery connector and provide additional functionality, such as GPS tracking, a heart rate monitor, or additional battery life.
Physical buttons
The Pebble Time includes four side-mount buttons that are used as the primary form of input for the device since it does not have a touchscreen. Apple distances itself from the Pebble Time with its a single side button and the new Digital Crown, which functions both as a home button for navigating through apps and an input control that allows you to zoom and scroll.
Battery Life and Charging Options
Apple claims the Watch will deliver up to 18 hours of battery life under everyday usage. If you use the device for music, talking on the phone or fitness tracking, this estimate may decrease.
The Pebble was designed from the ground up to deliver exceptional battery life with an estimated seven days of usage between charges for the Time and 10 days for the Time Steel.
Watch Faces
Both the Apple Watch and the Pebble Time allow you to change the Watch face to a style that suits your needs.
Phone Call support
Apple advertises the Watch as being able to both send and receive phone calls directly from the Watch, which includes the necessary microphone and speaker. The Pebble Time only includes a microphone for voice dictation purpose, though incoming call alerts will be received on the Watch.
Mobile Payments
Apple Watch owners can pay directly from the Watch thanks to the onboard NFC and support for Apple Pay. The Pebble Time currently does not offer a similar mobile payment system.
Voice control
Both the Apple Watch and Pebble Time include microphones for Voice Control. Apple relies on a version of Siri to handle the voice commands while the Pebble uses a proprietary engine that is limited in functionality on iOS.
Fitness Tracking
The Apple Watch is the winner in this category with a heart-rate sensor and other fitness tracking capabilities. The Apple Watch ships with a built-in activity app that tracks all movement and a workout app for specific exercise programs. This data is then shared with the Health app on iOS. The Pebble Time lacks a heart rate sensor, but does include an accelerometer, gyrometer and magnometer for step counting purposes. This data then can be shared with third-party apps.
Navigation
Both the Apple Watch and Pebble Time use GPS from the connected phone to track your location and provide navigation information. The Pebble Time relies on third-party apps to deliver this functionality. It also may allow for smartstraps with built-in GPS receivers to improve performance.
Water Resistance
According to Pebble’s website, Pebble Time is suitable for shallow water activities such swimming, showering and surfing. It is not meant to be used for deep-water activities. Pebble will release official water certification in a future update. The Apple Watch is water resistant and can withstand wetness from normal activities such as sweat from exercise, rain from being outside and hand washing. Apple has not confirmed that the device can be immersed, but Apple CEO Tim Cook said he regularly wears his Watch in the shower.
Have you ordered an Apple Watch or are you tempted by Pebble Time? Let us know your smartwatch buying plans in the comments.
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