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Hardware

Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

By Bill Detwiler June 16, 2014, 8:21 AM PDT on Twitter billdetwiler

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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Pebble Steel teardown

Pebble Steel teardown

The Pebble Steel is definitely more stylish than the original Pebble smartwatch, and thanks to its metal body and several design changes, it’s also easier to disassemble.

In this Cracking Open gallery, I walk you through the process of disassembling the Pebble Steel and give you a tour of the internal hardware. For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Pebble Steel teardown reveals easy-open case, removable components, and more storage.

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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Pricing

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Pricing

As of publication, the Pebble Steel is available in Black Matte or Brushed Stainless finished for $249 (USD). Plastic versions of the Pebble are available in several colors for $150 (USD).

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Box contents

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Box contents

Along with the Steel watch itself, the box contains both leather and metal bands, a screw drivers (for changing the bands), a charging cable, and product documentation.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Dimensions and weight

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Dimensions and weight

According to Pebble’s website, the Steel is 46mm (L) x 34mm (W) x 10.5mm (T). It weighs 1.97 oz.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Back button and charging port

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Back button and charging port

Pebble redesigned the charging port on the Steel.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Up, Select, and Down buttons

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Up, Select, and Down buttons

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Model 401S

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Model 401S

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Original Pebble and Steel with leather band

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Original Pebble and Steel with leather band

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Original Pebble and Steel watch bodies

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Original Pebble and Steel watch bodies

Although heavier than the original Pebble watch, the Steel’s body is slightly smaller.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Original Pebble and Steel buttons

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Original Pebble and Steel buttons

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Original Pebble and Steel charging port

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Original Pebble and Steel charging port

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Removing the Torx T4 back cover screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Removing the Torx T4 back cover screws

The back cover is held on with four Torx T4 screws.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Popping loose the back cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Popping loose the back cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Removing the back cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Removing the back cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Back cover removed

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Back cover removed

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Internal hardware

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Internal hardware

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Detaching the circuit board connector

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Detaching the circuit board connector

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Removing the battery

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Removing the battery

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Popping loose the circuit board and battery assembly

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Popping loose the circuit board and battery assembly

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Removing the circuit board and battery assembly

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Removing the circuit board and battery assembly

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Watch body with attached components

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Watch body with attached components

The Steel’s “e-paper” display, button contacts, and internal plastic frame appear to be glued to the metal body. If any of the components were damaged, you could likely remove and replace the entire assembly, but as I want to reassemble this device in working order, I’m going to call this teardown complete.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: e-paper display

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: e-paper display

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Plastic internal frame

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Plastic internal frame

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Button contacts

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Button contacts

Between the internal frame and the metal body, you can see the button contacts.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Single circuit board connector

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Single circuit board connector

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Circuit board and battery assembly - Top

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Circuit board and battery assembly - Top

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Circuit board and battery assembly - Bottom

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Circuit board and battery assembly - Bottom

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Fullriver 3.7V 1.30mAh battery

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Fullriver 3.7V 1.30mAh battery

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Texas Instruments CC2564 Bluetooth Controller and vibration motor

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Texas Instruments CC2564 Bluetooth Controller and vibration motor

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Circuit board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Circuit board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Pebble Steel

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Completely disassembled

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open Pebble Steel: Completely disassembled

With the

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
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