We have a feeling some of those backers that combined to pledge over US$12 million to Pebble Time are going to be adjusting their pledges today. A week after launching Pebble Time on Kickstarter, the company has added a Steel option for an extra $91.
The differences between Pebble Time and Pebble Time Steel are mostly cosmetic, but not entirely. In addition to replacing its plastic body with a CNC-finished 316L stainless steel one, the Steel variant also adds an estimated three days of battery life (up to 10 days, from the plastic Pebble Time's up to 7 days).
Otherwise Pebble Time Steel has the same general build and past/future oriented OS (it will also work with existing Pebble apps). Like 2014's Pebble Steel, the new Pebble Time Steel also includes both steel and leather bands.
Pebble Time has already broken Kickstarter records, and this should only add to it. Of course a well-established brand returning to Kickstarter is hardly on even ground with the fresh new projects that most associate with the crowdfunding site. But it is a smart marketing strategy, with the Apple Watch (and countless Android Wear and Samsung Gear watches) putting the heat on one of the first popular smartwatches.
Pebble Time Steel will eventually retail for $300, but Kickstarter backers can reserve one for $250. Backers of the plastic Pebble Time can also adjust their pledges to get a Steel, though its estimated ship date is a little later (July vs. the plastic version's May).
Source: Kickstarter, Pebble