HONG KONG — Pine64 has given the open‑source smartwatch community something big to talk about with the PineTime Pro, a significant evolution of its pioneering PineTime wearable. The new model brings major hardware and display upgrades aimed at hobbyists, developers, and privacy‑focused tech enthusiasts.
The original PineTime — lauded for its low cost and community‑driven open‑source firmware projects — has always appealed to DIY lovers and embedded‑software developers. However, the PineTime Pro makes a leap forward in capability, with new internals that push it closer to mainstream smartwatch usability while retaining its open ethos.
Next‑Gen Hardware
At the heart of the PineTime Pro is a dual‑core Arm Cortex‑M33 microcontroller, capable of running at speeds up to ~200 MHz — a considerable boost over its predecessor’s older Cortex‑M4 chip. This gives the Pro model enough muscle to run richer interfaces and more advanced apps.
Other key upgrades include:
- Large 2.13‑inch AMOLED touchscreen with 502 × 410 resolution — a vivid and sharp display that greatly enhances visibility and interaction compared with earlier models.
- Built‑in GPS support, allowing independent tracking without a paired phone.
- Bluetooth 5.2 Classic and Low Energy, facilitating broader connectivity.
- 8 MB PSRAM and 8 MB flash storage, ample memory for more complex firmware and apps.
- Heart‑rate and SpO₂ sensors plus a 6‑axis IMU, expanding fitness and wellness tracking potential.
- Speaker & microphone support, opening doors for audio feedback and voice interaction.
Open‑Source Community Focus
Like its predecessor, the PineTime Pro is designed to be open‑platform friendly. Early developer discussion highlights community excitement about running custom firmware such as InfiniTime — the well‑established open firmware for Pine watches — and possibly other runtimes over time.
Community developers have pointed out that while hardware specs still fall short of high‑end wearables powered by full mobile OSes, the expanded memory and modern components give open‑source firmware much more room to innovate, possibly including interpreter support like MicroPython or JavaScript engines in the future.
Early Reception and Outlook
Forums show mixed early reactions, with some long‑time PineTime users wary due to past device reliability issues, but many remain enthusiastic about the hardware improvements and open‑source potential.
Pine64 has not yet confirmed a launch date or pricing, but the Pro model is expected to arrive later in 2026. When it does, it could appeal to enthusiasts who want customizability, privacy, and tangible control over their smartwatch experience — unlike proprietary alternatives.
