Pine64 Unveils Pro Smartwatch with OLED, GPS & Custom Chipset

March 25, 2026 Rachel Kim – Technology Editor Technology

Pine64, the company known for its low-cost, open-source hardware, has revealed a new iteration of its PineTime smartwatch, dubbed the PineTime Pro. The announcement, made during a community update following its presence at FOSDEM 2026, signals a significant upgrade to the original PineTime, first introduced in 2019.

The PineTime Pro boasts several key improvements over its predecessor, including an AMOLED display, built-in GPS functionality, and blood oxygen sensing capabilities. A rotating digital crown, accompanied by an additional button, will also be incorporated into the design, offering enhanced user interaction. The original PineTime, priced under $30, was targeted towards technology enthusiasts and open-source developers, and the Pro model aims to build on that foundation.

A core component of the upgrade is a “custom chip” within the PineTime Pro, though Pine64 has not yet disclosed specific details regarding its architecture. The original PineTime utilized a Nordic nRF52832 ARM Cortex-M4 microcontroller. Pine64 highlighted the ability to independently power down individual components in the new model, a feature absent in the original, as a key factor in improving battery life alongside the efficiency of the AMOLED screen.

Pine64’s approach to hardware development typically focuses on providing affordable devices and relying on the open-source community for software development. The company is currently evaluating funding strategies for the PineTime Pro, considering options such as incorporating a small cost offset into the device price or establishing a fundraising service. A final price point has not been determined, but Pine64 indicated it will likely exceed the original PineTime’s sub-$30 price tag.

The original PineTime featured a 1.3-inch, 240×240 pixel IPS capacitive touchscreen, 64KB of RAM, 512KB of flash storage, and an IP67 water resistance rating. The new model’s AMOLED display is expected to offer a more vibrant and power-efficient visual experience. The addition of GPS support will enable navigation without requiring a paired smartphone, and the blood oxygen sensor expands the device’s health tracking capabilities.

While Pine64 has paused production of some devices, including the PinePhone, PineNote, and PineTab2, due to ongoing RAM price increases driven by demand from the artificial intelligence sector, development of the PineTime Pro continues. The company showcased a prototype of the device at FOSDEM, suggesting progress towards a potential launch.