Garmin users want MiP instead of AMOLED smartwatches, survey shows
While the Garmin Fenix 8 was still available with either a MiP or AMOLED display, the Fenix 8 Pro is now only available with AMOELD or Micro-LED. The Forerunner 955 was still shipped with a MiP display, while the Forerunner 970 ($749 on Amazon) uses AMOLED. The development seems unstoppable, but not all customers are in favor of the more modern screen technology.
A survey on Reddit shows that out of 1,086 respondents, a total of 537 customers would either buy an older model with a MiP display or switch to another brand if Garmin gave up MiP. Only 511 customers would consider switching to a model with an AMOLED panel. 38 respondents would instead opt for the Instinct Crossover, which combines an AMOLED panel with clock hands.
This means that the majority of respondents prefer Garmin smartwatches with "Memory in Pixel" displays. Although this older display technology is not nearly as colorful or high-resolution as modern AMOLED panels, MiP offers two major advantages. Firstly, the displays are perfectly legible even in direct sunlight, as the display remains visible through reflected ambient light. Modern AMOLED displays can shine brightly at over 3,000 nits to combat sunlight, but this consumes a lot of power, while the much darker always-on display is barely visible in the sun.
And secondly, AMOLED generally consumes significantly more energy. A 47 millimeter Garmin Fenix 8 with AMOLED display and active always-on display only lasts seven days, whereas the model with MiP display lasts 21 days, three times as long. In combination with the solar cells integrated into the display, a runtime of 28 days is even possible.
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