Display Dissapointment

It's probably done that way more for packaging than aesthetics. In other words, if the display was bigger the case would have to be bigger so there would still be space that would require a bezel of some sort.

You can check my F3 disassembly pictures here: http://www.f-blog.info/diving-inside-garmin-fenix-3-tear-down-etc/

The display module with its connection port is larger than the display area. So Garmin has to hide it someway. Samsung etc. watches use high tech displays with almost no off screen area but these MIP displays are produced this way. I understand this but there is a thick plastic part behind the display, that maybe some amoled phone displays are thinner than. :D

However, Garmin can make the watchface smaller and yet hide some part of the display. Maybe this is the Fenix 5S way.

Yeah, thats probably the case R_Tellis but as sis651 has suggested, the 5S doesnt need such a large area. Keep in mind, they also have the 'metal bezel' area to work with for the display connectors and such. Thats not even going into 'higher tech' thats easily available like the samsung/apple watches and/or whats available in smartphones that are 'edge to edge'.
The tech is out there, Garmin can make it happen. The only question is do they want to give us a good watch thats 'better than the rest' and they make 500$ profit on, or, do they want to offer us the best watch they can make (thats also better than the rest) and only make 400$ profits on it? ;)

What the "best" display is depends on the application and while component cost will be a factor it's not always going to be the overriding factor.

With phones and smart watches a thin, bright, vibrant display which is more suitable for use as an interface might be the best choice. Those products are designed for predominantly indoor use without long stretches of time without access to power to recharge so the outdoor readability and power consumption of those display types isn't as big of an issue as it is with an outdoors watch.

I'm sure Garmin could use something like an AMOLED display that could go edge-to-edge in order to have a larger screen in a smaller case but outdoor readability and battery life would take a hit and take away from the primary intent of the device. Maybe in the future they will have products in their line up that are more focused toward the smart watch segment but for now the Fenix line is an outdoor/sports watch with some smart watch functionality to there display choice is based on that criteria. Even if it does mean that they have to make some compromises with packaging and face-to-case ratios.

An AMOLED display would make "always-on" watch faces impractical as it would reduce battery endurance to WELL under 24 hours.

The battery restrictions imposed by the physical size of a watch make power budget one of the big issues for any wearable. Smartwatches, in general, are flatly unacceptable to me because they require daily -- or more often -- charging. I tolerate this with my cell, I will not with a watch. Garmin has done an excellent job on endurance with the Fenix 3, and as long as the 5x is in the same general range of endurance it will continue in that tradition -- and, IMHO, place the trade-offs in this regard where they belong.

I think the antenna might be in the bezel, I'm not sure. I'm glad they use the technology they do for the display itself. It's easy to read during the day and night, and it has great battery life. I'd be a bit saddened if they sacrificed battery life just to look slightly more cool.

What if Samsung and others make candance or PRM or Power censor? Then who would you go for now?

What if Samsung and others make candance or PRM or Power censor? Then who would you go for now?

Definitely not after charge it every night watch...

A Fenix 5 w Sapphire is $699. Its as expensive as a smart phone. But the Fenix 5 screen is no where near a smart phone, not to mention FCC antenna, etc. Yet the price is the same. Why does it cost so much?

Because it does! Price is all about perceived value. If you don't see the value, then you won't buy it. Personally, I'd rather wear a Fenix on my wrist than a smartphone.