Display turning completely off in Always On mode

This developer page lists the 7 series as having 256 colours, rather than the 6 series' 64:

https://developer.garmin.com/connect-iq/compatible-devices/

I do not hide that if I had not read here about disabling AOD, I would not even notice it :)

Nice, even DCR and other reviewer clearly stated 65k colors for Epix compared to 64 (non-K) for Fenix 7.

I guess, unless you try to show album artworks, or credit cards, of photo watch faces, you may never realize the increased number of colors.

Agree that HR sensor could play a role (like garmin pay, it knows when on/off wrist), but as you say, needs to be a setting. Rare as this may be, I often put my watch on my desk (or lecturn) while in presentations and such, and it is my glanceable time keeper. So for me, a week of real AOD (or very close to it) is my must have. Seems debatable if this is possible with Epix. 

If true AOD means 3 days battery, at least give that option. Can't believe we need to have an asterisk next to always-on clarifying that always-on is in fact not always-on. 

I don't think it's primarily about battery life. I believe Garmin is terrified of the thought of thousands of Epixs coming in with severe burn in, in a a year and a half. But, if I'm right I don't understand what panels they're using. I have an Huawei Watch (first gen) with no sign of burn in, whatsoever. It's like 6 years old.

My guess is that with a true AOD we'd still get 6 days.

But even if they're scared of having to deal with burn in repairs I think it would be much more fair to its customers to have the choice of taking their chanses with burn in. Garmin already says that we should suit ourselves if we get burn in, so why then don't we get an option to do so?

I suspect that this was designed so that when the watch is sitting on a counter not being worn, the display doesn’t stay on constantly. As I said, for me, when it’s on my wrist, it essentially is an always on display.

I think you're right but I also think the underlying reason is their fear of loads of burn in devices. If not, they'd give us the opportunity to turn true AOD on.

Problem is that for others it doesn't stay on when on their wrist. Two times in 10 minutes of watching TV is extremely disturbing in my world.

On the other hand, I never wear my smartwatches while showering and I avoid getting them wet at all times. I would love to be able to glance at the smartwatch sitting on the sink edge in case I receive a notification. So a longer period for AOD timeout (ideally configurable) would have its uses, at least for me. 

The watch still displays any notifications and lights the screen back up.