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Fenix 8 - 51 Amoled – Screen Too Dim in Low Light / Dark Environments

5334613
2 months ago

Hi everyone,

I’ve been having a frustrating issue with my 51 Amoled Fenix 8 display in low-light conditions or dark environments.

When I activate the watch with a wrist movement, the screen brightness is so low that it’s almost unreadable. The only way I can see the display properly is by manually shining a light (e.g., using a torch) near the screen or by pressing a button to activate the backlight.

I’ve checked my settings (software version 13.35), but nothing seems to fix this. Is this a known issue? Has Garmin acknowledged or provided a solution for this problem? Any tips or workarounds would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

  • 0 2 months ago

    yes same here .. Garmin hardware problems. They return to me with the same issue. Really it is a scam complety!

  • 0 2 months ago in reply to Fran_Madrid

    Update March 26, 2025:

    Your watch has an ambient light sensor that will dim the display in low light so that it is not blindingly bright. Your watch will also automatically brighten in bright light conditions to make your screen easier to read. Our engineers are looking into reports of the display being too dark in low light conditions. 

    If you believe your watch is too dark to read in low light conditions, please feel free to reach out to me directly via Private Message. I will need to collect details such as display settings and Photos or video showing the display concern. 

    • 0 2 months ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

      This issue has been ongoing for approximately 5 months.  People have already sent you photos and videos. This is a delay tactic.  This isn't a hard fix nor should you continue to request more "details".  Garmin knows this is a problem and continues to not do anything meaningful about it.  This will be my last Garmin product because of this specific issue and how Garmin has handled it for months on end. 

    • 0 2 months ago in reply to 2199455

      Same feelings from me, i cant understand Garmin's approach on this simple issue.. Dont want to make videos and photos.. i just want a solution.. the Solution is pretty simple let me DECIDE if i want this deaming sensor to work or not in my watch.

    • +1 1 month ago in reply to 5334613

      Update April 25, 2025: 

      Our engineers investigated concerns about the ambient light sensor dimming the watch too dark. They have concluded this behavior is by design. 

      Your watch has an ambient light sensor that will dim the display in low light so that it is not blindingly bright. Your watch will also automatically brighten in bright light conditions to make your screen easier to read. 

      Your watch also behaves differently based on your Always On setting:

      • Always On Display Mode is On:
        • After your set display timeout period, the watch will dim to low power mode. In this mode, the watch is conserving battery and extending the life of the display. 
        • It may be difficult to read at times once it has dimmed to low power mode. To resolve this, press the Light (top right) button to brighten the display to full power mode. Alternatively, you can use gesture, or press buttons if you have those options turned on in your display settings. Once the display has brightened it will remain bright for the length of your timeout period, and will then dim again. 
        • If your watch is not detecting heart rate (for example you are not wearing the watch), the display will turn off after your timeout period instead of going to low power mode. 
      • Always On Display Mode is Off:
        • The display will turn off after your set timeout period. 
        • To brighten the display, press the Light (top right) button. Alternatively, you can use gesture, or press buttons if you have those options turned on in your display settings. Once the display has brightened it will remain bright for the length of your timeout period, and will then turn off again.

      You can learn more about your display in this FAQ: Understanding Always On Setting for the fēnix 8 AMOLED Watches 

    • +1 1 month ago

      From last  post from 4/25 where it states "Our engineers investigated concerns..."  To me, "investigated" is in the past tense and this is the final nail in the coffin for us all hoping there was a remedy for this situation.  We've been asking for 8 months now. For such an expensive flagship device, I'm really surprised they won't help out a large portion of users with this issue.  If there is a technical or hardware limitation where it just isn't possible to adjust, why not just be transparent and say so.

    • +1 1 month ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

      No solutions!! Always the same answers, When the watch is in low light in dark ambient conditions, no matter how many times you press the button, gesture etc. the brightness prevents you from reading the screen.

    • +1 1 month ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

      We know all that... the PROBLEM is that this dimming sensor is so aggressively dimming the screen that makes the watch almost useless.. The brightness is VERY VERY LOW and we have to give light to the room in order for the screen to brighten up. SINCE YOU CANT MAKE THE SENSOR WORK AS IT IS WORKING IN EPIX PRO AMOLED...WE HAVE REQUESTED A SIMPLE THING.. LET US DECIDE THE BRIGHTNESS LEVEL WE WANT IN THE NIGHT... DONT DECIDE FOR US WHAT IS BRIGHT OR NOT...!! SO SIMPLE 

    • +1 1 month ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

      We know all that... the PROBLEM is that this dimming sensor is so aggressively dimming the screen that makes the watch almost useless.. The brightness is VERY VERY LOW and we have to give light to the room in order for the screen to brighten up. SINCE YOU CANT MAKE THE SENSOR WORK AS IT IS WORKING IN EPIX PRO AMOLED...WE HAVE REQUESTED A SIMPLE THING.. LET US DECIDE THE BRIGHTNESS LEVEL WE WANT IN THE NIGHT... DONT DECIDE FOR US WHAT IS BRIGHT OR NOT...!! SO SIMPLE 

    • 0 1 month ago

      I have exactly the same problem, but it seems Garmin didn't want to change this, i opened a call 6 Month ago and nothing happens.