3x

Color AMOLED screens are energy vampires compared to the B&W MIP screen used in the Instinct series. I am sure it is technically possible to fit an AMOLED screen in any of the Instinct watches, but it would greatly reduce how long they can go on a charge. Not sure that fits Garmin's marketing approach and product differentiation strategy.

I see as more likely that on the next gen they may at some point adopt as color MIP display, similar to those used in the Forerunner series, for example.

But of course this is all speculation, nobody knows

I think color MIP still uses more power than the grayscale MIP they're using, so I would guess battery energy density would have to increase enough before they'd want to change to it. I can't see the Instinct series ever going AMOLED though, since as you said, that display type will never have the tiny power draw of MIP displays. A higher resolution color MIP while still keeping the rugged two-window design would be pretty awesome in the future though!

I concur....a "Distinct", AMOLED screen in an Instinct case, would probably sell like hotcakes...even though it would never have the battery endurance of the original Instinct, but I would venture to say any potential buyer would know and accept this. I own the 2X and a 265 and I am waiting for the next Gen EPIX but a "Distinct" would blow all of them out of the water....well most of them anyway.

No...just no.  

Not every dedicated and serious sports watch has to be an Apple Watch.  Garmin has a niche market that's a hit here and you're unfortunately not reading the room:
-there are people that want a watch with a more classic/retro look because the G-Shocks are hits decades later
-we want simpler screens, fewer frills, but the top sensors and tracking capabilities

-battery life

-durability

We're more concerned with the data and legibility than colorful, blinky screens and we don't want to pay extra for stuff we don't want.
I'm saying this legitimately that for people into certain types of sports that are relatively dangerous, the Instinct 2 Solar is an incredible watch and I say this having had the flagship of the C-brand and decided to "downgrade" instead of going for a Fenix or Enduro.  It turns out it wasn't a downgrade at all because I need it for data in dangerous conditions and good metrics.

This. I'd like to have rudimentary maps sometimes, but not an AMOLED screen for sure. 

I suppose you are using the "Royal We", because the sales numbers, especially the slumping ones, Garmin has to deal with, say otherwise. I am sure that there is a niche group of people who need 20-30+ days battery life (and have never heard of a power bank) but 95% could probaly do with less. If Garmin is to survive in the future they have to offer watches that are bought by many people and not necessarily cater to a tiny group of customers. If they do it anyway...good for this small group. As for reading the room (or in this case, other people's comments), nobody said that the existing Instinct line should be replaced with an AMOLED version, just complemented.

Can you show the slumping sales numbers, please?  Since Garmin is publicly traded, they have financial reports online and the nuance of numbers doesn't match what you're claiming in a blanket "slump", especially since fitness and outdoor are two different categories with the latter having grown 3%.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/garmin-announces-fourth-quarter-and-fiscal-year-2022-results-301752792.html

You're talking "survival" while Garmin appears to be doing ok, despite the exchange rate issues around the strong dollar and economies around the world in or entering recession, as well as inflationary and cost of living crises.

"I am sure that there is a niche group of people who need 20-30+ days battery life (and have never heard of a power bank) but 95% could probaly do with less."

LOLLLL, it's as if you don't even know how the Instinct Solar was designed and marketed or how long powerbanks last.

Dude don't try to mess with the instinct formula. *** no we dont want an amoled instinct! We want unlimited Solar/ Battery and a MIP screen!  An AMOLED would destroy that achievement.

Are you sure flagging my responses would Garmin stop from producing an AMOLED Instinct?