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Why did Garmin implement an AMOLED on a sportwatch?

Alex
over 2 years ago

Don't get me wrong but I am both a 935 user and a Galaxy Watch user and I have been waiting to upgrade my 935 for a while now, but I think I will get the 955 instead of 965.

Price tag aside I really do not understand why Garmin is using an AMOLED on their Forerunner series... the MIP screens are the best in my opinion of outdoor sports

It looks like to me that they are putting an AMOLED to place this Forerunner against an Apple Watch or a Galaxy Watch as a "daily" smartwatch which the Forerunner isn't and it is going to be crushed in that regard and at the same time be a downgrade compared to the other Garmin sportwatches with a MIP screen.

What are your thoughs?

Also how is the software situation with the 955? I heard it is quite buggy at the moment.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    1. To make money from a wider market and give consumers more choice

    2. Re bugs, see comments on your post here 

    forums.garmin.com/.../1582716

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    The fact that (I assume) you use the 935 only for sports and the Galaxy Watch as your "daily driver" probably plays a big factor in to why you don't care about the AMOLED display.  My Epix is my everyday all day watch AND my training watch.  As I mentioned in another thread, for my use case the AMOLED screen is great for me in almost all situations, and the same was true with the MIP display (although the problem cases were different).

    If you are only ever going to wear your Garmin during outdoor daytime or indoor well-lit sports then I absolutely agree that the MIP display is a better choice.  If you are using it as your everyday all-the-time watch then I definitely recommend checking out the AMOLED yourself (with a good return policy) before you write it off as a bad choice.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to ericgottlieb

    But you are not using the Epix 2 on the handlebars, correct? Otherwise you should have mentioned the auto dimming desaster on the handlebars…Or do yo not care about this?

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Simple answer from my side: Would never buy again a forerunner with MIP, so Garmin would have lost me as a customer.

    Why? In 90% of cases I'm doing outdoor sports not in full sunlight, but in forest, during twilight, fog, indoor (e.g. climbing).

    I'm doing outdoor sports on a daily basis, and I was waiting for a AMOLED Forerunner since years now.

    I would fully agree about MIP on Edge, I would never buy a Edge with AMOLED, because there I've 90% full sunlight (and to be honest, MIP on Edges are muuuuuch better than on watches, might has to do with power consumption for backlight).

    Note: I'm using Garmin devices for outdoor sports since Geko times (early 2000th)

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Volker
    Volker said:
    But you are not using the Epix 2 on the handlebars, correct?

    That's correct.  I use an Edge on the bike.  That is definitely a use case where the MIP is the only good solution.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Garmin is loosing marketshare in lower price ranges and gaining in higher price ranges.

    So they make watches more expensive to compete in a market they can make more money. Amoled is an easy way to make watches more expensive.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to ericgottlieb

    During winters I train when the sun is down however I am used to the MIP screen and it is not an issue for me, however during springs and summers I use my watch only in bright sunlight and I need a MIP screen for visibility.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Elbo

    But it is also an easy way to kill the concept of a sportwatch... I hope they do not sell well so that Garmin makes a step back next generation... also I do not like that they already updated their lineup... the 955 is less than 1 year old if I am not mistaken.

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Alex

    Think it as 955 AMOLED, eg. 945 LTE. Mid term small update with one new feature (screen vs. LTE). Yes maybe the software features may be divert in future, but currently when they get things released there shouldn't be any new features in 965 that isn't in 955. 

    So there like isn't any reason to upgrade currently, if you don't think AMOLED is a must have.

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    The EPIX is hugely popular, and many reviewers chose it over the F7 as their daily driver specifically for the screen.

    And given the Garmin is promoting features that require 24/7 wear, an AMOLED is much easier to read for day-to-day use. You get better, clearer text on most screens.

    But if the continued development of the Enduro line is any indication, my guess is that there's room in Garmin's product line for both types of screens.