In September Garmin launched its Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED smartwatch, the world's first microLED wearable, with a 1.4" 454x454 4,500 nits round display, produced by AUO. When it launched, the Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED had a price tag of $1,999 (a $700 premium over the AMOLED version).
Now Garmin reduced the price by $300, and it now lists at $1,699. The price of the AMOLED version did not change, it is still at $1,299 - so now the premium is only $400.
The MicroLED Edition of the Fenix 8 Pro offers much improved brightness, but beyond the price premium, it is thicker (the touch layer is not in-cell like in the OLED version) and also cuts the battery life down from 27 days to 10 days - which says a lot about the low power efficiency of the microLED display.
Tom's Guide recently posted an interesting interview with Garmin's Display Technology Manager, Ralph Polshak, that discusses the microLED project and Garmin's thoughts and plans for the future. The site also posted a review of the new microLED watch, comparing it with the AMOLED version. Interestingly, the reviewer says that the microLED was a bigger update than he expected. The display is noticeably brighter than the AMOLED, has improved viewing angles - and curiously it is clearer, too. It seems the reviewer is especially enthusiastic about the viewing angles. When running with a smartwatch, this is apparently important.
