In September Garmin launched its Fenix 8 Pro MicroLED smartwatch, the world's first with a microLED display. The panel is a 1.4" 454x454 round display that offers a brightness of 4,500 nits, produced by AUO. The microLED version of the Fenix 8 Pro has much improved brightness, but carries a $700 premium, 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 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.
The main downside of the microLED edition, beyond the price, is the size - it's only available in the largest 51 mm size, and it's thicker and heavier than the AMOLED Fenix Pro watch.
At the end of the day, the reviewer is skeptical whether the improved brightness and image quality is worth the extra cost and the increased thickness - but he is very much impressed with the 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.
