Katarzyna Petru
Garmin has decided to do something that no one has dared to try before – they introduced micro-LED into a smartwatch. The new Fenix 8 Pro is available in two versions: a classic one with OLED and a more futuristic one with micro-LED. The difference? OLED starts at 1200 dollars and is available in sizes 47 and 51 mm, while micro-LED is only available in 51 mm and costs a whopping 2000 dollars.
Micro-LED vs OLED
Micro-LED offers the greatest advantage in terms of brightness – up to 4500 nits, making the Fenix 8 Pro the brightest smartwatch on the market. This is a significant leap compared to OLEDs, which today reach a maximum of 3000 nits. Garmin boasts over 400 thousand LED lights, which are said to provide incredible readability even in full sunlight, as well as rich colours and wide viewing angles.
Price? Brightness? And what about the battery?
However, there's no rose without thorns. Higher brightness means a much shorter operating time. The OLED version lasts up to 27 days, while the micro-LED lasts a maximum of 10 – which is one third of what Garmin is used to in its watches.
Satellites and the Future of Micro-LED
Both variants of the Fenix 8 Pro are also the first smartwatches with satellite connectivity, allowing messages and location to be sent without a phone. The micro-LED panels are most likely produced by Taiwanese AU Optronics.
Micro-LED in televisions has yet to take off – seven years after its debut, the technology is still not mature. However, Garmin has outpaced its competitors and will test whether smartwatches can be the springboard for broader success.
