Garmin Fenix 8 poised to capitalise on the surging microLED market
While MicroLED has been in development for years, recent manufacturing advancements suggest the tech may finally be ready for mainstream gadgets, bringing brighter visuals, energy efficiency, and improved durability. And Garmin may be the amongst the first wearable tech companies out of the starting blocks, with its rumoured upcoming Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 MicroLED watches.
As the wearable tech industry continues to evolve, a crucial display technology is poised to reshape the landscape – MicroLED. This innovative display solution is gaining significant momentum, with major manufacturers ramping up production and a projected market value of $5.8 billion by 2028. At the moment the tech is gaining much interest in the automotive and AR sectors.
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As far as the wearable tech industry, it is focused on overcoming the remaining technical hurdles and high costs associated with MicroLED. One company at the forefront of this transition is Garmin. Rumors we reported on earlier, suggest that the company is working on microLED iterations of the Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 models.
Why use MicroLED?
So what’s the big deal with MicroLED?
Well, it promises several potential advantages over the currently dominant AMOLED and LCD display technologies. With its exceptional brightness and power efficiency, MicroLED could offer enhanced clarity under direct sunlight while reducing battery drain. And Garmin’s collaboration with suppliers like Vuzix hints that this technological leap is not merely a theoretical possibility, but a grounded reality for the Fenix 8 and Tactix 8 lineups.
The company’s transition away from Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) displays towards more vibrant AMOLED screens has been a gradual process. Some are fans of this while others, like the author of this article, are stubborn supporters of MIP screens. However, the potential integration of MicroLED in the Fenix 8 series may mark a more pronounced shift.
At the moment, the specifics of Garmin’s MicroLED implementation remain unclear. But the technology’s inherent efficiency could lend itself well to the demanding outdoor scenarios that Garmin’s wearables are designed to handle. Should these displays arrive with the Fenix 8 or Tactix 8, Garmin could deliver significant upgrades in display quality, all without compromising the battery longevity that has been a hallmark of their products.
It should be noted, Garmin has not said anything yet about the potential for microLED devices. But there have been a couple of credible leaks.
As far as a potential launch date, it should come soon. The Fenix 8 range was released in early September so don’t be surprised if the first Garmin microLED watches land in January, to coincide with or right after CES 2025 in Las Vegas.
Via NotebookCheck
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