A third of Garmin users would switch brands if MIP screens disappear
Many Garmin users still do not want to give up MIP displays. A Reddit poll with more than 1,100 votes shows AMOLED is gaining ground, but for many, MIP remains one of the main reasons to wear a Garmin watch.
The discussion started with a simple question: what happens if Garmin stops making MIP screen watches? The answers quickly turned into a much bigger conversation about battery life, outdoor usability and whether AMOLED really fits the kind of users Garmin built its reputation on.
I get it because I am still hanging on to my trusty old Garmin Forerunner 955, and the MIP screen is a big reason why. Once you get used to it, switching away feels a lot harder than it should.
But let’s get back to the poll.
The poll results were closer than expected
The biggest single group, with 511 votes, said they would switch to AMOLED. That sounds like a clear win until you look at the rest of the numbers.
Another 362 people said they would move to another brand that still offers MIP-style displays, while 174 said they would simply keep buying used MIP Garmin watches.
Put another way, roughly a third of respondents are prepared to leave Garmin entirely, and another 15% would rather buy second-hand than accept the transition. That is a pretty big chunk of a dedicated user base.
For many of them, MIP is not just about liking the look of the screen. It is tied to how they use the watch every day.
The always-on display without a bright light source, excellent sunlight readability and long battery life came up again and again. Many users said they moved to Garmin specifically because they wanted to avoid the charging habits of Apple Watch or other AMOLED-heavy smartwatches.
Some users pointed to Enduro models lasting four weeks or more between charges, especially with solar support and controlled settings. For people doing multi-day hiking trips, ultra races or simply wanting a watch that feels more like a tool than a mini phone, that still matters a lot.
There is also something more personal going on. Some users describe MIP not just as practical but as genuinely beautiful. One person said they still stop to admire their MIP display months after buying it. Another called it more comfortable for the eyes. The sunlight readability angle comes up again and again.
Enduro and Instinct are seen as the last MIP strongholds
Garmin seems to be pushing AMOLED across most of the range. Forerunner has already moved heavily in that direction and the Fenix line has become much more AMOLED-focused.
The big question now is what happens to Instinct and Enduro.
Many users think Enduro is the last real MIP stronghold because its whole identity depends on extreme battery life. Instinct is also seen as safer for now, especially the Solar versions, but there is concern that even that line could eventually move the same way. Especially as Garmin has recently filed a patent for solar charging on AMOLED displays.
Some people said they are already planning for this by holding onto watches like the Fenix 7 Pro, Enduro 3, Forerunner 255 or 955 for as long as possible. A few even mentioned buying backup units now just to extend their time with MIP. That says a lot about how attached people are to this display type.
AMOLED is still winning new buyers
The other side of the argument is not weak. Plenty of users said AMOLED battery life is already good enough, especially on larger watches like the Fenix 8 51mm.
Some reported getting well over two weeks of use, which for many people makes the battery argument less convincing. Others simply prefer the brighter display, better indoor readability and higher resolution.
There were also users who said they would never have considered Garmin if MIP was the only option. For them, AMOLED makes Garmin feel more modern and easier to justify against Apple Watch Ultra or premium Wear OS devices.
This is probably where Garmin sees the long-term market going. AMOLED is easier to sell to mainstream buyers than a display technology that looks better in sunlight than it does indoors.
What happens to the holdouts?
As can be seen, the holdout MIP fans are basically split into two camps. Some say they will just buy the best MIP Garmin they can get, probably something like an Enduro 4 if Garmin keeps that option alive, and then hang onto it for years.
The other group is already eyeing the exits. And there are a few options. Casio comes up a lot, along with Coros, Suunto and even Pebble, which is funny because quite a few people said they originally came to Garmin from Pebble in the first place. For them, the whole appeal was that same always-on display you can read instantly without waking the screen or getting a bright flash in your face at night.
A few people also made the point that this is not really an AMOLED versus MIP beauty contest. If you are doing ultra races, long hikes, backpacking trips or tactical stuff, you care more about battery life and reliability than bright colours. Weeks of battery life and a screen that works perfectly in full sun still matter a lot more than nicer animations.
That is why many think Garmin will keep MIP alive in Enduro for a bit longer, even if the rest of the lineup keeps moving the other way. A common guess was that Enduro 4 could offer both options, while Fenix 9 and Instinct 4 go fully AMOLED. After that, even Enduro might follow once Garmin feels AMOLED battery life is good enough.
The thing is, for a lot of these users, it was never just about battery life. They simply prefer how MIP feels to live with every day.
This poll is not some scientific market report, but with more than a thousand votes and loads of proper discussion in the comments, it shows this is a real issue. Garmin can push AMOLED as hard as it likes, but there is still a big group of users not ready to let MIP go.
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