Garmin has expanded its use of OLED displays across its watch range, but memory-in-pixel (MIP) screens are not set to disappear yet. COO Brad Trenkle says the battery-life difference between the two technologies has narrowed, but has not closed completely.
“There are definitely different things that are enabled for our customers if we stay with a transflective color MIP display,” Trenkle said. He identified battery life as the biggest advantage, particularly for endurance-focused watches. MIP screens reflect ambient light and can become easier to read outdoors without the high power demand of a bright OLED display.
OLED models have gained battery life with each generation, according to Trenkle. But he said MIP will remain part of Garmin’s lineup until the gap is fully closed. The technology has already become less common in some ranges: the article notes that recent Forerunner models do not offer a MIP option, while MIP remains associated with specialist watches that use solar charging.
Solar power may be another factor in Garmin’s display decisions. Trenkle said solar panels placed over a display can affect image quality, but described a different approach using crystalline silicon: solar cells can be positioned around the screen rather than over its active area. He said that arrangement could avoid a loss in reflectivity or image quality, though he did not confirm plans for a solar-powered OLED watch.
Sources: TechRadar.