- Reddit Poll Shows Significant Support for Garmin’s MIP Display Technology
- 34% of users said they would switch to another brand if Garmin abandoned MIP
- A total of 51% indicated a preference for MIP screens over AMOLED ones
These days, the best Garmin watches are slowly abandoning memory-in-pixel (MIP) technology for their displays, with the company preferring AMOLED displays for their higher brightness and contrast. MIP displays are practically relegated to sundials. But not everyone is happy with the move, and a recent user survey suggests that many Garmin fans would be sad if MIP went away, and now we want to know if you feel the same.
On Reddit, user Imthenewbee created a poll titled “MIP lovers: what will you do when Garmin stops making watches with MIP displays?” With over 1,100, the results may surprise you.
This is because they show that a significant number of respondents want to continue using a MIP smartwatch, whether from Garmin or a different brand. Of the 1,100 votes cast at the time of this writing, 186 said they would purchase a used Garmin MIP watch if the company discontinued its MIP devices, while 377 (or 34%) responded that they would switch to a different MIP smartwatch. Together, those 563 votes represent 51% of the total votes cast, marking a sizeable circle of Garmin users who want to stick with MIP displays.
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How do you feel about the situation? TechRadar’s own Matt Evans has written about how he’d miss MIP displays if they eventually went the way of the dodo, but not everyone prefers the duller but more battery-efficient results that come with MIP. Let us know what you’d like to see in our poll below.
Users say they ‘won’t be loyal’
For several Reddit users, the long battery life provided by MIP screens is the reason for their preference. One user said: “MIP and poor battery life are the reason I chose Garmin. I won’t settle for an AMOLED with 12 day battery life.” Another, meanwhile, explained that they “went with Garmin because of the MIP and battery time. They won’t be loyal if the advantage with Garmin disappears.”
It may be worth taking the results of the Reddit survey with a grain of salt. After all, the survey title specifically asked for “MIP lovers” to respond, so the results could be biased in favor of users who prefer this technology. You never know, our previous survey might be more balanced!
Still, it’s interesting that so many users indicate a predilection for MIP. While this type of screen isn’t as bright as what you get with AMOLED, meaning it’s not as useful in bright outdoor conditions, it’s much more battery efficient, helping you get more out of your smartwatch in the long run.
And because MIP is less advanced than AMOLED, the cost of wearable devices with this technology tends to be lower than their AMOLED counterparts. That makes it a great choice for some of the best budget smartwatches that give you wearable tech without breaking the bank.
We wouldn’t be surprised to see Garmin phase out its MIP clocks as AMOLED displays become more efficient and consume less battery. But as the Reddit poll suggests, that could make many people regret Garmin’s decision.
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