Español Taking advantage of the fact that we are at the beginning of the year and no presentation has yet been made by the different brands, I wanted to give you a preview of the main innovations that we will see from the different manufacturers in the sector.
The market trend in 2023 will be, beyond the novelties at the level of algorithms and training tracking functions, the following:
- AMOLED displays
- Multiband satellite reception
Both are going to become a fairly common feature in watches coming out later this year. The multiband will be much more popular than the AMOLED display, but we're going to start to see how this technology is going to start to be incorporated.
There are three main reasons for this:
- This is the global market trend. Not only in terms of user demand, but also in terms of components and industry, a multiband chipset currently costs the manufacturer about the same as a chipset that does not offer it. The software part is already developed and the antenna design is quite elaborate.
Something similar is happening with AMOLED displays. There is hardly any difference in cost with respect to other types of screens in terms of manufacturing volume. They used to be more expensive and exclusive, but today they are within everyone's reach.
- The current conditions allow the use of new technologies, mainly in terms of autonomy but also with respect to the use of processors, and nowadays any watch offers very long autonomies of use. Not so long ago we had watches in the mid-range with autonomies of 8 or 10 hours with GPS use. Now it is common to find 30 or 40 hours of GPS at 1s, and from there on. Therefore the battery life will not be compromised.
In terms of processors, they are now more powerful and have exclusive co-processors for the graphics part. They are already able to handle animations and take full advantage of the possibilities of an AMOLED screen. Because it's not just about displaying the same thing on a brighter screen, the experience has to be complete.
- The competition is starting to tighten. Smartwatches, especially the Apple Watch, are already knocking on the door. They are turning towards sports, because it is only natural that manufacturers of sports watches want to do the same towards and expand their functions towards those typical of smartwatches.
Don't think this is going to be limited to one brand (you're all thinking Garmin). It's going to be a common denominator of this year's new releases. Really all the necessary steps have already been taken for AMOLED displays and multi-band chipsets to flood the market, but we just haven't noticed.
Garmin already has a lot of experience with AMOLED displays thanks to the Venu range; although they are more focused on being smartwatches, they are still a Garmin. There is also the top of the range Epix 2.
They have it fully developed and the next models with AMOLED display will be the Forerunner range.
Multibanding is already going to be a basic feature across the range regardless of price, that's it. present in the mid-range and will become an almost basic feature for Garmin.
Polar has recently launched the Ignite 3, which is still a Polar Pacer with AMOLED display and multiband. It is an extremely thin watch and allows up to 5 days of battery life and 30 hours of GPS. Take that same watch, slightly increase the thickness and size to accommodate a better performing antenna and a larger battery and you have a Vantage with AMOLED and multiband.
Suunto already has the Suunto 7 with AMOLED and the Suunto 9 Peak Pro with a multi-band chipset (although it is not enabled by antenna design). It is clear that the foundation has already been laid.
And now that it's under the Liesheng umbrella and has its own factory, access to components and new designs is within easy reach. As easy as knocking on the next door.
COROS has already launched several models with multiband and obviously it will continue to be one of its hallmarks. Although in their case they are very focused on high performance sport, something that is seen with the signings of Kilian Jornet, Kipchoge, so perhaps the AMOLED screens do not marry with their current philosophy.
But as I said earlier, in the end it's a matter of seeing where the market shifts and what people demand. If there are COROS users who want AMOLED display, it's something they will end up offering.
Below you have the comments, so... Opinions on this? You can open a nice debate.
Good morning, Eduardo.
Thank you for providing us with so much information, after reading you I still don't understand what the multiband concept really means.
Thank you
Take a look at the Vertix 2 presentation, which was where I first discussed it, and where I may have included more detail: https://www.correrunamaraton.com/coros-vertix-2-dual-frequency-mapas-opinion/#Receptor_GNSS_de_doble_frecuencia
To me the article leaves me weird feelings, sincerely I am 100% agree with the multi band in all ranges, although it is really only recommended in very closed areas. For the AMOLED part is something that I will never understand in sports watches with how well the transflective screen goes, but well they are trends.
Congrats Edu on the article!
Thank you Llorenç.
But keep in mind that the move to AMOLED is not going to be in all models. It's something that will be incorporated little by little. And believe me a good AMOLED screen in the sun looks just as good as a transflective one.