Garmin recently released a pair of new watch faces to commemorate World Sleep Day, but the rollout has been met with criticism due to limited compatibility. The Pokémon-themed faces allow users to choose from 48 different Pokémon and select three complications for customization.
Despite the customization options, Garmin has restricted which smartwatches can utilize the new faces. The watch faces are only compatible with devices featuring round displays, meaning the high-end Venu X1 is excluded. Currently priced at $699.99 on Amazon, the Venu X1’s omission has drawn attention from consumers.
an AMOLED display is a requirement for the watch faces. As Garmin continues to offer models with Memory in Pixel (MiP) panels, the Fenix 8 Solar is too ineligible to receive the Pokémon-themed designs. This decision reflects a growing trend of feature differentiation based on smartwatch tiers.
The Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 955, as well as the entire Fenix 7 series, have also been excluded from receiving the update. Conversely, the more affordable Venu 2 and Vivoactive 5 are able to download the new watch faces. The limited rollout has sparked debate within the Garmin community, with many questioning the company’s decision to exclude devices with MiP displays, as noted on Reddit.
Garmin has not yet provided further explanation for the restrictions. More details about the new day and night watch faces can be found on the company’s Connect IQ listings.
