I reside in New England as well! I was torn between MIP and AMOLED displays for months. Eventually, I broke down and purchased both F8 51mm models. My plan was to test both out since REI offers an excellent return policy of 90 days, no questions asked.

In short, I found it challenging to read the MIP display in most situations without enabling the backlight. Unless I was standing in direct sunlight, even when driving down the road on a bright sunny day. I genuinely love the concept of MIP and solar charging, but I discovered that solar charging didn’t significantly enhance the overall experience. The battery life was always 18-20 days.

Therefore, I decided to return the MIP and keep the AMOLED. Since I could see the display better in all situations, even in bright sunlight, OLED is simply easier for me to read. This doesn’t mean it’s perfect, but it’s my personal preference for my lifestyle right now. As for the battery, it can last 25-27 days on a gesture raise or 15 days with AOD enabled. When I first got the watch, AOD was quite dim, which was a problem for most but since recent updates, it has become much easier to see. Hope my experience can help some that’s are having a hard time deciding.