Garmin Forerunner 45Schat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

The transflective display sets the 45S apart from typical smartwatch screens outdoors. One commenter specifically pointed out that the transflective screen doesn't require backlight to be seen and actually becomes easier to read the brighter the sun gets, unlike LED, LCD, or OLED smartwatch displays which they described as struggling outdoors. They compared it favorably to Casio digital watches for this reason, and noted it also helps extend battery life significantly compared to smartwatches like the Apple Watch.

Battery life is strong without GPS but drops noticeably when GPS is active. A reviewer clarified that without constant GPS use, the watch can last 5-7 days based on their experience, though enabling GPS tracking reduces this considerably. This distinction is useful for buyers weighing everyday smartwatch use against dedicated GPS run tracking, since expectations should differ depending on usage mode and how often GPS features are engaged during workouts.

Customization options like swappable bands and watch faces pleased some users. One commenter clarified that despite initial confusion, the band can in fact be removed and replaced, pointing to an instructional video for guidance. Another user echoed this enthusiastically, stating they love being able to get different watch faces and change the watch band, pushing back against a less favorable review and calling the customization options a highlight of ownership.