Rondo Watch Face Elevates Garmin Customization

A closer look at why the Rondo face is becoming a go to on Garmin devices.

Rondo Watch Face Elevates Garmin Customization

The Garmin watch scene has long offered many faces, but the Rondo face stands out for its clean design and deep customization. Priced at 4.99 USD and 4.99 GBP, it works across most Garmin lines including Fenix Epix Forerunner Instinct and Venu. Users can choose which metrics appear, from body battery and stress to steps and calories, and adjust color schemes to fit their style. On newer touch enabled Garmins, pressing and holding a metric takes users to an overview, streamlining data glanceability.

Readability remains strong whether the display is dim or in bright sun, especially on AMOLED screens. Battery life inflation from a third party face appears limited in tests, though results vary by usage. The setup does require a download from Garmin Connect IQ, which some may find fiddly, but once installed the face travels with the device when users upgrade to a new Garmin watch.

This small embellishment reveals a larger shift in how people use wearables. Third party faces like Rondo extend the value of a platform, encouraging longer device lifespans and stronger personal attachments to tech. It points to a broader tension between closed ecosystems and user led customization in consumer devices.

Garmin stores act as a low cost gateway for developers and a potential revenue path for creators. There is a risk of fragmentation if many faces fight for attention or if standards for data privacy slip. For readers, the takeaway is simple: the hardware is capable but the software choices shape daily use and satisfaction.

Highlights

Small updates, big changes in how we relate to our devices.