Garmin has updated its flagship outdoor smartwatch with the new Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro bringing brighter displays, faster mapping and new endurance-focused features.
The Fenix 9 gets an AMOLED display that Garmin says is twice as bright as its predecessor, while the Fenix 9 Pro adds a titanium case, a display reaching up to 3,000 nits and optional inReach satellite and LTE connectivity.
Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing, says the watches are "purpose-built for those who want to perform better and venture farther."
The watches are aimed squarely at endurance athletes and outdoor adventurers, with features that should appeal to cyclists and runners in particular.
The new smartwatches are available in 43mm, 47mm and 51mm case sizes, with the Fenix 9 starting at £859.99 / $999.99 for the 43mm and 47mm variants and topping out at £949.99 / $1,099 for the 51mm size.
The Fenix 9 Pro and Fenix 9 Pro Solar are priced at £949.99 / $1,099.99 for the 43mm and 47mm, and the 51mm case size costs £1,029.99 / $1,199.99.
Brighter displays and faster maps
The Fenix 9's AMOLED display is designed to improve readability in bright conditions, while Garmin has increased the watch's RAM by 50% compared to the Fenix 8.
An updated map engine is claimed to make panning around maps up to 30% faster, with a new perspective view showing more detail both close to the user and further ahead on a route.
Storage has also doubled to 64GB, with Garmin saying this should enable users to download twice as many maps and store up to 7,000 songs.
The watch also introduces Garmin Epic, which allows users to combine multiple activities into a single story in Garmin Connect.
This could be useful for multi-day events, bike tours or training blocks, bringing activities, health data and photos together into what is essentially one activity.
Garmin has also introduced new stamina zones and a stamina curve, designed to show how endurance changes over time and help athletes understand the impact of training and fitness gains.
Titanium case
The range-topping Fenix 9 Pro comes with a titanium case, using Garmin's nano-moulding technology to combine metal and plastic.
The Pro's AMOLED display reaches up to 3,000 nits, while the 51mm model gets a 1.5-inch display – Garmin's largest-ever Fenix screen.
The brand says the larger display increases viewing area by 15% without increasing the case size.
Solar-charging versions are available, while the integrated LED flashlight gains a green-light mode intended to preserve night vision.
The Pro also introduces built-in inReach connectivity to the Fenix range, with compatible models able to make calls, send messages and trigger SOS alerts without a phone.
For the first time, Garmin is offering inReach-enabled versions across all three Pro case sizes.
The LTE connectivity can also provide location sharing through Garmin Messenger, while satellite connectivity can deliver weather forecasts directly to the watch.
Garmin claims up to 29 days of smartwatch battery life for the largest Fenix 9, while the 51mm Fenix 9 Pro is rated for up to 31 days.
Solar versions can stretch this to as much as 57 days under Garmin's specified conditions.
