Garmin Has Released Two New Models of Rugged Sports Watches.
Garmin just unveiled two new premium adventure smartwatches: the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro. The product announcements took place today in a live YouTube video titled ” Play Harder “—clearly borrowing the same approach Google or Apple takes when it comes to product launches.
The Garmin Fenix 9 starts at $999.99 and can go up to $1,149.99 depending on the size and color combination. The Fenix 9 Pro and Pro Solar cost between $1,099.99 and $1,249.99 depending on the size and color combination. Both models are already available on the Garmin website , and official pre-orders begin on August 28. Here’s what we know so far about these new models in the Garmin lineup.
What we know about the new Garmin Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro watches
Described as “Garmin’s most advanced training, mapping, and connectivity devices,” here are the most notable features we learned from today’s livestream highlighting the Fenix 9 and 9 Pro. Let’s start with design and style:
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Brighter AMOLED display with up to 3000 nits of brightness (for comparison, the Fenix 8’s AMOLED display is 1000 nits).
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The 51mm Pro model gets a new variant with a 1.5-inch display (larger than the 1.4-inch Fenix 8 Pro).
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The Fenix 9 Pro is the first Fenix smartwatch with a titanium case.
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New ComfortFit straps with elastic fabric base.
Here are the software updates that caught my attention:
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Garmin Epic (not to be confused with theEpix line) is a new feature in Garmin Connect that allows you to combine multiple activities and training blocks into a single, shareable story.
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New endurance tracking features, including endurance zones and an endurance curve, show athletes how their endurance changes over time.
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More information on rowing machines and expanded features for overnight backpack training (to accommodate the growing number of overnight and hybrid training enthusiasts).
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With 64GB of storage, you can download twice as many maps as with the Fenix 8 and store up to 7,000 songs.
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Built-in routable maps, according to Garmin, are “smoother and more intuitive than ever before.” With 50% more RAM than the Fenix 8, map navigation is claimed to be up to 30% faster.
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For the first time, inReach connectivity (Garmin satellite communicators) is available on all fenix 9 Pro size variants.
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The Fenix 9 Pro also features solar charging for its display.
It’s worth noting that the optical heart rate sensor hasn’t changed—it’s still the previous-generation Elevate Gen 5 sensor, so those hoping for improved sensor performance will have to wait for the next release.
What does this mean for Garmin fans?
As you’d expect these days, the high price suggests Garmin is positioning this model as an evolutionary release for its most dedicated users, rather than a sensible way for regular Fenix 8 owners to immediately upgrade their watch.
The 16% thinner titanium case could be a big plus for existing Fenix fans. However, as with any product launch, marketing demos and technical specifications only tell part of the story. Things like real-world battery life, usability, and software stability usually become clearer after a few weeks of real-world use, so stay tuned for my full review when I have the chance to test this watch.
On the plus side, with the arrival of the Fenix 9 , the price of the Fenix 8 has already dropped from $1,099.99 to $849.99 . If you don’t need a titanium case or the latest GPU, last year’s model might be a good buy today.