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Garmin Fenix 9: Eight Key Facts About Garmin’s Latest Watch

Garmin Fenix 9 render.

Garmin Fenix 9

Garmin

Garmin has announced the Garmin Fenix 9, the latest version of its most well-regarded adventure and running watch series.

The Garmin Fenix 9 series starts at $999.99, and comes in both standard and Pro variants, while in the past the Pro line has been released as a separate generational refresh.

In the usual Garmin fashion, there are absolutely loads of versions — 16 by my count before you even start thinking about finishes — so I’m here to pare the Fenix 9 down to the essentials.

Here are of the top facts you should know about the Fenix 9, which will be available to order from August 28.

3,000-nit Brightness (OLED) But No Garmin Fenix 9 MicroLED

OLED versions of the Garmin Fenix 9 are rated for 3,000-nit screen brightness. While this is nowadays quite a normal figure for a higher-end OLED smartwatch, it’s far higher peak brightness than the Fenix 8 line, rated at up to 1,000 nits.

This year there’s no sign of another microLED model, offered in the Fenix 8 Pro line-up. This could well be down to limited demand for that model, and that its increased bulk and cost just doesn’t justify the brightness bump offered over a 3,000-nit OLED display.

The microLED Fenix 8 Pro can reach up to 4,500 nits. Brighter, but not three times as bright like last time around.

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There’s A Solar Charging Version, With A Catch

At one point it looked like Garmin might replace all its MIP watch screens with OLEDs. But the Fenix 9 line shows there is still enough of a market for the old style: the Pro Solar models have MIP screens.

This kind of display gets clearer in bright environments rather than having to compete with them like an OLED panel. And it’s the only display style still compatible with Garmin’s solar charging tech.

The Garmin Fenix 9 Pro Solar is available in 47mm and 51mm sizes and promises the longest battery life of the whole family — at least when exposed to enough direct sunlight. With solar charging, Garmin rates the 47mm version at up to 34 days of use, the 51mm version at up 57 days.

It’s not quite the “up to 90 days” of the Garmin Enduro 3, but it’s not bad at all.

All Versions Have A Part-Titanium Casing

In the Garmin Fenix 8 generation some of the watches used part stainless steel casings. This time around, lighter titanium is the standard, and what varies is how much of Garmin’s “fiber reinforced polymer” is used in each model.

This leads to lower weight, which can help improve comfort and the reliability of heart rate readings.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro Versions Make More Use Of Titanium

The difference between the standard Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro isn’t immediately obvious. While there’s no huge feature separation between the two if you discount the option on InReach Satellite connectivity, the designs are quite different.

Standard Fenix 9 watches use a mix of titanium and “fiber reinforced polymer.” Most notably the side walls are plastic, while the bezel and the rear plate are metal.

In the Fenix 9 Pro all of the main components are titanium. And this leads to a slight shift in weight across models, with the disparity rising in the larger variants. Here are the numbers for the main watch body only:

It’s that last pair that brings a weight difference you might start to actually notice, although overall weight will also be steered by the strap. So, yes, some of you might actually prefer the 51mm standard Fenix 9 over the 51mm Fenix 9 Pro.

Full Garmin Fenix 9 Pricing details

Here’s how much you’ll pay for all the key Fenix 9 variants in the U.S..

All Pro models are available as an InReach Connectivity satellite version for an extra $100.

Satellite connectivity for Pro Garmin Fenix 9 models only

All Pro variants of the Garmin Fenix 9 are available with and without InReach Satellite connectivity. This requires an additional subscription, starting at $7.99 a month.

It’s used for LTE and satellite communication, for messages without a connected phone, LTE calls and for SOS alerts in remote locations.

InReach, while a great feature, clearly isn’t something everyone wants or needs, so it’s good you get to take it or leave it — at $100 for the hardware upgrade.

Garmin Fenix 9: Double the storage, more RAM

Garmin Fenix 8 watches and other recent high-end Garmins to date have typically had 32GB storage for on-watch maps and music. That jumps to 64GB in the Fenix 9 — more room for more maps, more music. Simple.

Garmin also says RAM has been increased too, although the company never talks at any length about these hardware elements — I expect they wouldn’t compare to what an Apple Watch Ultra uses, for example. Garmin says the additional RAM helps improve map nvaigation speed, which will be a welcome change.

Some software tweaks

There are some minor changes to the Fenix’s software feature line-up, and time will let if these drip down to existing lines.

Garmin Epic lets you corral together a bunch of activities, over “several days, weeks or months” to turn them into a shareable nugget that includes photos, health and performance data. It’s one for those walking holidays and adventure expeditions.

Indoor rowing has been improved too. To use Garmin’s own words, you get additional insights “like VO2 Max and power curve, to evaluate progress, set goals and dial in the intensity of workouts.”

The Garmin Fenix 9 series watches will be available to order from August 28.