Garmin Fenix 9: AMOLED, satellite comms optional for Pro

A finger slides the map across the display, and Garmin promises up to 30 percent more speed than the previous generation. With the Fenix 9, the manufacturer is updating its entire portfolio of outdoor watches—not just the Pro range. Orders are expected to open on August 28.

The new generation comes in three sizes: 43, 47 and 51 millimeters. All models have an AMOLED touchscreen; the Pro variants are additionally available with a MIP display, a display technology designed specifically for endurance. The 51-millimeter Pro model has a 1.5-inch AMOLED display that Garmin says is about 15 percent larger than the one on the Fenix 8. The Pro models reach brightness levels of up to 3000 cd/m². For the base model, Garmin does not give an exact brightness figure, saying only that it is twice as bright as its predecessor.

RAM has been doubled compared with the Fenix 8, while flash storage increases from 32 to 64 GByte on all watches. A flashlight with red and green light is also new. Sapphire glass is standard across the range, while a titanium case is available on the Pro models for the first time. The watches remain waterproof to 40 meters.

Garmin offers InReach as an option for the Pro variants. The technology connects via LTE, meaning cellular networks, and satellite; this enables phone calls, text messages and SOS calls to Garmin's 24/7-staffed Response emergency center. LiveTrack and the new Locate feature use LTE, while weather forecasts can be received via satellite. A smartphone does not need to be carried.

So what does this change in practice? Hikers and other outdoor users get a watch that can display maps faster and, in the Pro versions, communicate even beyond cellular network coverage. According to Garmin, battery life on the largest Fenix 9 lasts up to 29 days, or up to 31 days in smartwatch mode with the largest AMOLED display; solar models are said to last up to 57 days. Prices start at €1,000, while Pro models with InReach start at €1,200. These are manufacturer figures, not independently published measurements.