GoKawiilGarmin’s high-end, all-out sports watch just stepped it up. The company unveiled the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro, along with a solar-powered version of the Pro. The latter gets the first titanium case on a Fenix, pushing Garmin’s flagship even further into luxury sports watch territory.
The Fenix 9 also gets more memory and storage, better offline maps, new training tools and LTE, while the smaller 43mm Pro model gets satellite connectivity. And despite brighter displays and more horsepower, Garmin is still promising the kind of weeks-long battery life that’s become one of the Fenix’s biggest selling points.
Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro pricing and availability
The Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro are available to order starting Aug. 28. The Fenix 9 starts at $1,000, while the Fenix 9 Pro starts at $1,100, both with AMOLED displays. There’s also a solar-powered Fenix 9 Pro in 47mm and 51mm sizes, starting at $1,200.
The LTE versions of the Pro with satellite connectivity require an active subscription to inReach, Garmin’s satellite connectivity service. Its entry-level plan costs $8 a month and includes a 30-day free trial, but emergency SOS messaging remains free for up to 12 months after the trial ends. Other satellite messages may incur additional per-use charges depending on the plan.
Garmin
A brighter screen and a titanium makeover
The Fenix 9 doesn’t look dramatically different from its predecessor, but there are some important hardware upgrades, particularly to the Pro line. Both models get a brighter AMOLED display that tops out at 3,000 nits (twice as bright as the Fenix 8), and a sapphire lens for better scratch resistance.
The Pro has also traded in its polymer-based case for Garmin’s first titanium watch case, which the company says makes it thinner and lighter without sacrificing durability or screen real estate.
The 51mm Fenix 9 Pro now has a 1.5-inch AMOLED display that’s 15% larger than the Fenix 8’s while keeping the same dimensions. The Pro also adds a new green flashlight – joining the existing white and red options – to help with night vision. They all come in 43mm, 47mm and 51mm sizing options, while the solar version (which swaps the AMOLED display for a lower-power MIP display) comes in 47mm and 51mm.
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