Garmin has unveiled its new Fenix 9 line of rugged smartwatches, introducing brighter OLED displays, faster mapping and a suite of new fitness and health-tracking software features. The launch matters for outdoor and fitness enthusiasts as it brings meaningful hardware and software upgrades over the previous generation, alongside a new solar-charging option promising exceptionally long battery life for the higher-end model.

The base Fenix 9 starts at $999.99 for the 43mm case, offering a display up to 3,000 nits (twice as bright as its predecessor), 50 percent more RAM, an upgraded map engine, a sapphire lens and 64GB of storage, plus new features such as "Garmin Epic" for aggregating workout data and expanded rucking tools. The pricier Fenix 9 Pro starts at $1,099.99, adds a titanium case, optional InReach satellite or LTE connectivity for an extra $100 plus a $7.99 monthly subscription, and a larger 1.5-inch display on its biggest variant. The 47mm and 51mm Pro models also offer solar charging, claimed to enable up to 57 days of battery life under specific outdoor light conditions. The full Fenix 9 range goes on sale from 28 August.