Garmin Fenix 9 Pro

Where reviewers disagree

• ±Battery life · 2 positive, 3 negative, 2 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • Lifehacker Australia — positive: Garmin rates the Fenix 9 Pro Solar at up to 34 days in smartwatch mode with 3 hours of sun a day; charging from dead to full took under an hour in her testing.
  • OutdoorMonster — mixed: Translated from German: The 47 mm Fenix 9 Pro is rated up to 18 days in smartwatch mode against 30 for the Amazfit, and Garmin only pulls ahead in the battery-saver GPS mode at up to 87 hours.
  • DC Rainmaker — negative: On a 47mm Fenix 9 Pro inReach set to Auto, he got around 5ish days with roughly 1-2 hours of GPS workout time a day, which he calls slightly short of the official Garmin claim.
  • IMTEST — mixed: Translated from German: The Fenix 9 Pro lasts up to 18 days in smartwatch mode, two days more than the Fenix 8, but with always-on display it manages only around seven to eight days.
  • Runner's World — positive: I have charged this thing exactly once in three weeks, and that was during a stretch where I wasn't getting outside much; the solar top-up keeps the tank full enough.
  • TechRadar — negative: My battery lost 17% during my first two-hour hike, which was a little shocking; in regular use she expects a weekly charge, and every other day on a multi-day trek.
  • tek.no — negative: Translated from Norwegian: That this watch doesn't last more than 10 days we honestly find a bit disappointing, especially since the 51 mm version promises 31 days and the Solar variant 57.

• ±LTE and satellite connectivity · 3 positive, 2 negative, 2 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • ZDNET — positive: LTE and satellite support with affordable inReach plans; Garmin offers a reasonable starting plan at $7.99 per month, and that includes unlimited LTE support.
  • OutdoorMonster — mixed: Translated from German: inReach is a clear advantage over the Amazfit, but Garmin's new satellite link runs on geostationary Skylo satellites covering mainly North America and Europe, about 50 km offshore.
  • DC Rainmaker — negative: The inReach on the watch is very different and lesser than the normal Garmin inReach devices: it's slow, cumbersome and finicky, and none of the LTE or satellite pieces are free long-term.
  • IMTEST — negative: Translated from German: Skylo covers only North America and Europe, each to about 50 km off the coast; for a smartwatch aimed at adventurers with inReach in its name, that is weak.
  • Runner's World — positive: inReach gives you satellite SOS, two-way messaging and LiveTrack, and none of it needs the phone. For a trail runner routinely out of cell range, it is the reason I feel okay running alone.
  • TechRadar — mixed: inReach means she can reach emergency response from almost anywhere, but only through the Garmin Messenger app, and Garmin's own product lead admits the brand lags Apple here.
  • tek.no — positive: Translated from Norwegian: With the inReach version and an active subscription you can send messages and call home without the phone, and text messages go by satellite when mobile coverage disappears entirely.

• ±Health and training sensors · 1 positive, 1 negative, 3 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • ZDNET — mixed: VO2 Max support for indoor rowing is new, but his Hydrow lacks power-meter support, so manually entering power data in Garmin Connect was not enough to show the VO2 Max gauge.
  • DC Rainmaker — mixed: The Gen5 optical HR sensor continues to be one of the most accurate on the market, and certainly so at its 1-second update frequency; Garmin still has no passive Afib detection.
  • IMTEST — negative: Translated from German: The pulse sensor is good, but not flawless: in our tests at low temperatures there are repeated inaccuracies and occasionally even dropouts during training.
  • Runner's World — positive: The metrics that matter most to me are the ECG app and Pulse Ox; taking an ECG off her wrist whenever something feels off, then sending it to her cardiologist, removed a category of worry.
  • TechRadar — neutral: The Fenix 9 Pro has all the same sensors as its predecessor, and after testing the two on the same run she is confident the readings were all virtually identical.
  • tek.no — mixed: Translated from Norwegian: We don't know for sure whether all the different phases are correct, but at least the times for falling asleep and waking up are reasonably reliable, and the morning report is easy to read.

• ±Software and app · 1 positive, 4 negative, 1 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • ZDNET — neutral: Another new software feature is called Garmin Epic, and it groups multi-day adventures into a story in Garmin Connect; he had not had a chance to test it across a period of activities.
  • OutdoorMonster — positive: Translated from German: Garmin Connect is noticeably more mature, with more depth of evaluation, a large third-party store through Connect IQ and links to Strava, TrainingPeaks and Komoot.
  • DC Rainmaker — negative: Bugs on production firmware: missing stress score, an Endurance Score that vanishes and returns, Garmin Epic errors, broken map sync through Garmin Express on macOS, and multiple crashes.
  • IMTEST — negative: Translated from German: The system runs only through Garmin's own service with no regular phone number or eSIM, contacts do not sync automatically, and music or podcast streaming over mobile data is impossible.
  • Runner's World — negative: There's a real, noticeable lag when you start or stop a run, somewhere between a half second and a full second, that the Fenix 8 did not have; runner-in-chief Jeff Dengate calls it super annoying.
  • TechRadar — mixed: Garmin Epic is a very fun, if non-essential, feature that she genuinely loves, but Garmin Connect and Garmin Messenger still are not integrated into one app.
  • tek.no — negative: Translated from Norwegian: We pointed out slow response times on the Fenix 8 Pro and unfortunately have to report that we still experience this with this variant, from the home screen into running and start/stop.

• ±Value · 1 positive, 4 negative, 2 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • ZDNET — negative: The con list reads Expensive and Doesn't include newest fabric QuickFit band; he bought the $59.99 ComfortFit band himself and would like two bands at this price.
  • OutdoorMonster — mixed: Translated from German: The Fenix 9 Pro starts at 1,100 euros against 549.90 for the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2, and whether the extra depth is worth 500 euros is a decision only the buyer can make.
  • DC Rainmaker — positive: They've maintained the choice aspect of the Fenix lineup, done so without increasing the prices over previous crazy-pants prices, and delivered on most of the features people wanted.
  • IMTEST — negative: Translated from German: For owners of a Fenix 8 or Fenix 8 Pro the purchase is hardly worth it; the Fenix 8 is currently the better decision at around 620 euros street.
  • Runner's World — mixed: The value is obvious if you want the solar battery and MiP display, but if you don't like MiP and don't need inReach, the less pricey ponies in the line will serve you just fine.
  • TechRadar — negative: An Editor's Choice badge and 5/5 for Features and Performance sit beside Value 4/5 and a verdict that the price tag is at best aspirational.
  • tek.no — negative: Translated from Norwegian: Slimmer and faster, but lead-heavy for the wallet: for well over 13,000 kroner we expect battery life, and Suunto rivals with AMOLED last twice as long.