Garmin's new Fenix 9 Pro smartwatch is twice as bright as the previous gen - here's how they compare

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The Garmin Fenix 8 has been one of my favorite sports watches of the past few years, which is why I was excited to hear about the news of the new Garmin Fenix 9 and 9 Pro watches, available on August 28th.

The Fenix series is built for those who want it all in a sports watch -- and don't mind paying over $1,000 to get there. Given the capabilities of the Fenix line, you can even choose models that let you leave your phone behind, justifying the high price for some users.

Also: I tested the best sports watches in 2026: Here are the latest and greatest watches, no matter your budget

Garmin's new lineup features the Fenix 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro Solar . The Fenix 9 and 9 Pro have bright AMOLED displays, while the Pro Solar has a solar charging glass display with MIP technology for longer battery life and the ability to charge while outside.

Let's take a closer look at how the Fenix 9 Pro stacks up to the Fenix 8 Pro , now that I have spent two years with it on my wrist.

1.5-inch AMOLED, 466x466 pixels, 3000 nits