Deep Dive Digest #24: Fenix 9 Launch – Hardware & Features Deep Dives and the Questions That Remain
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This issue covers August’s Fenix 9 launch from every angle: full comparisons between base and Pro, the component-by-component differences beyond the specs between the two models, and a buying guide across base, Pro, Solar and inReach variants. The map engine is faster. It still lags by one to two seconds. That is the honest summary of where Fenix 9 sits relative to the field – ahead of almost everything, not ahead of everything.
Six headline features arrive with the Fenix 9 and are explained in detail on site: Stamina Curve and Stamina Zones, Epic multi-day activity recording, Rowing FTP and VO2max, Locate, ArcheryX and the Rucking update. A first for Garmin: Most existing Garmin owners will receive the software elements of these updates.
In other news: RayNeo’s iO Smart Glasses ship 4 September at $479 on a 33-gram frame with a microLED HUD, confirming the technology Garmin has been rumoured to pursue is now commercially feasible at consumer price points. WHOOP has added the Galleri cancer screening blood test without requiring a membership. Oura’s science director has responded to a lawsuit challenging its sleep stage accuracy claims – the 79%, 88%, 95% and 53% figures are examined. And a detailed review of blood pressure watches in 2026 identifies what actually works and what remains optical guesswork.
Garmin Fenix 9 vs Fenix 8: Which to Buy, and Base vs Pro, Solar or inReach
The Garmin Fenix 9 comes as base, Pro, Solar and inReach across three sizes. The differences that matter when choosing, and what changed from the Fenix 8.
Garmin Stamina Curve and Stamina Zones Explained
Garmin Stamina Curve shows how long you can sustain different running paces or cycling power outputs. Stamina Zones divide that into five personalised effort ranges for real-time training control. How both features work, their limitations, and how they extend Real-Time Stamina.
Garmin Epic – new feature explained
Garmin Epic combines multiple activities, health data, photos and notes into one record of a multi-day adventure. How it works on your watch and in Garmin Connect, use cases for hiking trips, stage races, training camps and ski holidays, and key limits.
Garmin HUD MicroLED: RayNeo Proves the Tech Is Now Feasible
RayNeo’s iO Smart Glasses ship September 4 at $479, on a 33-gram frame with a microLED waveguide display. This site flagged the same tech for a Garmin HUD comeback in February. RayNeo just proved it works at consumer price and weight.
Blood Pressure Watches 2026: What Actually Works
Apple, Samsung, Oura, Whoop, and a wave of new cuffless rings all claim to track blood pressure from your wrist. Only two products in this comparison actually measure it. Here’s which is which, and what’s worth buying.
WHOOP Adds Galleri Cancer Test, Advanced Labs Open to All
WHOOP now sells GRAIL’s Galleri blood test without a membership, putting a cancer screening result in the same app as your recovery and sleep data. The sensitivity numbers behind the headline claim are more mixed than the marketing suggests.
Garmin’s Wearable Strategy For New Categories Looks Good
Counterpoint forecasts more than $1 trillion in wearables revenue to 2032, growing on value not volume. Garmin’s CIRQA band, the leaked ring and a possible glasses return each map onto the fastest-growing categories.
Garmin Fenix 9 – All you need to know
Garmin Fenix 9 – A complete list of everything
Fenix 9 vs. Fenix 9 Pro: A Component-by-Component Hardware Comparison
Garmin confirms 64GB storage, brighter displays and a titanium Fenix 9 Pro case. DC Rainmaker confirms a newer Pro chip. The heart rate sensor and GPS stay unchanged. A component-by-component breakdown of what’s confirmed, assumed, and still pending a teardown.
Garmin Rucking Update – New Feature Explained
Garmin Rucking Update – New Feature Explained Garmin confirmed the rucking update in its fēnix 9 launch video. Six additions to rucking are included as part of the wider Garmin platform update, alongside the new Garmin Epic and indoor rowing features. Rucking has been part of the Fenix line since…
Garmin Locate Explained – It’s not LiveTrack
Garmin Locate lets a contact request your Fenix 9 Pro location through the Garmin Messenger app without you starting a LiveTrack session. LTE only, inReach plan required. How it differs from LiveTrack.
Garmin ArcheryX – Fenix 9’s new feature Explained
ArcheryX is Garmin’s new compound bow activity on the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro. It tracks bow arm movement, hold steadiness in minutes of angle, aim trace, shot execution time and biometrics. How it works, what it measures, and what it replaces.
Garmin Fenix 9 Pro – Every Detail
Garmin Fenix 9 Pro – A complete list of features
Oura’s Sleep Stage Accuracy: Its Science Director Confirms Claims
A lawsuit challenges Oura’s sleep-stage accuracy claims. Here’s what the 79%, 88%, 95% and 53% figures actually mean, and how they compare across the wearable industry.
new 13spd Shimano Dura-Ace R9300 leaked: still semi-wireless
A new Shimano Dura-Ace groupset has been spotted at the Vuelta a España. It moves to 13-speed, keeps alloy cranks and a semi-wireless layout, and adds a redesigned shifter button.
What is the fastest watch over a Half Marathon
Yomif Kejelcha ran 56:51 for the half marathon world record in Buenos Aires with a device on each wrist. Why an elite runs an Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro and a Whoop at the same time, and what the two very different trackers were each doing.
100m in 9.32 secs: Usain Bolt’s World Record Smashed…by a robot
Honor’s humanoid robot Lightning ran 100 metres in 9.32 seconds, beating Usain Bolt’s world record. The time comes from Chinese state media during a preparatory test ahead of the Beijing robot games.
Blood Pressure Watches 2026: What Actually Works
Apple, Samsung, Oura, Whoop, and a wave of new cuffless rings all claim to track blood pressure from your wrist. Only two products in this comparison actually measure it. Here’s which is which, and what’s worth buying.
Garmin CIRQA firmware 2.50: which heart rate bug does it fix?
Garmin has released CIRQA firmware 2.50, with a changelog that only says “improvements to OHR.” Here’s why that’s more likely to fix the sensor’s dropout bugs than the interval accuracy lag this site found in testing.
Fenix 9 features will pass to existing Garmin watches
Garmin confirms Fenix 9 software, Epic, Stamina zones, rucking and rowing updates, will pass to the Fenix 8 series, Forerunner 970/570 and other existing watches.
The Deep Dive Podcast
Listen to one of our recent discussions on the Deep Dive podcast – EP58 Garmin’s Tricky Wellness Accuracy Task With Wrist Based Accuracy (Ft. AI Insights)
Browse every edition in the Deep Dive Digest archive.
Previous edition: Deep Dive Digest #23
Last Updated on 28 August 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — A small keyring adapter you can use anywhere. Essential when away. I use one.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
- Ravemen FR300 — Front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
- Body Glide – The blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
- Maurten — The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — A radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Wahoo. I use this model.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
- Garmin Forerunner 970 — A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Polar H10 — My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 — The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
