Garmin has launched the Fenix 9, a new and updated version of its flagship smartwatch.The Fenix line is marketed as being for “serious athletes and adventurers”, though it also represents the most expensive and high-end product in Garmin's main line-up. As such, it tends to be the product through which the company shows off its newest and most advanced features.This time around, the update brings a dramatically improved screen – which Garmin says is twice as bright as the previous Fenix 8 – as well as new training tools and better maps. But it also brings a first look at Garmin’s new “Epic” feature, aimed at making it easier to share long adventures.The new training tools appear relatively iterative when compared with the previous Fenix 8, which was released in August 2024. Garmin pointed to better tracking of stamina and endurance to understand how much energy a user might have to give to an exercise, and improved tracking of rowing activities that can now give a better picture of someone’s fitness.Garmin also pointed to the better maps that are included in the device. It said that routing will now be “smoother and more intuitive” thanks to the changes.The “Epic” feature appeared to be primarily focused on collating and sharing activities after they are done, and on the phone, though it includes changes on the device, too. Garmin pointed to the example of someone undertaking a long hike, and stitching together the activities so that friends and followers can see one big map and details of a trip.As Garmin’s flagship watch, the Fenix 9 also benefits from all the exercise features that the company has brought to its recent watches. That includes detailed activity tracking, precise location data during activities, and fitness and wellness features that aim to provide feedback both before and after activities.It also benefits from Garmin’s wellness tools, such as energy burn through the day, as well as smartwatch features including notifications from the phone, a microphone and speaker to talk to virtual assistants such as Siri, and integration with other apps such as WhatsApp and Spotify.The Fenix 9 will be available to order on 28 August. It starts at £849 in the UK, all the way up to £1,200 for the largest, pro version with Garmin’s satellite messaging features and solar charging.The watch had been scheduled to launch in a live event at noon UK time. But on Tuesday morning, details of the Fenix 9 were posted to Garmin's official website.