What's Next in the Garmin Fenix 9?

Video Description

Instead of getting bogus rumors, let's tell Garmin what we'd like to see in the Garmin Fenix 9. ✅ *LATEST GEAR LIST: https://hikingguy.com/best-hiking-gear/ 🆘 Fall Detection Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT4FEdIsoio In this video, I’m skipping the usual Garmin Fenix 9 rumors and instead sharing practical features I’d like to see in the next Fenix release. First up is inReach integration. While the smaller watch size and battery present challenges, even basic SOS and live tracking capabilities would be a huge safety upgrade. A simplified version of inReach, perhaps with a directional antenna or integration into the watch band, could make this possible. Another key feature missing from the Fenix line is LTE connectivity. Unlike the Apple Watch Ultra, which can receive alerts like Silver and AMBER alerts without a phone, the Fenix still lacks cellular support. Adding LTE would allow real-time safety notifications, live tracking, and better emergency features like automatic incident detection routed through Garmin Response. Voice commands on the Fenix 8 were a good start but need improvement. Currently, activating them requires holding down a button, which feels slower than using the physical controls. Allowing hands-free commands—triggered by a simple wrist raise or a wake phrase like "Hey Garmin"—would make interacting with the watch more efficient, especially during activities. I’d also like to see Garmin adopt a feature from the Apple Watch: double-tap gestures to navigate through data screens. This would make it easier to move between screens without fumbling for buttons, especially in dynamic environments like running or hiking. Combined with better UI integration, like bringing navigation screens back into the main data rotation, this would streamline the user experience. Map performance is another area that needs work. While Garmin's onboard maps are among the best, scrolling often results in blank tiles that take too long to load. Whether it's a hardware upgrade for faster processing or a software tweak to simplify map details during scrolling, smoother map rendering would improve navigation significantly. Finally, Garmin should consider a trade-in program. Many other tech companies offer this, and it would provide an easy way for users to upgrade without the hassle of reselling old devices. It would also encourage more frequent upgrades, keeping users within the Garmin ecosystem. If you have suggestions of your own, leave a comment below. I’ll pass them along to my contacts at Garmin to make sure our feedback gets noticed. 00:28 Fenix inReach 01:16 Fenix LTE 02:35 Voice Commands 03:50 Double Tap 04:19 Better Navigation 04:53 Map Redraws 05:45 Fall Detection 06:26 Open Ecosystem 07:27 Garmin Trade-In ♥️ SAY THANKS: https://hikingguy.com/support-hiking-guy/ 🌎 Bucket List Hikes You Should Try: https://bit.ly/bucket-list-hikes 👀Subscribe For New Hike & Guide Videos https://www.youtube.com/@Hikingguy 👍Monthly Email For New Hike Updates: https://hikingguy.com/newsletter/ 🎆Instagram For Insider Hike Info: https://instagram.com/HikingGuy_com/ #garmin