Garmin brings dozens of new features and improvements to flagship smartwatch with major update release

Garmin has just released a new stable update for the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro (curr. $1,299 on Amazon). Covered separately, System Software 6.74 claims to apply multiple unspecified bug fixes for the company's latest flagship smartwatches.

Now, Garmin has returned to its Beta Program with a new update for the Fenix 9 series. Previously, the company offered Beta Version 7.13 to the Enduro 4 and what it described as the 'Fenix 9 family'. This time, it has pivoted to the Fenix 9 Pro only with the release of Beta Version 7.14.

In a forum post, Garmin asserts that all Fenix 9 Pro smartwatches enrolled on its Beta Program should have now received a notification to download Beta Version 7.14. If that has not occurred yet, then you can manually request Beta Version 7.14 by tapping 'Check for Updates' after navigating through the main menu to Settings, System and Software Update.

Please note that updating the Fenix 9 Pro to Beta Version 7.14 will disable Dive and ECG functionality. While Garmin indicates that these features will return later in this beta cycle, it has not confirmed exactly when. As far as we can tell, the Fenix 9 Pro has received the same 35 changes as the Enduro 4 and the regular Fenix 9. Garmin's official changelog is as follows:

• Adds distance editing to XC Ski Indoor and Indoor Cycling Activity Profiles.
• Adds first time tip to power modes.
• Adds Pack Weight and Pack Weight Calorie Burn Rate post activity cards to walking and running sports.
• Adds smooth second hand setting to some watch faces.
• Adds timeout setting to flashlight quick control.
• Fixes blank item in map layers menu.
• Fixes course preview not showing with TopoActive and OSM maps enabled.
• Fixes Epic Course Card not appearing in Activity Stage.
• Fixes heart rate reading dropouts in ArcheryX.
• Fixes incoming call or app notification playing sound in silent mode.
• Fixes incorrect vehicle sometimes drawing on map.
• Fixes issue where entering CIQ watch face menu caused lag.
• Fixes issue where Running Stamina displayed "Maximum Zone" when the user's heart rate is below the lowest zone.
• Fixes issue where weather data might not display when hitting outages.
• Fixes issue with strength weight edit when using buttons.
• Fixes issues with map north arrow placement.
• Fixes keyboard icon in settings menu (Solar devices only).
• Fixes player 2's score not being displayed in the round info page.
• Fixes potential shutdown when changing sports.
• Fixes potential shutdown when enabling HR Broadcast from Garmin Connect.
• Fixes potential shutdown when selecting activity data screens.
• Fixes potential shutdown when starting HIIT activity.
• Fixes potential shutdown when switching Spotify playlists.
• Fixes potential shutdown when using ClimbPro in Run activity.
• Fixes potential shutdown when downloading Outdoor Maps+ content.
• Fixes potential shutdown when pressing the back button a lot in the music app.
• Fixes potential shutdown when searching for points of interest.
• Fixes progress bar drawing in the LineMusic app.
• Fixes satellite icon drawing (Solar devices only).
• Fixes satellite settings not updating when changing Power Mode in Activity Stage Menu.
• Improved responsiveness in Epic app.
• Improved World Timer watch face.
• Improvements made to Golf shot detection.
• Improvements to Indoor Row activity.
• Updated translations.