Expectations around Garmin's next-generation flagship, the Fenix 9, are growing. Although we don't yet know the official parameters, recently filed patents and registered trademarks provide a clearer idea of the direction in which development is heading.
1. Muscle Battery: A New Level of Performance Tracking
One of the most interesting leaks is the trademark registration for “Muscle Battery.” Unlike the existing Body Battery feature, which tracks overall body energy, Muscle Battery is said to be specifically focused on muscle fatigue and recovery. The information also suggests that it could be a broader ecosystem. It is possible that it will not be fully reliant on sensors in the watch, but will require an external sensor pro achievement maximal accuracy.
From Garmin's perspective, this would actually make a lot of sense. It allows the company to expand its performance ecosystem without compromising the design of the watch itself, while also giving serious athletes access to more specialized data. It's entirely possible that the device will be the upcoming Garmin CIRQA wristband, which is expected to hit the market before Fenix 9.
2. Advanced biometric sensors
Garmin has patented technologies that suggest it is working to measure entirely new health metrics using pulsed spectroscopy. Although these technologies are patent pending, their full integration directly into the model is pro The year 2026 may not be a hundredprocent guaranteed. Potential innovations include:
- Long-term blood sugar monitoring: Patents describe methods pro estimation of glycated hemoglobin.
- Hydration and hematocrit: Another area is monitoring hydration levels (you can currently enter them manually) and the proportion of red blood cells in the blood.
- Tissue oxygenation: More accurate estimation of tissue oxygen saturation.
3. Revolution in antenna design
We have already informed you about this. in a separate articleRecent patent applications point to a fundamental change in the design of the antenna system. Instead of fixed internal antennas, Garmin could use the body of the watch itself (bezel, bottom bezel, and other conductive elements) as the active antenna components.
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This system would dynamically switch functions between different parts of the watch body as needed – pro GNSS (GPS), LTE or even satellite communication. The result could be better signal reception in difficult conditions and saving space inside the watch body.
4. Solar charging + AMOLED
As for hardware, we learned about a Garmin patent last year that combines solar charging with an AMOLED display. If the company can find a way to do it without a computer, it could be a great idea.proof the image sharpness, it could finally eliminate theprobetween the bright and vibrant AMOLED display and the longer battery life of the solar panels variant. It would certainly mean the definitive death of MIP display technology, proThat would eliminate their only advantage.
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5. Crown instead of button
Another patent application suggests a magnetic rotating crown (which, for example, Apple Watch), which uses a Hall sensor instead of a traditional physical shaft. This would make map zooming and menu navigation feel much smoother, while also avoiding another hole in the case. However, it's more likely to appear on something like the new model Venu 5 than just Fenix 9. But if Garmin wanted to do something different, it could increase the popularity of the line even more, prowhich, both in terms of design and ease of use, has been stagnant for years.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Garmin Venu X1
Expected launch
Based on previous cycles, it is expected that with the launch of its main proGarmin is targeting the second half of 2026 for the 2026 model. But it will probably want to get ahead of the new generation Apple Watch (u Galaxy Watch9 ton nestimmediately), proWe can look forward to the end of August or the beginning of September.
Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Garmin Fenix 8
What I personally enjoy most about this is the shift from "how much energy I have overall" to what's actually happening in my muscles. If the Muscle Battery works as the patents suggest, it could finally be the tool that stops people from "crashing" in the first half of their workout.
Plus, the idea that the entire body of the watch acts as one big antenna is technically brilliant – if it improves GPS stability in dense forest or between buildings, that would be great. pro a bigger draw for the outdoor community than any new health metric. It looks like Garmin is not just trying to make a minor evolution with the 9, but a pretty bold leap. However, it should be remembered that I am basing this on an analysis of patents and available leaks as of April 2026. Final specifications protherefore, the ducts may still differ.
The application offers me an update when I start it, but after confirming it redirects me to store where there is no update! And if I refuse the update, the application closes and cus...
If there is no MIP display, I'm done with Garmin. I don't intend to proStaring at a blank, switched off display.
For me – 3rd and 6th fall, for me – 2nd and 4th fall 🙂
And the season of unconfirmed information begins again. 🤣