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Sorry Garmin - forget the Fenix 9, this Casio G-Shock pro surfer collab is the only new adventure watch I want this year

Garmin has announced the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro, set to hit shelves on Aug. 28, while Casio's surfer-focused G-Shock GBX-H5600KI-5 goes on sale now for $370. Both target outdoor enthusiasts, but they differ sharply in price, features, and design philosophy.

By Tertius News AI Desk 2 outlets · 2 articles Version 1 Coverage Aug 24–25, 2026 Published 1h ago

Two New Adventure Watches Arrive, but They Couldn't Be More Different

The adventure watch market just got a lot more interesting. Garmin has officially unveiled its next-generation Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro lineup, while Casio has launched a new surfer-themed G-Shock model that challenges the status quo. Both watches cater to athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, but they take vastly different approaches to price, features, and design.

Garmin's Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro: Specs and Availability

Garmin announced the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro via an in-depth YouTube video on Aug. 25, marking the latest evolution of its popular fitness tracker family. The standard Fenix 9, the Pro, and the Pro Solar are set to go on sale on Aug. 28, according to a report by Mashable.

The new lineup boasts a thinner design and improved durability compared to previous models, along with a built-in flashlight. One of the standout additions is Garmin Epic, a feature that lets users group multiple activities into a single cohesive story. For example, a multi-day hike or a two-day 100-mile bike ride can be combined into one overview, complete with sleep data, mileage, and its impact on endurance and stamina.

Garmin also addressed the growing popularity of rowing, especially among Hyrox athletes, by incorporating improved performance data for that sport. The Fenix 9 also includes more intuitive routable maps, making it easier to navigate trails.

The standard Fenix 9 offers up to 16 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and will retail for $999.99. The Pro and Pro Solar versions are identical in specifications except for the solar recharging capability, and notably, Garmin is not charging extra for solar. Both the Fenix 9 Pro and Pro Solar are priced at $1,099.99 in the 47mm size and $1,199.99 in the 51mm size.

The Pro models come with a brighter screen and an LED flashlight that can illuminate in white, green, or red, while the standard Fenix 9's flashlight only emits white light. They are also one gram lighter and slightly thinner than the base model. The Pro boasts up to 18 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, while the Pro Solar extends that to 34 days via solar charging. Both Pro models include the same tech upgrades as the Fenix 9, plus an endurance score and better stamina tracking.

Casio's G-Shock GBX-H5600KI-5: A Surfer's Companion

Meanwhile, Casio has just released the GBX-H5600KI-5 Kanoa Igarashi, a watch named after the Japanese-American surfer. It's now on sale in the United States for $370 (roughly £270 GBP or $515 AUD), making it significantly cheaper than most Garmin models.

This G-Shock is designed specifically for surfers. Its feature list includes a tide graph, plus moon, sunrise, and sunset information to help riders time their sessions perfectly. It also offers blood-oxygen sensors, a heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, and training load powered by Polar.

Design-wise, the watch sports a dark brown case with lavender highlights. Because of the molding process, each unit has a slightly different look, adding a unique touch. It features a MIP display with Kanoa Igarashi's signature, and the number 50 appears on the wrist strap—a reference to Igarashi's World Surf League bib code.

A Head-to-Head Comparison

The timing of these two releases is notable. Garmin's Play Harder event, where the Fenix 9 is expected to be revealed, features a surfer as its livestream cover image, hinting that the Fenix 9 may also have water sports in mind. Yet Casio's surfer-themed watch has hit shelves right before Garmin's launch, making the choice for surfers more complicated.

Price is a major differentiator. The Garmin Fenix 8, the predecessor to the Fenix 9, starts at $849.99 (or £749.99 GBP / $1,499 AUD), and the Fenix 9 is likely to be priced around $1,000 (or £1,000 GBP / $1,399 AUD), according to TechRadar. That's more than double the Casio's price.

But Garmin offers a larger AMOLED screen and a far more extensive suite of tools and metrics compared to the Casio device. For hardcore multisport athletes, trail runners, and endurance enthusiasts, the Fenix line remains the gold standard. For casual surfers or those who want a durable, affordable watch with essential water-sports features, the Casio G-Shock presents a compelling alternative.

The Bottom Line

Both watches bring fresh innovation to the table. Garmin continues to push the envelope with advanced features like the Epic activity grouping, improved rowing metrics, and solar charging options. Casio, on the other hand, proves that you don't need to spend a fortune to get a capable, purpose-built adventure watch.

The Fenix 9 and its Pro variants are scheduled to hit stores on Aug. 28, so the competition is just heating up. Whether you prioritize cutting-edge technology or value, this summer's adventure watch segment offers something for everyone.

How each outlet told it

Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC

Framing: Focuses on where to buy, release date, and launch price for the Garmin Fenix 9 and Pro, leaving out any competitive context or potential rivals. — Promotional and enthusiastic, as evidenced by phrases like 'bigger and more impressive' and 'coolest things about this.'

Facts Included:

Garmin Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro announced via an in-depth YouTube video
They feature a thinner design, better durability, built-in flashlight, and new features
Both become available to buy on Aug. 28
Garmin Epic feature groups activities into a single story, including sleep data, mileage, endurance and stamina impact
Improved performance data for rowing, particularly for Hyrox training
Added more intuitive routable maps
Standard Fenix 9 battery life up to 16 days in smartwatch mode, price $999.99
Fenix 9 Pro and Pro Solar are identical in specs except for solar recharging
Both Pro and Pro Solar cost $1,099.99 in 47mm sizes and $1,199.99 in 51mm size
Pro and Pro Solar have brighter screen and LED flashlight with white, green, or red; Fenix 9 only white
Pro and Pro Solar are one gram lighter and slightly thinner than Fenix 9
Pro battery up to 18 days; Pro Solar solar-charging lens up to 34 days
Pro and Pro Solar include same tech upgrades as Fenix 9 plus endurance score and better stamina tracking
Garmin announced lineup on Aug. 25, go on sale Aug. 28
Availability to be tracked at Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers

Read the source article →

TechRadar as of Aug 24, 2026, 7:17 PM UTC

Framing: Headline declares the Casio G-Shock pro surfer collab is the only new adventure watch the author wants, framing it as superior to the upcoming Garmin Fenix 9, leaving out any detailed comparison of features. — Opinionated and enthusiastic about Casio, with phrases like 'rain on Garmin's parade' and 'presumably much to the chagrin of Garmin,' conveying a dismissive tone toward Garmin.

Facts Included:

Casio's GBX-H5600KI-5 Kanoa Igarashi watch has gone on sale in the US for $370, roughly £270 GBP / $515 AUD
It is aimed at surfers with a range of features for the sport
Features include tide graph, moon, sunrise, sunset info, blood-oxygen sensors, heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, training load powered by Polar
Design: dark brown case with lavender highlights, each watch slightly different due to molding process, MIP display with Kanoa Igarashi's signature, number 50 on the wrist strap referencing his World Surf League bib code
Garmin's Play Harder event where Fenix 9 is expected to be revealed features a surfer as livestream cover image
Garmin Fenix 8 starts at $849.99 / £749.99 GBP / $1,499 AUD
Fenix 9 is likely to be priced around $1,000 / £1,000 GBP / $1,399 AUD
Garmin offers larger AMOLED screen and many more tools and metrics compared to Casio

Read the source article →

What was claimed, and who backed it

Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.

Claim	Confidence	Status
ClaimGarmin Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro were announced on Aug. 25.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimGarmin Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro go on sale on Aug. 28.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimGarmin Fenix 9 has a thinner design, better durability, and a built-in flashlight.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimGarmin Epic groups activities into a single story, including sleep data, mileage, and impact on endurance and stamina.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimGarmin Fenix 9 includes improved performance data for rowing, particularly for Hyrox training.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimGarmin Fenix 9 includes more intuitive routable maps.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimThe standard Garmin Fenix 9 has battery life up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and costs $999.99.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimGarmin Fenix 9 Pro and Pro Solar are identical in specs except for solar recharging.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimBoth Garmin Fenix 9 Pro and Pro Solar cost $1,099.99 in 47mm sizes and $1,199.99 in the 51mm size.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimThe Pro and Pro Solar have a brighter screen and an LED flashlight that can illuminate in white, green, or red; the Fenix 9's flashlight only displays in white.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimThe Pro and Pro Solar are one gram lighter and slightly thinner than the Fenix 9.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimThe Pro has battery life up to 18 days in smartwatch mode; the Pro Solar has up to 34 days via solar charging.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimThe Pro and Pro Solar include the same tech upgrades as the Fenix 9 plus an endurance score and better stamina tracking.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Mashable as of Aug 25, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
ClaimCasio's GBX-H5600KI-5 Kanoa Igarashi watch has gone on sale in the US for $370.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via TechRadar as of Aug 24, 2026, 7:17 PM UTC
ClaimThe Casio GBX-H5600KI-5 is aimed at surfers and includes a tide graph, moon, sunrise, sunset info, blood-oxygen sensors, heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, and training load powered by Polar.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via TechRadar as of Aug 24, 2026, 7:17 PM UTC
ClaimThe Casio GBX-H5600KI-5 has a dark brown case with lavender highlights, a MIP display with Kanoa Igarashi's signature, and the number 50 on the wrist strap referencing his World Surf League bib code; each watch looks slightly different due to the molding process.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via TechRadar as of Aug 24, 2026, 7:17 PM UTC
ClaimGarmin Fenix 8 starts at $849.99 / £749.99 GBP / $1,499 AUD.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via TechRadar as of Aug 24, 2026, 7:17 PM UTC
ClaimGarmin offers a larger AMOLED screen and many more tools and metrics than the Casio device.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via TechRadar as of Aug 24, 2026, 7:17 PM UTC
ClaimThe Garmin Fenix 9 is likely to be priced around $1,000 / £1,000 GBP / $1,399 AUD.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via TechRadar as of Aug 24, 2026, 7:17 PM UTC
ClaimThe Garmin Play Harder event, where the Fenix 9 is expected to be revealed, features a surfer as its livestream cover image.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via TechRadar as of Aug 24, 2026, 7:17 PM UTC

Transparency & Audit Trail

2 outlets · 2 articles consulted: Mashable, TechRadar 20 claims extracted Version 1 Written 2026-08-25