Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro Review: Premium Smartwatches With a Touch of Galaxy Magic
Samsung has long been a dominant force in the smartwatch market, and their latest offerings, the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, aim to cement their position at the top. These devices, built specifically for Android users, promise flagship-grade performance, a host of features, and the power of Wear OS 3.5 combined with Samsung’s OneUI Watch 4.5 interface. But do they truly deliver on that promise? Let’s dive in and find out.
Design and Specifications: A Premium Feel With Two Distinct Styles
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro share many similarities, but their subtle design differences cater to different preferences. The Galaxy Watch 5 comes in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm, with a round 1.4-inch Super AMOLED display sporting a resolution of 450×450 pixels on both versions. While the Watch 5 Pro also boasts a 1.4-inch Super AMOLED display with the same resolution, its larger dial and thicker case give it a more substantial feel.
The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, at 46.5g, is considerably heavier than the 33.5g Galaxy Watch 5. This weight difference is attributed to the materials used; the Pro version utilizes a titanium case, lending it a premium and robust aesthetic, while the standard Watch 5 boasts an aluminium case. Both watches feel comfortable to wear, with the Galaxy Watch 5 offering a lighter, more comfortable fit, and the Watch 5 Pro exuding a sense of solidity and premium quality.
Both smartwatches share similar features on the sides: two physical buttons and microphones on the right, and a speaker grille on the left. The undersides feature optical sensors for health and fitness tracking, though the plastic’s finishing differs slightly. Both devices are 5ATM water-resistant.
One notable change on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro is the absence of the rotating bezel, a popular feature on previous Galaxy Watch models. This is replaced with a ‘digital’ bezel that replicates the scrolling functionality, allowing you to navigate quickly by dragging your finger across the edge of the screen. Haptic feedback is incorporated to simulate the physical rotation experience.
Both watches come with replaceable 20mm silicone straps. The included straps perfectly complement the dial and lugs, making them ideal for daily use. The Galaxy Watch 5 uses a simple buckle-based fastening system, while the Watch 5 Pro features a more complex, magnetic clasp that requires a bit more effort to adjust. While the magnetic clasp feels more refined and is easier to use once adjusted, initial tightening can be challenging.
In terms of specifications, both devices leverage Bluetooth 5.2 for connectivity and are powered by an unspecified 1.18GHz dual-core processor paired with 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of built-in storage (7.5GB available for users). Both also include dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS, and NFC. The Galaxy Watch 5 has a 410mAh battery, whereas the Watch 5 Pro boasts a larger 590mAh battery.
Software, Interface, and App: The Best of Wear OS and Samsung Combined
The collaboration between Samsung and Google in the wearables space continues to evolve, and the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro benefit from the latest advancements. They run Wear OS 3.5 with Samsung’s own OneUI Watch 4.5 interface layered on top. This system requires the Galaxy Wearable app for setup and management, unlike the standard Wear OS app. This setup also limits functionality to Android devices only, as iOS users don’t have access to the necessary apps.
However, this limitation also sets the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro apart from other Wear OS devices, in a positive way. They effectively combine the best aspects of both platforms — the wide app support and excellent Google app suite for smartwatches, alongside Samsung’s well-refined and visually appealing user interface, honed through years of development.
The interface is intuitive, easy to navigate, and visually pleasing. Its familiarity will be appreciated by those accustomed to Samsung’s Tizen-based smartwatches, Wear OS, or even older Android Wear devices.
While most pre-installed apps are Samsung’s creations, users can access the Google Play store for Wear OS to download and install a vast array of apps, including Google Maps, Keep, YouTube Music, Shazam, Flightradar, Strava, and many more.
Health and fitness tracking relies on the Samsung Health app, both on the smartwatches and the smartphone. Users can also opt for the Google Fit app on both devices, but Samsung Health’s data presentation was found to be more appealing. The Galaxy Wearable app allows users to create ‘Tiles’ for quick access to various functions and features, including tiles from Samsung Health and supported apps like Google Keep and Microsoft Outlook.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro boasts additional software features not present on the Galaxy Watch 5, such as Track Back, a GPS-based guidance feature for outdoor treks, and post-cardio exercise recovery tracking and guidance. Excluding these Pro-exclusive features, the software experience remains largely identical on both devices.
Performance and Battery Life: Powerful Connectivity and Long-Lasting Power
As expected from premium devices within this price segment, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro deliver a comprehensive, holistic smartwatch experience. This includes standalone apps with full functionality, the ability to place and receive calls via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or LTE, and the ability to respond to certain notifications directly from the smartwatch.
Everything operates as intended, showcasing the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro as complete wrist-worn devices with independent capabilities, moving beyond being mere mirror screens for smartphones with limited app functionality, like many affordable smartwatches. Connectivity proved stable throughout testing, and all core functions worked without any issues.
Most functions rely on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for operation, particularly for users keeping their smartphone and smartwatch in close proximity. However, LTE connectivity offers flexibility for those who need to occasionally leave their smartphone behind while still being able to place calls or view and respond to notifications.
The fitness tracking performance on both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro was highly impressive. While both devices utilize similar tracking hardware, it was surprising to find slight discrepancies in the recorded data. The Watch 5 registered 1,007 steps when manually counting 1,000 steps, while the Watch 5 Pro recorded 997 steps – a negligible difference with an error margin of less than one percent for both devices.
Interestingly, there was a minor discrepancy between the step count recorded by the Samsung Health app and the steps recorded during a specific workout. GPS tracking slightly overestimated the distance walked during an outdoor walk, but the difference was negligible. Heart rate tracking was consistently accurate on both watches, regardless of movement. Sleep tracking proved decent, offering valuable insights into both sleep duration and quality.
Blood oxygen tracking was also accurate, but achieving a complete reading proved challenging. Manual readings require sitting with the arm in a specific position, resulting in frequent failed attempts despite adherence to instructions. When successful, the readings matched those obtained from a pulse oximeter. These devices can also measure body composition through a simple test, though accuracy could not be independently verified.
Battery life on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro varies due to the differing battery capacities. The Galaxy Watch 5 lasted approximately 1 day and 15 hours on a single charge, while the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro stretched to 2 days and 3 hours, under similar usage conditions. This performance is impressive given the devices’ features, and charging is swift with the included magnetic chargers.
Verdict: Powerful, Versatile, and Worth Considering
Samsung’s rich experience in the smartwatch domain shines through in the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. They stand out as some of the best premium smartwatches available, offering a fully-fledged smartwatch experience, precise fitness tracking, and excellent connectivity options. The combination of Wear OS and Samsung OneUI Watch further solidifies their position in the segment.
A few drawbacks exist: the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro are only compatible with Android smartphones, and blood oxygen tracking can be a bit cumbersome. However, these smartwatches are capable, adaptable devices well worth considering if you rely on an Android device as your primary smartphone.
Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro depends on your budget and priorities. The Galaxy Watch 5 offers superior value for money starting at Rs. 27,999, whereas the Watch 5 Pro feels a bit overpriced. However, the Watch 5 Pro’s exceptional build quality and extended battery life justify the higher starting price (Rs. 44,999 and above), especially for those seeking the LTE model.
