The Galaxy Watch launched today, so it’s time for a review! We previously covered leaked rumours about the Galaxy Watch 5, but now that we have it in the office, it’s time for a proper hands-on review. What new features does the Watch 5 offer?
Design
The first thing that stands out when unboxing the Watch 5 is its design. Notably, it lacks the rotatable bezel previously used to navigate the watch. The rest of the design mirrors the Watch 4, featuring a sleek look with two physical buttons on the side.
You can still navigate digitally, but we find this less effective than the physical bezel. The touchscreen is responsive and works well for control.
The back of the Watch 5 has a slightly different shape. Samsung claims this improves the accuracy of sensor data, and it includes a new sensor, detailed later in the blog.
We received the 40mm Watch 5 in silver and the Watch 5 Pro in black, but below are the other available colours. Some colours are specific to certain models, and the strap colour depends on the case you choose.
The purple silicone strap with the silver 40mm looks good, but we swapped it for a Milanese band for a more luxurious look. We found the black, grey, green, and pink straps best suited the silver Watch 5.
Of course, you’ll find many other stylish Galaxy Watch 5 straps in our online store, perfect for any occasion.
Specifications
An overview of the specifications:
| Watch 5 (40mm) | Watch 5 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 40 mm x 40 mm x 9.8 mm | 45 mm x 45mm x 10.5 mm |
| Weight | 28.7 grams | 46.5 grams |
| Display | 1.4 inch Super AMOLED, Sapphire crystal | 1.4 inch Super AMOLED, Sapphire crystal |
| Resolution | 450 x 450 pixels (321 ppi) | 450 x 450 pixels (321 ppi) |
| Memory | 16 GB storage, 1.5 GB RAM | 16 GB storage, 1.5 GB RAM |
| Battery | 284 mAh | 590 mAh |
| GPS | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| NFC | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Build | Armor Aluminium | Titanium |
We notice some differences between the Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro. The Pro offers a significantly larger battery and a titanium case, though this increases weight, potentially affecting comfort and sensor accuracy.
[PHOTO: 5 and 5 Pro]
Both the Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro feature a new Sapphire crystal glass that protects against scratches and damage. The display is bright with high resolution.
The difference between the Watch 5 40mm and Watch 5 44mm lies in dimensions, with a slightly larger battery (284 mAh vs. 410 mAh) and weight (28.7 grams vs. 33.5 grams).
First Impressions
With the Watch 5, it seems Samsung has really mastered the smartwatch game. Upgrades from the Watch 4 are modest but address some criticisms, like battery life.
Samsung claims a 10-hour battery improvement, bringing it to 50 hours. With the Always-On Display on all day and some GPS or fitness tracking, we found it lasts about 24 hours.
The Watch 5 charges in about an hour, with 8 minutes providing enough for 8 hours of sleep tracking. We notice a slight improvement, with differences likely more apparent over time.
The case has a sleek design, typical of the Galaxy Watch series. Swapping the strap was easy, and the Space Grey Milanese band was our favourite.
Health Tracking & Sensors
One of the biggest changes for the Watch 5 is the new infrared temperature sensor measuring skin temperature. However, this feature seems absent from the current Watch 5 or Watch 5 Pro, contrary to rumours.
The hardware is present, but the function will arrive ‘in the near future’ via software updates. Samsung hasn’t specified a timeline.
It’s unclear how the temperature data will be used. On watches like the Fitbit Sense, it supports sleep monitoring. We’ll update you with more details.
The Galaxy Watch 5 also introduces a new sleep coach, creating a ‘sleep plan’ based on sleep monitor data.
We expect the Galaxy Watch 5, like the Watch 4, to be a good fitness tracker. We hope to test this further. No major differences in fitness tracking from the Watch 4 have been noted, so we assume it performs well.
Many sensors carry over from the Watch 4. The Watch 5 includes:
- NFC (contactless payment)
- GPS
- Optical heart rate sensor
- Blood oxygen measurement
- ECG heart rate monitor
Battery Life
The battery of the Galaxy Watch 5, especially the Watch 5 Pro, has significantly increased. This aims to address the Watch 4’s battery issues.
The 40mm Watch 5 has the smallest battery at 284 mAh. The Watch 5 Pro we received boasts nearly double at 590 mAh. Samsung promises 80 hours of battery life with normal use on the Pro.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 comes with a fast charger, reaching 45% in 30 minutes. Battery life and charging speed are clear improvements over the Watch 4.
Wear OS 3 on the Galaxy Watch 5
The Galaxy Watch 5 runs Samsung’s Wear OS 3, featuring built-in Samsung apps, watch faces, and menus. This system pairs seamlessly with Samsung and other Android phones.
Wear OS 3 includes many new Google services, like Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Assistant, positioning the Watch 5 among the top Android smartwatches.
Price and Availability
The price is higher than rumours predicted, varying by strap choice. Prices for the Galaxy Watch 5 are:
- Galaxy Watch 5 (40mm): From £299.00
- Galaxy Watch 5 (44mm): From £329.00
- Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: From £429.00
Conclusion
The Watch 5 is a fine upgrade in the Galaxy Watch lineup. Samsung is clearly on the right track with smartwatches. We look forward to more details on the infrared temperature sensor. The Watch 5 is a highly capable and well-designed smartwatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Galaxy Watch 5 released?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 has been available in stores since 10 August 2022. Prices start at £299 for the Watch 5 and £429 for the Watch 5 Pro. You can identify the model by checking the "About" or "Device Information" section in the watch settings, or by viewing the model details in the Samsung Wearable app on your phone.
Does the Galaxy Watch 5 work with iPhone?
Yes, the Galaxy Watch 5 is compatible with iOS devices running iOS 9 or later. You can install the Samsung Gear app on these devices.
Is the Galaxy Watch 5 waterproof?
The Galaxy Watch 5 is theoretically water-resistant, suitable for swimming but not for diving or high-pressure activities like waterskiing.
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