The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is a great choice for a smartwatch, offering impressive performance, vibrant display, and good battery life at a reasonable price. It features the latest version of Wear OS and is expected to receive software updates for years to come. The Watch 5 is a great starting point to explore the world of smartwatches.
- Similar performance to the Watch 5 Pro
- Available in two sizes
- Regular discounts available
- 40mm battery life not great
- Few significant upgrades from Watch 4
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro offers the same great software and performance as the standard Watch 5, but with a larger display and a much longer battery life lasting two or more days. It is also made from titanium, a more durable material than the Watch 5’s aluminum, and includes exclusive outdoor exercise features. If you want the most advanced Galaxy Watch, it’s the Watch 5 Pro.
- Battery life of several days
- Titanium case
- Exclusive outdoor fitness features
- Only available in one size, which is large
- Expensive
The Samsung Galaxy Watch lineup includes two models: the Galaxy Watch 5 and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The Watch 5 Pro is a newer addition to the series, featuring a more durable design that can handle rugged terrains. While the base Galaxy Watch 5 also includes a stronger screen and larger battery compared to the Watch 4 series.
The Galaxy Watch 5 is available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, while the Pro model only comes in a 45mm casing. The Watch 5 looks similar to the Watch 4, but has a tweaked underside’s curvature for a better fit. The case for the Watch 5 is made of aluminum, while the Watch 5 Pro uses titanium. Both watches have a sapphire crystal glass over the display, which is stronger than previous models. The Watch 5 Pro is heavier and thicker than the base model. Both watches are IP68+ 5ATM certified, so they can be worn while swimming.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro run on the One UI Watch 4.5 based on Wear OS 3.5, which has access to the Play Store. There is no difference in the software experience between the two models, both are supported “up to four years after launch.”
Both watches include various sensors for tracking health and fitness, such as an accelerometer, barometer, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor, light sensor, optical heart rate, electrical heart signal, and body mass. The Watch 5 Pro has some additional outdoor exercise features, like hiking guidance.
The base-model Watch 5 has a battery life of about a day and a half, while the Watch 5 Pro can last up to 80 hours between charges. The Watch 5 lineup supports faster charging speeds, and the Watch 5 Pro comes with a larger 590mAh battery.
The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is substantially more expensive than the Galaxy Watch 5. The base model Watch 5 starts at $280, while the Watch 5 Pro starts at $450. Both models are available from numerous retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Samsung itself.