We took the time to grip (and wrist) the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Both watches boast beautiful, refined finishes behind which hide products that claim to be ready to do battle with the world.
At Samsung, connected watches generally get positive reviews for their good qualities, but are often singled out for their fairly high prices. Here we are in August 2022, the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro have just been made official and we have already been able to try them briefly. The opportunity to share some impressions.
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We do not laugh with the solidity
This is perhaps the main element highlighted in the design of the two watches: solidity. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro want to make it clear to their potential users that they are made to last. A spokesperson for the brand thus evokes the Mohs scale which measures the hardness of minerals. The sapphire crystal that protects the screens of both devices boasts a score of 8/10 for the Watch 5 and 9/10 for the Watch 5 Pro.
During the session of grip organized by Samsung, the manufacturer proposed, in a corner, to use a metal tool worthy of the panoply of the executioner JerryRigEverything. I frantically rubbed the sharpened end across the screen of the more robust model without managing to scratch it, even when pressing hard enough or tapping on it. To give you an idea: we are told here that the screen is 60% more resistant for the Galaxy Watch 5 compared to the previous generation. It’s even twice as resistant on the side of the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
The case is no exception. Aluminum finish for the classic version, titanium for the Pro – the latter is really intended for the most adventurous people. In other words, these watches are meant to be tough, hard to damage.
Note that there’s no physical rotating ring on these models, but you can still navigate the interface by sliding your finger around the edges of the screen.
Refined watches
Despite their robustness, Samsung’s connected watches remain refined and pleasant on the wrist. This especially applies to the normal Galaxy Watch 5. Available in two sizes, 40 and 44 mm (with respective 284 and 410 mAh batteries), it avoids being too imposing and will therefore easily match the rest of your clothes. In return, we are entitled to wonder what it really brings compared to the previous generation.
Apart from a sensor revisited to better fit the shape of the wrist – and therefore promise more precise measurements of health-related data – we will highlight a temperature sensor that Samsung does not use for the moment, but makes available to developers of apps so they can make it their own.
We can also highlight the compatibility with Bluetooth 5.2 which consumes less than 5.1, however it is difficult to believe that this will have a really marked impact.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro stands out immediately with its massive 45 mm case which houses a large 590 mAh battery for autonomy which promises to be very impressive. Personally, on the design side, I was a little less hooked since with my small wrists, this version seemed disproportionate. This does not detract from the excellence of its finishes. We stay on a very refined note.
You may be one of those people for whom the imposing appearance of the Pro model is not a problem. Good for you, because you could take advantage of the functions that are exclusive to it: import of GPX files for hiking, running or cycling training tracks, step-by-step navigation or even Trackback which takes you home by the best route if you get lost during a sporting outing. This is also possible thanks to a more precise GPS on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
Nothing very special to report on the side of the interface. We are dealing with One UI 4.5 on Wear OS 3.5. This version of the system is, among other things, supposed to offer more relevant suggestions in the Play Store. Before moving on to the prices, it only remains for me to tell you that we will experience the health-related functions of the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro in our upcoming full test. On the program: body composition, electrocardiogram, sleep monitoring, blood pressure, etc.
Price and release date of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro will be officially available for sale on August 26, 2022. Until then, you can take advantage of the pre-order offer which includes a 50 euro trade-in bonus and a pair of Galaxy Buds Live offered.
Regarding the recommended prices for watches in their Bluetooth versions, count 299 euros for the Galaxy Watch 5 40 mm. We go up to 329 euros for the 44 mm size. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Bluetooth at 45 mm is offered at 469 euros. Then, for all of these products, you have to add 50 euros if you want to enjoy the variants compatible with the 5G network.
To go further, you can read our Samsung Gaalxy Z Fold 4 hands-on or our first impressions of the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
NB. This handling took place as part of a press trip organized by Samsung in London.