Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: The best for Android users?
Posted by Tehillah Mwakalombe on 13th Oct 2022
Samsung's new Galaxy Watch 5 Pro brings a few improvements in hardware and software over other Galaxy Watch models, but how good is it?
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight titanium casing | Limited, manual GPX process |
| Large enough battery for most users | Blood pressure remains in the US |
| Google Wear OS 3 app support | Skin temperature not yet enabled |
| Sapphire glass AMOLED display |
Samsung announced two versions of its Galaxy Watch 5 this year, but unlike previous years where we saw a standard model and one with a physical rotating bezel, Samsung is getting rid of the physical dial and has introduced a "Pro" model.
The Pro physically has a harder sapphire glass display, titanium watch case, and much larger capacity battery, so these help it withstand a bit more use.
A few of the software features round out the "Pro" such as the ability to import GPX files for hiking and biking while also having your return paths automatically mapped out for when you forget to do it yourself.
Specifications
Display 1.4-inch 450x450 pixels resolution Super AMOLED touchscreen
Processor Samsung Exynos W920 dual-core
Materials Titanium body with Sapphire Crystal glass with 29GPa rating
RAM/storage 1.5GB/16GB
Durability 5 ATM/IP68 and MIL-STD-810H
Connectivity 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou, LTE (optional)
Sensors Accelerometer, Barometer, Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Skin Temperature, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor
Battery 590 mAh, up to two days in typical usage
Dimensions 45.5 x 45.5 x 15 mm (includes sensor bump) and 46.5 grams (without strap)
Colors Black Titanium and Gray Titanium
The Watch 5 Pro comes with Google's Wear OS powered by Samsung, so that means you get Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Pay, Messages, Keep Notes, and more. Samsung Pay, Samsung Messages, Samsung Health, Bixby, and other Samsung apps are provided.
Hardware
There is no Galaxy Watch option with a rotating bezel this year, but the Watch 5 Pro does have a bit of a unique design with the new sapphire glass display. Replacing the physical rotating dial is a concave transition from the glass up to the edge of the casing that lets your finger swipe up and down to mimic a similar bezel effect.
The Watch 5 Pro is available in one size, so it may not be the best option for those with smaller wrists. It's a fairly thick watch, in order to store the large capacity battery.
It has a 1.4-inch Super AMOLED display which is great, with crisp fonts, brilliant colors, and a seamless touchscreen experience. Taps and swipes perform flawlessly.
This year, the watch case is made with titanium and available in black or gray. You'll have to buy the regular Watch 5 for the more colors. The speaker is placed on the top of the watch, while the microphone is found on the right side between the navigation buttons.
The default band that shipped with the Watch 5 Pro is the new D-Buckle Sport band. It is a soft silicone band that you adjust by sliding open a latch, fitting the band, and then locking the latch.
The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is available now for $449.99 in Black Titanium and Gray Titanium. Samsung offers trade-in deals. The Watch 5 Pro has proven to be a perfect companion to your Samsung phone.
The Watch 5 Pro lasts about two full days, including tracking sleep at night, and functions into the third day. This easily beats the Apple Watch 7 and 8 Series, but is yet to be testing against the Apple Watch Ultra.
In conclusion, The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is easily the best wearable for Android smartphone owners and it excels in all of the smart watch categories. It's made with materials usually for high-end GPS sports watches, but still priced at $450. Samsung may have missed on the Pro label at the moment but with more coming in future updates, it’ll definitely continue to get better and better!