Last year's Samsung Gear Watch4 Classic brought back the rotating bezel that we recognized as the best navigation system for a smartwatch. After a year, Samsung also launched the Galaxy Watch5 Pro which is again not offered with a rotating bezel. As a die-hard Gear S3 and Watch4 Classic user, this U-turn action by Samsung invites a bit of concern.
So when the review unit arrived last week we were somewhat prejudiced in wanting to say that ditching the rotating bezel was Samsung's big mistake. But throughout the duration of this review our prejudices were clearly wrong and deviated from reality because the Watch5 Pro is the best watch produced by Samsung so far.
Specifications And Design
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
Operating System Wear OS 3.5/ One UI Watch 4.5
Display 1.4″ Super AMOLED, 450 x 450 pixels, Sapphire Glass
Exynos W920 processor (5nm)
RAM 1.5 GB
16 GB Internal Storage
590 mAh battery
SIM / Telephony eSIM/Yes
Sensors Pulse Scanner, Barometer, ECG, SPO2, Thermometer
NFC Yes
Infrared None
MIL-STD-810H Durability Level
Size 45.4 x 45.4 x 10.5 mm / 46.5 grams
Color Black Titanium, Gray Titanium
Selling Price RM1899
Watch5 Pro keeps the same 1.4″ SAMOLED screen size as last year only with sapphire glass instead of Gorilla Glass DX. According to Samsung this year's glass is tougher than last year's model and this is necessary considering the Watch5 Pro is marketed as a watch for enthusiasts of rugged activities competing directly with Garmin devices.
Without a rotating bezel, there is a tall metal “lip” in its place. This will protect the screen from being scratched or bumped during use. After using a smartwatch for eight years, we have to say that clocks sliding against walls and doors are the main cause of screen scratches. This is also the main reason we don't like the design of the Apple Watch with a screen surface that is too exposed.
From time immemorial, the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Gear series have a rotating bezel design that is higher than the screen while protecting it from scratches easily. The lip on the Watch5 Pro is higher if we want to compare it with previous Samsung watches.
This lip also has a secondary function as a groove to move the finger on the screen when performing rotary navigation. The bezel may have been sent to the black hole by Samsung but the feature of doing navigation by doing rotation is still maintained. With this in terms of using the Watch5 Pro there is no difference with the Watch4 Classic.
This is aided by an excellent haptic system providing an experience like the physical bezel still exists. It feels very realistic and we feel this haptic system is comparable to the one found on the Apple Watch's side rotary knob. This is good news for people who are worried that using the Watch5 Pro will feel less stable because there is no longer a rotating bezel.
Samsung's AMOLED screen is already known to be the best on the market. Colors look vivid, every touch is detected well and use under the hot sun does not cause any problems. Some say the bezel on the Watch5 Pro is too thick but we disagree because it's actually the same screen size as the Watch4 Classic.
The power and back buttons located on the right side are made of solid metal. There is no change at all from last year in terms of size and location. These two buttons are also the touch points for the Body Composition system that measures the percentage of fat and muscle of the wearer's body that was introduced last year.
The body of the watch is about 30% thicker this time due to the increased battery capacity to 590 mAh compared to 361 mAh – equivalent to a 63% increase. This according to Samsung will allow the watch to last longer but will touch more deeply in the battery segment below. It's also made from titanium which is more durable than the Aluminum Armor on the regular Watch5 and previous Watch4. Therefore it passes the MIL-STD 810H standard and can be taken diving up to 5 ATM.
The second change that we feel is more interesting this year lies in the watch strap which looks more like a normal analog hand. The watch strap is still made of fluoroelastomer but with a magnetic clasp system. No more button holes instead the wearer tightens the button lock on the strap before it is attached tightly to the hand with a magnet.
Originally I was a little worried about the magnetic system since the Watch5 Pro is quite heavy. But throughout the review period never once came off even when taken swimming. The watch strap is also comfortable without it causing the skin to itch as happens with rubber or silicone watch straps.
If this strap is felt to be less compatible with the fashion or activity you want to do, it can be replaced with any strap with a width of 20mm. This is the standard size of a regular watch and this means you can also use all the accessories for the Watch4 Classic as well as the many third-party watch straps out there.
Interface And Usage
The tethering process is as simple as making sure the watch is activated next to the smartphone you want to use. Make sure the latest Samsung Wearable app is installed first. On Samsung devices, an animated graphic of the Watch5 Pro appears on the screen immediately after it is turned on. Follow the instructions given on the screen and this process will take few minutes.
For iPhone users, the Watch5 Pro is not supported as well as for the regular Watch5. In fact, support for Samsung watches on the iOS platform has been discontinued since the Watch4. Maybe because the number of users is not that high since iOS users are more likely to use Apple Watch.
After that the use of the application is the same as before. There are special sections in the app for watch faces, installed apps, Quick Panels and Tiles on the clock. All of these can be changed directly from the watch but are easier to do through the Wearable app. Various device settings can be used. Watch face customization is also varied with several new faces offered by Samsung this year and paid watch faces can be downloaded from the Play Store.
Almost all watch faces have customization of background color, clock hands, digital display, font design and what data you want to display. This may be in the form of battery level, total sites, heart rate, weather and more. There are hundreds of combinations to choose from to create a unique watch face for each wearer.
Entering the second year of using Wear OS 3.5 with the One UI Watch 4.5 launcher we are aware of no major changes except for the addition of some features and watch faces. Usage is the same because the Watch5 Pro reuses the Exynos W920 chip, 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of storage like last year's model. In other words, Watch5 Pro is just a change in the body, screen mirror, sensor, and battery only compared to last year's Watch4 series. Samsung maintains a strategy of only changing processor chips every 2-3 years on their smartwatches.
First up is the feature of importing GPS Exchange Format File (GPX) files into the watch for complete routes with complete topographical information. With this when exercising, climbing and using a racing bike is safer because the map used is more detailed than the normal Google Maps.
With this accurate map there is also a Track Back feature that allows the user to return to the original location when lost. The process of returning to the location is easy because the voice, haptic and graphic navigation instructions on the watch are clearly displayed on the screen.
The feature of apps being installed directly on the watch after downloading on a tethered smartphone is probably the most useful feature as there is no need to download manually. Support for streaming Spotify music directly to the watch for offline listening is also a useful feature while doing sports along with TWS bluetooth.
The device can also make an emergency call automatically when it detects that the wearer has fallen. An emergency call along with GPS location will be sent if the wearer is detected motionless 60 seconds after the accelerometer detects high acceleration. The accessibility feature of answering the phone with hand gestures is also useful especially when the user cannot touch the screen.
What about the health tracking feature? We have to admit that we can't really test it because we are not someone who can be categorized as a fan of exercise or sado body like Christiano Ronaldo. We only use the Body Composition feature that verifies our fatness, threadmill tracking, heart rate tracking, sleep tracking and swimming.
All the features we mentioned work well. There were no issues we could detect when compared to the data collected by the Apple Watch Series 7 that we used as a control device.
Speaking of Apple Watch, the ECG feature on the Watch5 Pro has not yet been activated for users in Malaysia. The application cannot be downloaded directly because it has not been approved by the Ministry of Health. It's been two years and Samsung no longer has an excuse not to get approval because Apple has done it in Malaysia in 2021.
The advertised temperature sensor also cannot be used yet because it again needs the approval of the Ministry of Health. You pay RM1899 for the Watch5 Pro which is the same price as the Apple Watch but the ECG feature cannot be used. Definitely disappointing.
Telephony and GPS
Telephony is supported via eSIM on LTE models in Malaysia. We have not activated this feature but have tested the feature of making phone calls directly from the wrist. What Thursday noticed is that while driving this is a very helpful feature with voices being loud and the microphone picking up what is being said clearly.
But when in a more open area it is a little difficult to hear what is being said through the built-in speaker. We recommend using phone calls at home, office or in the car but not in open areas.
GPS also works well using Google Maps with us using it to find directions to several product launch locations without issue throughout the review period.
Battery
The 590 mAh battery is really durable as it can provide power for up to five days in normal mode without Always on Display. If AOD is enabled, battery life goes to just two days. Although still a bit short compared to the Amazfit T-Rex Pro which lasts up to two weeks, the life of the Watch5 Pro is much better than the average of only 2 days on the Watch4 Classic and Appel Watch Series 7 that have been reviewed.
For people who often forget to charge the watch before going to bed, the durability of up to five days is very welcome. Fast charging is supported this year but "fast" here is still around two hours using the provided wireless charger.
This year's charging head is finally USB-C allowing us to share the Galaxy S22 Ultra charging head we have because only the cable comes with every purchase. It should also be noted that the charging format is WPC and not Qi so be careful if you want to buy an additional charger from a third party.
Another thing to touch on is that the watch strap makes it difficult for the Watch5 Pro to charge in a flat position. The metal clamp on the magnetic stud needs to be opened first whenever flat charging is to be done. Therefore the clock is charged obliquely. It's strange why a charging dock like the Gear S3 isn't just given to the Watch5 Pro as it's much more suitable.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is the best watch from Samsung to date. Despite keeping the same specs, some additional features this year will make it the most complete Wear OS watch for those who want a balance of features and also good battery life.
The feature of tracking various sports activities complete with a virtual trainer is good for those who want to exercise at home without extra cost. The more durable body ensures that the wearer does not have to worry about damage when outside. Better GPS features ensure that the user can return to the original location when lost.
No rotating bezel is not an issue as this year's haptic system provides an experience as if it were still there. Added to that is a battery that can last up to 5 days – more than twice as good as last year's Watch4 Classic. Using the watch is also smooth without issue and the various health tracking features work as advertised.
But we are entering the third year that the ECG feature on the watch still cannot be used in Malaysia. At a price of RM1899, it is comparable to the Apple Watch Series 7 45mm whose ECG feature has been supported in Malaysia since 2021. The announced body temperature detection sensor has also not been activated.
To compete with the Apple Watch that dominates the smartwatch market, Samsung needs to be better, more feature-rich and better value. Fortunately for Samsung, the Apple Watch cannot be used on Android and the Watch5 Pro cannot be used with iOS. The Watch5 Pro is the best Wear OS watch to date but with the Pixel Watch coming soon, Samsung needs to fix some of the weaknesses. Start with ECG support first giving it the feature most wanted by Android watch users in Malaysia right now.
PRO
Attractive design at the same time very durable.
Passes MIL-STD 801H standards.
Exceptional battery life for Wear OS.
Various robust health tracking features.
Strap buttons that are more comfortable and look stylish.
The charger is now a USB-C header.
CONS
ECG and body temperature sensors are not yet usable.
Fast charging still takes 2 hours.
Large size is not for small wrists.
The specs are the same as last year's Watch4.