Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Buyers’ Guide
August 13, 2022Samsung’s new smartwatches build upon the success of the Galaxy Watch4 introduced in August, 2021. Last year’s watch was the product of the collaborative effort between Samsung and Google to produce a worthy Android smartwatch. Unlike the Apple Watch the Android competition has fallen by the wayside in their pursuit of creating a desirable smartwatch.
The Watch4 helped change this, and breathe life into Google’s faltering operating system, WearOS. If you’d like to know more about the Watch4, here are some noteworthy articles:
Galaxy Watch4 Series: The Ultimate Workout Companion
5 Ways the Galaxy Watch4 Can Help You Stay Fit in 2022
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 & Watch3: What’s The Difference?
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Review: The Best Android Watch By Far
The Watch5 line is an evolution of its predecessor, both in terms of their appearance and hardware. There are two mainstream models: the Watch5 and Watch5 Pro. Most buyers will buy one of the two. But there are two more variants: Galaxy Watch5 Golf Edition and Galaxy Watch5 Bespoke Studio.
In total, there are four models to choose from, which:
- Galaxy Watch5
- Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
- Galaxy Watch5 Golf Edition
- Galaxy Watch5 Bespoke Studio: It’s The Watch5 that can be customized to suit your taste
If the new models have you thrown off, fret not, because this buyers’ guide will help you device which watch is best suited to your needs.
Galaxy Watch5
It looks just like the Watch4 but the display is covered in sapphire glass, which Samsung says is about 60% tougher than what they used in their previous modes. The BioActive Sensor that debuted last year, is in this year’s watch as well. The single chip houses three health sensors – Optical Heart Rate, Electrical Heart Signal and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis.
This allows the watch to measure heart rate, blood oxygen level, stress level and in certain markets where they’re approved for use, monitoring blood pressure and ECG. Where you do see an improvement over the Watch4 is in the surface area. It covers a wider area, which allows for more direct contact with your wrist. This equates to better accuracy than its predecessor.
In addition to the 3-in-one BioActive Sensor, the Watch5 gains a temperature sensor. It uses infrared technology to acquire more accurate readings even when the temperature of your surroundings changes. Samsung is hoping that third party developers see the potential of this sensor and create useful applications for it.
Body Composition measurement, which debuted on the Watch4 is here as well. Its purpose is to provide a ballpark figure of your overall “wellness”. Though not a substitute for a proper medical device, the Watch5 is able to vaguely gauge your fitness level.
The Watch5 retains all the fitness exercises, goals and workout routines on the Watch4. This also includes recording your quality of sleep and workout recovery data. It monitors post-cardio heart rate after an intense workout and also offers recommendations on water consumption based on sweat loss.
It will help you understand your sleep patterns through Sleep Scores. This consists of data recorded based on the stages of sleep that’s detected along with information from snore detection and blood oxygen levels. Sleeping habits can be improved with the use of the Watch’s advanced sleep coaching. It’s a month-long guided programme tailored to suit your needs.
Fall detection ensures that the emergency contact is notified the moment the Watch5 detects that the wearer has fallen down. It may be a valuable feature for people who like to go cycling or hiking on their own as well as older users who live alone. Whatever the case maybe, it’s available here and on Watch4.
Both Watch4 and Watch5 have SmartThings Integration, which allows them to automatically control the settings to the smart lights, air-conditioning units and smart TVs. It’s a great feature to have if you’ve already set up smart appliances throughout your home for a more “automated” way of living.
The Watch5’s battery is 13% larger than the Watch4, which isn’t a spectacular improvement but should help it achieve close to 2 days of battery life provided that you’ve turned off the always-on display feature and opt for periodically measuring your heart rate, instead of setting it to continuous recording.
You can purchase the Watch5 in two sizes: 44mm and 40mm. The larger 44mm variant is available in Graphite, Sapphire, and Silver. The smaller 40mm watch can be had in Graphite, Pink Gold, and Silver which features a Bora Purple strap. Galaxy Watch5 will start at $279 for the Bluetooth version and $329 for the LTE version.
Watch5 Pro
It shares more than passing resemblance to the Watch4 Classic. The Watch5 Pro has the same internal hardware as the Watch5, which is why we aren’t going to mention it again. What is different is the exterior design. It’s a chunkier watch, measuring 45mm in diameter. And unlike its predecessor, it’s constructed from more premium materials.
The casing is made of durable titanium, which should hold up better against bumps and scrapes than the plastic materials of the Watch4. Like the regular Watch5, its display is covered with sapphire crystal glass, which is extremely scratch-resistant when compared to regular glass. There’s also an all-new D-Buckle sport band that is supposed to be sleek yet durable.
Samsung has given the Watch5 Pro a much larger battery. It’s a 590mAh unit, which is about 60% larger than what’s fitted into the regular Watch4. Though the display is marginally larger, the Pro should be able to push past the 2-day barrier, provided that the sensors are used frugally.
A new feature called GPX should be of use to adventure seekers. You can record your hiking journey and share it with like-minded people via the Samsung Health app with Route Workout. You can also download hiking and cycling routes if you’d like to try a new routine.
The watch will also give you turn-by-turn directions as well as direct you back to the path from which you came with the Track Back feature. It’s an extremely useful feature especially when you lose track of your trail while hiking.
Google Assistant support is available for both the Watch5 and Watch5 Pro as was the case with the Watch4. But coming soon to the new watches is support for Google Maps. It will be able to function without a smartphone connection. There will also be support for new apps like SoundCloud and Deezer.
You can purchase the Watch5 Pro in Black Titanium and Gray Titanium starting at $449 for the Bluetooth version and $499 for the LTE version.
Take a look at this table for a summary of the differences between the Watch5 and Watch5 Pro.
Galaxy Watch5 Golf Edition
It’s a themed Watch5 meant to appeal to golfers. The watch provides them with directions and recommendations while on the golf course. It comes with exclusive watch faces, a two-tone band, and an unlimited membership on the Smart Caddie app.
The Watch5 series Golf Edition comes in three sizes – Watch5 Large (44mm), Watch5 Small (40mm), and Watch5 Pro. Prices start at $329 for the Bluetooth version.
Galaxy Watch5 Bespoke Studio
Available for purchase from Samsung.com, users can tailor the looks of the Watch5 or Watch5 Pro to their liking with access to a larger selection of straps and watch faces.
Pricing and Availability: The Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro are available for pre-order in select markets starting on August 10, with retail availability starting August 26.
