Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs Watch 5 Pro: Is Pro Always Better?
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
8/ 10A super solid, all-around appealing Wear OS smartwatch with the best from Samsung and Google.
Pros- Minimal design looks great in any situation.
- Sapphire display should improve long-term durability.
- Fitness features remain top-notch.
- Access to Google apps completes the Samsung experience.
- Battery life is good, but not incredible.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
8/ 10A bigger, thicker version of the standard Galaxy Watch 5 with better battery life and titanium design.
Pros- Everything that's great about the standard model.
- Durable titanium build.
- Three day battery life.
- Not as sleek as the standard model.
- Pretty thick.
- Expensive with not many reasons for it.
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If you're in the market for a smartwatch that runs Google's Wear OS, you have a handful of solid options. Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro are two of the best—if not the best. Let's compare them.
Before we get started, we should point out that the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro are not Samsung's newest models. The Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic (our review) were released in August 2023. However, there are only a few upgrades over the previous generation. The Watch 5 Series is still an excellent choice, and they're more affordable now that the Watch 6 Series has been released.
Watch 5 vs Watch 5 Pro: Price, Specs & Availability
Galaxy Watch 5 Pro / Galaxy Watch 5Let's start the comparison with one of the most important factors: price. Since these devices have been out for a while, you can find pretty good prices easily. The Galaxy Watch 5 can be had for as little as $179 for the 40mm Bluetooth model and $260 for the 44mm LTE model. The Watch 5 Pro, on the other hand, costs $$260 for the Bluetooth version and $429 for the LTE version. You probably shouldn't buy directly from Samsung at this point in time if you want a good deal.
In terms of specs, these two watches have a lot in common. Both watches use a Sapphire Crystal Display, which is 60% harder than the previous generation. The display sizes are where things get different, as the Watch 5 is available in 1.2-inches and 1.4-inches watches, while the Pro is only available in 1.4-inches.
The watches all have the Exynos W920 chip, 1.5GB RAM, 16GB storage, and support Bluetooth, LTE, NFC, and GPS connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Brand Samsung Samsung Heart Rate Monitor Yes Yes Operating System One UI Watch 4.5, Wear OS 3.5 One UI Watch 4.5, Wear OS 3.5 Onboard GPS Yes Yes Offline Media Storage 16GB 16GB Case Material Aluminium Titanium Colors Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold Gray Titanium, Black Titanium Display 396 x 396, 450 x 450 450 x 450 CPU Exynos W920 EXYNOS W920 RAM 16GB 16GB Battery 284mAh, 410mAh 590mAh Connectivity NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi, LTE (optional) NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi, LTE (optional) Durability MIL-STD-810H MIL-STD-810H Health sensors Optical Heart Rate, Electrical Heart Sensor (ECG), Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA), Continuous SpO, Skin Temperature Sensor Optical Heart Rate, Electrical Heart Sensor (ECG), Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA), Continuous SpO, Skin Temperature Sensor Weight 28.7g, 33.5g 46.5g Screen material Sapphire Crystal Glass AMOLED Sapphire Crystal Glass AMOLED
As you can see from the chart above, there aren't many differences on paper between the two models. You're getting the same set of core specifications no matter which model you choose. We'll explore some of the bigger differences in the next sections.
Watch 5 vs Watch 5 Pro: Hardware & Design
CloseGalaxy Watch 5 Pro / Galaxy Watch 5
Visually, the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro have more noticeable differences. The Watch 5 sports a sleek, minimalist design, and the Watch 5 Pro bulks up the look a bit. The Watch 5's aluminum casing wraps around the puck-shaped main body and acts as the watch band lugs. On the Watch 5 Pro, the case is made of titanium, and it's raised to protect the display.
Size is the other visual difference. The standard Watch 5 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes, making the former a great choice if you have thin wrists. The Watch 5 Pro, on the other hand, is only available in a chunky 45mm. Coming in 46.5g, it's considerably heavier than the 33.5g 44mm Watch 5 model.
As mentioned earlier, both watches feature Sapphire Crystal displays, and they also have IP68 dust and water resistance along with a MIL-STD-810H military rating. Both watches are built to be very durable, but the Watch 5 Pro's titanium build will be more rugged over time. The aluminum Watch 5 will likely show more scuffs and scratches.
Watch 5 vs Watch 5 Pro: Battery Life
Galaxy Watch 5Various sizes also mean the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro have multiple battery sizes, and the size you choose will have a very real effect on your battery life. The 40mm Galaxy Watch 5 has a 284mAh battery, the 44mm model is 410mAh, and the Watch 5 Pro is 590mAh. That's a big range.
In our testing, the smallest Galaxy Watch 5 has enough juice to make it through a day and a half, and you can stretch it to two days if you turn off some features. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Watch 5 Pro can last up to three days on a charge. You can expect somewhere in the middle for the 44mm Watch 5.
In general, battery life is pretty good across the board, but the Watch 5 Pro is the clear winner if this is your number one priority. If you don't mind a big, thick watch, that may be an easy choice. It's just a matter of whether you prefer form or function.
Watch 5 vs Watch 5 Pro: Health & Fitness
CloseGalaxy Watch 5 Pro / Galaxy Watch 5
There's not much to say about the differences in health and fitness functionality across the Galaxy Watch 5 Series. All models feature an Optical Heart Rate sensor, Electrical Heart sensor (ECG), Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) sensor, Continuous SpO sensor, and Skin Temperature sensor. They also have built-in GPS for location tracking during activities.
The only fitness-related differences are a few outdoor exercise features on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The Watch 5 Pro has a "Route" Tile that allows you to create and follow custom routes for things like walking, hiking, and biking. Then, when you're ready to head back, the "Track Back" feature will help you retrace your steps and find your way back to the start.
For people who do a lot of hiking and other outdoor activities that take you off the beaten path, these features may be very valuable. For the average person, though, you probably won't miss them if you opt for the non-Pro model.
Which Is Right for You?
Galaxy Watch 5 It's time to decide which Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 model is the one for you. Price will likely play a big role in the decision here as the watches are all relatively similar. So let's break it down.
At the time of writing, you're looking at around a $100 difference in the Bluetooth-only models and an even bigger difference in the LTE models. That extra cash essentially gets you a more durable design with a bigger display and better battery life. However, bigger is not always better in the world of smartwatches. After all, the device lives on your wrist. For most people, we recommend the 40mm or 44mm Galaxy Watch 5 (our review).
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
8/ 10A super solid, all-around appealing Wear OS smartwatch with the best from Samsung and Google.
AmazonBest BuySamsungSome people prefer the look of big, chunky watches, though. And the extra durability and battery life may be important for specific jobs and lifestyles. In those situations, the extra money is worth it. The Watch 5 Pro (our review) is an excellent smartwatch, even compared to the newer Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
8/ 10A bigger, thicker version of the standard Galaxy Watch 5 with better battery life and titanium design.
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