Smartwatches have exploded in popularity over recent years, offering ultra convenient messaging, fitness tracking, and notification alerts right on your wrist. As one of the biggest players in the wearable space, Samsung continues pushing boundaries with its technologically advanced Galaxy Watch lineup.
The company just released its latest entries – the Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro – building upon last year‘s capable Galaxy Watch4 series. On paper, both seem similar but feature some meaningful differences. This guide will compare Samsung‘s two new flagship smartwatch models head-to-head so you can determine which best fits your needs and budget!
First, let‘s recap what sets this year‘s lineup apart
For 2022, Samsung focused on durability, battery life, and health tracking – key pain points cited by past Galaxy Watch owners. Specifically, the Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro offer:
- Sturdier Sapphire Crystal glass face with scratch protection
- Upgraded internals allowing for larger batteries
- Body composition scans like skeletal muscle and basal metabolic rate
- Fall/crash detection and improved sleep analysis
By addressing these common consumer complaints, the Galaxy Watch5 series promises to be Samsung‘s best round of smartwatches yet. But the Watch5 and Watch5 Pro still differ across some important areas. Let‘s compare them in depth!
Galaxy Watch5 vs Galaxy Watch5 Pro: Spec Comparison
I‘ll start by laying out a high level specs contrast showcasing the core hardware powering each model:
| Specification | Galaxy Watch5 | Galaxy Watch5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 40mm: 1.19" AMOLED 44mm: 1.36" AMOLED |
45mm: 1.4” AMOLED |
| Display Resolution | 396 x 396 (40mm) 450 x 450 (44mm) |
450 x 450 |
| Case Material | Armor Aluminum | Titanium |
| Case Size Options | 40mm, 44mm | 45mm |
| Depth | 9.8mm | 10.5mm |
| Weight | 40mm: 28.7g 44mm: 33.5g |
46.5g |
| Battery Capacity | 40mm: 284mAh 44mm: 410mAh |
590mAh |
| Battery Life | ~50 hours | ~80 hours |
| Water Resistance | 5ATM / IP68 | 5ATM / IP68 |
| Onboard Storage | 16GB | 16GB |
| WiFi/Bluetooth | Yes/Yes | Yes/Yes |
| Built-in GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $280 (40mm) $310 (44mm) |
$450 |
With the specs laid out side-by-side, what immediately jumps out?
For me, it‘s the battery capacity and construction materials used. The Pro model packs a much heftier battery promising almost twice the usage per charge compared to the standard Watch5. And it uses ultra-premium titanium rather than aluminum – a tougher yet lighter material.
But specs only reveal part of the story. Let‘s dig deeper into the key differences in design, durability, features, and performance.
Design and Display
Let‘s kick things off by contrasting the physical design and display quality.
Similar circular silhouette with different sizes
Visually, both models share a sleek round aesthetic akin to classic wristwatches. So if you preferred the styling of earlier Galaxy Watch models, you‘ll feel right at home here.
Of course, differences in casing dimensions and materials set them apart. The Watch5 measures 40 x 40mm or 44 x 44mm depending on which you choose. Meanwhile, the Watch5 Pro sports a wider 45 x 45mm footprint.
Varying display sizes but same vibrant AMOLED technology
As outlined in our specs table earlier, the base 40mm Watch5 utilizes a compact 1.19” display panel – ideal for smaller wrists. Stepping up to the 44mm Watch5 or 45mm Pro nets you a more expansive 1.4" screen.
The good news? No matter the physical dimensions, all three screens offer stunningly vivid colors and contrast courtesy of Samsung‘s state-of-the-art AMOLED display tech. Expect beautiful vibrancy whether viewing notifications or tracking fitness metrics.
More premium build for the Pro
Standard Galaxy Watch5 models feature a strong Armor Aluminum material comprising the casing. But for extreme durability, the Watch5 Pro implements a titanium build instead. Expert analysis confirms titanium as superior in scratch resistance and lightweight integrity.
So if you demand maximum toughness for activities like hiking or construction work, the Pro certainly seems your best bet. We‘ll cover durability next.
Durability and Water Resistance
Any wearable device needs to stand up well against daily use – bumps, scratches, exposure to elements, and more. Let‘s examine how resilient Samsung‘s made the latest entries in its Galaxy Watch family.
Sapphire Crystal glass across the board
By far the most vulnerable component on any smartwatch is the display glass protecting the screen underneath. So I‘m thrilled Samsung armored the entire Galaxy Watch5 lineup with Sapphire Crystal this time around.
Per watch expert analysis, Sapphire Crystal rates just below diamond in hardness and scratch resistance. Constructed from aluminum oxide, it can withstand scrapes from metal surfaces that would easily mar lesser glass types.
This makes both the Watch5 and Watch5 Pro far sturdier than previous Galaxy Watch generations sporting Gorilla Glass. And you don’t need to worry about the face getting scuffed up through years of daily use.
IP68 / 5ATM water protection
In addition to scratch proofing, Sapphire Crystal also offers excellent water resistance – bolstered further by the Watch5 series‘ IP68 and 5ATM construction ratings.
IP68 certification confirms complete dust protection while 5ATMs translates to withstanding submersion down to 164 feet. Practically speaking, Samsung says you can wear both models while swimming in the pool or ocean.
Between rugged glass shielding and water sealing, the Watch5 and Watch5 Pro should both hold up great even if you get pretty rough on your gear.
But for those who frequently venture into true extremes, the Pro model provides that additional level of reassurance courtesy of…
Titanium casing (Watch5 Pro exclusive)
As shown in our earlier comparison table, the Galaxy Watch5 Pro diverges from the regular Watch5 line by swapping aluminum for ultra-premium titanium in its casing.
Billed as the "toughest Galaxy Watch ever made", Samsung leverages titanium‘s immense strength-to-weight ratio to construct a lighter yet more durable exterior. Testing bears this out with titanium demonstrating extreme endurance against scratches, dents, thermal extremes, corrosion, and more.
So while the base Watch5 lines should handily withstand daily wear and tear, I‘d recommend the Pro model if you frequently engage in activities like climbing, watersports, construction work, and similar grueling physical pursuits.
Health Sensors and Fitness Tracking
Over the last few generations, Samsung has elevated health tracking as a major selling point for its smartwatches. With advanced sensor hardware and clever software, the Galaxy Watch provides detailed sleep, activity, and heart health statistics.
Let‘s explore the fitness and wellness tracking toolkit packed into both the Watch5 and Watch5 Pro.
Identical BioActive sensor array
The beating heart (pun intended) behind Samsung Health lies within the BioActive sensor equipped on all Galaxy Watch5 variants. Comprised of multiple intricate detectors, it facilitates:
- Optical heart rate monitoring – Continuous tracking plus warnings if spikes occur
- Electrical heart signal checking – Detects arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation
- Blood oxygen measurements – Critical for tracking sleep disorders
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis – Sends imperceptible currents allowing body composition readings
This single multi-functional chip therefore enables an impressive range of holistic health metrics. And it‘s implemented uniformly across Watch5 models – meaning no compromises or missing functionality on the more affordable option.
Body composition stats
Expanding upon the BioActive sensor, Samsung also bakes comprehensive body scanning capabilities into its newest Galaxy Watches. Both the standard Watch5 and higher-end Pro analyze:
- Skeletal muscle – Mass and quality shown in kilograms
- Basal metabolic rate – Calories burned at rest based on fat and muscle percentage
- Body water percentage – Hydration levels displayed on easy-to-understand scale
- Body fat percentage – Quantified beyond just weight on a scale
These detailed body composition metrics offer tremendous insight into your overall fitness and health shape beyond mere step counting. Again, they‘re baked into every Galaxy Watch5 variant.
Auto workout tracking for over 90 exercises
In the actual exercise domain, Samsung Smart Watches have offered reliable auto-tracking of popular activities like walking, running, cycling for a few generations now. But the Watch5 series ratchets up accuracy and expanding into over 90 trackable workout types.
We‘re talking everything from standard fare like circuits or crunches to newer trends like HIIT training and Pilates. The watch automatically initiates monitoring when you start the relevant motions – no fiddling with settings beforehand required!
For such a tiny device, the breadth of quantifiable fitness activities is mightily impressive here. And encouragingly available whether you pick a base Galaxy Watch5 or the top-tier Pro edition.
While they share the same advanced health sensors and software, the Pro model does unlock one extra capability for outdoor explorers…
GPX route uploading & navigation (Watch5 Pro exclusive)
Under a dedicated "Outdoor Sports" section of the Samsung Health app, Watch5 Pro owners gain access to GPX file upload support. GPX contains geolocation exercise route data that can be generated via third party apps or planning sites.
With compatible GPX data synced onto your Watch5 Pro, you‘re able to navigate trails and paths accurately thanks to precise turn-by-turn vibrating alerts. There‘s also automatic reverse routing so your watch can conveniently guide you back to the starting point.
This unique innovation marks an impressive evolution beyond the usual smart watch geolocation features. And it could prove an absolute game changer for hikers, bikers, and other outdoor activity enthusiasts.
If you frequently embark on backcountry adventures spanning miles and miles, the Pro model certainly seems worth the premium for this upgrade alone.
Battery Life and Charging Speed
No matter how durable or feature-packed a smartwatch might be, weak battery life remains an ever-present pain point cited by users. Happily, Samsung packs noticeable improvements in this vital area into its new Galaxy Watch offerings.
Let‘s see how much extra usage buyers can expect between charges along with any fast charging enhancements.
Multi-day life from the Galaxy Watch5
Straight out of the gate, baseline Galaxy Watch5 models enjoy about a 50% battery increase over their Galaxy Watch4 predecessors.
Real-world usage backs this up with both the 40mm and 44mm options reliably achieving 1.5 to 2 days of runtime mixed using heart rate tracking, notifications, workout mode, sleep monitoring, and similar smart features. For a sub-$300 price point, that‘s fairly impressive longevity.
Charging back to full takes about 2 hours via the included magnetic cradle. This represents relatively standard performance for Samsung though rapid charging has stepped up…
Up to 80 hour runtime on the Galaxy Watch5 Pro!
The Pro model‘s mammoth 590 mAh battery truly sets it apart, nearly doubling the capacity found in the 44mm Watch5. And that translates into equally outsized usage times between charges – up to 80 hours by Samsung‘s estimates!
To put that into perspective, you could start using the Watch5 Pro on Monday morning and conceivably not need to charge it until Friday. Especially amazing considering how much tracking and notifications are happening even with the always-on display active.
When you do eventually need to refuel, Samsung‘s fast charging tech can restore 45% capacity within a mere 30 minutes. So you‘ll be up and running quicker than ever.
For road warriors, hikers, or anyone else needing max battery life from their wearable, the Pro edition seems like a no brainer choice.
Software & Interface
With capable hardware only telling part of the experience story, let‘s pivot to exploring the software side. Here Samsung collaborates with Google delivering its signature Galaxy Watch interface powered by Google‘s WearOS.
Unified WearOS 3.5 platform
Early Galaxy Watch generations ran Samsung‘s proprietary Tizen software. But since last year‘s introductions of the Galaxy Watch4 series, they‘ve standardized on Google‘s Wear OS platform. Specifically WearOS 3 for the existing Galaxy Watch4 and now WearOS 3.5 arriving on the new Watch5 lineup.
This unified WearOS foundation allows tight integration with the full gamut of popular Google apps from Gmail to Maps to YouTube and so much more. Handy given how heavily enmeshed many of us exist within the Google ecosystem these days.
But Samsung still injects its own unique flavor through the characteristic Galaxy Watch interface. And they pledge an even smoother, more responsive experience thanks to upgraded internals on the Watch5 models.
Intuitive navigation and controls
Navigating Samsung‘s Tizen-inspired Galaxy Wearable interface feels intuitive with logical app layouts, handy shortcuts to favorite functions, and familiar notification center access. The healthy app catalog provides tons of customization flexibility too.
I especially appreciate how the circular rotating bezel allows easy scrolling through menus. Coupled with tap and long press gestures on the screen, it makes interacting with this miniaturized OS during workouts or on the go pleasingly simplistic.
And I’m happy to report uniform software experiences across the Watch5 and Watch5 Pro ranges. Unless you specifically need the added GPX route syncing discussed earlier, you shouldn‘t feel hampered interface-wise even opting for the more affordable non-Pro model.
Buying Recommendations Based on Usage
With all the similarities and standout differences across the Galaxy Watch5 and premium Galaxy Watch5 Pro covered, let‘s consolidation everything into straightforward purchase recommendations based on common usage scenarios:
For most buyers – Galaxy Watch5
Starting at just $280, the Galaxy Watch5 delivers all the fitness tracking, body composition scanning, app support, notifications, and stress monitoring needed to supercharge health & productivity. Unless you regularly participate in outdoor endurance activities or absolutely require the longest possible battery runtimes, I believe the standard Watch5 options present the smarter buy for most. Their durable designs and multi-day battery spans should satisfy most buyers’ needs reliably.
Maximum ruggedness – Galaxy Watch5 Pro
Do your job or favorite activities frequently subject devices to dust, scrapes, shock, heat, water, or other environmental extremes? Only the titanium-clad Watch5 Pro offers reassurance of withstanding years of hard abuse. Between virtually scratch-proof Sapphire Crystal shielding and commercial-grade titanium housing, it simply won’t quit even treating the roughest conditions.
Frequent hikers/bikers/explorers – Galaxy Watch5 Pro
The Galaxy Watch5 Pro’s exclusive ability to directly load GPX fitness route files makes it a no brainer for backcountry trekkers and pathfinders. Enjoy accurate offline vibration-based steering prompts for miles of trails without ever worrying about losing GPS reception or draining your phone battery. Automatically mapped return guidance also prevents frustrating wrong turns or getting lost on long remote excursions. For hardcore outdoor athletes, the navigation upgrades on the Pro could be game changing.
Battery life maximization – Galaxy Watch5 Pro
Across all reviews and impressions, owners praise the Galaxy Watch5 Pro’s astonishing 80 hours of usage before needing a charge – nearly double that of the standard Watch5 lineup! For those constantly on business trips or with ultra packed schedules, having to worry about battery less frequently proves liberating. The peace of mind from that hulking 590 mAh pack lasts and lasts even tracking sleep, heart rate, notifications, and more 24/7.
And for other buying considerations like styling, display quality, and smart features – both models remain evenly matched. So picking between them simplifies considerably based on the usage guidance above.
No matter which Galaxy Watch5 model ultimately wins out for your personal needs, Samsung certainly continues pushing the wearable envelope here in 2022! Let me know if any questions pop up while deciding between these impressive new smartwatches.
