When the Galaxy Watch 5 launched, expectations were sky high. After all, its predecessor had already set a strong benchmark. The question is, did Samsung manage to refine the experience or simply make a few cosmetic changes and call it a day?
I spent weeks diving into its features, reading real world user feedback, and revisiting my own experiences with previous Galaxy watches to paint a complete picture for you. So, let’s explore the design, performance, health features, battery life, pros, cons, and overall experience with this smartwatch. Spoiler alert, it’s an impressive device, but not without its caveats.
First Impressions: Sleek, Familiar, and Surprisingly Subtle
When you unbox the Galaxy Watch 5, the first thing that catches your eye is the minimalist design. It doesn’t scream for attention like some flashy smartwatches, and that’s a good thing. Samsung seems to understand that a wearable is not just tech it’s a part of your personal style.The watch comes in two sizes 40 mm and 44 mm with a curved glass surface and a smooth aluminum frame. Samsung ditched the rotating physical bezel, which might disappoint fans of that tactile feedback. Instead, we get a touch sensitive bezel. It works, but honestly, it doesn’t feel as satisfying as the classic rotating bezel that was almost a trademark of earlier Galaxy Watches.
And then there’s the strap. It’s soft, comfortable, and feels premium, but it’s also easy to swap if you want something fancier. There’s a wide range of official and third party options, from leather to silicone to metal.
Color choices? Pretty stylish Graphite, Silver, Sapphire, and Pink Gold. Personally, the Sapphire version is a stunner if you want something understated yet classy.
Display: Where Samsung Always Shines
Samsung has always had a reputation for producing gorgeous displays, and the Galaxy Watch 5 continues that tradition. It uses Super AMOLED panels with 396 × 396 px (40 mm) or 450 × 450 px (44 mm) resolution.The result? Crisp, vivid visuals that make everything from watch faces to notifications pop beautifully. Brightness is excellent too. Even under direct sunlight, the display remains clear and legible, which isn’t always the case with other smartwatches.
One thing I love is Always On Display (AOD). It adds that classic wristwatch vibe, showing you the time even when the watch is idle. Of course, enabling AOD affects battery life (more on that later), but for many users, the aesthetic payoff is worth it.
The watch faces are highly customizable, and Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app offers a rich library. You can go minimalistic, sporty, or data heavy with health metrics on the screen. It’s like changing your watch’s personality whenever you feel like it.
Performance: Smooth Sailing, Mostly
Under the hood, the Galaxy Watch 5 runs on Exynos W920 (5 nm) with 1.5 GB of RAM and 16 GB storage. On paper, those numbers might seem modest compared to smartphones, but for a smartwatch, it’s more than enough.Navigating through menus is snappy. Apps launch quickly, and animations feel smooth, thanks to One UI Watch layered over Wear OS 3. This partnership between Samsung and Google has really matured, and it shows. You get Google Maps, Assistant, and Gmail right on your wrist. No need to rely solely on Samsung’s ecosystem.
However, there are moments when the touch sensitive bezel feels a tad less responsive than the old physical one. It’s not a dealbreaker, but you might miss that tactile click if you’ve been a long time Galaxy Watch user.
Health & Fitness: The Star of the Show
If there’s one area where smartwatches can make a real difference in your life, it’s health. The Galaxy Watch 5 packs a Samsung BioActive sensor that combines heart rate monitoring, ECG (electrocardiogram), and BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis).Let’s break down what that means in real life:
- Heart Rate Tracking - Accurate and consistent. It alerts you if your heart rate is too high or too low.
- ECG - Useful for spotting irregular heart rhythms, though it’s only available in certain regions and requires pairing with a Samsung phone.
- BIA Analysis - This is fascinating. The watch measures body fat percentage, skeletal muscle, water content, and BMI by sending a tiny electrical current through your body (don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing).
Sleep tracking is another standout feature. The Watch 5 doesn’t just tell you how long you slept; it offers sleep coaching. It even assigns you an animal symbol based on your sleep pattern (mine was a “lion” apparently, I like to sleep in bursts). It’s a fun touch that makes health tracking feel less clinical and more engaging.
Workout tracking? Top notch. Whether you’re running, swimming, cycling, or doing yoga, the watch can automatically detect and record your activity. It even tracks VO₂ max during runs, which is a big deal for serious athletes.
Battery Life: The Achilles’ Heel
Here’s where things get a little tricky. Despite all the improvements, the Galaxy Watch 5 still struggles with battery life. The 40 mm version has a 284 mAh battery, while the 44 mm gets 410 mAh. In real world terms, that translates to about 24 - 30 hours with moderate use.If you enable Always On Display and keep all health sensors active, expect to charge it every day. Heavy GPS use drains it even faster.
The silver lining? Fast charging. Just 30 minutes gives you about 45% juice, and a full charge takes roughly an hour. That means you can top it up during your morning routine and be good for the day. Still, compared to some competitors that last 3 - 5 days, Samsung has room to improve.
What About the Sensor Drama?
The Galaxy Watch 5 includes a temperature sensor, but here’s the kicker, it wasn’t fully functional at launch. Samsung said it would be activated later via software updates. This raises a question, should companies advertise features that aren’t ready yet? It feels a bit like buying a car with heated seats… that only work next winter.Still, it’s a forward thinking addition. Body temperature can be a valuable health metric, especially for tracking early signs of illness or menstrual cycles. Hopefully, Samsung rolls out this feature widely soon.
User Experience: Living with the Watch
On a day to day basis, the Galaxy Watch 5 is a joy to use if you’re in the Samsung ecosystem. Pair it with a Galaxy phone, and everything works seamlessly. Samsung Pay, ECG, and blood pressure monitoring all come alive.If you’re using another Android phone, you’ll still get most features, but some perks are locked. And for iPhone users? Sorry, no official support here.
Notifications are handled beautifully. You can read, reply, or even take calls from your wrist. The speaker is loud enough for quick conversations, though you wouldn’t want to have long chats on it. Music playback via Spotify or YouTube Music works great, especially with Bluetooth earbuds.
Pros and Cons: The Honest Truth
Pros
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 impresses with its stunning AMOLED display featuring an Always-On option, giving it a premium and timeless look. Built with durable sapphire crystal glass, it feels both strong and elegant on the wrist.Beyond its design, the watch excels in health monitoring, offering advanced tools like ECG, body composition analysis, and even personalized sleep coaching. Performance is fluid and responsive, thanks to seamless Wear OS integration, making navigation and app use a breeze. And when it’s time to recharge, fast charging support ensures you’re back in action quickly.
But if long battery life is your top priority, or you’re using an iPhone, you might want to look at alternatives like Garmin, Fitbit, or even the Apple Watch (if you’re in that ecosystem).
Until then, the Watch 5 remains a solid, stylish smartwatch that balances functionality and design, even if it still needs a midday charge.
Cons
The Galaxy Watch 5 delivers a sleek design and powerful health features, but it’s not without flaws. Battery life remains a weak point, often requiring daily charging for heavy users. Some of its advanced health tools work best when paired with a Samsung phone, which can feel limiting for others.The iconic rotating bezel is gone, replaced by a touch alternative that lacks the same tactile charm. And while the watch includes a temperature sensor, it’s not fully functional yet, leaving a sense of untapped potential.
Who Is It For?
If you own a Samsung smartphone, this watch is almost a no-brainer. It blends perfectly with the ecosystem and gives you advanced health tools that competitors often lack. Fitness enthusiasts, health conscious users, and anyone who appreciates premium design will love it.But if long battery life is your top priority, or you’re using an iPhone, you might want to look at alternatives like Garmin, Fitbit, or even the Apple Watch (if you’re in that ecosystem).
The Future of Galaxy Watches
The Galaxy Watch 5 feels like a stepping stone. It’s not a radical leap from the Watch 4, but it polishes the experience and adds durability with sapphire glass. The Watch 6 or future models will likely focus on battery breakthroughs and smarter sensors.Until then, the Watch 5 remains a solid, stylish smartwatch that balances functionality and design, even if it still needs a midday charge.