Galaxy Watch 5 Review: Samsung’s Latest Smartwatch Tested

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 promises to deliver premium smartwatch features at a competitive price point. After weeks of daily use, we’ve put this wearable through its paces to see if it lives up to the hype. From fitness tracking accuracy to battery performance, here’s everything you need to know about Samsung’s latest offering.

The Galaxy Watch 5 enters a crowded smartwatch market dominated by Apple and Fitbit. Samsung has made bold claims about improved health monitoring, longer battery life, and enhanced durability. But does this watch actually deliver on these promises, or is it just another incremental upgrade?

We tested the Galaxy Watch 5 across multiple scenarios—from intense workout sessions to all-day office wear. Our findings reveal both impressive strengths and notable limitations that potential buyers should consider before making their purchase decision.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy Watch 5 maintains Samsung’s signature circular design while introducing subtle refinements that enhance both form and function. The 44mm case feels substantial without being bulky, weighing in at just 33.5 grams. This makes it comfortable for all-day wear, including sleep tracking sessions.

Samsung has upgraded the materials significantly this generation. The aluminum case feels premium and shows excellent resistance to everyday scratches and bumps. The Digital Crown has been repositioned slightly, making it more accessible during workouts and daily navigation.

Display Excellence

The 1.4-inch Super AMOLED display remains one of the Galaxy Watch 5’s standout features. Colors appear vibrant and text stays crisp even in bright outdoor conditions. The Always On Display performs admirably, showing essential information without significantly impacting battery life.

Screen responsiveness impressed us throughout testing. Touch gestures register accurately, and the rotating bezel provides intuitive navigation through menus and apps. This combination makes the watch feel more responsive than many competitors in this price range.

Comfort and Strap Options

Samsung includes a comfortable silicone sport band that works well for both casual wear and intense exercise sessions. The band doesn’t trap excessive moisture during workouts, though it can show dust and lint more easily than darker alternatives.

Third-party strap compatibility expands customization options significantly. Standard 22mm watch bands fit perfectly, allowing users to switch between sport, leather, and metal options based on their daily activities.

Health and Fitness Features

Samsung has positioned health monitoring as a core strength of the Galaxy Watch 5. The watch includes an impressive array of sensors: heart rate monitor, blood oxygen sensor, sleep tracker, and body composition analyzer.

Heart Rate Monitoring Accuracy

During our testing, heart rate readings proved consistently accurate compared to chest strap monitors. The watch tracks both resting and active heart rates effectively, providing detailed insights through Samsung Health.

The continuous heart rate monitoring works well during workouts, though we noticed occasional lag during high-intensity interval training. Recovery heart rate measurements align closely with professional fitness equipment, making this a reliable metric for serious athletes.

Sleep Tracking Performance

Sleep tracking represents one of the Galaxy Watch 5’s strongest features. The watch automatically detects sleep onset and provides detailed analysis of sleep stages, including REM, deep sleep, and light sleep phases.

Sleep scores appear accurate and correlate well with subjective sleep quality assessments. The watch also monitors blood oxygen levels during sleep, though Samsung emphasizes these readings are for wellness purposes rather than medical diagnosis.

Workout Tracking Capabilities

The Galaxy Watch 5 includes over 90 workout modes, covering everything from running and cycling to yoga and swimming. GPS accuracy impressed us during outdoor activities, with route tracking matching dedicated running watches closely.

Swimming performance deserves special mention. The 5ATM water resistance rating holds up well during pool sessions, and stroke counting accuracy rivals dedicated swim watches. The watch automatically detects different swimming strokes and provides meaningful performance metrics.

Battery Life and Charging

Samsung claims up to 40 hours of battery life with typical use, and our real-world testing generally supports this estimate. With moderate use including notifications, health monitoring, and occasional GPS tracking, the watch consistently lasted through two full days.

Heavy usage scenarios tell a different story. Extended GPS tracking, streaming music, and frequent app usage can drain the battery in less than 24 hours. This puts the Galaxy Watch 5 in line with most smartwatches but falls short of dedicated fitness trackers.

Charging Speed and Convenience

The wireless charging system works efficiently, reaching full charge in approximately 80 minutes. The magnetic charging pad aligns easily and maintains connection reliably throughout the charging process.

One notable improvement is the watch’s ability to charge more quickly during the first 30 minutes, reaching about 50% capacity. This rapid charging feature proves useful for users who forget to charge overnight.

Software and Smart Features

Wear OS powered by Samsung provides a smooth and intuitive user experience. The interface feels responsive, with minimal lag when navigating between apps or accessing notifications.

Samsung Ecosystem Integration

Galaxy Watch 5 owners with Samsung smartphones will appreciate the seamless integration features. Automatic watch unlocking when your phone is nearby, camera remote control, and comprehensive Samsung Health synchronization enhance the overall user experience.

However, iPhone users face more limitations. While basic features work well, advanced health insights and some Samsung-specific features remain unavailable when paired with iOS devices.

Third-Party App Support

The Wear OS platform provides access to thousands of apps through the Google Play Store. Popular fitness apps like Strava and MyFitnessPal sync effectively, while productivity apps such as Google Keep and Calendar integrate smoothly.

App performance varies significantly. Simple apps like weather and music controls work flawlessly, while more complex applications can feel sluggish or drain battery more quickly than expected.

Performance and Connectivity

The Exynos W920 processor handles daily tasks efficiently. App launches, menu navigation, and notification handling all feel responsive during normal use. However, demanding applications or multiple simultaneous apps can cause occasional stuttering.

Bluetooth and WiFi Connectivity

Bluetooth connectivity remains stable throughout testing, maintaining reliable connections with smartphones at typical distances. Call quality through the watch speaker is clear enough for brief conversations, though a connected headset provides better audio quality.

WiFi connectivity allows the watch to function independently when your phone isn’t nearby. This proves especially useful for receiving notifications, downloading apps, or streaming music during workouts.

Value Proposition and Competition

At its current price point, the Galaxy Watch 5 competes directly with the Apple Watch Series 8 and Google Pixel Watch. Each offers distinct advantages depending on your smartphone ecosystem and primary use cases.

Comparing Against Apple Watch

Apple Watch users benefit from deeper iOS integration and a more mature app ecosystem. However, the Galaxy Watch 5 offers superior battery life and works well with Android devices that dominate the global market.

Android Alternatives

Compared to other Wear OS devices, the Galaxy Watch 5 provides better battery optimization and more comprehensive health features. The Samsung Health platform offers more detailed insights than many competitors, particularly for sleep and fitness tracking.

Areas for Improvement

Despite its strengths, the Galaxy Watch 5 has several areas where Samsung could improve future iterations. Battery life during GPS-intensive activities remains limited compared to dedicated fitness watches.

The charging cable could be more durable—several users report connection issues after extended use. Additionally, some third-party apps still feel less optimized compared to their smartphone counterparts.

Samsung’s health features, while comprehensive, sometimes provide inconsistent readings during certain activities. Blood oxygen measurements can vary significantly based on positioning and movement, limiting their practical usefulness.

Should You Buy the Galaxy Watch 5?

The Galaxy Watch 5 succeeds as a well-rounded smartwatch that balances features, performance, and price effectively. Samsung has created a device that serves both casual users seeking convenient notifications and fitness enthusiasts wanting detailed health insights.

Android users, particularly those with Samsung smartphones, will find the most value in this watch. The ecosystem integration enhances daily usability significantly, making features like Samsung Pay, camera control, and health synchronization genuinely useful.

iPhone users should consider their priorities carefully. While basic smartwatch functions work well, the limited integration and missing Samsung Health features may justify exploring Apple Watch alternatives instead.

For fitness-focused users, the Galaxy Watch 5 provides accurate tracking for most activities and comprehensive health monitoring. However, serious athletes might prefer dedicated fitness watches with longer battery life during GPS tracking sessions.

Final Verdict

Samsung has delivered a solid smartwatch evolution with the Galaxy Watch 5. While it doesn’t revolutionize the category, meaningful improvements to battery life, health tracking, and build quality make it a compelling choice for Android users.

The watch excels in daily usability, offering reliable notifications, smooth performance, and comprehensive fitness tracking. Samsung’s health platform provides valuable insights that can genuinely influence lifestyle decisions and wellness habits.

Consider the Galaxy Watch 5 if you value ecosystem integration, want comprehensive health tracking, and prefer the flexibility of a circular smartwatch design. Skip it if you need multi-day battery life for outdoor adventures or primarily use iOS devices.