The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is a compelling smartwatch option for fitness enthusiasts and everyday users alike.
Display:
The Watch 5 boasts a durable 1.2-inch (40mm) or 1.4-inch (44mm) AMOLED display with a crisp resolution (396 x 396 pixels or 450 x 450 pixels). Protected by scratch-resistant Sapphire crystal glass, the display offers excellent visibility both indoors and outdoors, even under bright sunlight.
Camera:
Unlike some bulkier smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch 5 lacks a built-in camera. This keeps the design slim and allows for a longer battery life. However, you can still remotely control your phone’s camera through the watch.
Performance:
The Exynos W920 dual-core processor paired with 1.5GB of RAM ensures smooth performance for navigating menus, launching apps, and tracking workouts. The watch runs Wear OS 3.5 with Samsung’s One UI Watch 4.5 on top, offering a user-friendly interface and access to a wide range of fitness and lifestyle apps.
Battery:
With a 290mAh (40mm) or 410mAh (44mm) battery, the Galaxy Watch 5 can last for up to two days on a single charge with typical use. Factors like GPS usage and notification frequency can affect battery life. The watch supports fast wireless charging, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed.
Storage:
The Galaxy Watch 5 comes with 16GB of internal storage, which is sufficient for storing music, apps, and workout data. This ensures you can take your music library offline for phone-free workouts.
Software:
As mentioned earlier, the Watch 5 runs Wear OS 3.5 with Samsung’s One UI Watch 4.5 on top. This combination provides a user-friendly interface with access to Google apps and services like Google Pay, Google Maps, and Samsung Health. The watch also supports a wide range of third-party apps for fitness tracking, music streaming, and more.
Connectivity:
The Galaxy Watch 5 comes in Bluetooth and LTE variants. The Bluetooth version connects to your phone for notifications, calls, and music playback. The LTE version allows for cellular connectivity, letting you make and receive calls, stream music, and access the internet even without your phone nearby. Both versions support Wi-Fi connectivity for downloading apps and updating software.
Sound:
The Galaxy Watch 5 features a built-in speaker for listening to music, ringtones, and notifications. While not intended for high-fidelity audio, the speaker delivers decent quality for casual listening. The watch also lacks a microphone, so you cannot make or receive calls directly from the watch itself.