Samsung's smartwatch lineup offers compelling options, but choosing between the rugged Watch5 Pro and the more mainstream Galaxy Watch can be tricky. Both devices boast Wear OS and Samsung's signature features, but significant differences exist in design, durability, and performance. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Watch5 Pro is the clear winner for outdoor enthusiasts and those prioritizing battery life and durability. However, the standard Galaxy Watch offers a more stylish design and a slightly better value proposition for everyday users who don't need the Pro's extreme features. It's a trade-off between ruggedness and refinement.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 10 | 2018, August. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 26 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), titanium frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass DX+), stainless steel frame 316L |
| Dimensions | 45.4 x 45.4 x 10.5 mm (1.79 x 1.79 x 0.41 in) | 49 x 46 x 13 mm (1.93 x 1.81 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 46.5 g (1.66 oz) | 63 g (2.22 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810H compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 22mm straps
Rotating bezel
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal | Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ |
| Resolution | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) | 360 x 360 pixels (~278 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.4 inches | 1.3 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display
Rotating bezel |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Exynos W920 (5 nm) | Exynos 9110 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 | Mali-T720 |
| OS | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 | Tizen OS 5.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 4GB 768MB RAM, 4GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (body temperature) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer |
| | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 590 mAh | Li-Ion 472 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black Titanium, Gray Titanium | Silver 46mm, Midnight Black 42mm, Rose Gold 42mm |
| Models | SM-R925F | SM-805U, SM-805W, SM-815U, SM-815W, SM-R805F, SM-R805N, SM-R815F, SM-R815N, SM-R8050, SM-R800 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
- Exceptional battery life
- Rugged titanium case and sapphire crystal display
- Improved performance with Exynos W920
- Enhanced durability for outdoor activities
- Route tracking feature
- Higher price point
- Larger and bulkier design
- Limited appeal for casual users
Samsung Galaxy Watch
- More stylish and compact design
- Lower price point
- Good battery life for everyday use
- Wide range of watch faces and customization options
- Seamless integration with Samsung ecosystem
- Less durable than the Pro
- Shorter battery life
- Older chipset (Exynos 9110)
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Watch5 Pro features a 1.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a sapphire crystal glass, offering enhanced scratch resistance. The standard Galaxy Watch has a slightly smaller 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display, also protected by glass, but not sapphire. Both displays are vibrant and sharp, but the Pro's larger size and tougher glass provide a noticeable advantage for durability.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Galaxy Watch5 Pro nor the standard Galaxy Watch has a built-in camera. This is a common feature omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Watch5 Pro's Exynos W920 chipset (5nm) offers a performance boost over the Galaxy Watch's Exynos 9110 (10nm). While both run Wear OS smoothly for most tasks, the Pro handles more demanding apps and background processes with greater efficiency. The Cortex-A55 core in the Pro is also generally faster than the Cortex-A53 in the standard Watch.
Battery Life
This is where the Watch5 Pro truly shines. It boasts a significantly larger battery (590mAh) compared to the standard Galaxy Watch (360mAh). This translates to several days of battery life with typical usage for the Pro, while the standard Watch typically lasts around a day and a half to two days.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is ideal for hikers, runners, and anyone who frequently engages in outdoor activities. Its titanium case, sapphire crystal display, and extended battery life make it a robust companion. The standard Galaxy Watch is a better choice for those seeking a stylish, versatile smartwatch for daily use, fitness tracking, and notifications, without the premium price tag and bulkier design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Watch5 Pro worth the extra money?
If you're an avid outdoor enthusiast or need extended battery life, the Pro's durability and performance justify the higher price. Otherwise, the standard Galaxy Watch offers excellent value for everyday use.
❓ What is the difference in size between the two watches?
The Galaxy Watch5 Pro is noticeably larger and heavier than the standard Galaxy Watch, making it less comfortable for those with smaller wrists.
