Samsung is offering three different Galaxy Watch5 + Watch5 Pro models, so which should YOU buy?
Galaxy Watch5 vs. Watch5 Pro : How Different Are They?
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch5 series on August 10, and they have already made waves as their most durable and feature-packed watches yet!
In this article, I will go through their key features, so you can find out which Galaxy Watch5 model is best for you!
Three Sizes, Two Case Types, One Strap Size
Samsung offers three different Galaxy Watch5 models, each with a different case sizes, but fortunately – the same 20 mm strap size.
The size difference between the three models does not “look” significant, but they feel different and have different capabilities.
I highly recommend that you visit a Samsung Experience Store to try out the fit first, because how it feels and looks on your wrist is important.
| Specifications | Watch5 40mm |
Watch5 44mm |
Watch5 Pro |
| Model | SM-R900 | SM-R910 | SM-R920 |
| Body Size | 40 mm | 44 mm | 45 mm |
| Body Material | Armor Aluminum | Titanium | |
| Strap Band Width | 20 mm | ||
| Dimensions | 40.4 x 39.3 mm 9.8 mm thick |
44.4 x 43.3 mm 9.8 mm thick |
45.4 x 45.4 mm 10.5 mm thick |
| Weight | 28.7 grams | 33.5 grams | 45.6 grams |
All Models : Full Load Of Sensors
First, let me point out that regardless of which Galaxy Watch5 model you choose, you can rest assured that you will have access to the full load of sensors, including:
- an improved BioActive sensor, with an increased surface area and more direct contact with your wrist.
- accelerometer, barometer, gyro sensor, light sensor, and geomagnetic sensor
The BioActive Sensor incidentally is a unique Samsung chip that combines 3 sensors – Optical Heart Rate, Electrical Heart (ECG) and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, to monitor and track heart rate, blood oxygen level, and even your stress level.
All Models : Same Performance + Connectivity
You will also be glad to know that Samsung did not skimp on the performance in any Galaxy Watch5 model.
All three Galaxy Watch5 models come with Samsung Exynos W920 system-on-chip, built on the 5 nm process technology. It features:
- two Arm Cortex-A55 processor cores running at 1.18 GHz
- an Arm Mali-G68 graphics processor
- 1.5 GB RAM
- 16 GB internal storage, with 7.5 GB of available storage
All three models also support the same connectivity capabilities – dual-band WiFi-N with Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC with support for Samsung Pay.
They also support all of the main location systems – GPS, Glonass, Beidou and Galileo
All Models : Same Durability
Samsung also did not cheap out on durability. All three Galaxy Watch5 models are similarly tough, boasting a rugged military-grade case that is certified to withstand up to 5 bars of water pressure.
All three models are MIL-STD-810H certified, with dust and water resistance of IP68 and 5ATM. That means you can take them diving at up to 50 metres of depth!
On top of that, the Super AMOLED display of all three Galaxy Watch5 models are protected by Sapphire crystal, which is 1.6 times harder than Gorilla Glass with DX+.
44mm Watch5 | Watch5 Pro : Larger Display
The 44 mm Watch5 model, and the Watch5 Pro come with a larger 1.4-inch display, with a resolution of 450 x 450 pixels.
The 40 mm Watch5 model, on the other hand, comes with a smaller 1.2-inch display, with a resolution of 396 x 396 pixels.
I prefer the larger display, but this is really a personal preference. To really appreciate the difference, I recommend you check out the three models at a Samsung Experience Store.
Galaxy Watch5 Pro : Higher Corrosion Resistance
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 has an Armor Aluminum case, while the Watch5 Pro has a titanium case. They are both tough and have excellent corrosion resistance.
However, titanium is more corrosion-resistant than aluminium, and is best suited for those who intend to put their watch through the toughest environments.
Galaxy Watch5 Pro : Route Workout + Track Back
As part of its health monitoring capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 series can track your sleep, and check your body composition.
But fitness enthusiasts will love the additional Route Workout and Track Back features in the Galaxy Watch5 Pro:
- The all-new Route workout feature lets you import GPX format workout routes from your smartphone to your watch, syncing your route list.
- Go the distance, then use Track Back to return right back where you started. Staying on track is easy thanks to voice or vibration-guided turn-by-turn navigation for cyclists and hikers.
All Models : Different Battery Lives, Same Fast Charging
More significant is the difference in battery life between the three Galaxy Watch5 models. They all have different battery sizes, with different battery lives:
| Specifications | Watch5 40mm |
Watch5 44mm |
Watch5 Pro |
| Battery Size | 284 mAh | 410 mAh | 590 mAh |
| Battery Life | Up to 40 hours | Up to 80 hours | |
| Charging | 10 watt Qi wireless charging | ||
I’m not sure how the Watch5 Small is able to match the battery life of the Watch5 Large, since it has a 30.7% smaller battery. But the smaller display would help, and it is possible that Samsung may have down-clocked its processor.
But there is no doubt that if you want the longest possible battery life in your watch, the Watch5 Pro is what you are looking for, with its rated battery life of up to 80 hours – just over 3 days!
All three models support Qi fast wireless charging, which will allow you to quickly recharge them. The Watch5 only needs 30 minutes to recharge from 0% to 45%.
All Models : Different Colour Options
What is also important to note is that all three models come in different colour options, which I summarised in this table:
| Colour Options | |
| Watch5 (40mm) | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Watch5 (44mm) | Graphite, Silver, Sapphire |
| Watch5 Pro | Grey Titanium, Black Titanium |
The Galaxy Watch5 Small and Large models offer a conservative Graphite option, with two “fun” colour options.
The Pro version, on the other hand, is limited to a conservative Black Titanium option, and a cool Grey Titanium colour option.
Again, you need to physically examine these colour options, and try them out on your wrist at a Samsung Experience Store, to decide which looks best on your wrist.
Galaxy Watch5 vs. Watch5 Pro : Which To Buy?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is geared towards adventurers and fitness enthusiasts, who will love its Route Workout and Track Back features.
Its titanium case will easily handle years of acid rain to salt water immersion, while its long battery life will be helpful for long outdoor excursions and field trips.
So if you are an outdoorsman, or someone who dives or goes on long treks, there is no doubt – get the Galaxy Watch5 Pro.
Both the Small (40mm) and Large (44mm) versions of the Galaxy Watch5 are targeted at “the rest of us” – people who want a digital exercise or healthcare companion.
It will help us monitor our health vitals, and track our exercises; while looking stylish enough to go clubbing with, or to attend black tie dinner parties.
If you don’t do triathlons like IRONMAN, or go into the wilderness, try on both the Small and Large versions of the Galaxy Watch5, and buy the one that feels and looks best on your wrist!
Galaxy Watch5 + Watch5 Pro : Where To Buy?
Here are online purchase options where you can buy the Galaxy Watch5 series (prices accurate as of Oct 14):
Malaysia
- Galaxy Watch5 (40mm) : RM945 | RM1,099 | RM1,099
- Galaxy Watch5 (44mm) : RM1,029 | RM1,199 | RM1,199 | RM1,199
- Galaxy Watch5 Pro : RM1,599 | RM1,899 | RM1,899
Singapore
- Galaxy Watch5 (40mm) : $349 | $548
- Galaxy Watch5 (44mm) : $379 | $549
- Galaxy Watch5 Pro : $570 | $598
United States
United Kingdom
Australia
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
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