Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 review: our full review – Connected Watches

For 2022, Samsung has simplified its range of watches with the sports-focused Pro model and the more basic but also less expensive model, the Galaxy Watch 5, presented here. We have already tested the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. We will focus here on the main differences that should be noted: autonomy and design. As a small bonus, we were able to test the watch with a Galaxy smartphone to see what the Seoul firm brings to its ecosystem. Let’s go.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5Technical sheet

This test was carried out with a watch rented by Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5Design

Design-wise, the watch we tested is the smaller 40mm version. There is also a model with a diameter of 44 mm. First observation: The Galaxy Watch 5 looks exactly like its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch 4. We retain the double horn system that runs along the circumference of the case and is attached to the bracelet.

Slightly improved for the latter event. Still in silicone, has a pin buckle cap. Specifically, after passing the cap, you can wedge the end of the bracelet through the hole provided for this purpose. Very efficient system.

Otherwise, the Galaxy Watch 5 is still a pleasure to wear. It is a light watch that is easily forgotten on the wrist. There are no design flaws to report, the heart sensor is well hidden at night and therefore does not interfere with sleep. Additionally, the Galaxy Watch 5 is IP68 certified, which prevents it from being removed every time you shower or swim (in the pool).

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5Autonomy

The biggest difference with the Pro model will obviously be played in autonomy, because the Galaxy Watch 5 has only 284 mAh. The 410 mAh Galaxy Watch 5 44 mm battery and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro with a 590 mAh display look a little small.

To summarize briefly, the model we tested will take a little more than a day for autonomy, not much more. After asking him for a little more robust use, for example, by working with the integrated GPS or by activating the screen alwayswe are quickly down to a full day.

For example, on a day off, when the clock was at 100%, I unplugged the clock at noon. To push it to its limits a bit, I decided to use it as a mini-smartphone, which is the idea behind these smartwatches. So I downloaded a hundred songs from Spotify, then activated the constant monitoring of heart activity and screen always. I also did 15 minutes of physical activity with the GPS and music on the watch. I also listened to music for 45 minutes outside of the race. Verdict: At 21:53 I had 6% autonomy left. It is clear that with less than 10 hours of intensive use, the watch does not have many minutes left to shut down completely.

Fortunately, a power saving mode is offered. It’s much more attractive, even if it cuts out most of the cool features. We lose the screen always, stress tracking, heart rate and brightness are similarly reduced. In return for all this, the watch will reduce autonomy by about 25-30 points per day without using it.

Increase

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is sold with a special cable that charges the watch by induction. It’s also Qi-compatible, and it’s possible to charge the watch with a new Galaxy smartphone. through induction charging. I connected to a 25W Samsung charger, charged in less than an hour. It’s far from fast charging, which is more unfortunate when you only have to refuel once a day.

Here are the percentages available starting at 0% on the Galaxy Watch 5 in detail:

• 18% after 10 minutes;
• 36% after 20 minutes;
• 58% after 30 minutes;
• 74% after 40 minutes;
• 90% after 50 minutes.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5Health properties

As for the health and fitness component, the Galaxy Watch 5 fully integrates the Pro’s spec sheet, combining bioelectricity with accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, geomagnetic sensor for compass, impedance analysis sensor for fat mass. , electrocardiogram, tensiometer and heart rate monitor. All this allows you to measure the number of steps and your heart rate, at the same time guide you, show the degree of fat mass, take an electrocardiogram, measure your blood pressure or measure the level of oxygen saturation in the blood.

Heart rate tracking

Samsung’s watch is more consumer oriented than its Pro counterpart. However, who says that a closed watch is a great focus on health. Here’s what it gives heart rate monitoring compare the heart rate monitor Garmin HRM-Pro (in blue) in the sequence of running uphill, then walking downhill (in red).

It appears that the watch has a relatively long “warm-up” time of about 5 minutes before it settles to a value closer to the belt. The bracelet also shows some lag before adjusting to heart rate changes, but for non-sports watches there’s no shame. However, the values ​​remain close to what the belt indicates, showing an average of two strokes lower and struggling to reach the actual maximum.

GPS Tracking

The GPS tracking of the watch is of excellent quality: it does not take shortcuts and refreshes the GPS point very regularly. On the other hand, when it comes to pinpointing one’s location, precision is lacking. Decide for yourself on this map comparing a GPS smartphone (not perfect, but better) and a watch in orange.

Features reserved for Samsung smartphones

Unfortunately, Samsung is saving more advanced health features for users of the latest Galaxy smartphones (under One UI 4.1.1).

These are through the Samsung Health Monitor app available on the Galaxy Store. It is the easiest electrocardiogram to use. Its purpose is to closely analyze your heartbeat and determine if you have atrial fibrillation. The application is quite clear and simple and explains the results well, advising to consult a doctor in case of doubt. You can also share the results in pdf format very easily.

For blood pressure, it’s a bit more complicated, as you’ll first need to calibrate the watch using a blood pressure monitor.

Be careful if you live in DOM-TOM, many users from Martinique, Réunion or Guadeloupe complain about the Health Monitor app, indicating that the app does not want to run in their geographic area. Also note that the app requires you to use a cellular connection and refuses to launch when connected to Wi-Fi.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5For the rest…

For the rest of this test, I will refer you to the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro test performed by my colleague Geoffroy, since everything that will be discussed is elaborated there. Indeed, the watches share the following points entirely: both run Wear OS 3, can install many apps, both can make calls, connect via Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 4, and share a very similar screen (except for the size).

In a few words, Wear OS 3 is a real pleasure to operate. It’s not uncommon for one to be surprised at the possibility of performing an action, and after a few seconds to find that functionality well and truly understood.

Browsing the Play Store inside the watch allows you to step away from the smartphone environment to really dive into your watch. I even tested the running experience with just my watch, YouTube Music, and some music downloaded from the Buds. You can reply to text messages by typing your text, you can answer calls, in short, the Galaxy Watch 5 is definitely a universal watch. A multi-dial that transforms from a multi-graphic to one filled with health information makes this a very good impression.

On the other hand, we can clearly regret two elements: the disastrous autonomy that violates some basic functions, such as sleep monitoring or downloading music using the battery. As Apple Watch’s main competitor, we’d still expect more fluidity. However, the watch often accumulates very long load times and significant lag. There’s nothing that makes it unusable, but the user experience loses a few points.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5Price and release date

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is available for €299 for the 40mm version and €329 for the 44mm version. The same versions with LTE cost 349 and 379 euros, respectively.