Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 series gets larger battery, sapphire crystal and sportier titanium Pro model

[ Samsung Galaxy Z Flip / Fold 4 Promo ] Use the code SYGZF4VIP when you pre-order the Galaxy Z Flip 4 or Fold 4 on Samsung Malaysia online store to get an additional Free Super-Fast Wireless Charging Duo worth RM369. If you pre-order the Galaxy Watch 5 or Buds 2 Pro, you can use the same SYGZF4VIP code to redeem a 15W USB-C PD Charger worth RM59.

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Aside from the headlining Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4, Samsung is also taking the opportunity to reveal the new Galaxy Watch 5 at the Galaxy Unpacked event tonight. The wearable represents a mild update over the Watch 4, which marked a seismic shift from Samsung’s in-house Tizen OS to Android Wear OS.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

The Galaxy Watch 5 is available in two variants, as before. The standard model retains the simple circular aluminium case (40 or 44mm), flat AMOLED always-on display and touch-sensitive bezel of its predecessor.

The big news, however, is the addition of sapphire crystal, which is far more scratch resistant than glass. This makes it better value than the Apple Watch that comes with IonX glass as standard; you need to splurge on stainless steel versions of the Series 7 to get sapphire crystal.

Under the skin, the Watch 5 gets a 13% larger battery (284 mAh for 40mm, 410 mAh for 44mm), along with 30% faster charging; Samsung says – in a rather contrived manner – that you can get eight hours of sleep tracking with eight minutes of charging.

On the underside sits the BioActive Sensor that debuted on the Watch 4, combining an optical heart rate and bioelectrical impedance analysis sensors (no, you still can’t measure your ECG reading in Malaysia). This year, however, the revised curvature of the back glass increases contact with your wrist; this, together with the new infrared temperature sensor, makes for more accurate measurements.

The rest of the hardware is the same as before, including an Exynos W920 1.18GHz dual-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The Watch 5 also continues to boast an IP68 rating and is water resistant up to 50 metres.

The devices ship with Wear OS 3.5, skinned with One UI Watch that automatically downloads compatible apps (if they’re already installed on your phone) and adds gesture control and Bixby voice control (which can now be replaced by the Google Assistant). The latest One UI Watch 4.5 adds a full-screen QWERTY keyboard, dual SIM support, watch face customisation and a suite of new accessibility features.

In Malaysia, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is priced starting at RM1,099 for the 40mm Bluetooth version (RM1,199 for the 44mm), making them RM200 more expensive than the equivalent Watch 4 models. The colour palette includes Graphite, Pink Gold and Silver (the latter with a Bora Purple strap, matching the Galaxy Z Flip 4) for the 40mm model, with the 44mm swapping out Pink Gold for a Sapphire option.

As with all devices announced tonight, the Watch 5 will ship on September 2. Pre-orders come with an additional hybrid leather band worth RM149.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

Samsung has also introduced the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, a sportier model that replaces the more premium-looking Watch 4 Classic. The big difference here is the lack of a physical rotating bezel; instead, the concave surface of the fixed bezel is touch-sensitive and provides haptic feedback when you run your finger over it.

The company is touting the Pro model as the durable option and has made the 45mm case out of titanium. Also changed is the strap, now a D-Buckle Sport Band with a magnetic clasp; as before, the Watch 5 models can be fitted with a regular 20mm watch strap.

Befitting its sports-focused nature, the Pro comes with GPX support, allowing users to record their hiking or cycling routes. This enables them to use past routes for navigation (including a track back feature to return to the start point) and share them on the Samsung Health app. The battery will also last longer, as its 590 mAh capacity is 60% larger than the Watch 4’s.

The Watch 5 Pro is offered in Black and Grey and retails at RM1,899 for the Bluetooth version – a whopping RM500 more than even the priciest Watch 4 Classic. Unfortunately, Samsung still isn’t offering LTE variants of its smartwatches in Malaysia, whether it’s the Watch 5 or the Watch 5 Pro.

Neither, it has to be said, is the company bringing in the Golf Edition, which provides directions and recommendations to golfers and comes with unique watch faces, a two-tone strap and an unlimited membership on the Smart Caddie app. Again, deliveries will kick off on September 2, and if you pre-order the Pro, you’ll also get free Galaxy Buds Live worth RM549.