The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro boasts impressive battery life, a vibrant AMOLED display, and solid performance for everyday tasks. This 16-inch laptop, powered by an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 (Lunar Lake) processor, offers a compelling blend of style and functionality. But is it worth the premium price tag when compared to its 2-in-1 counterpart?
Design and Build: Premium Feel
The Galaxy Book5 Pro exudes a minimalist elegance with its gray metal chassis, black keys, and slim bezels surrounding the display. The build quality is exceptional, feeling robust and sturdy despite its lightweight design. At 3.44 pounds, it’s surprisingly portable for a 16-inch laptop. The hinge operates smoothly, allowing for effortless one-handed opening and closing, although it only extends to about 135 degrees.
The large trackpad provides ample space for navigation and gestures, with responsive clicking and effective palm rejection. While initially unconventional, its size enhances usability without hindering typing.
Keyboard: Functional, Not Flagship
The full-size keyboard features a number pad and a white backlight. While the typing experience is comfortable, the key travel feels somewhat shallow, perhaps due to the laptop’s thin profile. It’s functional but doesn’t quite match the premium feel of keyboards found on some competitors like ThinkPads.
Display and Audio: A Visual Treat
The 3K (2880×1800) AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is undoubtedly the star of the show. It delivers stunningly vibrant colors, excellent brightness, and contributes to the laptop’s impressive battery life. The touchscreen functionality adds another layer of interaction, even without the 2-in-1 flexibility. The anti-reflective coating enhances visibility, even in bright environments.
The quad-speaker setup, featuring two woofers and two tweeters, produces clear and loud audio. However, bass response is somewhat lacking compared to dedicated speakers or headphones.
Webcam and Microphone: Adequate for Meetings
The 2MP 1080p webcam performs adequately for video conferencing, especially in well-lit conditions. While not the best webcam available, it’s sufficient for online meetings. The inclusion of Windows Studio Effects, powered by the laptop’s NPU, allows for AI-enhanced features like background blur and eye contact correction. However, the absence of a physical privacy shutter is a notable omission.
The dual microphones, on the other hand, are excellent, delivering clear and studio-quality audio for online communication.
Connectivity and Performance: Solid and Reliable
The Galaxy Book5 Pro offers a good selection of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C), HDMI 2.1, USB Type-A, a combo audio jack, and a microSD card reader. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensures future-proof connectivity.
Performance-wise, the Lunar Lake processor handles everyday productivity tasks with ease. While not designed for heavy multithreaded workloads, it delivers a smooth and responsive experience for general use. Benchmarks confirm solid performance in line with other Lunar Lake-equipped laptops, though it lags behind competitors in multi-core CPU performance.
Battery Life: A True Standout
The 76.1 Watt-hour battery, combined with the power-efficient Lunar Lake processor, delivers exceptional battery life. In our testing, the Galaxy Book5 Pro lasted nearly 24 hours on a single charge. This translates to all-day usage in real-world scenarios, making it a reliable companion for work and travel.
Conclusion: A Great Laptop, But Consider the 360 Model
The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro is a well-rounded laptop with a stunning display, exceptional battery life, and a premium design. However, the price point of $1,649 warrants consideration, especially given the availability of the 2-in-1 Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 for just $50 more. The 360 model offers added versatility with its hinge and included S Pen, making it a potentially more valuable option.
If 2-in-1 functionality and pen support aren’t essential, the Galaxy Book5 Pro remains a compelling choice for users prioritizing portability, battery life, and a beautiful display. It’s a powerful productivity machine ideal for everyday tasks and long work sessions.
