Samsung’s Galaxy Book series is often praised as an ideal alternative to the MacBook, known for its portability and versatility. The previous year’s Galaxy Book 4 Pro 360 was honored with NDTV Gadgets 360’s award for Best 2-in-1 laptop, showcasing its appeal. This year, Samsung has further enhanced the Galaxy Book lineup with the introduction of the Galaxy Book 5 series, which includes advanced Galaxy AI features.
The new series comprises three models: the Galaxy Book 5 Pro, Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360, and Galaxy Book 5 360, all of which are powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake processor. In terms of pricing, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro is available in India starting at Rs. 1,31,990, while the Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360 is priced from Rs. 1,55,990. The Galaxy Book 5 360, the most affordable option, starts at Rs. 1,14,990.
This review focuses on the Galaxy Book 5 Pro. The device offers a robust package, designed to meet various work-related demands, complemented by an outstanding display and a respectable audio setup. However, does it outperform its competitors in the same price bracket? This review will explore that question.
Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro Design and Display: Built for Productivity
- Weight – 1.23 KG (14-inch)
- Thickness – 11.6mm
- Screen resolution – 2880×1800 pixels WQXGA+ AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate
The Galaxy Book 5 Pro is Samsung’s latest premium offering in the lightweight laptop category. Weighing just 1.23 kilograms, this 14-inch device is designed for maximum portability, easily fitting into smaller bags with its slim 11.6mm profile. The laptop, available in a single Grey color, showcases a minimalistic design that will appeal to fans of understated aesthetics.
The laptop weighs 1.23 kilograms
The included retail package features a Type-C to C cable and a charging adapter, with an emphasis on sleek packaging and minimal branding. Right from the outset, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro gives off a premium vibe, reinforced by its sturdy metal finish and easy one-handed lid opening. The 14-inch variant is notably more portable than its 16-inch counterpart, making it more suitable for commuters, such as my experience on the Delhi metro where it was easy to manage.
The hinge mechanism is stable, showing no wobble during typing sessions. Overall, the design of the Galaxy Book 5 Pro aligns well with the needs of professional users, and it delivers on its promise.
One of the standout features of this laptop is its 14-inch 3K AMOLED display. Known for their display quality, Samsung does not disappoint with the Galaxy Book 5 Pro. The touch-supported display is a noteworthy inclusion at this price point, a feature absent in the entire MacBook lineup. The 120Hz refresh rate further enhances the multimedia experience, while an anti-reflective coating ensures usability in bright conditions. The display excels in brightness and color accuracy, making it perfect for tasks like binge-watching or browsing during work hours. However, the bezel design remains unchanged from the previous Galaxy Book 4 Pro model.
At 11.6mm, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro is slim
If you seek a laptop delivering both quality design and exceptional display performance, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro is certainly worthy of consideration.
Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro Keyboard, Touchpad, Speakers, and Webcam
- Keyboard – Full-size with numeric key (Backlit keyboard)
- Touchpad – Clickpad
- Speakers – Quad Speakers (woofer max 5 Wx2 and tweeter 3.3Wx2) with Dolby Atmos
- Webcam – 2-megapixel (1080p FHD) camera, internal dual-array digital mic
Transitioning to the input experience, the Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro sports a full-size keyboard on its 14-inch model. In contrast, the larger 16-inch variant includes a dedicated number pad. The backlit keyboard features adjustable lighting, making it user-friendly in dim environments. While the key travel is decent for typing, it does not reach the quality found on some bulkier models, like Lenovo’s ThinkPad series.
The generous touchpad area allows for comfortable palm rest during typing, and its responsive performance earns it extra points.
The 14-inch model gets an AMOLED 3K display with a 120Hz refresh rate
Samsung claims the Galaxy Book 5 Pro features a quad-speaker system, which is adequate for video streaming and general media playback in a medium-sized room. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos is a welcome addition, though the laptop’s slim design limits bass output. Nonetheless, clarity remains intact, and volume levels are satisfactory. Manufacturers often face such trade-offs to keep devices compact.
The 2-megapixel webcam offers reasonable quality for virtual meetings, along with Samsung’s software tools to enhance image performance. A physical privacy shutter could have been a valuable addition. Compared to other laptops in its price range, it stands out as one of the best webcams available and surpasses what typically comes with Mac models.
The integrated microphone performs well, effectively minimizing background noise during calls.
The laptop is available in a single Grey colour option in India
Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro Performance: Suitable for Daily Tasks
- Processor – Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor (Series 2)
- RAM and storage – 16GB RAM and 512GB
- Supports Copilot (Dedicated key)
- Graphics – Intel Arc 140V GPU (8GB)
- Ports – 1xHDMI 2.1, 2xThunderbolt 4, 1xUSB 3.2, MicroSD Multi-media Card Reader, and 1xHeadphone out/Mic-in Combo
The Galaxy Book 5 Pro serves as a reliable everyday companion, adept at handling a variety of tasks, including multitasking, web browsing with multiple tabs, and even light image editing. Thanks to its Intel Core Ultra Series 2 (Lunar Lake) processors, it manages these tasks effectively.
The laptop gets a Copilot+PC experience
However, performance dips sharply with intensive AAA gaming titles, where the Galaxy Book 5 Pro struggles, resulting in noticeable heat and fan noise. This device is not built for gaming, although it handles light gaming moderately well.
I tested the Galaxy Book 5 Pro with a range of synthetic benchmarks to measure its performance, and the results are as follows:
| Benchmark | Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro | Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition | Asus Zenbook S 16 (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench R23 Single Core | 1457 | 1850 | 1917 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi Core | 10233 | 10467 | 15,776 |
| Geekbench 6 Single Core | 2876 | 2690 | 2,712 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi Core | 11898 | 11119 | 12732 |
| PC Mark 10 | 7345 | 7253 | 4451 |
| 3DMark Night Raid | 32983 | 33860 | 27,358 |
| 3DMark CPU Profile | 6023 | 5861 | 7,446 |
| 3DMark Steel Nomad Light | 3456 | 3227 | 3,287 |
| CrystalDiskMark | 6081.22 MB/s (Read)/ 4233.32 MB/s (Write) | 6151.16 MB/s (Read)/ 4662.65 MB/s (Write) | 5066.63 MB/s (Read)/ 3609.52 MB/s (Write) |
In addition to everyday tasks, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro excels at functions that integrate seamlessly with Galaxy smartphones. This feature boosts productivity, allowing tasks like drag-and-drop functionality via Multi Control, Quick Share, AI Select, and other synchronization features. While some AI features may come across as gimmicky, others, like Photo Remaster, effectively enhance images.
For users already within the Samsung ecosystem, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro proves to be an advantageous addition, providing familiar settings and options reminiscent of the Galaxy smartphone experience. Lacking this ecosystem, users may miss out on many features, although basic functions like mirroring screens and receiving notifications remain accessible. The battery settings also allow for specifics such as charging limits and performance modes.
The device is equipped with a variety of connectivity ports, ensuring users have ample options for peripherals. Additionally, the fingerprint scanner on the power button is swift and reliable, marking it as one of the more effective biometric security features available on laptops today.
The laptop gets a quad speaker setup with Dolby Atmos support
In summary, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro stands out as an excellent workhorse, capable of catering to a wide range of professional needs.
Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro Battery: Adequate Performance
- Capacity – 63.1Wh (Li-ion)
- Charger – Fast charging adapter (included in the box)
The 14-inch model features a 63.1Wh battery that provides around 6-8 hours of usage at maximum capacity. While sufficient for a typical workday, it does fall short compared to the efficiency of Apple’s offerings with their silicon chips.
That said, the inclusion of a fast-charging adapter is a spotlight feature, enabling the device to charge from 0 to 60% in under 60 minutes. My testing revealed that the laptop could reach 35% in just 30 minutes. Full charging generally takes about 80-90 minutes. Plus, the lightweight design of the charger is a bonus, as it avoids the bulky feel often associated with chargers in this category.
The Galaxy Book 5 Pro gets a full-size keyboard
Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro Review: Final Thoughts
Overall, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro is a commendable work laptop, making it a suitable choice for students and professionals alike. It successfully combines a robust build with an impressive display, while the Intel Lunar Lake processor ensures reliable performance in everyday situations.
Nevertheless, gamers should seek alternatives, as the laptop has limitations in that domain. Priced as low as Rs. 126,990, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro stands as a strong Windows 11 candidate for those exploring MacBook alternatives. It fits the profile of a user-friendly laptop designed for those on the move, although battery longevity could be better.
For those already integrated into the Galaxy ecosystem, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro enhances the experience with its continuity features. Competitive alternatives include the 15-inch MacBook Air, priced at Rs. 124,900, or the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i, available at Rs. 125,000, which also runs Windows 11.
