Design and build
Samsung’s design philosophy shines through in the Galaxy Book5 Pro. The 14-inch variant boasts a sleek, minimalist aluminum chassis that feels both robust and elegant. Weighing just over 1.2kg, it is light enough for daily transport while still offering durability.
Its wedge-shaped design — thicker at the hinge and tapering to the front — harks back to the earlier MacBook Air models, before Apple adopted a flatter design in 2023. This shape serves a practical purpose as well, allowing Samsung to include a full-sized HDMI port and a USB-A slot — both invaluable features in an age where dongles are common.
Fingerprint resistance is another noteworthy feature. Unlike many premium metal laptops that smudge easily, the Galaxy Book5 Pro keeps its finish clean, even after extended use.
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Display and visual experience
The highlight of the device is its 14-inch 3K Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreen. Featuring a tall 16:10 aspect ratio, the screen offers remarkable brightness, color richness, and contrast, making it perfect for creative professionals, binge-watchers, and multitaskers alike.
It employs an adaptive refresh rate, seamlessly adjusting between 48Hz, 60Hz, and 120Hz based on content to conserve battery life. Although it lacks native HDR certification, it does support HDR streaming and always-on HDR modes. Samsung’s adaptive color tone — akin to Apple’s True Tone — modifies white balance based on ambient light, reducing eye strain during prolonged usage.
Touch responsiveness is seamless and well-integrated with the software, especially when utilizing features like AI Select — a Galaxy AI tool for instant web searches and text extraction via Microsoft Edge. However, the limited flexibility of the hinge, which doesn’t allow the screen to lie flat, feels like a missed opportunity for a touchscreen device.
Audio performance
The four-speaker setup, enhanced by Dolby Atmos, delivers clear and balanced audio with good clarity across mids and highs. It fills a room effectively, although sound quality diminishes at maximum volume and lacks deep bass. For the best audio experience, keeping the volume around 70-80% is recommended.
Wired headphones enjoy complete Dolby Atmos support, but this doesn’t extend to wireless audio, which is something for Bluetooth headphone users to consider.
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Camera, microphones and AI features
The 2MP webcam provides 1080p video and is enhanced by Microsoft’s Copilot Plus features, including background blur, auto-framing, and simulated eye contact. These AI enhancements perform well in bright conditions but can struggle with accuracy in low-light scenarios or complex subject separation.
Video quality is satisfactory for meetings and casual use but does not meet expectations for this price point. Nevertheless, the dual microphones impress with their noise cancellation, particularly in noisier environments like cafés or co-working spaces.
Keyboard and touchpad
The full-size, backlit keyboard features a dedicated number row and function keys that serve as controls for brightness, volume, and the camera toggle. A fingerprint reader integrated into one of the keys allows for quick access through Windows Hello and supports password-free methods like passkeys.
A shortcut key for Copilot is also included, integrating seamlessly with Microsoft’s expanding suite of AI tools.
Key travel is shallow but consistent, providing a quiet and comfortable typing experience. The touchpad is large, responsive, and easily supports a variety of gestures.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro is a well-rounded device, showcasing premium design, a top-quality display, strong battery life, and thoughtful features like legacy port support and AI tools. It particularly attracts users who prioritize display quality and portability while looking for early access to Microsoft and Samsung’s AI innovations.
Its shortcomings — such as the webcam’s low-light performance, lack of a 180-degree hinge, and partial Dolby Atmos support — are relatively minor compared to its overall strengths.
For professionals, students, and creatives in search of a capable and stylish Windows laptop with a forward-thinking software approach, the Galaxy Book5 Pro stands prominently among its peers.
Price in India: Starts at ₹1,31,990
Configurations available with up to 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD
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