Samsung’s Galaxy Book5 Pro has entered the premium Windows laptop arena with bold intent, blending refined hardware, Intel Evo certification, Microsoft’s Copilot Plus architecture, and the debut of Galaxy AI features designed explicitly for PC users. Coming from a company already lauded for advancements in smartphone displays and ecosystem cohesion, Samsung’s latest Windows ultrabook feels both evolutionary and ambitious. But does it deliver on its promises, and where does it truly stand out—or fall short—in an increasingly competitive space? This detailed review explores every facet of the Galaxy Book5 Pro, weighing its performance, design, AI integration, display strengths, and user experience with critical scrutiny.
Samsung’s hardware design language has matured over successive product generations, and the Galaxy Book5 Pro demonstrates this in spades. The 14-inch model, featuring an all-aluminium chassis, feels both robust and feather-light, tipping the scales at just over 1.2kg. This makes it a compelling choice for professional users and students needing a laptop that won’t weigh down a daily commute.
The wedge-shaped profile, thickest at the hinge and tapering gracefully toward the front edge, evokes memories of classic MacBook Air designs prior to Apple’s 2023 switch to a uniformly flat chassis. For users nostalgic for older Apple aesthetics—or simply appreciative of practicality—the Galaxy Book5 Pro carves out a smart compromise. The design isn’t just for looks: it allows Samsung to build in practical legacy ports, including a full-size HDMI and USB-A, both increasingly rare among premium ultrabooks but invaluable if you routinely connect to monitors, projectors, or older accessories.
Another design win is the sturdy, fingerprint-resistant surface. Where many rivals in the premium metallic laptop segment become fingerprint magnets after just minutes of handling, Samsung’s matte finish resists smudges, maintaining its neat appearance well into heavy daily use. This attention to detail speaks volumes for the intended longevity and professionalism of the device.
Adaptive refresh rates (48Hz, 60Hz, 120Hz) tailor the notebook’s response to specific content types, gently boosting battery life by scaling back when static, and ramping to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and pen input when you need it. HDR streaming support, plus Samsung’s always-on HDR modes, ensure Netflix binging and photo editing both look superb—though it’s worth noting that there’s no native HDR certification, so perfectionists may wish to dig deeper before declaring it a true “creator-grade” display.
A further ergonomic feature, Samsung’s adaptive color tone (an analog to Apple’s True Tone), automatically adjusts white balance via an ambient light sensor, reducing eye fatigue in constantly changing office and home environments. For those putting in marathon hours, this technology can be genuinely transformative.
Touch input is fluid and lag-free, tightly integrated with Windows 11’s increasing pen and touch functionality. Samsung’s own Galaxy AI features leverage this integration: AI Select enables instant web searches or text extraction from on-screen content, turning Microsoft Edge into a powerful research or productivity hub.
The only notable ergonomic miss is a lack of 180-degree hinge flexibility—the screen can’t fold flat. Although this won’t matter to typical office dwellers, creative pros looking to lay the screen out for sketching, or users hoping to share content across a desk, may see it as a missed opportunity given the excellent touch support.
It’s also important to note that while wired headphones benefit from the same Dolby Atmos enhancements, this doesn’t (yet) extend to wireless audio. Bluetooth headphone users won’t fully experience this premium surround audio, making it a point to check what you’re getting based on your preferred listening approach.
Microsoft’s Copilot Plus platform steps in to add extra intelligence. AI-enhanced features like background blur, auto-framing, and simulated eye contact all work well in well-lit conditions, helping you look polished in back-to-back Teams or Zoom meetings. However, precision drops considerably in low light or in complex backgrounds, reflecting that AI-driven video enhancements are still very much a work in progress.
Microphone performance, in contrast, is a major positive. The dual-mic array, paired with advanced noise suppression, excels at isolating your voice even in noisy environments such as shared offices or cafes. This alone makes the device a strong contender for mobile professionals and podcasters.
A new addition is the Copilot shortcut key, a nod to the device’s integration with Microsoft’s growing suite of Windows AI features. For those embracing AI workflows, this is a time saver; for others, it’s unobtrusive and can be remapped as needed.
The glass touchpad, generously sized, is precise, supports multi-finger gestures, and handles even the most complex navigation effortlessly—matching, if not besting, the best of the MacBook and Dell XPS lineups.
Samsung claims up to 19 hours of battery life in light usage. In real-world mixed workloads (web, docs, video, some light creative work) reviewers and lab tests report genuine all-day power, typically achieving between 11–14 hours. This places it at the competitive forefront for Windows ultrabooks, just shy of the best-in-class MacBook Air M3 or the latest Snapdragon laptops, but well ahead of most OLED-equipped ultrabooks, which often struggle for more than 8–10 hours.
Charging is rapid, thanks to a supplied 65W USB-C charger, replenishing around 40–50% in just over 30 minutes. For globe-trotters, the inclusion of both legacy ports and leading-edge Thunderbolt 4 means you can travel light and still connect in almost any scenario.
Not all features are perfect—the webcam remains middling, AI tools continue to evolve, and some audio limitations persist. But these are balanced by tangible strengths, especially for onscreen work, frequent travelers, and those already living within Samsung’s device constellation.
For professionals, creatives, students, and anyone seeking a stylish, capable, and long-haul Windows laptop, the Galaxy Book5 Pro is easily among the best choices on the market today. Just be sure to keep expectations measured for first-generation AI features, and stay tuned as Samsung and Microsoft continue to refine this bold new class of intelligent Windows machines.
Source: CNBC TV18 Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro Review: A refined blend of hardware & AI - CNBC TV18
Design and Build: Minimalism With a MacBook Nod
Samsung’s hardware design language has matured over successive product generations, and the Galaxy Book5 Pro demonstrates this in spades. The 14-inch model, featuring an all-aluminium chassis, feels both robust and feather-light, tipping the scales at just over 1.2kg. This makes it a compelling choice for professional users and students needing a laptop that won’t weigh down a daily commute.The wedge-shaped profile, thickest at the hinge and tapering gracefully toward the front edge, evokes memories of classic MacBook Air designs prior to Apple’s 2023 switch to a uniformly flat chassis. For users nostalgic for older Apple aesthetics—or simply appreciative of practicality—the Galaxy Book5 Pro carves out a smart compromise. The design isn’t just for looks: it allows Samsung to build in practical legacy ports, including a full-size HDMI and USB-A, both increasingly rare among premium ultrabooks but invaluable if you routinely connect to monitors, projectors, or older accessories.
Another design win is the sturdy, fingerprint-resistant surface. Where many rivals in the premium metallic laptop segment become fingerprint magnets after just minutes of handling, Samsung’s matte finish resists smudges, maintaining its neat appearance well into heavy daily use. This attention to detail speaks volumes for the intended longevity and professionalism of the device.
Display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X—The Showstopper
Without question, the 14-inch 3K Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreen display is this laptop’s headline feature. Boasting a tall 16:10 aspect ratio, it supplies ample vertical real estate for office work, code, or creative pursuits. The panel’s color accuracy, depth, and vibrancy establish a new bar for ultrabook displays, rivaling OLED panels found in much costlier creative laptops.Adaptive refresh rates (48Hz, 60Hz, 120Hz) tailor the notebook’s response to specific content types, gently boosting battery life by scaling back when static, and ramping to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and pen input when you need it. HDR streaming support, plus Samsung’s always-on HDR modes, ensure Netflix binging and photo editing both look superb—though it’s worth noting that there’s no native HDR certification, so perfectionists may wish to dig deeper before declaring it a true “creator-grade” display.
A further ergonomic feature, Samsung’s adaptive color tone (an analog to Apple’s True Tone), automatically adjusts white balance via an ambient light sensor, reducing eye fatigue in constantly changing office and home environments. For those putting in marathon hours, this technology can be genuinely transformative.
Touch input is fluid and lag-free, tightly integrated with Windows 11’s increasing pen and touch functionality. Samsung’s own Galaxy AI features leverage this integration: AI Select enables instant web searches or text extraction from on-screen content, turning Microsoft Edge into a powerful research or productivity hub.
The only notable ergonomic miss is a lack of 180-degree hinge flexibility—the screen can’t fold flat. Although this won’t matter to typical office dwellers, creative pros looking to lay the screen out for sketching, or users hoping to share content across a desk, may see it as a missed opportunity given the excellent touch support.
Sound: Four Speakers and Dolby Atmos—With a Catch
Samsung equips the Galaxy Book5 Pro with a four-speaker array, bolstered by Dolby Atmos tuning. The audio experience, particularly around the mids and highs, is clear and sufficiently loud to fill small and mid-sized rooms. Movie tracks and streams sound rich and immersive at up to 70–80% volume; however, at absolute maximum, the output can thin out, losing some depth and definition. Bass enthusiasts may feel underwhelmed, as thumping lows stay firmly in the background.It’s also important to note that while wired headphones benefit from the same Dolby Atmos enhancements, this doesn’t (yet) extend to wireless audio. Bluetooth headphone users won’t fully experience this premium surround audio, making it a point to check what you’re getting based on your preferred listening approach.
Webcam, Mics, and AI Video: Useful, but Not Flawless
With the rise in hybrid work and remote learning, webcams and microphones now occupy center stage in laptop design. The Galaxy Book5 Pro’s 2MP webcam outputs true 1080p video—adequate for standard conferencing, though not a stand-out for the price segment, where emerging competitors now push 4K and low-light optimization.Microsoft’s Copilot Plus platform steps in to add extra intelligence. AI-enhanced features like background blur, auto-framing, and simulated eye contact all work well in well-lit conditions, helping you look polished in back-to-back Teams or Zoom meetings. However, precision drops considerably in low light or in complex backgrounds, reflecting that AI-driven video enhancements are still very much a work in progress.
Microphone performance, in contrast, is a major positive. The dual-mic array, paired with advanced noise suppression, excels at isolating your voice even in noisy environments such as shared offices or cafes. This alone makes the device a strong contender for mobile professionals and podcasters.
Keyboard and Touchpad: Refined for Productivity
Samsung continues its tradition of offering premium input devices. The full-size, backlit keyboard provides a comfortable, quiet typing experience, with shallow but consistent key travel. A dedicated number row and re-mappable function keys (covering brightness, volume, and camera toggle) offer plenty of flexibility for power users. Fast logins are enabled via a fingerprint reader discreetly built into one of the keys, supporting Windows Hello and newly popular passwordless authentication (like passkeys).A new addition is the Copilot shortcut key, a nod to the device’s integration with Microsoft’s growing suite of Windows AI features. For those embracing AI workflows, this is a time saver; for others, it’s unobtrusive and can be remapped as needed.
The glass touchpad, generously sized, is precise, supports multi-finger gestures, and handles even the most complex navigation effortlessly—matching, if not besting, the best of the MacBook and Dell XPS lineups.
Hardware Specs and Battery Life: A Balanced Performer
The Galaxy Book5 Pro ships as Intel Evo-certified, which assures a baseline of optimization for instant wake, battery life, performance balance, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. Hardware specs for the 14-inch variant typically include:| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra series (Evo-certified), typically Core Ultra 7 |
| Graphics | Integrated, with Intel Arc or Iris Xe eyewear variants |
| RAM | 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5X, soldered |
| Storage | 512GB or 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, user-upgradable |
| Display | 14” 3K Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 16:10 aspect, touch-enabled |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x HDMI 2.1, microSD, 3.5mm jack |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Battery | ~63Wh, rated up to 15–19 hours, 65W USB-C charging |
| OS | Windows 11 Home or Pro |
Charging is rapid, thanks to a supplied 65W USB-C charger, replenishing around 40–50% in just over 30 minutes. For globe-trotters, the inclusion of both legacy ports and leading-edge Thunderbolt 4 means you can travel light and still connect in almost any scenario.
Galaxy AI: A Glimpse of Samsung’s Ambition
The biggest software story of the Galaxy Book5 Pro is its AI toolbox, making the device among the first Windows laptops designed to ride the Copilot Plus platform. Samsung layers its own AI features on top of Microsoft’s, crafting a unique “Galaxy AI for PC” experience.Key Features:
- AI Select: Instantly grabs on-screen text/images and performs instant web searches or copies data. Particularly useful for research and creative workflows.
- Adaptive Color and Eye Comfort: These features reduce fatigue via display adaptation, driven by on-device AI.
- Real-time Language & Subtitle AI: (Claimed by Samsung, but limited to select apps and regions. This appears to be in ongoing beta. Caution: buyer should confirm regional availability.)
- Copilot Plus: Microsoft’s suite of built-in AI tools, including summarization, creative assistance, and productivity prompts, all accessible via a physical keyboard shortcut.
User Experience: Everyday Excellence With a Few Quirks
Connectivity & Ecosystem
Like recent Galaxy Book generations, the Book5 Pro integrates tightly with Samsung’s wider device stable—the QuickShare feature is a stand-out for drag-and-drop sharing with Galaxy phones and tablets, and the ability to use your Galaxy smartphone as a webcam (a huge leap for video call quality). The Book5 Pro is becoming a credible counterweight to Apple’s ecosystem, offering near-seamless device continuity, even if the required software stack can still feel a touch heavy or “bloaty” to Windows purists.Security and Updates
Windows 11 brings familiar enhancements—BitLocker automatic encryption, Windows Hello biometric login, and regular security updates, enhanced by Samsung’s own commitment to patching. However, as always with new hardware-software pairings, some bugs and quirks have surfaced (such as occasional compatibility issues with legacy peripherals or quirks in power management after major Windows updates). Buyers are advised to stay current with firmware and driver updates to ensure the most consistent experience.Critical Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Real Competition
Notable Strengths
- Best-in-class Display: The 3K Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel is a joy for work and play, undervalued only by those who haven’t used OLED/AMOLED for extended sessions.
- Port Selection: A rare modern ultrabook with HDMI and USB-A alongside Thunderbolt 4, reducing dongle dependence.
- Battery Life: Strong real-world endurance, easily outpacing most OLED Windows rivals.
- AI Toolkit: Early-adopter access to Microsoft Copilot Plus and Samsung’s AI features, giving productivity a slight edge.
- Build Quality: Excellent, fingerprint-resistant aluminum chassis with smart design touches.
Potential Weaknesses
- Webcam Quality: Adequate, but not competitive with 4K and enhanced low-light rivals in this price tier.
- Hinge Limitation: The inability to fold flat or convert into tablet mode could be a dealbreaker for artists or tablet-mode devotees.
- Audio Drawbacks: Wireless headphone users don’t get the full Dolby Atmos experience; bass output is average.
- AI Feature Maturity: Galaxy AI for PC, while promising, is still new and subject to teething problems and regional limitations.
Competitive Landscape
The Galaxy Book5 Pro carves a niche in an intensely competitive segment. Its closest rivals include:- Dell XPS 13/14 Plus: Lighter, potentially better keyboard, but often limited in port options and shares a premium price point.
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 7: Offers a comparable Copilot Plus experience, but with different processor and display configurations.
- Apple MacBook Air M3: Superior battery life and integrated software, but ecosystems and OS differ significantly.
- Asus Zenbook OLED and LG Gram: Both offer strong displays and battery life, but vary in build, AI integration, and port selection.
Final Verdict: A Taste of the Future—With a Foot in the Present
Samsung’s Galaxy Book5 Pro is a thoughtfully designed premium ultrabook—one that leverages the best of Samsung’s engineering, display know-how, and Microsoft’s Copilot Plus AI vision. It is not just a showcase of what’s possible in 2025’s Windows laptop market, but also a glimpse into the evolving role of AI in everyday productivity. With its stunning AMOLED display, comfortable port selection, and close integration with the Samsung device ecosystem, it sets a robust benchmark for what future-forward Windows machines should strive for.Not all features are perfect—the webcam remains middling, AI tools continue to evolve, and some audio limitations persist. But these are balanced by tangible strengths, especially for onscreen work, frequent travelers, and those already living within Samsung’s device constellation.
For professionals, creatives, students, and anyone seeking a stylish, capable, and long-haul Windows laptop, the Galaxy Book5 Pro is easily among the best choices on the market today. Just be sure to keep expectations measured for first-generation AI features, and stay tuned as Samsung and Microsoft continue to refine this bold new class of intelligent Windows machines.
Source: CNBC TV18 Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro Review: A refined blend of hardware & AI - CNBC TV18
