Galaxy Book 5 Pro review: A svelte ultrabook built for productivity
Technology is all about convenience. From carrying around boxy and bulky laptops from the late 2000s, we have come a long way. In 2008, Apple brought about a design revolution with the launch of its feather-light and premium MacBook Air. Ever since, technology companies have been striving to achieve that perfect balance between portability and performance. Samsung has been consistently delivering laptops that are not only highly functional but also stylish.
This year, the South Korean tech giant unveiled the all-new Galaxy Book 5 Pro at CES 2025. The Galaxy Book 5 Pro is the latest addition to the brand's lineup of premium laptops. While there is no dramatic departure from the design scheme of the predecessors, the new entrant is seemingly lighter and charming, and aces various performance benchmarks.
I have been using the Galaxy Book 5 Pro, a device that is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 with Intel ARC graphics for some time now. The Book 5 Pro has all that is required for a modern-day laptop, and in this review, I will break down why this stands out in a market brimming with laptops of various kinds.
The Galaxy Book 5 Pro comes in 14-inch and 16-inch variants, and I have got the smaller variant for this review. The packing is sleek and comes with a 65W charger and a C-to-C cable to juice up the device on the go. The first thing that one would notice upon unboxing is the brushed metal finish. And, since I am averse to any surface that attracts fingerprints, the aluminium chassis impressed me. The Book 5 Pro features a thin profile, making it ideal to carry around with ease.
The device weighs around 1.5 kg and comes with exceptional sturdiness. In contrast to the 360 model, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro features the standard hinge that cannot be folded all the way back. Regardless, finding a comfortable view is no hassle, even in cramped spaces, especially owing to its compact and nimble form factor. The slim laptop features dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and HDMI 2.1 on the left edge and a single USB-A 3.2 port, microSD card slot, and a headphone jack on the right side.
The Samsung laptop features an edge-to-edge keyboard with a dedicated number pad. I have been dabbling between the M4 MacBook Air, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro, and my good old Dell laptop. I enjoyed the fluidity that Book 5 Pro's keyboard endows. My typing experience has been comfortable, and it did not take me long to get acquainted with the key placements. Moreover, the fully customisable backlighting will be appreciated by many. The laptop features a massive touchpad offering responsive control. However, it lacks some advanced gesture capabilities as seen on some of its competitors.
The Galaxy Book 5 Pro includes a touchscreen functionality which can also be used with an S Pen (not included in the package). Personally, the touchscreen was of not much use. On rare occasions, perhaps to zoom in or close tabs, the touch functionality came in handy. Since I am accustomed to standard screens, I am oblivious to the touch screen most of the time. When it comes to security, the power button also integrates a quick fingerprint sensor that unlocks the device within a second. For additional security, Samsung has leveraged the Samsung Knox security platform, which includes a discrete security chip within the hardware that safeguards the system in real-time. This ensures that your critical data remains secure from potential threats.
The Galaxy Book 5 Pro features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that offers 3K resolution, up to a 120 Hz refresh rate, and 120 per cent colour volume. In an everyday sense, the Book 5 Pro doubles up as your personal multimedia device. From image editing to endlessly streaming shows from across OTT platforms, the display offers a rich and immersive experience. It delivers excellent contrast and deep blacks, and I think the OLED panel is one of the main highlights of this laptop.
The laptop boasts a peak brightness of 500 nits. Although the laptop features an anti-reflective coating and tech that enhances visibility in bright environments, I would recommend sitting away from direct light to avoid glares. The refresh rate of up to 120 Hz makes for smooth visuals. When it comes to the audio, the laptop does not disappoint. It features a quad-speaker system tuned by Dolby Atmos surround sound. The sound quality is immersive and handles music and videos with ease. There is also a 2MP full HD webcam that rests in the top bezel and supports Windows Studio effects, including eye contact correction, background blur, automatic framing for videos, etc. I found the webcam output to be passable.
The Galaxy Book 5 Pro is powered by Intel's Core Ultra 5, which handles all your productivity tasks with ease. For this review, I have been using a 16GB RAM and 512 GB storage version. You can also opt for the 32GB RAM and 1TB storage option. The Book 5 Pro comes with an integrated NPU which allows users to take advantage of some nifty AI features such as Samsung's AI select. One can also summon Copilot with the dedicated key to assist with various tasks such as writing mails, running grammar checks, and brainstorming for ideas. The integrated ARC GPU is good for light gaming.
Samsung claims that the Galaxy Book 5 Pro offers 21 hours of video runtime. During my use, I found the battery life to be impressive; I could work, stream, and play without care. With the 65W super fast charging, you can power up to nearly 50 per cent by just charging the device for about 30 minutes.
If you are an ardent fan of Windows and are looking for a laptop that can boost your productivity, the Galaxy Book 5 Pro offers a compelling package. It comes with an exceptional display, a premium build, and promises smooth performance. Although this one is no gaming powerhouse, it handles everyday tasks like a breeze, making it a reliable choice for professionals and students. As of now, the Book 5 Pro is a strong contender in the competitive Windows premium laptop space. It arguably works well for those active in the Samsung ecosystem.
Bijin Jose, an Assistant Editor at Indian Express Online in New Delhi, is a technology journalist with a portfolio spanning various prestigious publications. Starting as a citizen journalist with The Times of India in 2013, he transitioned through roles at India Today Digital and The Economic Times, before finding his niche at The Indian Express. With a BA in English from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, and an MA in English Literature, Bijin's expertise extends from crime reporting to cultural features. With a keen interest in closely covering developments in artificial intelligence, Bijin provides nuanced perspectives on its implications for society and beyond. ... Read More
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