This Samsung laptop I tested has a gorgeous OLED display that creatives will love

Whenever a new laptop comes out, consumers expect it to launch with several new features. But sometimes, manufacturers focus on refining a device’s use case instead. That’s how I felt after testing the Galaxy Book5 Pro, a computer strikingly similar to the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 from late 2024. 

Like its predecessor, the laptop is a solid work machine thanks to Intel’s Lunar Lake chipset, and the hardware delivers some performance improvements. But at the same time, some of my critiques from the previous model carry over to this one.

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My review unit had an Intel Ultra 7 256V CPU with 16GB of RAM. When I received the Galaxy Book5 Pro, I immediately tested its performance, and, unsurprisingly, it performed quite well. Running 50 open tabs with videos playing across multiple Chrome windows and downloading apps simultaneously did not slow the computer down one iota.

Benchmark tests provided some further insight. If you look at the PCMark 10 results table below, you’ll notice the Galaxy Book5 Pro has better processing power than its older counterpart, the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360. It even boasts better image rendering on Cinebench R23. The laptop does lose to the Pro 360 in terms of graphical output, although not by much. 

These numbers show that the Galaxy Book5 Pro stands out as a high-end device capable of outperforming other models in its own series. Battery life is solid all around, lasting about 15.5 hours max on a single charge: enough to last a whole day and then some. Be aware that I got this runtime while in Best Power Efficiency mode. Pushing for optimal performance does reduce battery life, but not by much — to about 13 hours.

Regarding design, Samsung’s latest laptop looks nearly identical to the 360 version with one key difference: the new computer has a traditional clamshell hinge, while last year’s device has a flexible hinge that allows it to turn into a tablet. 

Sadly, the keyboard didn’t see any improvements; it’s still just as mushy as before. There is a saving grace, though. The keyboard is particularly spacious, ensuring optimal typing accuracy. The trackpad is massive, taking up about 50% of the laptop’s lower half. This allows for smoother page scrolling and gesture controls. 

Samsung’s Galaxy Book5 Pro keeps its lightweight design and clocks in at 3.44 pounds. The weight is evenly distributed, so when you lift the display, the computer doesn’t slide backward. As someone who often works with laptops on his legs, steadiness is a highly appreciated feature. Nothing gives me a heart attack quite like dropping a laptop.

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Heat vents are located at the bottom. Normally, I would complain about this placement, but the hardware is so well-optimized that it didn’t overheat or even come close. The Galaxy Book5 Pro’s slim form factor means it has few ports onboard. Luckily, it does provide a good selection and covers most basics. The array includes two USB-C inputs, an HDMI port, a headphone jack, a micro SD card slot, and a USB-A input.

Of course, I can’t forget to mention the device’s most eye-catching feature: the 16-inch AMOLED touchscreen. Suffice it to say that image quality is pristine. There are so many positives present. It outputs at 2.8K+ resolution (2,880 x 1,800 pixels), the display covers 120% of the DCI-P3 color gamut for vibrant colors, and most notably, a refresh rate of 120Hz. High speeds like this ensure smooth video playback. 

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The display offers more than just playing movies in high quality. It serves as an entry point to the company’s Galaxy AI ecosystem. Photo Remaster is one of these tools, letting you retouch photographs with a few taps of the screen. And then there’s AI Select, which operates similarly to Google’s Circle to Search. Circling objects on-screen instantly raises relevant search results.

ZDNET’s buying advice

Pre-orders for the Galaxy Book5 Pro are live on Samsung’s website, and the shipping date is set for February 14. Prices start at $1,349.99. If you want my specific build, you’ll have to cough up $1,649.99. All things considered, this isn’t a bad price for a laptop like this. It’s jam-packed with terrific features that’ll make professionals and average users happy.