Samsung's New Laptop: Ultra-Thin, Long-Lasting, and Packed with AI Power

In the previous year, I scrutinized the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, a versatile 2-in-1 notebook equipped with a stylus and boasting an AI-enhanced Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor.

Ever since I completed the evaluation, I’ve developed a strong fondness for working and playing on this laptop. Consequently, when I learned about Samsung unveiling the Galaxy Book5 Pro at CES 2025, my interest was immediately piqued, and I couldn’t wait to get the chance to review it myself.

Without the “2-in-1” designation in its title, it’s clear that the Galaxy Book5 Pro isn’t a convertible device and doesn’t come with a stylus. Despite this, it’s remarkably slim and boasts an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor. After utilizing it for work over several days, I can confidently say it’s an exceptional AI-powered laptop for PC users. Here are my reasons for recommending it:

1. Powerful Performance: The Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor ensures smooth and efficient multitasking, making it ideal for heavy workloads.

2. Sleek Design: Despite its power, the Galaxy Book5 Pro is surprisingly slim, making it a stylish addition to any workspace.

3. AI Capabilities: The laptop’s AI capabilities greatly enhance productivity, allowing for seamless integration with various applications and improved user experience.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Pricing and specifications

This laptop qualifies as not only an AI PC laptop but also as a Copilot+ PC.
It reached store shelves in February 2025 and has a starting MSRP of $1,649.99.
Value rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro model I received comes equipped with a 16-inch AMOLED touchscreen capable of reaching a high resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7 256V CPU, features an integrated Intel Arc GPU, boasts 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, and includes a 1TB SSD. Surprisingly slim for its large 16-inch touchscreen, this laptop is also available in versions with a 14-inch AMOLED touchscreen and varying storage and memory options: 16GB RAM + 512GB SSD, 16GB + 1TB SSD, or 32GB RAM + 1TB SSD.

This device functions both as a Copilot+ PC and an AI-integrated laptop, thanks to its Copilot button and advanced AI CPU equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), capable of executing over 40 trillion operations per second.

As an enthusiast, I’m excited to share that you can grab this AI-equipped PC laptop from Samsung, either directly or from major retailers like Best Buy. It’s also possible that it will pop up on Amazon in the near future. At Best Buy, it retails for $1,649.99, but if you’re budget-conscious, a 14-inch AMOLED model with an Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD is available for $1,349.99 at Best Buy. Compared to similarly configured competitors, it’s slightly more expensive, ranging from $200 to $300 higher.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: What’s in the box?

Besides the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro unit itself, you’ll also receive some user manuals, a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, and a power adapter for plugging into an electrical outlet.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Design and build quality

This laptop has an elegant and durable design that looks good in any location.
There is a healthy range of ports for connecting displays and accessories, but it’s a little harder to insert and eject a microSD card.
Design rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From my perspective, the refined metal housing and subtly rounded corner display bezel of the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 are also characteristics shared by the Galaxy Book5 Pro. In any setting, whether it’s formal or casual, this sleek laptop exudes an air of sophistication that makes it a perfect companion.

Regarding connectivity options, you have a variety to choose from on this device. On the right, you’ll spot an HDMI port alongside two USB-C ports. These USB-C ports can serve either charging or display functions. Conversely, the left side of the laptop offers a microSD card reader, a regular USB-A port, and a headphone jack.

In my latest review of the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, I mentioned that inserting and ejecting microSD cards was more challenging than expected compared to other devices. Regrettably, this issue persists in the new model. Instead of being able to easily slide it in and out with a fingertip, I found myself needing to use my nail or something slender like a stylus for a better fit. It’s not a significant problem, but it’s worth noting if you plan on frequently using microSD cards with this device.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Display quality

This 16-inch, OLED display does very well in all metrics.
It offers a great color gamut, high resolution, decent brightness, and good contrast.
Display rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

During my tasks involving Adobe Photoshop projects, movie streaming, and daily activities, I found the 16-inch OLED touchscreen provides a stunning visual experience that is hard to ignore. Additionally, it responds swiftly to touch gestures.

Instead of relying solely on personal experiences with this screen analysis, I also employed a colorimeter for additional accuracy. Conducting some tests, I found the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro display covered 100% of sRGB, 96% of AdobeRGB, and 100% of P3 in a color gamut test. This outstanding result, which aligns with what’s typically seen on OLED panels, speaks volumes about its quality.

Following the color gamut assessment, I conducted a brightness and contrast evaluation. This allowed me to determine that at its dimmest (approximately 4 nits), the screen becomes quite faint, while it shines considerably beyond 400 nits with maximum brightness. Compared to some OLEDs, this range exhibits respectable brightness increases across varying percentage settings.

Because it’s an OLED screen, it can truly turn off black pixels, making the colors around them appear more vibrant. This feature enhances image details and contrast significantly, resulting in a striking visual experience when viewed personally.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Performance and thermals

This laptop runs well, with no throttling or overheating issues.
While not the most powerful laptop out there, it can easily handle day-to-day office work, creative programs, and even some gaming.
Performance rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The newly released Intel-equipped AI computers feature the upgraded Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors, delivering significantly improved NPU performance compared to their Series 1 counterparts. In all the tests I conducted, the Galaxy Book5 Pro’s Ultra 7 256V outperformed the previously tested Ultra 7 228V of the Dell Inspiron 360.

Kicking things off, I gave the Geekbench 6 CPU test a spin on my new Book5 Pro and was quite pleased with the results. It notched a single-core score of 2,682 and a multi-core score of 10,886. Next up, I ran Cinebench R24 to gauge its rendering prowess, scoring 121 in the single-core test and 597 in the multi-core test. These scores are remarkably consistent with other Ultra 7 256V devices we’ve benchmarked, which is exactly what we’re aiming for!

Using the NPU-equipped CPU, I performed a few Procyon tests as well. In the Intel OpenVINO NPU test, the laptop achieved a score of 985, which was just one point shy of the top score we’ve observed yet, and was surpassed only by the ASUS Zenbook S 14. This is quite impressive. Furthermore, I also conducted the Windows ML benchmark in Procyon. Notably, this is currently the highest Ultra Series 2 score recorded, however, several Series 1 devices outperform it.

Shifting gears to the Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics, I decided to run the benchmarking tool 3DMark Time Spy to assess its performance. Although this processor isn’t designed for heavy gaming, it managed a commendable score of 4,411 – the highest we’ve seen from an Arc 140V yet. In essence, while it might not be a powerhouse laptop, it does provide a robust GPU suitable for office work, school projects, or home use. It can easily handle creative software like Photoshop.

Since the laptop performed exceptionally well in graphic tests, I opted to install Cyberpunk 2077 on it and conduct an in-game benchmark. To my astonishment, the Galaxy Book5 Pro was capable of generating a median of 33 frames per second (FPS) even at the low graphics settings. While this isn’t mind-blowing, it still surpasses the 30 FPS standard for console gaming, which is quite commendable.

In this test, I employed CrystalDiskMark to evaluate the SSD transfer speeds for the Book5 Pro. It recorded a read speed of 5053 megabytes per second and a write speed of 3586 megabytes per second. While these numbers aren’t abysmal, they are slower than those reported for the Galaxy Book4 Ultra and Galaxy Book3 Pro. Additionally, I ran a test where the laptop transcoded a 4K version of Tears of Steel in Handbrake. This process took about 3092 seconds, which is on the longer side. However, it still outperformed some of the slower devices we’ve examined during testing.

To sum up my assessment, I utilized CrossMark to evaluate the overall system performance. In this benchmark test, the laptop achieved a score of 1,700, which is similar to what the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 received but outperformed all other Samsung Galaxy Book laptops we have previously tested in terms of speed and efficiency.

Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro doesn’t boast the highest AI processing power among PCs, but it certainly holds its ground and manages daily tasks and creative applications effortlessly.

Thermals and fan noise

As an analyst working on CPU-intensive tasks on the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro, I’ve found that it maintains a surprisingly quiet operation. In close proximity with my decibel meter, the noisiest it has ever reached was just 41.2 dB – a level that is hardly noticeable.

From a thermal perspective, the Book5 Pro manages to maintain a comfortable temperature without causing any system throttling issues. Upon capturing images with my infrared camera, I noticed that the warmest spots were predictably the back vents, reaching 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius), and the area above the keyboard, hitting approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit (~43 degrees Celsius). Remarkably, these temperatures aren’t excessively warm, and I never felt an overly hot sensation while handling it.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Battery experience

This AI PC laptop has excellent battery life that lasts longer than a workday.
You can expect around 15-18 hours of real-world usage.
Battery rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

According to Samsung, the battery life of the Galaxy Book5 Pro extends up to 25 hours. To verify this claim, I utilized the laptop solely on battery power over several workdays consecutively, followed by generating a Windows 11 battery report.

On average, a laptop can run for approximately 17 hours and 44 minutes when its screen brightness is adjusted to about 200 nits, carrying out everyday activities such as browsing online, writing documents, or streaming videos.

I additionally performed the PCMark 10 battery life test on the gaming laptop, simulating GPU stress like playing a game. The result showed that the laptop ran for roughly three hours and some minutes, which is common when running demanding software. If you’re using it primarily for standard programs and workloads, it should comfortably last beyond an entire workday before needing recharging again.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Keyboard and touchpad

The touchpad is large and makes it easy to navigate around the screen.
The keyboard has short travel distance, and so it might not feel good to everyone.
Keyboard & touchpad rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

On this laptop, the generously-sized touchpad simplifies display navigation, but opinions differ when it comes to the keyboard. First, let’s focus on its positive aspects.

The top row is packed with useful function keys, plus there’s a Copilot button close to the arrow keys for quick access to Microsoft’s AI assistant. All these controls and functions are highly responsive, reducing wait times significantly. I’m particularly fond of having a full number pad available, as it simplifies data entry in spreadsheets or documents.

Moreover, not only is the power button located in the upper right corner also a fingerprint scanner, but I configured a biometric login system when I initially turned on my laptop. Since then, it’s functioned flawlessly. I must admit that I appreciate its speedier authentication process compared to using a PIN.

One potential downside of this keyboard could be its limited travel distance, which was a point I raised in my Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 review as well. Essentially, when you press the keys, they don’t move very far. As a fast and confident typist, I’ve found it challenging to accurately type letters and ensure my fingers are in the correct positions. However, this might not be an issue for everyone, and with continued use, I’m gradually getting used to it.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Everything else

This laptop’s camera, mic, and speakers are all decent.
It features the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to keep up with your connection needs.
Other hardware rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Although it may not provide an exceptional experience overall, you can effortlessly engage in video calls and appreciate the sound quality from this laptop’s speakers, camera, and microphone. Unlike the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, its webcam doesn’t produce overly vivid images, and instead, offers a decent level of clarity as well.

It’s important to mention that unlike traditional cameras, this device doesn’t have a physical shutter but instead has a digital button for controlling the webcam. Additionally, this laptop does not offer Windows Hello facial recognition feature. As a result, you will be limited to using PIN codes and fingerprint scanning for login purposes.

The individuals indicate for the Galaxy Book5 Pro to be positioned on various surfaces below it, enabling sounds to echo. These sounds can become quite audible and offer satisfactory sound quality. However, for an enhanced audio experience, consider using top-tier computer headsets as well.

In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy Book5 Pro boasts the newest Wi-fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 technology, ensuring a seamless wireless device interaction.

AI Select and other Samsung programs

The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro features a range of Samsung applications, which you can access via the Galaxy Book Experience icon (represented by a blue and white emblem) on your taskbar. Some of these programs have been around for a while, but I was particularly interested in trying out the latest addition: the AI Select tool.

The AI-powered “Select” button is located on the taskbar as well. By clicking on it, your screen will capture an image, and afterward, you can utilize your touchpad or a connected mouse to sketch a circle around any desired object. For example, when launching Cyberpunk 2077, I utilized AI Select to trace a circle around the loading icon, and my laptop subsequently identified the image and initiated a web search for related images. It’s quite useful in various situations, although it wouldn’t shock me if Windows eventually introduces its own Copilot image selection tool in the future.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Also consider

If you’re drawn to the Galaxy Book5 Pro, but would also like to explore other possibilities, here are some alternatives that I highly suggest you consider.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Final thoughts

You should buy this if …

✅You want a durable, 16-inch AI PC laptop

Samsung’s laptop casing exhibits a combination of durability and elegance, making it suitable for various environments without giving off a delicate feel. Moreover, it delivers commendable performance levels.

✅You’re looking for a laptop with a battery that can last through a full workday

This model, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, boasts a remarkably durable battery that effortlessly powers it throughout an entire workday and beyond.

You should not buy this if …

❌You’d prefer a 2-in-1 AI laptop

Previously discussed, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 shares many features with the Galaxy Book5 Pro, yet exhibits a unique characteristic – it functions both as a conventional laptop and a versatile tablet. Furthermore, the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is equipped with a stylus for more intuitive drawing and navigation on its screen.

❌You’re not interested in an AI PC laptop

An increasing number of AI-powered desktops and laptops are being released daily, with predictions suggesting they’ll dominate the market by year-end. However, it’s worth noting that traditional computers without AI capabilities are still available for those who might be interested in them.

Presently, a multitude of AI-powered PC laptops are available in the market, and among them, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro stands out as an exceptionally attractive option. This laptop not only boasts a sleek design but also delivers impressive performance to meet your daily demands. The AI-enhanced Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor provides enhanced Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capabilities compared to its predecessor, Series 1, and the Intel Arc graphics card is capable of handling creative applications and even some gaming. Moreover, the stunning AMOLED touchscreen beautifully displays movies and art projects.

Simply be aware that these keys have a compact travel distance which may not suit everyone’s preference initially, but could become comfortable with practice. It’s worth mentioning that the laptop can be unlocked using a fingerprint scanner, though it lacks facial recognition functionality. If those points don’t concern you, then the Galaxy Book5 Pro is an exceptional AI-driven laptop that stands out against many competitors.

2025-01-31 17:11

Samsung’s New Laptop: Ultra-Thin, Long-Lasting, and Packed with AI Power