Nigeria’s tech landscape is evolving fast — consumers are demanding devices that are both high-performing and value for money. The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is a 16-inch convertible laptop that enters the market promising a beautiful mix of style, functionality, and technology. In this article, at GadgetryHQ, we’ve dissected this device so you can decide if it is a suitable option for you.
Specification Overview
Before diving into the detailed review, here’s a quick glance at the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 specifications:
Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V (Lunar Lake) |
RAM | 16GB DDR4 (non-upgradable) |
Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD |
Display | 16-inch 2.8K AMOLED, 2880×1800 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate |
Graphics | Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics |
Battery | 76Wh, up to 19 hours (Modern Office Test) |
Operating System | Windows 11 |
Weight | 1.7 kg (3.12 lbs) |
Dimensions | 14.2 x 9.7 x 0.6 inches |
Ports | HDMI 2.1, 2x USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4, Micro SD card reader, USB Type-A, 3.5mm audio jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
Camera | 2MP Front Camera (1080p) |
Additional Features | S Pen included, 360-degree hinge, backlit keyboard, fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button |
Color Options | Sleek Gray |
Price | $1,700 |
This specification sheet highlights the key components and features that make the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 a noteworthy contender in the convertible laptop market. Now, let’s delve deeper into each aspect to understand how it performs in real-world scenarios.
Design and Build Quality
Delivering sophistication, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 has a premium all-metal chassis. At about 1.7 kg (3.12 lbs), it is very portable for a 16-inch device and would be great for professionals and students on the move. Its sleek gray finish complements its minimal design, making it an easy fit for office settings as well as home and casual environments.
Convertible Hinge Mechanism
Another standout feature is its 360-degree hinge that lets the user change modes between laptop, tablet, tent, and stand with ease. In particular, this versatility is useful for the dynamic lifestyles of Nigerian users, catering to presentations, creative tasks, or watching media.
Display Excellence
The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360’s showcase as you’ll see it: a 2.8K AMOLED display at the heart of everything. The screen boasts a resolution of 2880×1800 and a refresh rate of 120Hz, so you can see every crisp pixel and view anything from graphic designs to video streams without a pause.
Anti-Glare Coating
On the whole, it’s easy to work with the screen: there’s no discernible ghosting, Samsung has largely managed to remove reflections (with an anti-glare coating), and it’s relatively easy to work outdoors – a common ordeal in bustling Nigerian cities.
Color Accuracy and Brightness
Excellent color accuracy and a good gamut make the display great for professional photo and video image editing. The screen remains clear and readable, even under direct sunlight, with a brightness of 391 nits in standard dynamic range and over 500 nits HDR.
Performance and Efficiency
The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is available with Intel’s latest Lunar Lake processor, the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, offering strong performance that will get you through everyday tasks and any demanding applications you would throw at it.
Processor and RAM
This device houses a good 16GB of RAM, although some will feel the limitation, particularly those who use their laptops for intensive multitasking or high-end gaming. Unfortunately, you can’t upgrade above 16GB, but that could prove to be a drawback for power users.
Integrated Graphics
With that, the Intel Arc 140V graphics are a noticeable increase to handle graphical performance, allowing for easier applications in video editing as well as casual gaming. The single-core performance is shown to be superior in benchmark tests like Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024, while multi-core capabilities are slightly down from the outgoing models.
Battery Life and Portability
The efficiency of the Lunar Lake processor makes one of the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360’s standout features its impressive battery life.
Battery Specifications
With a 76Wh battery, a modern office test sees up to 19 hours and 47 minutes from the battery, and over 18 hours of video playback. It can stay functional for up to 26 hours, which is longer than the previous Galaxy Book 4 Pro 360, making this a reliable workmate for a long day or a trip.
Fast Charging
Its 65W fast charger included ensures the device can be quickly charged, eliminating downtime and being a critical consideration for those in professional or student life.
Experience of Keyboard and Touchpad
The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360’s keyboard has the right combination of crisp, backlit keys for active use in low light. But the shallow key travel may not suit folks used to a heavier touch, like the MacBook Pro’s keyboard.
Numeric Keypad and Touchpad
The idea of having a numeric keypad on the right-hand side is a bonus for anyone who spends a lot of time working with numbers, despite the fact that it puts the touchpad slightly to the side and may take a little getting used to. As for the touchpad itself, it’s large and responsive but lacks haptic feedback — a feature that most high-end laptop makers include.
Connectivity and Ports
Designed by Samsung, the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 comes with a host of ports, fully equipping it with multiple options catering to all connectivity requirements.
Left Side Ports
- HDMI 2.1: Excellent for connecting to external displays or projectors.
- Two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 Ports: Data transfer and charging support at high speeds.
Right Side Ports
- Micro SD Card Reader: Convenient for expanding storage and/or transferring data from compatible devices.
- USB Type-A Port: Required for connecting older peripherals.
- 3.5mm Audio Jack: Has microphone and headphone functions and is designed for calls and entertainment media consumption.
Port Layout Considerations
The port selection is comprehensive, but the absence of port distribution (a pair of Thunderbolt ports on one end) may make it harder to manage cables and use devices on the opposite end.
Storage and Memory
For most people, storage begins at 1TB. Yet, for a price of $1,700, what some might have expected are higher capacities and faster SSD speeds. Non-native SSDs used by Samsung mean read/write speeds leave something to be desired, especially for Gen 4, which can sometimes result in slower data access if fast speeds are needed.
Additional Features
S Pen Integration
The boon for creatives and note-takers is the inclusion of the S Pen. It boasts 4,096 pressure-sensitive levels for precise control over sketching or annotating documents. How the S Pen works with other Galaxy devices expands what you can do in creative workflows and increases productivity.
Camera and Audio
There’s a 2MP front camera that shoots clear 1080p video for video conferencing. But this doesn’t include an IR camera for facial recognition through Windows Hello, hence the biometric security options are confined to the fingerprint scanner.
Sound Quality
The audio performance is decent, clear enough to make use of sound for media and virtual meetings. At higher volumes too, the speakers maintain quality so that you get an immersive experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stunning 2.8K AMOLED Display: High brightness levels and vibrant colors.
- Efficient Lunar Lake Processor: Improved battery performance and longer battery life.
- Premium Build Quality: A durable and lightweight design.
- S Pen Support: Perfect for anyone that needs a bit of creativity in everything they do.
- Comprehensive Port Selection: Several connectivity options.
Cons
- Limited RAM: For power users, 16GB may not be enough.
- Shallow Keyboard Travel: May affect typing comfort.
- Lack of Haptic Touchpad: Missing a premium feature at a high price point.
- No IR Camera: Few to no biometric security options.
- SSD Speed Limitations: Slow for a Gen 4 SSD.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a versatile and stylish convertible laptop, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is worth considering. With its impressive display, efficient performance, and long battery life, it is suitable for a broad base of users, from professionals to creatives. However, there are limitations in RAM, keyboard feedback, and missing premium features such as a haptic touchpad that will turn some customers away, especially when you consider the $1,700 price.
The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 strikes a balance as a local and global standard for Nigeria’s consumers, but there are some positives to be made and some negatives to consider. If you care more about display quality and battery life, it deserves to be an investment. Yet, if you need more RAM or a more tactile (and duly, perhaps) keyboard, you will likely want to check out other options or wait for future revisions.
FAQs
How can you connect the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360?
Ports include HDMI 2.1, two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, a Micro SD card reader, a USB Type-A, and a 3.5mm audio jack, providing a variety of connectivity options.
Can the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 be used for gaming?
The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 has Intel Arc 140V with integrated graphics, which is a solid upgrade over the integrated Iris Xe found in the Galaxy Book5 Pro. However, it’s not really meant to be a gaming device. It does very well with casual gaming and handling light graphic tasks but would be better with a dedicated GPU if more demanding games are a concern.
Can I upgrade the RAM on the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360?
No, the RAM is integrated into the system on a chip (SoC) and is not user-upgradeable. The 16GB configuration is the only option available in the market.
Compared to their competition, how does the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 perform when it comes to battery life?
The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 delivers impressive battery life, recording nearly 20 hours on our modern office test. As a result, this performance is good enough to beat many rival laptops in this category — capable of handling long workdays, travel, and anything else you may throw at it — for a good price.
Is the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 stylus input supported?
Yes, it comes with the S Pen, which delivers 4,096 pressure points of sensitivity for note-taking, sketching, and other creative purposes.
Does the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 come in different colors?
The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is available now in a sleek gray finish, but only so far. Future releases may include additional color options.
What is the experience of using the keyboard for a long period of time?
The backlit keys aren’t particularly awesome, and the hard feel of the keyboard keys means you can come to appreciate them less and less during extended typing sessions.
Can the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 be used for Windows Hello facial recognition?
The device doesn’t have an IR camera used for facial recognition. However, it includes a fingerprint scanner in its power button for biometric security.