Quick answer: Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has several fitness features for tracking exercises and daily activities. However, hardcore athletes, hikers, and adventurers will find that the Watch 5 Pro doesn’t offer the same level of GPS accuracy or in-depth workout training as Garmin smartwatches.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro changed the formula for Samsung's watches. Previously, the special version of the watch would be called the Classic. Internally, it would be the same as the regular watch, but with a larger battery, display, and a physical rotating bezel. The Watch 5 Pro is different, ditching the rotating dial and classic design to focus on fitness instead.

A year on, the Watch 5 Pro is still one of our favorite Android smartwatches, so you can rest in the knowledge that it's durable and has plenty of fitness-focused features. However, there's strong competition out there, and Samsung's approach to fitness isn't as robust as something more dedicated, like the fitness trackers from Garmin.

What makes the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro different?

Some key differences stand out when comparing the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro to the Watch 5 and even the newer Watch 6 Classic. The display is larger than the regular Galaxy Watches, ideal for displaying maps and workouts. It also benefits from a large battery, lasting up to 80 hours on a charge, although if you bombard it with fitness tracking, that number will decrease.

Ditching the physical bezel for a digital one was a divisive decision, with many Samsung fans considering the rotating bezel one of the best features in Samsung's wearable ecosystem. I've always preferred the digital one and the design of the Watch 5 Pro suits it overall. The device's casing extends out to protect the display from damage, but if you hit it with anything, the screen uses sapphire glass to be as durable as possible.

What fitness activities can the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro track?

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro also differs from its counterpart in that it supports GPX, which stands for GPS Exchange Format File. GPX files contain visual information for routes, trails, tracks, and waypoints. However, there are two crucial catches; the first is that GPX on the Watch 5 Pro only works for hiking and cycling now. It won't work for walking, running, mountain biking, and other route-based physical activity until or unless Samsung updates the watch to broaden support.

The other caveat is that you can only add GPX routes from Samsung Health, Strava, or other GPX-supported apps, most of which are paid apps via subscription or fee. You have to get those GPX files onto the phone you've paired with the Watch 5 Pro to transfer them to the watch from Samsung Health. Once there, they appear on the watch when you tap and select the Route tile.

Samsung Health on the Watch 5 Pro can track over 90 exercise types. However, it can only automatically detect workouts for a handful of types: walking, running, swimming, elliptical training, rowing machine, and dynamic workouts. If the Watch 5 Pro detects consistent movement for 10 minutes, it automatically logs it as a workout and keeps tracking until you're still for a few minutes. The feature is very nice for the modes with it, but for all other exercises, you will need to manually start and stop them on the watch to track and log the activity.

Another benefit to being part of a mobile ecosystem is how the Watch 5 Pro integrates with other Samsung devices. For instance, if you're recording yourself doing a workout using a compatible Samsung phone, you can remotely control the phone's camera zoom by pinching the watch face or turning the bezel.

While the feature is more for capturing photo snapshots, it also works with videos and is useful when creating content or tracking your own form while exercising. The Camera Controller feature is coming to both the Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro (along with the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic) in February 2023.

How does GPS on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro compare to other brands?

Among other Android smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is about as good as it gets. The build quality is better than Mobvoi and Fossil, and its software is more consistent and reliable than any other Wear OS watch on the market today — though the upcoming Google Pixel Watch might bring some competition on that front. Most importantly, Samsung's fitness tracking is robust and consistent, exactly what you need if you're serious about your physical activity.

The Watch 5 Pro is also $450, so it's not aimed at the regular Android watch market but more toward dedicated fitness smartwatches like Garmin. No one does GPS tracking and mapping quite like Garmin, and its focus on reliability, durability, and detail makes it a tough competitor for the Watch 5 Pro. Sadly, Garmin doesn't have the app support that Google Play on the Watch 5 Pro has, and many of Garmin's advanced features require a subscription. For hardcore athletes, Garmin takes the edge, but for casual fitness and a better app/notification experience, go with the Watch 5 Pro.

Beyond that, a bevy of wonderful fitness trackers offer a more compact profile than the hulking Watch 5 Pro, and the vast majority of those are half the price of the 5 Pro or less. If you're into golf, one of Garmin's specialties, Samsung has a Watch 5 Pro Golf Edition with features unavailable on the standard model. One is the Golf Buddy Smart Caddie app, which has a shortcut on the default watch face. You can also track the clubs you used and how you hit the ball. Maps can show you the course, while a compass points you to the center of the green.

Will the Watch 5 Pro hold up to your exercises and activities?

The Watch 5 Pro is exceptionally durable, thanks to its titanium housing and the Sapphire Crystal glass that Samsung has put to work here. The more minimal design might not appear as durable as some more rugged-looking options, but it will stand up to just about anything you throw at it. The titanium is much lighter than stainless steel, making the watch less noticeable on your wrist, which is a welcome change for such a large watch.

The Watch 5 Pro is also 5ATM swim-proof up to 50 meters, and its IP68 dustproof and water-resistant rating means it should hold up quite well in wet environments unless you're into diving, of course. Combine all that with the larger battery, and you've got a durable smartwatch that will last longer in day-to-day use and over time when the battery starts to degrade from usual wear and tear.

Samsung has committed to the Watch 5 Pro with four years of upgrades, so you should be set to receive security patches, bug fixes, and even new features over the coming years as Samsung updates One UI Watch. This is important because the current iteration of Wear OS is still very young, and Google and Samsung are working together to polish it up and offer even more features that smartwatch users need.

Before you pick up your Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, you must remember that oils and dead skin will accumulate on the bottom of the watch over time. Because many of the fitness sensors are situated there, you'll want to regularly clean the back of the watch to avoid any of the oil or debris eating away at the sensors you'll need to track your fitness journey.