Update (August 2025): With the Galaxy Watch8 series now official, it’s interesting to look back at how these early Watch5 renders showed Samsung’s love-hate relationship with the rotating bezel. While the Watch5 series was launched in 2022 and killed the rotating bezel, as per the leak below, Samsung brought it back with the Galaxy Watch6 Classic, only to kill it off again on the Galaxy Watch7 series, and (finally?) bring it back on the Galaxy Watch8 Classic. You can read our full Galaxy Watch5 review here and Galaxy Watch Ultra review to see how far Samsung’s wearables have come since the Watch5 leaks.
Original story follows…
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Watch5 series has broken cover ahead of its official debut, thanks to newly surfaced high-quality renders that leave little to the imagination. The imagery gives us our clearest look yet at the brand’s next-gen wearables from almost every angle, hinting at subtle but meaningful design refinements, expanded options, and the usual split between a premium ‘Pro’ model and a more accessible standard edition.
A closer look at the Galaxy Watch5 Pro
Leading the lineup is the more robust and higher-priced Galaxy Watch5 Pro, the successor to last year’s Galaxy Watch4 Classic. Samsung has retired the physical rotating bezel this time, opting for a cleaner, more modern profile with a polished frame and minimal edge distractions. The watch is expected to arrive in black or grey titanium finishes, underlining its durability-first positioning. Buyers will also have the choice between LTE and Bluetooth-only versions, catering to both untethered adventurers and those who prefer pairing with a phone.
The renders show a slightly domed glass surface and a sturdier strap connection, possibly aimed at improving comfort and long-term wear. The rear sensor layout also appears more pronounced, suggesting incremental upgrades to heart rate accuracy and other health tracking metrics.
Standard Galaxy Watch5: familiar yet refined
Alongside the Pro sits the regular Galaxy Watch5, codenamed “Heart,” which serves as a spiritual successor to the Watch4. Here, Samsung has stuck with a more compact and approachable look, available in a broader range of colours, including white and light blue, in addition to more classic shades. The absence of a rotating bezel continues here, further streamlining the aesthetic.
As with the Pro, the standard model will come in LTE and Bluetooth variants. Both are expected to run Wear OS 3.5 skinned with Samsung’s One UI Watch 4.5 out of the box, which should bring refined animations, improved typing options, and expanded watch face customisation.
What these leaks suggest about Samsung’s strategy
This dual-model approach reflects Samsung’s intent to segment the market more cleanly: the Pro for durability-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, the standard for casual and style-conscious users. The titanium finish and more rugged build could also be Samsung’s way of leaning into the space currently dominated by Garmin and premium Fitbit devices, while still appealing to loyal Galaxy Watch fans.
Interestingly, the shift away from the rotating bezel, a signature feature on several past Samsung smartwatches, may signal the company’s confidence in touch and gesture navigation as the default. This change could streamline manufacturing and allow slimmer designs, but it might also divide opinion among long-time users.
Launch expectations
The Galaxy Watch5 series will likely debut at Samsung’s annual summer Unpacked event alongside new foldables and earbuds. With these leaks revealing almost everything on the design front, the remaining mysteries revolve around battery life improvements, potential new health sensors, and pricing.
If Samsung can pair these refined designs with meaningful software and battery upgrades, the Galaxy Watch5 lineup could tighten its grip on the Android smartwatch market, while giving Apple’s upcoming smartwatch something to think about.
