Samsung Galaxy Watch5

Demure and stylish with heaps of impressive features, but the nightly charge is a big downside

- BASIL KRONFLI 

PRICE From £224 (£269 inc VAT) from johnlewis.com

Samsung's new smartwatch looks and feels a lot like last year's Galaxy Watch 4 (see issue 326, p68). It does bring some changes that set it apart from its predecessor, starting with a small price hike: the basic Bluetooth-only 40mm model now costs £269, up from £239, while the model with cellular connectivity is £319. Larger 44mm models cost £289 and £339 respectively.

There are new colour choices, too. The 40mm watch comes in graphite (black), silver or "pink gold", while the larger version replaces the latter with a muted sapphire. Additional colours are available at Samsung's "Bespoke Studio" website, with a wide range of strap styles at various prices.

In all variations, the watch is IP68-certified against dust and water, with a MIL-STD-810H rating reflecting its ability to withstand knocks and drops. Even so, it doesn't feel chunky or unwieldy to wear, and the matte texture of the standard strap stops it tugging on the skin.