After so much suspense and rumors, Samsung released the Galaxy Watch 5 which arrived alongside the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro in August. The Galaxy Watch 5 seems to be the successor to the Galaxy Watch 4 as both look very much alike, while the Watch 5 Pro succeeds the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. While the Galaxy Watch 5 is available in two sizes, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is only available in one size. The new Galaxy watches are more durable, have longer battery life and feature a skin temperature sensor.
Just like previous Galaxy Watches, the Watch 5 and Watch Pro are both available in Bluetooth and LTE models. So, in this guide, we’ll show you the differences between the Bluetooth and LTE models of the Galaxy Watch 5 to help you decide which model is best for you.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Bluetooth vs LTE Full Specifications
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The Differences Between Galaxy Watch 5 Bluetooth vs LTE
In a few words, the Bluetooth and LTE models are the same. It’s the same design, features, and battery capacity. However, the difference between these two is the presence of an eSIM in the LTE model that enables cellular connectivity on the watch. Thus, with the LTE model, you can make and receive calls without your phone. The Bluetooth model can also make and receive calls, but it requires your phone nearby.
Even more is that with the LTE model, you will be able to receive and reply to messages without your phone. You don’t also need your phone to be able to use Google maps, and the watch will be able to call and send a message to a preset emergency contact when it detects a hard fall. The Bluetooth model requires your phone to do all these.
Basically, the LTE model of the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro will give you that much-needed freedom from your phone. The LTE model is called a standalone smartwatch because it can make calls, and send and receive messages independently.
Secondly, because the LTE model is a standalone smartwatch, it has a higher price tag compared to the Bluetooth model. You will have to pay $50 more to get the LTE model of either the Galaxy Watch 5 or Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Moreover, you’ll be paying about a $10 recurrent monthly subscription for cellular plans on the watch.
And thirdly, even though the LTE and Bluetooth models have the same battery capacity, you should know that the battery life will be slightly different once you have LTE active or streaming music. Otherwise, both models have the same battery life.
Galaxy Watch 5 LTE – How does it work?
Like older models of the Galaxy Watch, the Galaxy Watch 5 LTE comes with an eSIM which means, you don’t need to insert any SIM.
The LTE model works by using what is called number share where the watch although has its own number, uses the same number as your phone number. Thus, both the watch and phone must be on the same carrier for LTE to work.
Before you decide to go for the LTE model, you need to be sure your current phone carrier has a cellular plan for the LTE models. In the US, Verizon, AT&T, and T-mobile have plans for the Galaxy Watch 5 LTE and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro LTE models.
Just like Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, the Galaxy Watch 5 series needs your phone to setup and activate LTE. This has to be done via the Galaxy Wearable app. You simply open the app, tap on watch settings and select mobile plans to setup LTE on the watch (you must have an active LTE plan from your phone carrier before this will work).
Once you have activated LTE successfully, you will be able to receive calls and messages without connecting to your phone. You will also be able to make calls from the watch using your phone number, thanks to number share.
Galaxy Watch 5 LTE – Important Things to Note
- Before anything, contact your current carrier to find out if they have any service plan for the LTE models of the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile are carriers in the US that offer cellular plans for Galaxy watches.
- On average, these carriers charge $10 monthly to activate LTE on the Galaxy Watch.
- Note that you can’t activate LTE for a Galaxy Watch meant to be used in a particular jurisdiction in another country. That is, you cannot activate LTE on a model meant to be sold in the US in China.
- While you can setup Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active 2 and Galaxy Watch 3 without a phone, the GW4 and GW5 require your phone to setup LTE.
- The Galaxy Watch 5 LTE works with your phone number via number share. This means that you can make calls and send messages using your phone number. Although, the Galaxy Watch 5 will have its own number.
- To see the Watch number, open the Galaxy Wearable app, scroll down to About watch, and tap on View Watch number.
Galaxy Watch 5 LTE or Bluetooth – Which Model is Right For You?
The LTE and Bluetooth models have the same durable build, the same 16GB storage as well the same activity tracking features. The battery life is also the same.
So which should you go for? It’s very simple if you really want to go out without your phone and still be able to make and receive calls, send and receive messages, then the LTE model is the right choice as long as you are okay with the $50 extra price and about $10 monthly subscription.
On the other hand, the Bluetooth model is more popular among the populace for obvious reasons, it’s cheaper, and you don’t have to pay monthly fees on cellular plans.
In my country, no carrier has plans for the Galaxy Watch 5 LTE, so I already ordered the Bluetooth model which I will review in the future.