The Galaxy Wearable Series has taken wearables by storm. From the Samsung Galaxy to the Gear Sport and now the Sony WH-1000XM5, these smartwatches have been some of the best out there. They’re not just affordable – they offer top-notch build quality, outstanding performance and a wealth of features that make them one of their kind. But if you want to take your wearable experience to another level, then you need a speaker with it as well. The biggest challenge with a voice assistant is how to hear it.
A great speaker can amplify any sound so that it reaches at its full potential. Additionally, having a Bluetooth connection means that you can stream your favorite tracks wirelessly without having to deal with any wires or docks which also makes using them hassle-free. It’s no surprise then why every modern smartwatch should have its own speaker in it instead of relying on your phone or tablet for audio output. But many smartwatch speakers are lacking in one area – sound quality.
That’s why we had high hopes for the Sony WH-1000XM5 since it seemed like everything was going right for it. The successor of one of our previous picks (the WH-H900N) has some improvements over its predecessor such as extra hardware buttons, noise cancellation and an updated design with better speakers placed on top of them – all things we look for in a good smartwatch speaker anyway!
Sony WH-1000XM5: What you need to know?
Let’s start at the beginning. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the successor to the popular Sony WH-H900N, which we reviewed back in 2016. It aims to improve on every aspect of the H900N and offers great value for your money by improving on its predecessor’s formula. The design of the Sony WH-1000XM5 is largely similar, with the addition of a small microphone on the right side of the watch that the display can detect.
This lets you take calls from your wrist, which is an especially great feature for workouts and outdoor activities. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is also IP68 rated, which means it’s completely dust-proof and water-resistant. There’s no way it’ll get damaged by splashes or showers but you can still sweat freely without worrying about damaging the device. The BAMF features of the Sony WH-1000XM5 are some of the main advantages it has over other wearables.
BAMF stands for Background Only Audio or Sound, which means that the Sony WH-1000XM5 can play music or take calls even when your phone’s screen is off. This is especially useful if you’re trying to fall asleep and don’t want to be disturbed by notifications or calls. You can also use BAMF when the phone is charging, since it can play music or take calls even when the device isn’t charged. Another BAMF feature is Automatic Sound Relay.
This lets the Sony WH-1000XM5 automatically lower the volume when a call comes in or raise it when one ends, which is especially useful if you have call-blocking apps on your phone. Finally, you can use S Voice to control your music and take calls with your voice. This is especially useful if you have hearing problems and need to speak more softly.
Design and build quality
One area the Sony WH-1000XM5 really stands out is design. For starters, it’s available in three different colors – black, grey and blue. The blue model looks especially stunning, fitting well with the blue light of the screen. But the Sony WH-1000XM5 also has a decidedly premium look with its sleek modern design. The three buttons on the side are made from a durable silicone and are easy to reach, making them ideal for controlling music and calls.
The photo sensor on the side is also easy to spot, making it easy to start playlists or silence calls. The Sony WH-1000XM5’s build quality is also great. It’s designed from premium materials and looks like it’ll last for a long time.
The body is made of plastic but has a sturdiness to it that makes it resistant to impacts. The screen is also durable and scratch-resistant, which is a huge plus. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is also IP68 rated, which means it’s completely dust-proof and water-resistant.
There’s no way it’ll get damaged by splashes or showers but you can still sweat freely without worrying about damaging the device. The battery inside the Sony WH-1000XM5 lasts for a claimed 30 hours of audio playback, which is plenty of time to take a long run or workout. The watch is also Qi wireless charging compatible, which means you can simply drop it on the charger and it’ll start charging automatically.
BAMF features
The main BAMF feature of the Sony WH-1000XM5 is that it can play music or take calls even when your phone’s screen is off. This is especially useful if you’re trying to fall asleep or don’t want to be disturbed by notifications or calls.
Another BAMF feature is Automatic Sound Relay. This lets the Sony WH-1000XM5 automatically lower the volume when a call comes in or raise it when one ends, which is especially useful if you have call-blocking apps on your phone.
You can also use S Voice to control your music and take calls with your voice. This is especially useful if you have hearing problems and need to speak more softly. You can also use S Health to track your daily fitness goals, such as steps taken and calories burned.
Sound quality and performance of the Sony WH-1000XM5
No matter how good a smartwatch speaker sounds, it’s nothing without the right hardware to back it up. Thankfully, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a great choice for a smartwatch speaker. The sound quality is what we’d expect from a good pair of speakers.
It’s loud enough to fill a small room and has rich stereo sound with plenty of bass. The highs are also crisp, making it great for listening to music or podcasts. The battery inside the Sony WH-1000XM5 lasts for a claimed 30 hours of audio playback, which is plenty of time to take a long run or workout. The watch is also Qi wireless charging compatible, which means you can simply drop it on the charger and it’ll start charging automatically.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is controlled using your phone and acts as a wireless Bluetooth headset. You can pair multiple devices to the same account, allowing you to switch between different apps as you please.
Concluding remarks
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a great option for anyone looking for a smartwatch with a speaker. It offers great sound quality and long battery life, along with a sleek design and Qi wireless charging. The BAMF features are also handy, especially for when your phone’s screen is off.