Review: Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 15-inch is just shy of greatness
Samsung is no stranger to Windows laptops, although it does have a tough time sticking with one product line or naming scheme. I first fell for its unusually light designs back in 2017, when I bought and reviewed the Samsung Notebook 9 15 Ext, and since then, the company has consistently created fun and unique ultra-mobile PCs.
For 2021, Samsung finally finds focus with its new Galaxy Book Pro line, which comes in a traditional laptop design or a convertible “360” one in two different sizes.
This review focuses on the $1,500 Galaxy Book Pro 360 15, which is now available to purchase. With its gorgeous AMOLED display, excellent S Pen, and a surprisingly robust software suite, Samsung is playing for keeps. But the company also has some oversights that place it just out of reach of greatness. Luckily, its great pricing helps redeem it in the end.
Light, thin, and a pen
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 (15-inch)
Pros
- Outstanding AMOLED display
- Excellent inking and convertible experience
- Thin and light with excellent performance
- Decent battery life
- Useful Samsung software
Cons
- Awful webcam, mediocre speakers
- 16:10 would have been a better display aspect
- Dim display
- Lots of fingerprints with ‘Mystic Navy’
- Only full HD screen resolution
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360: Price, availability, and specs
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
You can choose between 13.3-inch and 15.6-inch models in either the “360” chassis (convertible) or traditional laptop design, which is $100 cheaper. There are options for Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processors. There is also a 5G option, but it is limited to the 13.3-inch Galaxy Book Pro 360 model and is not expected to ship until later this summer.
Pricing starts at $999 for the 13.3-inch Galaxy Book Pro and $1,199 for the Galaxy Book Pro 360. The 15.6-inch model reviewed here ships with a Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD for $1,499.99.
Samsung allows trade-ins of phones, PCs, or tablets, which can offset a Galaxy Book Pro/Pro 360 purchase up to $550 (although only the Samsung Tab S7+ qualifies for that price point, with most devices falling well below that).
Galaxy Book Pro 360 13 | Galaxy Book Pro 360 15 | |
---|---|---|
OS | Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro |
Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro |
Processor | 11th Gen Intel Core i5 11th Gen Intel Core i7 |
11th Gen Intel Core i5 11th Gen Intel Core i7 |
RAM | Up to 16GB LPDDR4x | Up to 16GB LPDDR4x |
Graphics | Intel Iris Xe | Intel Irs Xe |
Storage | Up to 512GB NVMe SSD | Up to 1TB NVMe SSD |
Display | 13.3 inches Super AMOLED 1920×1080 (FHD) S Pen for inking |
15.6 inches Super AMOLED 1920×1080 (FHD) S Pen for inking |
Ports | Thunderbolt 4 Two USB-C 3.5mm audio microSD card reader 5G SIM (optional) |
Thunderbolt 4 Two USB-C 3.5mm audio microSD card reader |
Audio | AKG speakers Dolby Atmos |
AKG speakers Dolby Atmos |
Connectivity | 5G (optional) Wi-Fi 6E Ready Bluetooth 5.1 |
Wi-Fi 6E Ready Bluetooth 5.1 |
Camera | Front-facing 720p | Front-facing 720p |
Security | Fingerprint reader | Fingerprint reader |
Battery | 63Wh 65W AC adapter |
68Wh 65W AC adapter |
Dimensions | 11.9 x 7.95 x 0.45 inches (302.5mm x 202mm x 11.5mm) |
13.97 x 8.98 x 0.47 inches (354.85mm x 227.97mm x 11.9mm) |
Weight | 2.29 pounds (1.04kg) | 3.06 pounds (1.39kg) |
Color | Mystic Navy Mystic Bronze |
Mystic Navy Mystic Bronze |
An unusual combo
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360: Design and features
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
This laptop is Intel Evo certified, which means it has been specially tuned for instant-on, fast resume, Wi-Fi 6E, and longer than average battery life.
While the smaller 13.3-inch version has a lot of competition, the larger 15.6-inch model reviewed here is a rarity, as most laptops this size add in a discrete NVIDIA GPU, which this laptop does not have. Instead, this is a slim, lightweight Ultrabook that can also be used with a pen. That difference means the Galaxy Book Pro 360 15 is excellent for productivity but not ideal for serious gaming or video editing (though it can, of course, handle lighter loads in those categories).
At just 3.06 pounds (1.39kg) and an incredible 11.9mm thin, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 is extraordinarily light and portable, considering the 15.6-inch touch display.
Ports are limited to just three USB Type-C with one (on the left) reserved for the higher-performing Thunderbolt 4. There is, however, a MicroSD slot for multi-media and a combo microphone/headphone jack. While a Type-A port would have been nice, the laptop is too thin to house one.
The keyboard is on the shallower side with only 1mm of travel (1.3mm is ideal). But thanks to the scissor mechanism and rubber dome design, it feels pretty good once you use it for a little while. Samsung includes three-stage backlighting, which is done exceptionally well with slight light bleed (it also has a nice fade effect). It is worth noting that number pad lovers will be happy with the keyboard design in the 15-inch too.
FYI: the mystic blue picks up fingerprints very easily.Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
The 720P cam is pretty weak.Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
The all-metal chassis does have some flex to it, but it is nothing outrageous. Considering the thin design and goals of this laptop, it is acceptable. The bottom has a relatively large intake to cool the processor, and exhaust is expelled via the rear hinge area, giving a clean design. Indeed, the entire laptop can be described as elegant and professional looking with minimal and almost hidden Samsung branding.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
- Air Command
- Clip Studio
- Connect
- Galaxy Book Experience
- Galaxy Book Smart Switch
- Link Sharing
- Live Message
- Live Wallpaper
- Online Support (S Service)
- PENUP
- Quick Search
- Quick Share
- Samsung Bluetooth Sync
- Samsung Care+
- Samsung DeX
- Samsung Flow
- Samsung Gallery
- Samsung Notes
- Samsung PC Cleaner
- Samsung Recovery
- Samsung Security
- Samsung Settings
- Samsung Studio Plus
- Samsung TV Plus
- Samsung Update
- Samsung Voice Note
- Samsung Screen Recorder
- SmartThings
It’s … a lot. But things like Samsung Security let you digitally lock the microphone and camera so the software cannot be used to spy on you. It can even email you a pic of someone trying to hack your laptop (for real). PENUP is a coloring app for adults, which lets you use the included S Pen in a fun and relaxing way. Apps like Gallery, Notes, TV Plus, Live Message, and Air Command are mirror images of Samsung’s Galaxy phone apps and often sync to them via your Samsung account. Live Wallpaper lets you choose premade wallpapers that slightly change based on current weather and whether it is day or night. It is all clever stuff that enhances the laptop experience. Of course, it can all be uninstalled, too, should you find it offensive.
It’s pretty great
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360: Display and inking
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
AMOLED lives up to the hype. In our tests, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 delivers exceptional color representation with 100% sRGB, 85% AdobeRGB, and 96% DCI-P3 – all of which are way above average for this laptop class.
Samsung also brings some clever tricks, too. For instance, like high-end HP laptops, the display can auto switch color profiles based on the application (“Intelligent Color Engine”). So, Adobe RGB is used for photo editing, whereas when watching a movie, it’ll go to DCI-P3 and use vivid for everything else. Also, like HP, there is a “focus mode” that auto-dims the background to help extend battery life.
The Galaxy Book Pro 360’s display is striking and slightly disappointing at full HD and 16:9.
VESA DisplayHDR 500 is also supported, which makes movie watching a blast with a higher contrast range. The screen also supports wide-color gamut (WCG) natively in Windows, including apps that support it. With “adaptive color,” the laptop auto-adjusts the color based on lighting (this is different from auto-brightness, which is also an option).
But there are trade-offs, too. This display only peaks at an unusually low 286-nits of maximum brightness (when set to 0%, the screen is an exceptionally dim 3.9 nits). Most laptops these days hit 400 nits, and Samsung’s own Galaxy Book Flex with QLED peaks at 623 nits. However, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 is not too dim and, thanks to how AMOLED works with individually lit pixels, looks brighter than most laptops and is much more consistent.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Like Samsung’s TVs, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 has a glossy screen, but due to the design, it reflects much darker than an LCD, giving pleasing results and much lower reflectivity than similar laptops.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
For those who also have a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 (or Note 20 Ultra 5G), the S Pens are interchangeable and work across devices, which is a nice bonus.
Better than average
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360: Performance and battery
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Samsung worked closely with Intel to maximize the Core i7-1165G7, and it can achieve some great results. With a key combo (FN + F11), you can toggle between No Fan, Silent, Optimized, and High Performance modes. These modes are independent of the Windows 10 battery slider found on regular laptops.
In regular couch surfing usage (web, email, Twitter, Telegram, Slack, watching videos) and in Optimized mode, the Galaxy Book Pro 360’s fans were occasionally used, but never obnoxious. The laptop also kept temperatures in check, and there were no hot spots.
Battery life is quite good thanks to the rather large 68WHr battery (Surface Laptop 4 only has a 46WHr one). When set to Samsung’s ‘optimal’ performance mode and using the Galaxy Book Pro 360 for light to medium work, it averaged around 10 hours 30 minutes on a full charge. Samsung includes a tiny but mighty, Super Fast Charging-enabled 65W AC adapter in the box. It can deliver “8 hours” of battery life in just 30 minutes of charging, which is excellent when in a pinch.
What else is out there?
Samaung Galaxy Book Pro 360: The competition
LG gram 17 (2021).Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
The LG gram series runs in all different sizes, including 13, 14, 15, 16, and the Gram 17-inch. They are all in the same class as the Galaxy Book Pro 360, albeit non-convertible and without inking. The exception is the older (and mostly out of stock) LG gram 14, which is a convertible and weighs only 2.53lbs. The newer (though hard to find) 2021 LG gram 16 16T90P is also a convertible with an i7-1165G7 processor and features a preferable 16:10 display for around $1,600.
Few laptops directly compete with the Galaxy Book Pro 360 15-inch, which is noteworthy.
Lenovo has the Yoga 91 14, which has a 14-inch full HD screen as the name implies, but it is also a nice convertible with similar specs as Samsung.
The HP Spectre x360 15 is also a worthy alternative, but it’s of a different class with a 16.9 4K UHD OLED display, Intel H-series CPU, and GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU. It also weighs 4.23 lbs (1.91kg), with pricing starting around $1,250.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 does support inking but is a non-convertible laptop with similar specs. It has better audio and a higher resolution display, and the 15-inch is a similar class as the Galaxy Book Pro 360 15 but with an AMD Ryzen CPU.
Finally, Samsung has the Galaxy Book Flex with an excellent QLED screen, Qi charger in the trackpad, siloed pen, and a gorgeous design. Samsung also has the Galaxy Book Flex Alpha, Galaxy Book Flex2 Alpha, but only in 13.3-inch models.
See our recommendations for best 15-inch laptops for more ideas.
Room to grow
Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360?
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Who it’s for
- Those who want an exceptionally light and thin 15-inch Windows laptop
- Owners of a Samsung Galaxy smartphone who need a laptop
- People who love number pads
- Those who need a productivity PC for school, work, or leisure
- People who want a 15-inch convertible laptop that supports inking
Who it isn’t for
- People who need a discrete NVIDIA GPU (video editors, gaming)
- People who prefer 16:10 displays
- You work outdoors, need a bright screen
- You want loud speakers, great sounding audio
- You need long battery life
Samsung has brought another unique laptop to the increasingly crowded PC space, which is no easy task. The 15-inch Galaxy Book Pro 360 has few competitors and fills an exciting gap in the laptop market; namely, super light/thin convertible laptops that also get good battery life and performance.
Samsung has done very well here, but it can do so much more too.
Samsung leans heavily on its AMOLED screen technology, as it should. It’s a very color-accurate display that matches LG’s LCD screens for color accuracy to no one’s surprise. The S Pen is fun to use, and while Samsung has a lot of pre-installed apps, they enhance the experience of this laptop, especially if you already have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
Indeed, if you already own a Galaxy smartphone, grabbing this laptop is the closest you can get to Apple’s own tightly tied ecosystem. Between the shared photos, ability to sync, Notes, SmartThings, S Pen experience, and usage of a Samsung Account, there is a lot of device interaction. Even Samsung’s Buds works better with an auto-connect feature tied to the enhanced Bluetooth pairing ability.
Samsung’s fingerprint reader is good.Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Additional complaints fall to audio, where bottom-firing speakers are never ideal, and the terrible webcam is below what Samsung is capable of doing. And while full HD helps with that battery life, a 1440p “2K” option for 15.6-inches would be a much better experience, especially since many laptops are pushing 4K UHD at this size.
Overall, though, Samsung has created not only a great-looking laptop with some notable features like fanless mode, but it does so at a highly competitive price, making it an easy laptop to recommend. Plus, if you don’t need the convertible form factor, you can save $100 and get the standard non-360 design.
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360
If you need a super-thin laptop that is also a convertible, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 is for you. There is a lot to like coming in 13 or 15-inch models with optional 5G (13-inch), featuring AMOLED displays, large batteries, and weighs less than 3lbs. Samsung’s S Pen is also included.
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