Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 Review: Best 2-in-1 ultrabook?

This is the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360. Its predecessor laid a solid foundation for the company's laptop ambitions, and this latest iteration starting at almost 1,64000 Rupees, builds on and refines what was there last year. 

There are some issues here too, and I'll cover all of them in this review but before I get into all of that, please do subscribe to our channel.  Also, if you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up as well.

DESIGN & S-PEN

If you're someone who values portability in a laptop, then the Book 3 Pro 360 is definitely one to consider when looking for the best 16-inch options. Sure, it's a bit thicker and heavier than the previous 360 model, but everywhere else it's so slim and lightweight that sometimes I forgot I was holding a 16-inch laptop in my hand. 

That being said, it's still a very big device, and using it as a giant tablet can prove to be a bit cumbersome... A more logical choice would be to use it in tent mode, which is a great way to enjoy content.

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Nonetheless, the 2-in-1 design serves a clear purpose as it invites you to draw on its vast canvas.

The inclusion of an S Pen makes this a great choice for creative individuals and while I don't possess the artistic skills to fully take advantage of it, I do appreciate the buttery smooth responsiveness that it offers.

The only aspect that worries me is Samsung's continued lack of a dedicated storage compartment for the S Pen

Of course, the stylus can be attached magnetically to the lid but this solution is not ideal for ensuring that it remains securely housed within the device. Therefore, misplacing the S Pen is a very real possibility.

Apart from that, I am generally pleased with the overall construction of this laptop. It comes with a robust aluminium chassis that has very little flex, and the hinges are quite strong, keeping the display securely in place, no matter how aggressively you type. Although I'm not sure how well it will hold up against screen touches in the long run as there is a bit of wobble,  so you might want to use it in tablet or tent mode if you’re going to be using the touchscreen a lot.

The design itself exudes a sense of minimalism, featuring either a light beige hue or this graphite shade. You won't see any unnecessary bling here, resulting in a refined appearance that complements any setting.

UTILITY

The Pro 360 comes with a decent range of ports, including both modern and legacy options. On the left side, you'll find two thunderbolt USB-C ports and a full-size HDMI plug. On the right side, there is a headphone jack, a full-size USB-A port, and a microSD card slot.

This is pretty versatile for an ultraportable but it would have been better if the laptop had USB-C ports on both sides for increased charging flexibility.

Also, the decision to include a microSD card slot instead of a full-sized SD card slot seems perplexing, especially if the target audience comprises creators who often store camera photos and videos on SD cards. 

Additionally, there's a 1080p webcam, which can be a bit finicky in low lighting and the image quality appears somewhat cloudy, yet it serves its purpose for the occasional video conference.

Similarly, the AKG tuned speakers on this device are satisfactory for video calls, but they lack depth when playing music or watching YouTube, and I was expecting something with a bit more clarity in this price range. On the other hand, the fingerprint sensor is very reliable and always quick to unlock. 

DISPLAY

The best feature of the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is the screen. It truly stands out. This year's model boasts a 16-inch, 3K AMOLED display with a more practical 16:10 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate. That's a significant upgrade from the previous model's 15.6-inch 60Hz 1080p panel, and the difference is stunning.

The only downside here is that the screen has a highly reflective and extremely glossy surface, which can make it challenging to use in direct sunlight. I had also hoped that the 16:10 aspect ratio would have reduced the size of the bottom bezel, but unfortunately, that isn't the case.

Despite these inconveniences, I still think this a fantastic display and it's definitely one of the biggest reasons why anyone would buy this laptop, even though it comes with a higher price tag.

SAMSUNG ECOSYSTEM

Another major reason to consider purchasing this product is if you already own a bunch of other Galaxy devices.  Samsung has been focusing on enhancing the connected experiences between its devices. A great example of this is Samsung's Multi control feature, which allows you to use the laptop's keyboard and touchpad to control your Galaxy smartphone. It also lets you easily copy, paste, or move files between devices.

Then there's the second screen feature, which transforms Galaxy tablets into an additional monitor. I tested this with the Galaxy Tab S8+, and its spacious display made for an excellent secondary screen. These tools are incredibly useful, so, if you own a recent Samsung phone or tablet and can integrate them into your workflow, I highly doubt that you will be disappointed.

PERFORMANCE 
 
Now, let's get into the technical side of things. The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 boasts an Intel Core i7-1360p processor with Iris XE graphics, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and up to 1TB SSD.

Over the past few weeks, I have been using this machine for my daily workflow, which includes multitasking with several Microsoft Edge tabs, streaming YouTube videos and Spotify in the background, and writing on Google documents. I am happy to report that this laptop is able to handle all these tasks without any hiccups. 

It works really efficiently for all sorts of productivity tasks but it is important to note that this is not a graphical powerhouse, and therefore it is not ideal for tasks such as heavy gaming and 4K editing. I did notice that it got a bit warm when I tried to export a video on Adobe Premiere Pro but thankfully, the hardware did not have to throttle clock speeds drastically.

Battery life is another aspect where the Pro 360 comes up short. I often needed to plug it in for a charge after just a few hours of use. The battery saver warning typically appears after around 6-7 hours of use, which is not ideal. On the bright side, the power brick is compact enough and convenient to carry around, and it charges the laptop quickly at 65W.

KEYBOARD & TOUCH PAD

Finally, let's talk about the keyboard on the Pro 360.  It offers well-sized keycaps that are spaced out nicely and while I wouldn't say it's on par with Dell's XPS line or Apple's Magic Keyboard on their latest MacBooks, I still found it comfortable for typing for extended periods of time. The ability to adjust the backlight to adapt to ambient lighting conditions is also a big plus.

My only gripe with the keyboard is the actual layout itself. Samsung decided to include a number pad on the right side of the keyboard, which may disrupt your muscle memory if you are accustomed to a more conventional laptop layout.

The touch pad is now 39 percent larger than the one on the Book 2 Pro 360 and significantly larger than a lot of its competition. Adapting to its size and off-centre placement was a bit of a learning curve for me, but with some time and practice, I found that navigating with it became quite effortless.

VERDICT

When all things are considered, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360  is a solid follow-up to its predecessor, and I must say that my experience with it has been mostly positive.

Despite the average battery life, the enhancements made in the display and performance departments make it a worthwhile contender in the premium laptop segment.

Those who own the latest Samsung Galaxy smartphones will particularly appreciate the seamless software integration, but most importantly, if you require a spacious screen for both work and content consumption, then this bad boy should be at the top of your list.