Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 Review: The Perfect Blend of Form and Function

Imagine this: You're on the go, trying to catch up on work, and you spot someone lugging around a massive 16-inch laptop. Your first instinct might be to feel sorry for their poor back. But what if I told you that this 16-inch machine is actually lightweight and weighs less than 2 kilograms?

Enter the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360. Not only is this laptop portable, but it's also a content-consumption machine that's perfect for working on the go. With a stunning display that's easy on the eyes and a functional suite of software, the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is designed to make your life easier. And if that wasn't enough, the included stylus is a joy to use, allowing you to create and edit content with ease.

PROS

• The 120Hz AMOLED display is visually stunning
• The S Pen is a utilitarian accessory
• It's an excellent laptop for daily use
• The slim design facilitates easy portability
• Samsung's software suite seamlessly integrates with other Samsung devices
• Dolby Atmos enhances the audio experience

CONS

• The display's brightness falls short for outdoor visibility
• The keyboard takes a bit of time to get accustomed to
• The battery life could be better

With a starting price of ₹1,55,990 and impressive hardware, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is a productivity powerhouse. It features the latest 13th Gen Intel Core i7 1360P processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage, all housed inside a massive 16-inch aluminum chassis that encloses a surreal 16:10 3K display.

While the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 comes with a high asking price, its impressive hardware and software suite make it worth the investment. And if you're already invested in the Galaxy ecosystem, this notebook is even more appealing. So why not take a closer look at what makes the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 such a great 16-inch device?

Design and Build Quality: Slim and trim, but built to last

When you first pick up the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360, you'll be surprised by how light it is. Weighing in at 1.71kg, it's slightly heavier than the MacBook Air's impressive 1.24kg profile. However, the Galaxy Book's larger form factor is what makes it truly remarkable, especially when compared to the Air's smaller 13.6-inch size.

The laptop's slim profile is further accentuated by its tapered edges and rounded corners, giving it a sleek and modern look. Despite its behemoth size, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is surprisingly lightweight and easy to handle, making it the perfect device for those who need to work on the go.

Our review unit came in a stunning Graphite color, which not only gives the laptop a professional look but also adds to its premium feel. The all-aluminum build of the laptop is a testament to its quality, but be warned - the lid is prone to fingerprints, so it's important to regularly clean it with a cloth.

One of the first things I noticed about the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 was how effortlessly it passed the one-handed opening test. I was impressed by the sturdy hinge that Samsung engineered, which kept the screen from tottering even when I briskly shook the device. And when I was writing on the screen with the stylus, the hinge kept the display in a solid position.

The S Pen also attaches firmly to the lid, thanks to the strong magnets that Samsung incorporated. However, I did find myself wishing for a silo to store the stylus in. As it stands, the S Pen tends to slip down in my bag and come into contact with the laptop sleeve as I take out the notebook. While the strong magnets do prevent the stylus from falling off, a silo would provide added convenience and peace of mind.

Ports and Connectivity: It Packs the Necessary Stuff

Samsung has managed to achieve the best of both worlds with the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 - a thin and lightweight notebook that doesn't skimp on I/O. The left side of the laptop boasts 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports and HDMI 2.0, while the right side includes a microSD card slot, a USB Type-A port, and a 3.5mm headphone and mic combo jack.

While the port suite is impressive, a full-size SD card slot would have been a welcome addition. Additionally, having one Thunderbolt 4 port on the right would have allowed for greater charging flexibility.

Connectivity-wise, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth v5.1, making it an ideal device for those who need to stay connected on the go.

Display: A Visual Delight for the Eyes

The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360's display is its standout feature, boasting a visual feast for the eyes. With a 16-inch, 120Hz, Dynamic AMOLED 2X display featuring a resolution of 2,880 x 1,800 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:10, it's a dream for both content consumption and productivity.

Watching Spiderman fight Dr. Strange in the Mirror Dimension in 4K HDR was a spectacular sight to behold. The excellent contrast ratio with deep blacks and vivid colors brought every scene to life, and I was blown away by the experience. It's the laptop to get if you plan on binge-watching Netflix or Youtube or simply want a fantastic display to work with.

Whether you prefer to use it in Tent Mode or as a tablet, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is the perfect machine for streaming your favorite movies or shows. The viewing angles are exceptional and there is no black crush issue to detract from your viewing experience.

Samsung has thoughtfully included various color profiles, and I found that using the "Auto" mode along with the Adaptive Color feature worked well for me. This feature automatically adjusts the display's color as the lighting changes, and I was impressed with how seamlessly it adapted to my changing surroundings.

For productivity purposes, the 16:10 aspect ratio is a wise choice by Samsung, providing a taller screen that offers more vertical screen real estate. This is especially beneficial when working with programs like Excel and Docs, allowing more text to be viewed at once.

However, the display's brightness was a bit of a letdown, as I had to constantly max out the brightness everywhere, which had a negative impact on battery life.
While the brightness is sufficient for indoor use, it struggles when used in bright environments or direct sunlight, falling short of its claimed 500 nits of peak brightness.

Keyboard: It Gets the Job Done

Upon getting my hands on the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360, I was eager to test out the keyboard, but unfortunately, it's a mixed bag for me. As with many ultra-thin laptops, the keys have shallow travel, which can be a dealbreaker for some users.

It took me some time to adjust to the keyboard, and I found myself making more typing errors than usual, especially when switching between this laptop and my work laptop with deeper key travel.

Another issue I had was with the small arrow keys, which I frequently use and found myself accidentally miss-clicking. I would have preferred larger keys like those on Lenovo's ThinkPad series. However, the keyboard does have some positives, including a numpad conveniently located on the right side for effortless number crunching.

Additionally, the backlight works as intended with three levels of brightness, and the power button doubles as a reliable and speedy fingerprint scanner.

Trackpad: It's Big...Seriously Big

Let's talk about the elephant in the room - or rather, on the keyboard. The trackpad on the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is an absolute unit. I'm talking comically large.
To emphasize just how massive this trackpad is, I had to resort to some creative experimentation. I placed my new Galaxy A54, which is a 6.4-inch smartphone, on top of the trackpad, and lo and behold, it fit like a glove.

But all jokes aside, the trackpad's enormous size does come with some benefits. For one, it's effortless to use, and all Windows 11 gestures are supported, making navigating through the OS a breeze. And let's not forget that it's super smooth and responsive, accurately detecting all your swipes and gestures, no matter how big or small they are.

All in all, while the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360's trackpad may be comically large, it's hard to deny the convenience and ease of use it provides.

Speakers: AKG and Dolby Atmos Work Their Magic

The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 boasts a quad AKG-tuned speaker setup with Dolby Atmos support. Initially, I couldn't understand the hype around Dolby Atmos as the sound quality sounded tinny to me, which is typical of thin and light laptops. However, I later discovered that Dolby Atmos wasn't enabled by default.

After enabling it in Samsung's Settings app, I was blown away by the difference. The sound was much louder, the bass was greatly improved, and Dolby Atmos' surround sound feature made me feel like I was part of the action.

The mid and high tones were well-defined, and the overall sound was richer and much better than the hollow-sounding experience I had earlier. Although the bass did a decent job, I personally craved more punch, so listening to my playlists always required earbuds.

If you don't have earphones handy, the speakers still deliver a decent experience, especially for listening to podcasts or vocal-heavy music.

Webcam: Usable for Those Conference Calls

The 1080p webcam on the upper bezel of the notebook comes in handy for those dreaded conference calls, but the quality is less than impressive. The video often appears washed out and grainy, and things get worse in low-light conditions. To avoid overexposure, it's best to sit in a well-lit environment opposite to the light source.

I wished Samsung also included Windows Hello face unlock too for a hands-free sign-in experience.

Despite the lackluster video quality, Samsung gets brownie points for the inclusion of an excellent Studio Mode. This mode ensures that you look your best in front of the camera with features like Auto Framing that intelligently crops the video to focus on you and eliminates distractions. The Face Effect feature beautifies your face, while the Background Effect feature offers a gaussian blur or a custom background to hide your surroundings.

While the HDR mode didn't seem to make a significant difference, the Eye Contact feature ensured that I was always looking directly at the camera, even when I wasn't. Overall, Studio Mode is a boon for those who spend a lot of time in front of the camera and want to look their best. Kudos to Samsung for getting the software part right.

Stylus: Most Versatile Digital Writing Tool You'll Ever Use

The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360's S Pen is a game-changer when it comes to productivity and versatility. With the added benefit of the laptop's convertible nature, you can take notes, draw, and navigate software in any mode, be it tent mode or tablet mode.

The stylus provides a smooth gliding experience, with virtually no input lag. The 120Hz display refresh rate is the cherry on top, making writing on the screen feel just like writing on paper.

The hinge is a testament to Samsung's engineering prowess, as it remains robust and sturdy no matter how many times you flip the laptop into different modes. Even when applying pressure while writing, the display doesn't wobble or tilt back.

Samsung has also included intuitive software that enhances the writing experience. With a single tap of the button on the stylus, you can access a menu that allows you to create notes, take a screenshot and annotate it, or assign quick shortcuts to frequently used apps such as Slack in my case.

Software: A Strong Case for Samsung's Budding Ecosystem

The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 comes with Windows 11 Home, but it's the suite of Samsung apps that sets this laptop apart.

If you're someone who's already in the Samsung ecosystem, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 can elevate your daily experience with its seamless integration with your Samsung phone or tablet. However, for others, the suite of Samsung apps may seem like unnecessary bloatware, as they only work with Samsung devices.

But, let's talk about the real gem in Samsung's software arsenal: Samsung Multi Control. This wizardry enables you to control your Galaxy smartphone with your notebook's keyboard and trackpad, and copy, paste, or drag and drop files between the two devices. And if you have a Galaxy tablet, you can turn it into a second monitor via the Second Screen feature, effectively mimicking a dual monitor setup.

I had the latest Samsung Galaxy A54 smartphone at hand, so I decided to put it to work with the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360, and the results were impressive! Both devices connected seamlessly, and the Galaxy A54 became a useful secondary monitor, but with Android at the helm.

Admittedly, it felt a bit weird dragging the mouse from the laptop to the phone at first, but I quickly got accustomed to it and soon found myself interacting with my Android apps with ease, while still working on the laptop.

The AirDrop-like functionality of dragging and dropping media between the two devices worked flawlessly, and I found myself considering buying a Samsung smartphone just to take advantage of this useful feature.

Additionally, there's Samsung Flow, which can sync notifications of your Galaxy smartphone to your laptop, share files over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi from your phone to your laptop or vice versa, and even cast your phone's screen and control it from your laptop.

And if that's not enough, Microsoft also has its Phone Link app, which enables you to receive calls and messages from your phone via your laptop and access Android apps installed on your mobile device. So, if you're looking for a laptop that seamlessly integrates with your smartphone or tablet, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is worth considering.

Battery: Barely Lasts A Day

The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is powered by a 76Wh battery that lasts around 6 to 6.5 hours on a single charge, which is decent for my workflow of constant web browsing and multiple Chrome tabs open.

However, if I plan to binge-watch some videos or browse the internet, I'll have to charge it at night. But, that's not a big deal since the laptop comes with a 65W fast charger that can provide enough power to doom-scroll through Reddit for half an hour.

To extend the battery life, I can switch to the "Best power efficiency" profile and lower the brightness of the stunning pixel-dense AMOLED display. This should give me a bit more juice to get through the day.

Overall, the battery life is just enough for a day's work, but anything more than that, the battery falls short. It would be great if Samsung could improve the battery life in their future models.

Performance: It's a Potent Thin and Light

Let's dive into the performance of this sleek and lightweight machine. But first, let's take a look at its impressive specs.

Under the hood, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 houses a 13th Gen Intel CPU, with my unit sporting a Core i7 1360P processor that boasts an impressive 12 cores and 16 threads. The chipset operates at a base frequency of 2.2Ghz but can ramp up to 5Ghz depending on the workload.

The processor is paired with 16GB of onboard RAM, which unfortunately cannot be upgraded due to the limited space in the slim chassis. For storage, the laptop offers up to 1TB of PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage, with my unit packing a generous 512GB SKU.

In terms of graphics, the integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics handle all the visual processing as there is no dedicated GPU on board. While this may give you an idea of what kind of machine Samsung has built, let's take a closer look at how it performs in our benchmarks, all while plugged in to ensure maximum performance.

Let's compare the 13th Gen Core i7 found in the Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 with the 12th Gen Core i7 in the HP Spectre x360, a similar 2-in-1 laptop.

The graph above shows that the improvements between the two generations are minimal. However, the real difference lies in the GPU department. The Spectre x360 is equipped with Intel's Arc A370M dedicated GPU, which is far more powerful than Samsung's integrated Iris Xe graphics, making it a far better option for gaming.

In Cinebench, the laptop scored well, with the multi-core score being the most impressive. This demonstrates that the laptop can handle heavy synthetic workloads.

Finally, we tested the laptop's storage and received excellent read and write scores. This is due to the machine's blazing-fast PCIe 4.0 SSD, and thus real-world data transfers and loading times will not disappoint.

While numbers offer valuable insight, they don't paint the whole picture of real-world usage, which involves various variables. Therefore, let's evaluate how the laptop fared in my workflow.

During my everyday workflow, which includes juggling between 15-20 tabs, the Galaxy Book 3 Pro kept up with my needs, but it got hot in the process.

Despite feeling the heat emanating from the machine, I didn't notice any lag or stutter, though some tabs restarted over time. This is understandable, given that the 16GB of onboard RAM was filled to the brim with Chrome tabs, YouTube playing in the background, and Slack.

I also tested a range of games, from light titles such as Brawlhalla to triple-A titles such as Control. Starting with Brawlhalla, a lightweight co-op action game that delivered smooth 60fps of gameplay, I also booted up Valorant, which maintained an average fps of 75 at high settings. However, to ensure a smooth gameplay experience and a much higher fps, it's advisable to play at medium graphics.

For the final game, Control, the laptop struggled even at low graphics, barely reaching a playable 30fps with jittery movement and constant lag. Hence, it's safe to say that if you're looking for a machine to handle heavy gaming, this laptop may not be for you.

In terms of temperature, the laptop became quite hot, with an average temperature of 61 degrees and a maximum of 75 degrees. Although the fans ramped up to cool the laptop, I didn't notice any stutter or lag while using the laptop after finishing with the benchmarks and games.

To sum up, the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is a fantastic option for web browsing with multiple open tabs, light gaming, and multitasking with various apps running in the background. However, it may not be able to handle more demanding tasks such as video editing or playing heavy games.

If you require more power, especially for gaming or heavier workloads, you should consider the flagship Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra, which features the latest Nvidia RTX series of GPUs for top-tier performance.

Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360?

With its ultra-portable thin and light laptop, Samsung has hit a home run. The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360's best-in-class display and excellent quad-speakers provide a surreal viewing experience. Those looking for a laptop to watch a lot of movies and shows will appreciate this machine's versatile form factor.

However, the display isn't as bright as I had hoped, the keyboard is too shallow for my tastes, and the battery could have been improved further.

The attention to detail in the design of the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is impressive. From the refined aluminum chassis to the slim bezels around the display, every element of this laptop has been carefully crafted with both aesthetics and functionality in mind. With its exceptional performance, versatile form factor, and stunning display, this laptop is a perfect blend of form and function.