Trezor Safe 5

From the outside, there are two main components on the hardware wallet: the USB-C port and, on closer inspection, the 1.54-inch color display, which is used to make all entries via touch. In the original packaging, the USB port is also covered with a glossy sticker - a feature to protect against basic manipulation that should be taken into account with freshly unpacked devices.

What was criticized at the time of the Trezor Safe 3, namely the lack of a German-language interface, must now be emphasized positively. Not only the Trezor Suite can now be set to German, but also the firmware of the Trezor Safe 5. All information on the hardware wallet is therefore also displayed in German, which is particularly useful for users who have difficulties with the standard English language.

In some places, the firmware translation still seems a little mechanical, but the function is currently still in beta and it can be assumed that minor details will be improved over time.

The front is also made of robust Gorilla Glass instead of plastic, which not only gives the product a high-quality feel, but should also protect it from scratches. With some competitor products, the display scratches quite quickly due to the choice of plastic material. Our test device still looks brand new.

The lack of OLED technology with "perfect black level" is a bit of a shame, as the otherwise uniformly black front is interrupted by the backlit LCD display. But that's complaining on a high level, as the display can also be very bright in return.

Let's move on to a few points of criticism of the Trezor Safe 5, which are basically minor details rather than real "dealbreakers".

First of all, the lack of support for iPhones and iOS devices in general should be noted, as is the case with almost all USB-based hardware wallets due to Apple's restrictions. The Trezor Suite Lite app for iOS can be used as a watch-only wallet to keep an eye on your transactions, but if you are dependent on direct use on your iPhone, you should look for an alternative. The Trezor Suite web app can be used with its full range of functions on Android.

Advanced users who are interested in a multi-signature setup should think twice before using the Trezor Safe 5. The Trezor wallet firmware still does not support persistent registration of multisig wallets. In theory, the user must therefore always re-verify all public keys of all participants in the setup before verifying a receiving address, which is a rather impractical hurdle that is quickly neglected in practice.

With hardware wallets that enable such registration, the time-consuming verification only has to be carried out once. The device can then independently verify transaction details or addresses of the multisig wallet.

The Trezor Safe 5 fills the shoes of its predecessor, the Model T, with ease and now follows suit with a secure chip. The comparison with the equally new Trezor Safe 3, which is not actually inferior to the Safe 5 in terms of security and specific functions, is probably much more decisive. If you are on a tight budget, the Trezor Safe 3 is therefore the better choice in a direct comparison. However, if you want a higher-quality product with a touchscreen, the Safe 5 is a sophisticated overall product and offers a better user experience thanks to details such as the vibration motor and the good display.