Late final yr, Samsung launched its latest era of reasonably priced A-series telephones, beginning with the entry-level A17. Following the arrival of the flagship Galaxy S26 line, the corporate has returned to flesh out the remainder of its midrange portfolio. The extra reasonably priced Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57 sport some attention-grabbing upgrades, even when in comparison with a few of their pricier siblings.
Core specs and options
Earlier than we dive into my hands-on impressions, I need to do a fast rundown of every cellphone’s specs as that ought to assist arrange (or mood) expectations. As you’d count on based mostly on their numbering, the A37 is the extra reasonably priced of the 2 with a base value of $450 for 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. You can too select 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage for $540. Notably, when in comparison with the A17, the A37 options a way more latest and extra highly effective Exynos 1480 chip that brings an enormous soar in NPU efficiency and helps unlock a lot of the cellphone’s newfound AI capabilities. It additionally comes with a big 6.7-inch AMOLED show, a 5,000mAh battery and three rear cameras. Nevertheless, two of these will possible get extra use than the opposite because the A37 packs a 50-megapixel primary digicam and an 8MP ultra-wide, together with a 5MP macro shooter.
The Galaxy A37 might be out there in 4 colours: charcoal, white, lavender and graygreen. Nevertheless, the center two are Samsung.com exclusives and the final one is barely out there from Greatest Purchase. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
In the meantime, the Galaxy A57 is a little more costly, beginning at $550 for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, or $610 for the 8GB/256GB model. It additionally contains a barely extra highly effective Exynos 1680 processor and a higher-res 12MP sensor for its ultra-wide lens, however other than that, it has the identical common digicam setup as A37 and the identical dimension battery. One small distinction is that the A57 has Bluetooth 6 connectivity and Wi-Fi 6E, however the A37 remains to be caught with BT 5.3 and fundamental Wi-Fi 6.
For some purpose, the A57 is barely out there in a single shade: navy. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
Each telephones include IP68 scores for mud and water resistance (which is an improve from IP67 on the A36) and 120Hz refresh charges. Nevertheless, an important shared trait is that whereas neither helps wi-fi charging, they will each take wired energy at as much as 45 watts, which is definitely sooner than a base Galaxy S26’s restrict of simply 25 watts. Lastly, along with six years of OS and safety updates, the A37 and A57 are getting some trickle-down AI options from its flagship siblings. These embody improved assist for Google’s Circle to Search, Object Eraser and higher transcription and translation capabilities within the Samsung Voice Recorder app.
Galaxy A37 impressions
Each telephones have almost equivalent designs, proper right down to the identical display dimension and variety of cameras. That mentioned, one space the place Samsung reduce corners on A37 is that it contains a plastic body as an alternative of the A57’s aluminum. However even once you maintain them facet by facet, it is reasonably tough to discern between the 2. There isn’t any apparent distinction in look or button format, so the principle solution to inform the 2 aside is by feeling for the cooler contact you sometimes get from a steel chassis. Alternatively, if you happen to look intently, you will discover that the A37 has barely thicker bezels across the exterior of its display.
Here is a better take a look at the A37’s shade choices. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
In comparison with the Galaxy A17, the A37’s Exynos 1480 felt considerably snappier and significantly better geared up for multitasking or AI-based duties like eradicating undesirable objects from images. Regardless, because the inexpensive of Samsung’s new midrange cellphone choices, the corporate did a extremely good job disguising the most important variations between the 2 new fashions.
Galaxy A57 impressions
To be sincere, the A57 wasn’t fairly as interesting because the A37 as a consequence of its greater value and no extra options. The principle device it has that is not out there on its extra reasonably priced sibling is Samsung’s Greatest Face digicam device, which permits the cellphone to investigate individuals’s expressions so you possibly can choose your favourite response and put it within the picture you need. On paper, its Exynos 1680 chip must be a bit sooner, however in regular use, it is actually onerous to inform. And in contrast to the A37, which is available in 4 colours (white, charcoal, lavender and grey/inexperienced, relying on the retailer), the A57 is barely out there in navy.
Early ideas
Whereas they give the impression of being the identical, the A57 options an aluminum chassis as an alternative of plastic like on the A37, which must be higher for long run sturdiness. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
As a extra highly effective and extra premium various to the $200 A17, the A37 looks like a worthy improve for the cash. It presents noticeably smoother efficiency together with a extra elegant hole-punch selfie cam (as an alternative of a waterdrop) and stereo audio system (as an alternative of mono). Beginning at $450, the A37 may also undercut the Pixel 10a whereas providing a bigger 6.7-inch AMOLED show (versus 6.3 inches for the Pixel) and a smattering of equal AI options. And in some methods, the broader number of colours simply reinforces that Samsung might be putting larger bets on the A37’s market prospects. If I had been searching for an reasonably priced Android cellphone with an enormous display, I would give extra consideration to this new center baby in Samsung’s A-series lineup.
Except for bezels which can be a tiny bit larger, the Galaxy A37 (left) appears to be like virtually precisely the identical because the dearer Galaxy A57 (proper). (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)
As for the A57, it is definitely not a foul cellphone, however beginning at $550, it suffers from being in a way more aggressive value bracket. For individuals who want smaller gadgets, the $500 Pixel 10a is cheaper whereas providing even higher AI instruments, a cleaner UI, wi-fi charging, a barely bigger battery and unmatched picture high quality. Nevertheless, the A57’s largest rival is arguably one other Samsung cellphone: the Galaxy S25 FE. Except for slower wired charging, it has an excellent nicer design, an additional yr of software program and safety updates (seven complete) and a correct telephoto digicam as an alternative of a macro lens. And whereas its MSRP is a bit greater at $650, it is usually on sale for beneath $600 (or much less), which successfully sidesteps the A57’s largest benefit.
That mentioned, irrespective of which one you like, extra choices for reasonably priced devices are at all times welcome — particularly with the value of smartphones and PCs growing because of the world RAM scarcity.
The Galaxy A37 and A57 will formally go on sale April 9.
