Samsung Galaxy A57 & A37 Review: Polished Upgrades, But Is It Still Worth It?

There's a very specific kind of confidence in making a phone that barely changes. Not because you couldn't do more, but because you think you don't need to.That's exactly what Samsung is doing with the Samsung Galaxy A57 and A37.

These aren't phones trying to surprise you. They're phones trying to reassure you. And depending on who you are, that's either exactly what you want or exactly what starts to feel a little stale.

In India, the Galaxy A57 5G starts at ₹56,999, while the Galaxy A37 5G comes in at ₹41,999, placing both firmly in the upper midrange segment.
That puts the A57 up against performance-focused rivals like the OnePlus 15R and iQOO 15R, while the A37 goes head-to-head with camera-first options like the Nothing Phone 4a Pro and Pixel 10a.

So yeah, both have serious competition. The question is, do they still hold up?

Samsung Galaxy A57 & A37 Design: Does the Refinement Show?

Samsung hasn't reinvented anything here, but there are some meaningful refinements once you look closer.

The Galaxy A57 is clearly the more polished of the two. It uses a slimmer metal frame, coming in at 6.9mm and 179 grams, which makes a noticeable difference in hand. It feels lighter, more compact, and just better balanced overall. This is the one that leans closer to a flagship-like feel, even if it doesn't fully get there.

Durability also gets an upgrade this year. The Galaxy A57 now carries an IP68 rating, which means better resistance to water and dust than before. What's interesting is that the A37 also steps up here, moving from IP67 to IP68, so both phones now offer the same level of protection.

The A37, however, sticks with a plastic frame and retains its previous dimensions at 7.4mm thickness and 196 grams. It doesn't feel cheap, but it does feel more utilitarian next to the A57. You notice the extra weight, and the overall finish doesn't feel as refined.

From a design perspective, both phones are still very aligned. You get a clean, minimal look with a glass-like rear, a slightly raised camera module, and a style that borrows heavily from Samsung's flagship lineup. They blend in well with the Galaxy S series design language, even if the materials don't quite match.

The glossy finish adds a bit of visual flair, but it comes with the usual trade-off. These phones pick up fingerprints very easily, and the clean look doesn't last long once you start using them regularly.

The Galaxy A57 comes in Awesome Navy, Awesome Icy Blue, and Awesome Lilac, while the A37 is available in Awesome Lavender, Awesome Charcoal, and Awesome Gray Green.

I've been using the Navy on the A57 and the Lilac on the A37, and between the two, the Navy feels like the better pick. It looks cleaner, more understated, and holds up better over time, while the Lilac is more playful but not as versatile.

Samsung Galaxy A57 & A37 Display: Still the Best in This Segment?

Both phones feature 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED panels with a 120Hz refresh rate, and this is classic Samsung territory. Colours are vibrant, contrast is strong, and everything from scrolling to video playback feels consistently smooth.

The A57 uses a Super AMOLED Plus panel, which is slightly more efficient and better tuned, but the difference is subtle in everyday use. Both displays feel equally premium, whether you're watching content or just navigating the UI.

You also get Gorilla Glass protection on the front, likely Victus+, along with the option to switch between Adaptive and Standard refresh rates in settings. Peak brightness is rated at around 1,900 nits, and in real-world use, both panels hold up well outdoors while looking excellent indoors.

The A57 does have an edge with HDR10+ support, which makes supported content look a bit richer. Both phones also include an in-display optical fingerprint sensor that works reliably, though its placement could have been slightly higher for easier reach.

Samsung Galaxy A57 & A37 Camera: Is There a Real Upgrade Here?

The camera system is where identical specs start to diverge in output. Both phones carry a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 5MP macro camera, and a 12-megapixel front camera. The difference lies in the ultrawide. The A57 gets a 12-megapixel ultrawide, while the A37 drops to 8 megapixels.

In real use, that difference shows. The main camera on both phones performs well in daylight, delivering detailed images with Samsung's signature color tuning, slightly saturated, consistently pleasing. The A57, however, handles dynamic range better and keeps exposure more controlled.

The ultrawide on the A57 is actually usable beyond perfect lighting. It maintains reasonable detail and doesn't fall apart immediately. On the A37, the drop in quality is more obvious, especially in anything less than ideal lighting.

Both phones support 4K video at 30fps, and stabilization is decent, though not class-leading. Low-light performance across both devices is acceptable but not standout, with softer details and visible noise.

And then there's the macro camera, which continues to exist without adding meaningful value.

It's also worth noting that the Galaxy A57 leans more into Samsung's AI features. Best Face works better with multiple shots, Auto Trim simplifies video edits, and Object Eraser now delivers cleaner results. You also get built-in voice transcription in the recorder for added everyday utility.

Samsung Galaxy A57 & A37 Performance: Smooth, But Fast Enough?

The Galaxy A57 runs on the newer Exynos 1680 and comes with 8GB RAM as standard, with an option to go up to 12GB, both paired with 256GB storage. The A37 uses the Exynos 1480 and offers more configuration options, starting at 8GB RAM with 128GB storage and going up to 8GB or 12GB RAM with 256GB storage.

On paper, both chips bring measurable gains. The Exynos 1480 on the A37 delivers noticeable improvements over its predecessor, with better CPU and graphics performance, but the bigger jump is in AI processing, which should help with newer features and background tasks.

The A57's Exynos 1680 is a more modest step forward, with incremental gains in CPU, GPU, and neural performance, but it's paired with better thermal management.

In use, the A57 feels more composed. It handles multitasking smoothly and stays consistent even under load, helped by a larger vapour cooling chamber that keeps thermals in check. It's not just faster, it feels more stable over time.

The A37 does fine for regular use, but it's quicker to show its limits. Push it with heavier apps or longer gaming sessions, and you'll notice occasional slowdowns. It's dependable, just not as fluid.

Gaming, though, is decent on both. Titles like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile run well, and neither phone gets uncomfortably warm, even during longer sessions or while charging.

The audio setup adds to the experience. You get hybrid stereo speakers that go loud, have a bit of depth, and stay clear without distortion, which makes both gaming and media consumption more enjoyable.

Samsung Galaxy A57 & A37 Software & AI: The Real Advantage?

Software is one area where Samsung continues to pull ahead. Both phones run One UI 8.5 on top of Android 16, and more importantly, they come with a six-year update promise, covering both major OS upgrades and security patches. That alone adds a lot of long-term value.

AI is a bigger focus this time, especially with Samsung leaning into what it calls agentic AI. With Gemini integrated, the assistant can now take actions across apps instead of just responding to prompts, so you can move between tasks more seamlessly without jumping around yourself.

Beyond that, there's a mix of smaller but useful features layered in. Bixby has been updated to handle more natural conversations and search queries, while tools like Circle to Search continue to make quick lookups easier. You also get AI-powered transcription for calls and recordings.

It's not as deep or as extensive as what you get on Samsung's flagship phones, but it's enough to make the experience feel smarter and more connected.

Samsung Galaxy A57 & A37 Battery: Reliable or Just Average?

Both phones pack a 5,000mAh battery, and in everyday use, they deliver very similar results. With moderate usage, they comfortably last a full day, and even with heavier use, you're likely to get through without needing a top-up before the evening.

On the charging side, Samsung sticks with 45W fast charging. The A57 doesn't see any upgrade this year, but the A37 now matches it, bringing both phones to the same level. Samsung claims around 60% charge in 30 minutes, which holds up fairly well in real-world use.

What's interesting is that these mid range devices actually charge faster than the flagship Galaxy S26 model, which isn't something you usually see.

Overall, the charging experience feels practical. It's quick enough to be useful when you're in a hurry, but not fast enough to feel like a standout feature.

Samsung Galaxy A57 & A37 Verdict: Safe Picks or Missing the Moment?

The Galaxy A57 and Galaxy A37 are solid mid-range phones. You get strong software support, a premium-looking design, excellent displays, cameras, and performance that are good enough for most people.

That said, the competition in this price segment is intense. There are alternatives that push harder on performance, battery life, and even camera quality. However, Samsung phones often see aggressive discounts during sale events, and that's when they become far more compelling.

At the end of the day, it really comes down to priorities. If long-term software support and a polished, reliable experience matter most, the A57 and A37 are easy recommendations. But if you're chasing the absolute best performance or camera for the price, there are stronger options out there.