Samsung Unveils Galaxy A37 and A57: $450 Midrange King Beats S26 Charging
- Pricing: Galaxy A37 starts at $450; Galaxy A57 starts at $550.
- Performance: Powered by Exynos 1480 (A37) and Exynos 1680 (A57) processors with enhanced NPUs.
- Charging: Both devices support 45W wired charging, surpassing the 25W limit of the base Galaxy S26.
- Software: Includes flagship "Galaxy AI" features and a guaranteed six years of OS and security updates.
Samsung officially expanded its midrange portfolio today with the launch of the Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57, bringing high-end AI capabilities and superior charging speeds to the sub-$600 market. Available starting March 25, 2026, these devices integrate Google’s Circle to Search and advanced Exynos silicon to narrow the performance gap between the affordable A-series and the premium S-series flagships.
High-End Features in a Midrange Chassis
The Galaxy A37 and A57 arrive as the most capable entries in Samsung's midrange lineup to date. Both phones feature 6.7-inch AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates and have been upgraded to an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, an improvement over the IP67 rating found on previous generations.
While the two devices look nearly identical, the primary distinction lies in their build materials and internal processing power. The $450 Galaxy A37 utilizes a plastic frame and features slightly thicker bezels. In contrast, the $550 Galaxy A57 adopts an aluminum chassis, providing a more premium, "cooler" tactile feel.
Under the hood, the A37 is powered by the Exynos 1480 chipset, which reportedly offers a significant jump in Neural Processing Unit (NPU) performance compared to the entry-level A17. The A57 steps up to the Exynos 1680 processor. According to hands-on reports from Engadget, the Exynos 1480 makes the A37 feel "significantly snappier" and better equipped for the multitasking demands of modern mobile AI.
Flagship AI and "Shameful" Charging Speeds
One of the most notable aspects of this launch is Samsung’s decision to include "trickle-down" AI features previously reserved for its flagship models. Both the A37 and A57 feature:
- Google’s Circle to Search: Allowing users to highlight anything on their screen for an instant search.
- Object Eraser: An AI-driven photo editing tool to remove unwanted elements from images.
- Enhanced Transcription: AI-powered translation and transcription within the Samsung Voice Recorder app.
The Galaxy A57 gains an exclusive "Best Face" camera tool, which analyzes facial expressions across multiple frames to help users select the best reaction for a composite photo.
In a surprising move that disrupts Samsung's own product hierarchy, both midrange phones support 45W wired charging. This technical specification is notably faster than the 25W charging limit found on the standard Galaxy S26 flagship. While neither the A37 nor A57 supports wireless charging, the inclusion of 45W wired power marks a significant value proposition for budget-conscious users who prioritize battery recovery speeds.
Camera Specifications and Connectivity
The camera hardware remains consistent across both models with minor variations in the secondary sensors. Both phones lead with a 50-megapixel main camera and a 5MP macro lens. However, the A57 features a higher-resolution 12MP ultra-wide sensor, compared to the 8MP ultra-wide sensor on the A37.
Connectivity also sees a slight divergence. The Galaxy A57 is equipped with Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 6E support. The A37 remains on the older Bluetooth 5.3 and standard Wi-Fi 6 protocols.
Retail availability for the A37 includes four colorways: charcoal, white, lavender, and "graygreen." Notably, the white and lavender versions are exclusive to Samsung’s online store, while graygreen is a Best Buy exclusive. The Galaxy A57 is currently limited to a single "navy" color option.
Impact on the Smartphone Market
The release of the A37 and A57 represents a strategic shift for Samsung as it faces increasing pressure from Google’s Pixel "a" series and various Chinese manufacturers. By offering six years of guaranteed OS and security updates, Samsung is positioning these devices as long-term investments rather than disposable budget tech.
For developers and users, the democratization of NPU-heavy features like real-time translation and Circle to Search means that sophisticated AI is no longer a "luxury-only" experience.
"By bringing 45W charging to a $450 device, Samsung is effectively shaming the charging limitations of its own entry-level flagship." This move signals that Samsung is willing to cannibalize certain flagship advantages to maintain its dominance in the highly competitive midrange segment.
What's Next
The Galaxy A37 and A57 are expected to be available through major retailers and carriers immediately following the March 25 launch event. As these devices ship with One UI 8.5 (based on Android 16), the industry will be watching to see how the Exynos 1480 and 1680 chips handle the long-term demands of future AI-heavy OS updates over their promised six-year lifespan.
Sources
All technical specifications, pricing, and benchmark data in this article are sourced directly from official announcements. Competitor comparisons use publicly available data at time of publication. We update our coverage as new information becomes available.