Samsung’s ultra-premium Galaxy S26 might grab all the headlines, but it’s the mid-range A-series phones that tend to offer the best value for money. Samsung has just unveiled its 2026 line-up: the sleek Galaxy A57 and the more affordable Galaxy A37.
Launching on 10 April, the new phones are bringing the brand’s much-touted “Awesome Intelligence” (that's Galaxy AI to you and me) to a more accessible price point. Both feature 6.7in screens, 120Hz displays, beefy 5,000mAh batteries that promise up to two days of use, and an upgraded IP68 water and dust resistance rating. Samsung is also promising six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates, meaning these mid-rangers could feasibly take you into the 2030s.
The Samsung Galaxy A57 and A37 will face tough competition when they land next month, with the recently launched Google Pixel 10a and the MagSafe-equipped iPhone 17e setting high expectations for sub-£500 handsets. Especially as neither new Galaxy phone features wireless charging. So what are you getting for your money? Here’s a closer look at the two new devices.
Read more: Best phones, reviewed by a tech expert
Samsung Galaxy A57 5G
Price: From £529 (256GB)
Screen: 6.7in super AMOLED+, 120Hz
Processor: Exynos 1680
Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro
Availability: 10 April
Leading the new line-up is the Galaxy A57 5G. While it looks remarkably similar to last year's model, complete with signature floating triple-camera island and a glossy ceramic-like finish, it’s slimmed down slightly. The A57 is 0.5mm thinner and 18g lighter than its predecessor. And the bezels around the 6in super AMOLED+ display have been shaved down for a more premium look.
Under the bonnet, it’s powered by the new Exynos 1680 processor, which offers a modest bump in CPU and graphics performance alongside a massive 42 per cent improvement in neural processing. That extra NPU power is there to drive Samsung’s new AI features, including voice transcription for recordings, an upgraded ‘Best Face’ mode for group photos, and Google’s handy ‘Circle to Search’ tool, which can now identify multiple objects in a single image.
The camera hardware remains largely untouched from last year – a 50MP main sensor backed by a 12MP ultrawide and a 5MP macro lens – but Samsung promises the upgraded image signal processor will deliver sharper night-time photography and faster shutter speeds. Starting at £529 for a generous 256GB of storage, the A57 looks to be a highly capable all-rounder, though it faces stiff competition from the £499 Pixel 10a.
Buy now £529, Samsung.com
Samsung Galaxy A37 5G
Price: From £399
Screen: 6.7in Super AMOLED, 120Hz
Cameras: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro
Availability: 10 April
If you want the core Samsung experience for the lowest possible price, the Galaxy A37 5G is the handset to aim for. Starting at a head-turning £399, it shares the same large 6.7in screen size, 5,000mAh battery, and tough IP68 water resistance rating as the more expensive A57.
The biggest upgrade since last year is the processor. The jump to the Exynos 1480 chip brings a 167 per cent boost to AI performance compared to the A36. This means buyers on a budget don’t have to miss out on clever software tricks like the AI-powered object eraser, live voice translation and the upgraded conversational Bixby assistant.
To keep the price under £400, Samsung has made a few sensible compromises. The ultrawide camera drops down to an 8MP sensor, and you miss out on the ultra-fast wifi 6E connectivity found on the A57. The display, while bright at 1,900 nits, isn’t quite as dazzling as the 3,000-nit screen on the rival Pixel 10a. However, the main 50MP camera has been treated to larger pixels this year, which should translate to brighter and sharper photos in low light. For everyday scrolling, streaming and snapping, the A37 5G could be one of the best-value budget phones of the year.
Buy now £399, Samsung.com
Read more: Samsung Galaxy 26 review
The best deals on the Samsung Galaxy A57 and A37
Tesco Mobile is the place to get your hands on either of Samsung’s new phones. The Galaxy A37 is available on a 24-month contract with 3GB of monthly data for £25.49 a month.
The standout bargain is on the more powerful Galaxy A57 5G, provided you have a Tesco Clubcard. The network is offering the 256GB handset with 12GB of monthly data for £32.99 a month, but if you use your Clubcard at the checkout, that monthly cost drops to just £26.99.
Not convinced? Check out our review of the Pixel 10a
