You’ve probably already heard about the RAM crisis that has turned the entire smartphone market upside down. Flagships have gotten more expensive, updates have become a formality, and the only way to tell a new model from last year’s is by the box. Samsung is no exception. Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus turned out to be copies of last year’s S25 with a new processor and a higher price tag. Galaxy S26 Ultra got an interesting Privacy Display, but Samsung itself admitted that it made a poor screen. 2026 is not a good year to buy a new flagship. But one Samsung model still stands out from the crowd. It’s definitely worth buying.
Sometimes the most hyped smartphone isn’t always the best one.
What’s Wrong with Samsung Galaxy S26
Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus have become virtually clones of last year’s models. A new processor, a slightly larger battery, a marginally bigger screen. That’s it. Personally, I can’t name a single reason why a Galaxy S25 owner should upgrade.
At the same time, the Galaxy S26 price went up by $100. Samsung doesn’t hide that component price increases are to blame, and the company’s mobile division is operating in emergency management mode, since things are going badly for Samsung. If you need a powerful Samsung, in my opinion, it makes more sense to grab last year’s Galaxy S25 Ultra at a discount. The difference from the new generation is minimal, and the premium isn’t justified.
What Makes the New Samsung Galaxy A57 5G Good
Unlike the flagships, the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G received quite noticeable improvements. The body became thinner (6.9 mm vs. 7.4 mm on the A56) and lighter (179 g vs. 198 g). Half a millimeter and 19 grams don’t look impressive on paper, but in practice the difference is noticeable, especially if you hold the phone for extended periods. The plastic frame was replaced with a metal one, the glass is now Gorilla Glass Victus+, and the protection rating increased from IP67 to IP68.
The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate delivers up to 1,900 nits of brightness. Last year’s A56 had 1,200, and using it in sunlight was a struggle. The bezels got thinner, and overall the front panel looks truly modern.
Galaxy A37 is also decent, but A57 is better. Image: sammobile.com
Under the hood is the Exynos 1680 processor with an improved neural module. It’s no Snapdragon 8 Elite, of course, but for a mid-ranger it’s more than adequate. The camera setup is triple: 50 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide, and 5 MP macro. Nothing groundbreaking on paper, but Samsung promises improved night photography thanks to a new ISP.
And here’s what’s really nice. The Galaxy A57 5G got 45W charging, which still hasn’t made it to the regular Galaxy S26. The battery is 5,000 mAh, it gets 6 years of OS updates, and it comes with Android 16 with One UI 8.5 out of the box. For its price, the package is more than competitive.
Why You Should Buy the Galaxy A57
Samsung didn’t stuff the Galaxy A57 5G with trendy AI features that would require inflating the RAM capacity. Basic capabilities like Object Eraser and Circle to Search are present, but this isn’t the level of ambition that demands 16 GB of RAM.
The DRAM memory crisis hit the Galaxy A57 5G much more gently than its competitors. TrendForce analysts warn that mid-range phones in 2026 will be rolling back to 4–6 GB of RAM and displays with waterdrop notches. The Galaxy A57 5G avoided that fate: 8 or 12 GB of RAM, an AMOLED screen, and reasonable specs without cutbacks. Yes, the phone costs about $50 more than the A56 5G, but given the upgrades, the price increase looks justified.
Budget Samsung smartphones are better than they might seem at first glance. Image: sammobile.com
Is the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G Worth Buying
If you need a flagship with a top-tier camera and maximum performance, the Galaxy A57 5G is not for you. It’s a mid-range Samsung smartphone, and you shouldn’t expect miracles from it in heavy games.
But if you’re looking for a reliable everyday Samsung with a good screen, decent battery life, and long-term support, the Galaxy A57 5G hits the mark. Metal body, 1,900-nit display, 45W charging, IP68 protection, and not a single sacrifice made for the AI race. In my opinion, this is the only new Samsung in 2026 that’s truly worth considering. Everything else is either too similar to last year or unjustifiably expensive.
