- Flagship grade durability
- Six-year software lifespan
- Snappy performance
- Camera is functional rather than exciting
- A little more expensive than last year's model
Sitting at the top of Samsung’s affordability-focused A-series, the Galaxy A57 is the kind of phone that gives what you’d expect for the asking price, and at times, a little more. Solid foundations paired with above-average durability and a long software lifespan make it an immediate consideration for value-driven buyers.
There aren’t any red flags in terms of core competencies, so let’s start with what makes the Galaxy A57 stand out. The Galaxy A57’s front and back are protected with Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, which was first used on flagship devices like the Galaxy S22 family. Gorilla Glass Victus Plus is said to be able to withstand drops of up to two metres, which is double that of Gorilla Glass 7i (which is used on phones like the Google Pixel 10a). A case will still be the best way to protect your phone from damage, but a bit of extra protection is always welcome.
Similarly, Samsung has upped the water-resistance on the Galaxy A57 to IP68. It is now able to survive submersion at depths of up to 1.5m for as long as half an hour. While past A-series (at least those above $500) have had an IP67 rating, which is still enough to protect a phone that falls in water, the step up means the Galaxy A57 has flagship-grade protection.
Samsung has also promised the Galaxy A57 will get six years of major operating system upgrades and security updates. Cheaper phones don’t typically get this kind of extensive software support, with many phones in this price bracket tapping out at three major operating system upgrades. OPPO has made some strides in this area, with its devices like the Reno 15 F getting a five-year commitment on the operating system upgrade front and six years on security, but the Pixel A-series are the only “mid-tier” devices that best the Galaxy A57. Google says the Pixel 10a will get seven years of both software and security updates.
Shifting back to hardware, the Galaxy A57’s camera configuration is the only area you might consider a weakness. You can get solid shots from the primary lens, but performance becomes a bit uneven in low light. Scenes with movement are prone to motion blur, and night mode kicks in even in a dim room. This isn’t to say the low-light images are bad - you might just need a bit of luck to get the exact shot you want. It isn’t an exciting camera or one that punches above the price bracket, but for the money, it still does a decent job.
Conversely, the Galaxy A57’s secondary lenses are more on the mid-side. The ultra-wide takes a good enough photo in bright lighting conditions, but low light images are soft and lack detail, and the dedicated macro lens is too low resolution to be of real value.
Samsung Galaxy A57 camera samples
Check out these camera samples taken on the Galaxy A57. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
When it comes to performance, day-to-day use is as smooth as you’d hope, and the Galaxy A57 can even tackle more demanding games. Diablo Immortal ran stutter-free on the Galaxy A57, which hasn’t always been the case with previous models in the family. I wouldn’t pick the Galaxy A57 if mobile gaming is your top use case - you’re not going to be running titles like Destiny: Rising at the highest settings - but it’s nice that you can still get mileage out of it.
Battery life is also solid - I was able to get between six and seven hours of screen time when testing the Galaxy A57. That’s enough for a full day of moderate usage with a very comfortable buffer.
Otherwise, there isn’t too much more to note. The 6.7-inch display is lovely and more than bright enough for outdoor usage, the aluminium frame feels premium, and the phone is a little slimmer and lighter than past A-series devices. I wish the back had a matte finish rather than a glossy one, but that’s more just personal preference.
It is worth calling out the Galaxy A57 is $50 more expensive compared to the Galaxy A56, now coming in at $749. That’s still pretty reasonable for what’s on offer, but there are heavy launch discounts available. Most retailers are selling the Galaxy A57 for $599 until April 29, which makes a value-focused phone even better.
Samsung Galaxy A57 - Final Thoughts
If you can get the launch offer (or a discount sometime in the future), the Galaxy A57 is a bargain at $599. At full price, the Galaxy A57 is still a well-rounded pick.
You could also consider the Nothing Phone 4a if you want a zoom lens and don’t mind a shorter support lifespan and less water-resistance, and there’s the Pixel 10a for a genuine step up in photography at $849. But all in all, the Galaxy A57 is almost a no-brainer in its price bracket. It gives you the fundamentals, and just that little bit extra.
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Alex Choros
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