Samsung Galaxy A57 5G Review: Slimmer, Faster, But Pricier Than Ever
Samsung’s A-series has long been the backbone of its smartphone business.
The Galaxy A57 5G pushes that middle-ground boundary further than before. It brings flagship-grade protection, a shockingly thin body, and updated internals.
Here is my honest breakdown of what works, what doesn’t, and whether it deserves your money.
Specs at a Glance
Feature
Galaxy A56 5G (Last Gen)
Galaxy A57 5G
Display
6.6-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz
6.7-inch Super AMOLED+, 120Hz
Processor
Exynos 1580 (4nm)
Exynos 1680 (4nm)
RAM / Storage
8GB / 128GB–256GB
8GB–12GB / 128GB–512GB
Rear Cameras
50MP Main + 12MP UW + 5MP Macro
50MP Main + 12MP UW + 5MP Macro
Battery & Charging
5,000 mAh / 25W
5,000 mAh / 45W Fast Charging
Build & Protection
IP67 / Plastic frame
IP68 / Armor Aluminum Frame / Victus+
Thickness / Weight
8.2 mm / 213 g
6.9 mm / 179 g
Design and Build: Shockingly Thin with Premium Metal
The moment you pick up the A57 5G, you notice the profile. At just 6.9 mm thin, it feels closer to a modern flagship than an everyday mid-ranger.
Samsung replaced the plastic sides with a cold, solid aluminum frame. Paired with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides, the phone feels great in hand.
Durability Upgrades:
[ Galaxy A56 ] —> IP67 Water Resistance (1 meter) + Plastic Frame
[ Galaxy A57 ] —> Full IP68 Water Resistance (1.5 meters) + Metal Frame
They also bumped protection up to full IP68 dust and water resistance. That means accidental drops in pools or sink spills are no problem.
My only real gripe? The glossy glass back is a total fingerprint magnet. Unless you grab the lighter Navy or Icyblue shades, you will be wiping smudges off constantly.
Display and Performance: Smooth Canvas, Capable Chip
Up front, you get a bright 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ display with a buttery 120Hz refresh rate. Sunlight visibility peaks around 1,900 nits, making outdoor navigation easy.
Under the hood sits Samsung’s new Exynos 1680 chip paired with up to 12GB of RAM. In my daily usage, app opening speeds were quick, and scrolling through heavy social media feeds was smooth.
Gaming: Handles titles like PUBG and Call of Duty at medium-to-high settings without dipping frame rates.
Thermal Control: The slim chassis gets noticeably warm near the camera bump after 25 minutes of gaming.
One disappointing cut: Samsung removed microSD card support. What you buy is what you get, so pick your storage variant carefully.
Cameras: Solid Main Sensor, Skippable Macro
The triple rear setup remains physically identical to last year’s model.
The 50MP main sensor with OIS produces crisp photos with bright, typical Samsung colors. Low-light photos are noticeably cleaner this time around, thanks to better image processing on the Exynos 1680 chip.
The 12MP ultrawide lens handles broad landscapes well during the day. However, details get soft near the edges at night.
Then there is the 5MP macro sensor.
Battery and Charging: 45W Upgrade at Last
Despite making the body under 7 mm thin, Samsung kept the large 5,000 mAh battery inside.
In my testing, battery life was easily a full day and a half with normal use. Even on heavy days with navigation and camera testing, I made it to bed with about 25% left.
Charging Speeds (0% to 100%):
[ Old 25W Charging ] —-> ~75 minutes
[ New 45W Charging ] —-> ~45 minutes (Measured)
The best upgrade is the move to 45W wired charging. It gets you from zero to full in about 45 minutes.
The catch? You also don’t get wireless charging, which some rivals now offer at this price point.
Real-World Compromises
No Charger in Box: You must buy a separate 45W Power Delivery brick to get fast speeds.
No Storage Expansion: The microSD card slot is officially gone.
Price Bump: Starting around $549 / £529 / ₹53,999, it inches dangerously close to entry-level flagships.
The Verdict
The Galaxy A57 5G is one of the sleekest mid-range phones Samsung has built. The ultra-thin design, IP68 water resistance, bright 120Hz display, and 45W charging make it feel much more premium than previous A-series models.
However, the lack of expandable storage, missing charger, and higher price tag might make value seekers think twice.
If you want a slim, stylish phone with long software support and flagship build quality, it’s a solid pick. Just be sure to look out for trade-in deals or discounts.
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