Samsung Galaxy A57 review

The Samsung Galaxy A57 proved to be a recommendable mid-range phone in our tests, though it could be even better overall. Content is displayed sharply, vividly, and smoothly on the 6.7-inch OLED display. Inside, Samsung's Exynos 1680 processor delivers solid performance without noticeably overheating. Weighing in at 179 grams, the Galaxy A57 is very light in the hand, and its flat sides contribute to a good grip. The build quality is somewhat simpler than that of Galaxy S models, but overall decent. 

The large battery allows for long battery life and easily lasted us through the day in our tests. However, the first compromise of the Galaxy A57 becomes apparent during charging, which takes well over an hour. Wireless charging is not supported. The triple camera takes nice photos but can't quite keep up with its strong competitors, especially in zoom and video. On the plus side, the modern wireless standards, eSIM support, and the promise of updates until 2032 are definite pluses. Given the strong competition in this price range, there is still some room for improvement for the smartphone.

Advantages

• Beautiful, large OLED display
• Successful triple camera
• Battery life suitable for everyday use
• Long update promise

Disadvantages

• No wireless charging
• It charges quite slowly via cable.
• Unattractive, purely digital zoom

Samsung Galaxy A57 review: Large display, small weight

With a diagonal screen size of 6.7 inches, the Samsung Galaxy A57 is roughly the same size as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus (review). Thanks to its slightly narrower bezels, it looks virtually identical from the front. Flat sides, clean edges, and a remarkably light weight of just 179 grams for its size make it incredibly comfortable to hold.

The large OLED display delivers crisp Full HD+ resolution paired with smooth motion at a 120Hz refresh rate. Added to this are the rich colors and excellent contrast typical of OLED displays.

Samsung Galaxy A57 review: Large display, small weight

With a diagonal screen size of 6.7 inches, the Samsung Galaxy A57 is roughly the same size as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus (review). Thanks to its slightly narrower bezels, it looks virtually identical from the front. Flat sides, clean edges, and a remarkably light weight of just 179 grams for its size make it incredibly comfortable to hold.

At the time of testing, only the Galaxy S25 Edge (review) and the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion (review) are lighter in these dimensions in our ranking. While the build quality, with its metal frame and plastic back, isn't quite as premium as that of flagship models, the Galaxy A57 makes a very good overall impression. However, darker color variants are quite prone to fingerprints.

The large OLED display delivers crisp Full HD+ resolution paired with smooth motion at a 120Hz refresh rate. Added to this are the rich colors and excellent contrast typical of OLED displays.

Triple camera with strengths and weaknesses

The triple-camera setup has changed very little compared to its direct predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy A56 (review). It again features a 50-megapixel main camera, supported by a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens and a dedicated 5-megapixel macro camera. As with the Galaxy A56, the lens apertures remain unchanged, and consequently, our assessment of photo quality is identical. 

These photos once again fall into a solid mid-range. Detail and sharpness are pleasing, although the software enhances the images a bit too much. Natural colors and balanced contrasts are also present. Top-of-the-line models like Google Pixel smartphones (review) or Samsung's high-end series remain out of reach, especially in terms of sharpness and realism. However, the quality is perfectly adequate for everyday photos. The macro lens allows for close-up shots, and the night mode is also somewhat brighter and clearer than its predecessor. This is made possible by the faster LPDDR5X memory, which is being used here for the first time in the A series.

It's also noticeable that the Galaxy A57 transitions between zoom levels somewhat more smoothly than its predecessor. However, those who frequently use Zoom won't be entirely satisfied. Without an optical telephoto zoom, we can only achieve up to ten times digital magnification. This visibly reduces detail and sharpness. Videos can only be recorded at 30 frames per second, up to 4K resolution.

Modern mid-range cars meet sophisticated software.

While the Samsung Galaxy A57 does not offer the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology, it does provide modern wireless connectivity for home use. On the go, it connects via 5G. Samsung has also improved the Bluetooth standard, although ultra-wideband support remains absent. This means that while the Galaxy A57's Bluetooth 6.0 can accurately measure short distances of 10 to 30 centimeters, precisely locating a lost wallet using the "pointer" function is only reliably possible with UWB. However, NFC is included, which can be used for contactless payments, for example, in supermarkets.

Security is ensured by a bright, optical fingerprint sensor located beneath the display. Alternatively, surface facial recognition is available in addition to the usual PIN and pattern entry. The housing itself protects the technology from dust and water damage, meeting the IP68 standard.

The pre-installed One UI 8.5, based on Android 16, functioned flawlessly throughout our testing. Unlike some other budget Android devices, it largely avoids advertising and pre-installed third-party apps. The system also scores points with its modern design, good connectivity with other Samsung hardware, and advanced AI features. Samsung promises updates for six years from launch – until 2032 – covering both minor security patches and more comprehensive feature updates.

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