Samsung Galaxy A37 and A57 Launch Amid Smartphone Price Hikes and the Rise of the Pixel 10a

The US smartphone market had a relatively quiet week. However, the most significant development was Samsung's recent price hike on various smartphone and tablet models. Fortunately, there are better deals available, so you don't have to pay the new MSRPs.

This week also marks the launch of the Samsung Galaxy A37 and A57. Starting with the Galaxy A57, we are pleased to see this model available earlier than its predecessor, the Galaxy A56, which had a delayed launch in the US.

The Galaxy A57 features a slimmer and lighter design (6.9mm, 179g compared to 7.4mm, 198g) and improved water resistance (IP68 vs. IP67) over its predecessor. It is powered by a faster Exynos 1680 chipset, up from the Exynos 1580. Additionally, it retains a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired-only charging.

On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A37 maintains a plastic frame and is roughly the same size as last year’s model (7.4mm, 196g). It has been upgraded to IPX8 for water resistance and is equipped with an Exynos 1480 chipset (from the Galaxy A55) along with faster UFS 3.1 storage (up from UFS 2.2 on the A36).

We also offer a detailed comparison of the Galaxy A37 and A57 to assist you in choosing between the two models. Each has its unique advantages.

However, there are compelling reasons to consider alternatives. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, priced $50 less than the A57 for both 128GB and 256GB variants, stands out as a better option. It features a high-end Exynos 2400 chipset and a dedicated 8MP 3x/75mm telephoto camera, making it a superior choice despite its thicker design (7.4mm, 190g) and IP68-rated aluminum frame.

Like many smartphones, the S25 FE is affected by the recent price hikes, with the MSRP for the 256GB model increasing from $710 to $750. However, good offers can still be found.

Alternatively, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ is available for $700, which is $140 more than the equivalent S25 FE. However, it offers a more refined 6.7" display (1440p+ vs. 1080p+, both LTPO) and a Snapdragon 8 Elite from last year instead of the Exynos from 2024. The Plus model also supports 15W wireless charging alongside 45W wired charging.

Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 10a, priced the same as the A37, features a smaller 6.3” display (compared to 6.7”) but boasts a similar battery capacity (5,100mAh with 30W/10W charging compared to 5,000mAh with 45W wired-only charging). Testing shows that the Pixel 10a excels in battery performance, achieving an Active Use score of 15:13h, surpassing the A37's 13:49h. Although the Tensor G4 is not the fastest chip, its performance is noticeably better than that of the Exynos 1480.

For those willing to spend an additional $100, the Google Pixel 10 offers the latest Tensor G5 chip and a dedicated 10.8MP 5x/112mm telephoto camera. Both Pixel models also support Satellite SOS messaging, a feature not available on the Galaxy phones.

Additionally, the Google Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL remain available with discounts of $250 and $300, respectively. The 10 Pro includes several vital upgrades over the standard model, such as a higher-quality LTPO display and improved camera sensors. The Pro XL model offers a larger 6.8” display compared to the 6.3” size of the standard Pro version.

Looking ahead, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has seen a price reduction of $75 this week, bringing it to $925 for the 256GB model. This new release features an upgraded Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and a slight increase in wireless charging speed (20W Qi 2.2). Notably, battery life has also been enhanced (16:25h vs. 14:26h) despite maintaining the same 4,900mAh capacity.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is now priced $20 lower than last week, so if you purchased one recently, your loss was minimal. In contrast, the Galaxy S26 has retained its price, but a current offer includes a $100 bonus for trading in an old device.