Samsung Galaxy A57 5G: Fine-tuning with an unexpected weakness

Samsung is rolling out a subtle update to the Galaxy A57 5G. Among the most important new features are a slimmer and lighter body, the new Exynos 1680 processor, IP68 certification, as well as Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6.0. At the same time, the MSRP is rising to $450.

The body gives off a high-quality impression. The aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ ensure stability, and the build quality is excellent, aside from minor imperfections in the gap dimensions. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display impresses with high brightness, vibrant colors, and precise color reproduction in natural mode. However, the PWM dimming still operates at only 240 Hz and may bother sensitive users.

The Exynos 1680 delivers smooth everyday performance and offers an improvement over its predecessor, particularly in multi-core performance. Performance remains stable even under sustained load. However, the graphics performance isn’t sufficient for demanding games, as high detail settings are often unavailable.

In terms of features, the Galaxy A57 stands out with six years of Android and security updates, as well as support for modern wireless standards. Less up-to-date, however, is the USB 2.0 port, which lacks DisplayPort or DeX support.

The 50-MPix main camera delivers solid photos with natural color reproduction, but falls short of expectations given its price range. The ultra-wide-angle and macro cameras are also only moderately impressive. The biggest disappointment is the battery life. Despite retaining the same 5,000-mAh battery, the Galaxy A57 lasted shorter in our tests than its predecessor and came in last among the devices we compared. Charging is still supported at up to 45 watts.

The Galaxy A57 5G (buy it here on Amazon) presents itself as a high-quality mid-range smartphone with good performance and long-term software support. However, the minimal improvements over the Galaxy A56, the higher MSRP, and the poor battery life prevent us from giving it an unreserved recommendation.