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Table of Contents
First Impressions
We’ll be honest — when Samsung first put both the Galaxy A57 and A37 in my hands at the same time, the weight difference (179g vs 196g) was not something we immediately noticed on paper. But after an hour of alternating between the two, a subtle distinction emerged. The A57 feels slightly firmer in the grip, while the A37 has a gentle, rounded-edge quality that makes it surprisingly comfortable for long holds. If you plan to be on your phone for hours at a stretch, the A37’s ergonomics give it an edge in raw comfort.
The Samsung Galaxy A37 in Awesome Lavender.
The Samsung Galaxy A57 in Awesome Navy.
That said, the first thing that genuinely impressed us about both devices — within the first ten minutes — was how lightweight and fluid the overall experience felt. Navigating through the UI, jumping between apps, swiping through the home screen: everything was snappy and responsive. For a mid-range device, that immediate sense of smoothness sets a strong first impression.
Display & Audio
Both phones carry a 1900-nit display, and in harsh Malaysian noon sunlight, visibility holds up well. The colours remain readable without needing to cup your hand over the screen, making this a practical win for anyone who frequently steps outdoors.
Where things got interesting was the audio. We genuinely did not expect to be impressed, but the A57’s speaker performance caught us off guard. Dialogue in the videos was clear, and Dolby Atmos added noticeable spatial depth to the movies. The A37, however, showed its limits at maximum volume — mild crackling and distortion became noticeable in quiet rooms. For casual listening, it’s fine, but audiophiles might want to reach for earphones for a better experience. Regardless, we are still impressed by both phones' built-in Dolby Atmos support, which delivers multi-dimensional, immersive sound.
Everyday Performance & AI Features
Running Instagram, Chrome, and WhatsApp simultaneously? Not a single stutter on either device. Even with 10+ apps loaded in the background, both phones handled the multitasking load without hesitation. The only moment of a slight hiccup we encountered was on the A57 during the initial boot-up of a new game, which was a brief stutter that resolved itself quickly and did not recur.
We used Object Eraser here.
Spot the difference!
Samsung’s AI suite across both phones includes Circle to Search, an AI Transcription tool, and the Object Eraser. Of the three, Circle to Search was the most immediately practical, because pulling up information mid-scroll without switching apps is genuinely useful in day-to-day life. The Object Eraser produced clean results in controlled conditions, though its effectiveness varies with background complexity. The Transcription tool felt like the most niche of the three for most users, but professionals who record meetings (like us) will appreciate it.
Camera Review
Night portrait taken on the A57
The A57’s Nightography system is the headline camera feature here, and it largely delivers. It isn't just about making things bright; it's about making them look 'right.' The photo above shows how it balances harsh foreground light with a deep background without losing the crispness of the subject's details. The caveat is a slight oversaturation in night shots — skin tones, in particular, can look a touch washed out, which is worth knowing if you shoot portraits after dark.
Macro shot of a spider lily taken on the A57
The A37’s camera, however, is where I have to be candid. Autofocus speed for moving subjects is slow, and even when the camera does lock on, the resulting image can come out soft. Optical stabilisation also disappointed — handheld shots in motion showed more blur than I expected at this price point. For spontaneous photography of kids, pets, or anything that moves quickly, the A37 might frustrate you more often than not. Besides that, though, if you're taking pictures of static subjects, the camera performs well enough for its price.
Our office building snapped on the A37
A photo of two Muscovy ducks snapped on the A37
In selfies and HDR performance, backlit portraits showed a similar tendency toward oversaturation on both phones. If you have a darker skin tone, the AI processing can make you appear washed out. But fret not, this is something Samsung could address with a software update to its HDR tuning.
Selfie taken on the A57 with direct sunlight as backlight
Gaming & Thermal Management: The A37’s Sweet Spot
Gaming is where the A37 earns its keep, and for the most part, it does the job. Running titles on medium setting, we did not encounter significant frame drops or performance degradation over extended sessions. The Game Booster feature — which lets you block notifications and optimise system resources with a tap — is intuitive and genuinely useful. It’s one of those features that once you use it, you’ll wonder how you got by without it.
The one honest note: after 30 minutes or more of sustained gaming, the device does get noticeably warm, particularly around the camera module area on the back. We did not record precise surface temperatures, but the heat was tangible enough to notice during a long session. It is within manageable limits, but worth flagging for users who game in extended bursts.
Battery & Charging
Battery life held up well throughout my testing. On a day of moderate usage — primarily over Wi-Fi, with a mix of social media, video, and browsing — we consistently had more than 15% remaining by day’s end. Heavy gamers and 5G users will see faster drain, but for the average user, these phones comfortably last a full day.
Now, the 45W fast charging is where both phones genuinely impress. We went from 30% to 88% in under 40 minutes — the kind of top-up speed that fits naturally into real-life rhythms. Plug in during lunch, and you’re good for the rest of the day.
On connectivity, we did not experience any Wi-Fi drops or 5G signal instability during testing, including in busier environments.
Software
From icon packs to widget theming, One UI 8.5 is a polished operating system that offers deep customisation, and the overall navigation feels smooth. That said, we want to be transparent: it does ship with bloatware out of the box. Pre-installed apps that most users will never use occupy storage and clutter the app drawer. It’s a minor but consistent irritant that Samsung has yet to resolve across its lineup.
That aside, the refined software experience helps most users find their footing quickly, and the customisation options are genuinely one of the platform’s strengths.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Both phones represent strong value at their respective price points, but they serve different users.
The Galaxy A57 is the better all-rounder. Its Nightography camera system, superior audio, and overall polish make it the smarter long-term investment for most buyers. If you care about photography — particularly in low light — the A57 is where the extra cost goes.
The Galaxy A37, on the other hand, makes a compelling case for mobile gamers who prioritise ergonomics, the Game Booster ecosystem, and a comfortable grip during long sessions. If gaming is your primary use case and camera performance is secondary, the A37 delivers good value.
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