Samsung Galaxy A37 & A57 5G: Best-Value Phones in Australia for 2026

Why mid-range still wins in Australia

Flagship smartphones in Australia regularly crack $1,500–$2,000. For most people — streaming, social media, video calls, a decent camera — that's money wasted. The mid-range tier has narrowed the gap dramatically: 5G connectivity, 90 Hz or 120 Hz screens, all-day battery life, and capable cameras are no longer flagship-only features.

Samsung dominates this space in Australia partly because of brand trust, partly because of their software support promise (four years of Android OS upgrades, five years of security patches on A-series), and partly because their retail and carrier distribution is unmatched. Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone all carry A-series stock, which means financing options are accessible for most customers.

Samsung Galaxy A37 5G — full specs & impressions

The A37 5G sits at the entry point of Samsung's 2026 mid-range refresh. It's aimed squarely at first-time 5G upgraders and anyone coming off a two- or three-year-old device.

Display

The 90 Hz Super AMOLED panel is a meaningful upgrade over the 60 Hz LCD you'd find on older budget phones. Scrolling and animations feel noticeably smoother, and AMOLED means deep blacks and punchy colours — great for watching Kayo or Netflix in bed.

Performance

The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 handles everyday tasks — messaging apps, email, light gaming — without breaking a sweat. It won't run demanding 3D games smoothly at max settings, but for most users it's more than enough. The 6 GB of RAM means fewer background-app reloads compared to 4 GB budget devices.

Camera

In good light, the 50 MP main sensor produces detailed, sharp images. Samsung's colour processing skews slightly warm and saturated, which makes outdoor shots pop on social media. Low-light performance is acceptable — not impressive — and the macro lens is mostly a checkbox feature. The 13 MP selfie camera is reliable for video calls and standard selfies.

Battery life

The 5,000 mAh cell comfortably lasts a full day for moderate users. Heavy users (lots of video, navigation, hotspot) should expect to plug in before bed. The included 25 W charger takes the phone from dead to 50% in roughly 35 minutes.

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G — full specs & impressions

The A57 5G is the step-up model: a bigger, brighter screen, a stronger processor, a more capable camera system, and 45 W charging. It's priced closer to the upper limit of what most Australians would call "mid-range" but it earns that price.

Display

The 120 Hz panel is the first thing you notice coming from an older phone — everything moves like butter. At 6.7 inches it's a big phone, but the slim bezels keep it manageable. Brightness is excellent outdoors; reading in direct Australian sunlight is no problem.

Performance

The Exynos 1380 is a meaningful step up — faster GPU means casual gaming is smooth (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile at medium-high settings), and the 8 GB RAM with virtual RAM expansion keeps multitasking snappy. Some users dislike Samsung Exynos chips on principle, but real-world performance in daily use is excellent.

Camera

The 64 MP OIS main sensor is the stand-out feature. Optical image stabilisation means handheld photos and videos are noticeably less blurry, especially in low light or when moving. The 12 MP ultra-wide is genuinely wide and produces usable images. For content creators or anyone who cares about Instagram quality, the A57 is significantly ahead of the A37.

Battery & charging

Same 5,000 mAh cell as the A37, but the 45 W fast charge is the real win here — full charge in under 75 minutes, and 0 to 50% in about 25 minutes. For commuters and busy professionals who can't always charge overnight, this matters.

Build quality

The aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus front feel noticeably more premium than the A37. The IP67 rating means you can drop it in a puddle or take it to the pool without worry — a feature usually reserved for flagships.

Side-by-side comparison

Who should buy which?

Australian pricing & where to buy

Both phones are available outright or on a plan. Outright pricing at time of writing:

Prices are indicative and may vary. Check retailers directly for the latest deals, trade-in offers, and plan bundles.

Getting your new phone set up right

Getting a new phone is exciting — but transferring everything from your old device can quickly turn into a frustrating afternoon. Common pain points include:

• Samsung Smart Switch not recognising the old phone
• Contacts, WhatsApp history, or 2FA apps not migrating cleanly
• Wi-Fi not connecting properly after SIM transfer
• Setting up corporate email, VPN, or work apps
• Pairing Bluetooth accessories, printers, or smart home devices

Our technicians visit your home, handle the full migration, set up your apps, and make sure everything works before they leave. Most jobs are done in under an hour.