Editorial illustration for Samsung Galaxy A57 gains IP68 rating, slimmer bezel, higher price
Samsung Galaxy A57: IP68 Rating, Slimmer Design Revealed
The Samsung Galaxy A57 is asking for a little more respect, and a little more cash. It’s thinner now, with a tighter bezel and a proper IP68 rating, finally catching up to flagships where water resistance is concerned. Inside, the changes are modest: a newer Exynos chip, a larger vapor chamber.
That’s it. The price, however, has climbed. And because Samsung never sends a mid-ranger out alone, the $449.99 Galaxy A37 arrives alongside it, nearly identical in looks, but thicker, plastic-framed, and oddly better equipped in some ways.
Both phones share the same camera, the same 5,000mAh battery, and the same six years of OS updates. They both skip wireless charging entirely. So the real question isn’t what changed.
It’s whether the A57’s thinner waist and extra millimeter of waterproofing are worth the premium.
Samsung has also enhanced the A57's water-resistance, with a small bump from IP67 in last year's A56 to IP68 now, and slimmed the bezel around the display, which helps contribute to the premium aesthetic. The internal spec upgrades are minimal though, like a larger cooling chamber or a jump from the Exynos 1580 chip to the more recent 1680. That should bring faster performance and small improvements to photo processing, but the phone's other specs remain much the same.
The A57 is joined by the $449.99 Galaxy A37. This hasn't had the same nip and tuck, so is still 7.4mm thick -- fairly slim regardless -- and 196g. It's otherwise remarkably hard to differentiate from the A57 aesthetically: the biggest giveaways are the slightly thicker body and the lack of antenna lines, a perk of this phone's cheaper plastic frame.
The A37 is launching in its full suite of colors in the US, with charcoal, gray-green, white, and lavender versions of the phone. It's had a few spec bumps too, with a new Exynos 1480 chipset; a jump to the same 50-megapixel, 1/1.56-inch main camera as the A57; and a 1900 nit peak brightness display that also matches the A57. Both phones have 5,000mAh batteries, 45W charging (faster than Samsung's flagship S26, believe it or not, though the trade-off is a total lack of wireless charging), and pair their main cameras with basic ultrawide, macro, and selfie options.
Both will receive six years of Android OS upgrades, and six years of security patches. They'll also both enjoy the same upgraded AI features from launch: a choice between the Bixby and Gemini assistants, upgraded Circle to Search, and AI transcription in the recorder app and voicemail.
The Galaxy A57 now carries an IP68 badge, a tighter bezel, and a price that asks you to pay for the polish. It’s a sharper package, no doubt, but the upgrades under the hood are incremental at best. Meanwhile, the A37 slips in as its near-identical sibling, trading a plastic frame and a millimeter of thickness for a $450 starting point.
Same screen brightness. Same main sensor. Same six years of software support.
Same 45W charging that outpaces Samsung’s own flagship, minus the wireless pad. The real choice isn’t between specs, it’s about whether the premium feels worth the premium. For most people, the A37 might just be the smarter play.
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Common Questions Answered
How has the Samsung Galaxy A57's water resistance rating improved?
The Galaxy A57 has upgraded from an IP67 to an IP68 water resistance rating, providing enhanced protection against water and dust. This means the device can now withstand deeper water submersion and offers slightly better protection compared to its predecessor.
What design changes have been made to the Samsung Galaxy A57's display?
Samsung has slimmed down the bezel around the display, creating a more premium aesthetic and potentially increasing the screen-to-body ratio. This design modification contributes to a sleeker and more modern look for the mid-range smartphone.
What internal hardware upgrades does the Galaxy A57 feature?
The Galaxy A57 includes a larger cooling chamber and an upgrade from the Exynos 1580 to the Exynos 1680 chip, which should provide faster performance and minor improvements in photo processing. However, most other internal specifications remain largely unchanged from the previous model.
