Samsung Galaxy A27 vs A37 vs A57: Which Should You Buy? (2026 UK Comparison)

Short answer: if you want the cheapest genuinely new 5G Samsung, get the Galaxy A27. If you want the best all-round value — the phone most people should actually buy — get the Galaxy A37. If you want the sharpest camera, the fastest chip and full IP68 durability and don't mind paying more, get the Galaxy A57. All three are brand new Samsung A-series handsets, all three run 5G, and all three ship on Android 16 with One UI 8.5 and Samsung's promise of six years of OS and security updates. The differences that actually matter come down to chipset speed, ultra-wide camera resolution, charging speed and water resistance — and we've verified every one of them below rather than guessing.

This is a side-by-side comparison to help you choose between the three models, not a deep dive into any single one — so we're not going to repeat the full box-contents-and-FAQ treatment for each phone here. If you already know which model you want and just need the fine detail (exact box contents, colour-by-colour availability, condition notes) head to that model's own product listing. This page exists to answer the question buyers actually ask first: A27, A37 or A57 — which one?

How we put this together: the chipset, display, camera, battery, charging and durability figures below come from Samsung's own published specifications for each model, cross-checked against independent benchmark data where we quote a performance comparison. For prices, check each product page, where today's price is always shown. Nothing here is estimated or guessed — where we weren't confident in a figure (for example, an official UK RRP for the A27), we've left it out rather than make one up.

Quick verdict

• Budget-conscious buyer: Samsung Galaxy A27 5G — cheapest way into a brand new Samsung 5G phone with a genuinely good AMOLED screen
• Best all-rounder: Samsung Galaxy A37 5G — noticeably faster chip, better ultra-wide camera, full IP68 rating and much faster charging than the A27, for a modest price step up
• Best camera and features: Samsung Galaxy A57 5G — the fastest chipset, the best ultra-wide lens (12MP vs 5MP/8MP), HDR10+ display and the full Galaxy AI suite

Samsung Galaxy A27 vs A37 vs A57: full spec comparison

Prices change with stock — check the product page for today's price and colour availability. Browse the full range in our Samsung Galaxy A-series (Brand New) collection.

What actually differs between the A27, A37 and A57

⚡ Chipset and everyday performance

This is the single biggest gap between the three phones. The A27 runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, while the A37 and A57 both use Samsung's own Exynos silicon — the A37 gets the Exynos 1480 (the same chip used in the older Galaxy A55) and the A57 gets the newer, faster Exynos 1680. Independent benchmarking shows the Exynos 1480 in the A37 out-scoring the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in the A27 by a clear margin on both AnTuTu and Geekbench, and the Exynos 1680 in the A57 pulling further ahead again — roughly 19% higher single-core and 27% higher multi-core Geekbench scores than the Exynos 1480, with an even bigger gap in gaming graphics tests. In practice: the A27 handles everyday browsing, social apps and video fine but is the one most likely to feel the strain in heavier games or with lots of apps open; the A37 is comfortably quicker; and the A57 is the smoothest of the three, particularly for gaming.

If you're mainly using your phone for calls, messaging, social media, streaming and general browsing, the performance gap between all three will be hard to notice day to day — modern chipsets at this level are all fast enough for that kind of use. Where the gap shows up is in heavier tasks: graphically demanding mobile games, editing photos or video on-device, multitasking with lots of apps left open in the background, or simply keeping the phone for several years and expecting it to still feel current. If any of that sounds like you, it's worth paying attention to the chipset row in the table above rather than assuming "they're all just A-series phones so it won't matter."

📸 Camera — the ultra-wide lens is where the tiers really show

All three phones share the same 50MP OIS-stabilised main camera and the same 12MP selfie camera, so photos in good light from the main lens look broadly similar across the range. Where they diverge is the ultra-wide lens: 5MP on the A27, 8MP on the A37, and 12MP with a wider 123° field of view on the A57. If you shoot a lot of landscapes, group shots or architecture on the ultra-wide lens, the A57's camera will produce noticeably more detailed results. All three also include a macro lens for close-up shots (2MP on the A27, 5MP on the A37 and A57), and all three record rear-camera video up to 4K at 30fps.

Where the A37 and A57 pull ahead again is software: Samsung's Galaxy AI photography tools — Object Eraser for removing unwanted people or objects from a shot, Best Face for swapping in the best expression from a burst of group photos, and Circle to Search for looking things up directly from an image — are specifically called out on the A37 and A57 listings. These features need a network connection and a Samsung account to work, and AI-edited images carry a visible watermark. They aren't confirmed as available on the A27 in the same way, so if on-device AI photo editing is a priority for you, the A37 or A57 is the safer choice.

🔋 Battery and charging speed

All three share the same 5,000mAh battery capacity, so all-day battery life should be broadly similar across the range — Samsung doesn't publish separate screen-on-time figures per model, so we won't invent one, but a same-size battery paired with the same size and resolution display gives no reason to expect a meaningful gap here. Charging speed is a different story: the A27 tops out at 25W wired (Samsung rates it around 45% charge in 30 minutes), while both the A37 and A57 support 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (around 60% in 30 minutes with a compatible charger). None of the three include a mains charging plug in the box, in line with Samsung's current packaging — you'll need your own USB-C PD charger capable of the relevant wattage to actually hit those charging speeds, and a basic 5W/10W charger will charge any of them much more slowly regardless of what the phone itself supports. Wireless charging isn't confirmed as supported on any of the three models, so don't assume it.

💧 Durability: IP64 vs IP68

This is an underrated difference. The A27 carries an IP64 rating, which protects against dust and light splashes but is not rated for submersion. The A37 and A57 both step up to IP68, Samsung's higher water and dust resistance rating — the A57 specifically is lab-tested for freshwater submersion to 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes (not recommended for seawater, pools, or use with soap/detergent present). If you're regularly around water — kitchens, bathrooms, rain, the beach — that's a genuine practical reason to look past the A27.

📱 Display

All three use a 6.7" FHD+ AMOLED panel at 120Hz, so day-to-day sharpness and scrolling smoothness are very close. The A37 pushes brightness further (up to 1,900 nits with Vision Booster for outdoor visibility) and the A57 adds HDR10+ support for a wider dynamic range when watching supported video content — a nice-to-have rather than a dealbreaker for most buyers.

🎨 Design and colours

Each model is offered in its own distinct colour range: Black, Blue and Pink for the A27; Awesome Charcoal, Graygreen, Lavender and White for the A37; and Awesome Grey, Icyblue, Lilac and Navy for the A57. None of the colourways overlap, so this can be a genuine tie-breaker if there's a specific finish you want. Some A57 128GB colours are also available as Open Box units alongside Brand New, if you're comfortable with a unit that's had its retail packaging opened.

💾 RAM and storage

All three models follow the same pattern: 6GB RAM on the 128GB option, 8GB RAM on the 256GB option. The A57 also has a 512GB/12GB configuration in Samsung's official range, but we don't currently stock it — our A57 listings are 128GB and 256GB only. If you go for the A37, compare the 128GB and 256GB prices on the product pages before choosing — the extra storage can be a worthwhile upgrade. None of the three have a microSD card slot for expandable storage, so whatever you buy is what you're stuck with — there's no adding a memory card later if you run out of space.

🖥️ Software and long-term support

All three phones ship on Android 16 with Samsung's One UI 8.5, and Samsung has committed to six years of major OS upgrades and security updates across the range — that's a genuinely strong commitment for this price bracket and applies equally whichever of the three you choose, so software longevity isn't a reason to pick one over another. Where the models diverge, as covered above, is which Galaxy AI photo-editing features are specifically confirmed for each listing (Object Eraser, Best Face and Circle to Search are called out on the A37 and A57, not the A27).

🎮 Gaming and video

For gaming specifically, chipset performance is the deciding factor, and the gap between the three is largest here: benchmark testing shows the A57's Exynos 1680 meaningfully outpacing the A37's Exynos 1480 in graphics-heavy workloads, with the A27's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 trailing both. If mobile gaming — particularly anything demanding like competitive shooters or 3D titles — is a regular part of how you'll use the phone, the A57 is the most future-proof of the three, followed by the A37. For casual gaming (puzzle games, card games, light 3D titles) all three should cope fine. On video, all three record up to 4K at 30fps from the rear camera and none currently list support for higher frame rates like 4K60 or 8K, so video capability is one area where the three models are more evenly matched than the marketing might suggest.

Who should buy which

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A27 5G if: you want the lowest entry price into a brand new Samsung 5G phone, your usage is mostly messaging, browsing, social media and streaming, and you don't need full submersion-proof water resistance or the fastest charging. It's a genuinely capable everyday phone — just the one with the most compromises attached to its lower price. Good candidates: a first smartphone for a teenager, a straightforward upgrade from an ageing 4G phone, or a spare/backup handset.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A37 5G if: you want the best balance of price and capability. Compared with the A27, you get a noticeably faster chipset, a better ultra-wide camera, full IP68 water resistance and much faster charging — for a relatively small step up in price. For most people comparing all three, this is the one to buy. Good candidates: anyone who wants a phone that will still feel capable in two or three years' time without paying A57 money for it now, and anyone who wants the peace of mind of proper water resistance.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G if: you want the best camera setup of the three (especially the ultra-wide), the fastest performance, HDR10+ display and the full Galaxy AI feature set, and you're happy to pay the most of the three for it. It's also the only one of the three offered with an Open Box option on some colours if you want to save further. Good candidates: anyone who treats their phone as their main camera, plays games regularly, or simply wants the best A-series Samsung currently available without stepping up to the S-series.

One more practical point that doesn't fit neatly into a spec row: colour choice. Because the A27, A37 and A57 are sold in entirely separate colour ranges with no overlap, if there's a specific finish you've set your heart on — say, a particular shade of blue or lilac — that alone might settle which model you end up buying, regardless of which tier you'd otherwise have picked.

🌍 International Stock & Warranty

All Galaxy A27, A37 and A57 units listed here are brand new international stock and may originate from Europe, the UAE or another international market. Manufacturer warranty coverage, eligibility and service arrangements can vary by region — please don't assume UK manufacturer warranty is included unless it's explicitly confirmed on the individual product listing you're buying.

↩️ Returns & Packaging

Please check which model and storage size is right for you before breaking manufacturer seals or extensively handling any of these phones. Where permitted by applicable consumer law, a deduction may be made if handling goes beyond what's reasonably necessary to inspect the product. This does not affect your statutory rights.

❓ FAQ

What's the real difference between the Galaxy A27 and A37?
The chipset is the biggest gap — the A37's Exynos 1480 clearly outperforms the A27's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in benchmarks. The A37 also adds a better 8MP ultra-wide camera (vs 5MP), IP68 water resistance (vs IP64 splash resistance only) and 45W charging (vs 25W). For a relatively modest price difference, the A37 is the more capable phone in almost every measurable way.

Is the Galaxy A57 worth the extra cost over the A37?
It depends what you value. The A57 has the fastest chipset of the three (around 19-27% faster than the A37's Exynos 1480 in benchmarks) and the best ultra-wide camera (12MP vs 8MP), plus HDR10+ display support. If performance headroom and camera versatility matter to you, yes. If you mainly want a smooth, reliable everyday phone, the A37 already covers that at a lower price.

Are all three phones 5G?
Yes — the Galaxy A27 5G, A37 5G and A57 5G all support 5G connectivity as standard, alongside 4G.

Do any of these come with a UK manufacturer warranty?
Don't assume so. All three are brand new international stock that may originate from Europe, the UAE or elsewhere, and UK manufacturer warranty coverage isn't guaranteed — see the International Stock & Warranty section above.

Which one has the best camera?
All three share the same 50MP OIS main camera, so main-lens photos look similar across the range. The Galaxy A57 has the clear edge for ultra-wide shots thanks to its 12MP ultra-wide lens with a 123° field of view, versus 8MP on the A37 and 5MP on the A27.

Should I get 128GB or 256GB?
None of these three phones have a microSD slot for expandable storage, so buy the storage you'll actually need upfront — there's no adding more later. If you take a lot of photos/video or install many apps and games, 256GB is the safer choice — check today's 128GB and 256GB prices on the product page before you decide.

Is a charging plug included in the box?
No, in line with Samsung's current packaging none of the three include a mains charging adapter as standard — you'll need your own USB-C charger, and for the A37/A57 you'll want one rated for at least 45W to get their full Super Fast Charging 2.0 speed.

What if I open the box and decide I want a different model?
You can still return it under your statutory rights. As explained in the Returns & Packaging section above, a deduction may apply if handling goes beyond what's reasonably necessary to inspect the phone, but this doesn't affect your legal right to return it.

Ready to Buy?

All three are in stock now — pick based on your priority above and buy directly below.