Galaxy A57 vs Galaxy A56: What’s Changed (And What’s Not)

Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy A57 5G, bringing a mix of upgrades to its popular mid-range lineup. However, if you’re coming from the Galaxy A56 (review here), the changes might feel more like refinements than a major leap. So what’s actually new, and what stayed the same?

Performance gets the biggest upgrade

The most noticeable improvement comes from performance. The Galaxy A57 switches to a newer Exynos 1680 chip, replacing the Exynos 1580 found in the A56. This brings better CPU and GPU performance, especially for gaming and AI-related tasks. In other words, while the A56 handled everyday tasks well, the A57 aims to deliver a more future-proof experience, especially as apps become more demanding.

More refined design

Samsung also refined the design. The Galaxy A57 is thinner and lighter than the A56, and slightly more compact overall. At the same time, Samsung upgraded materials and durability, with features like IP68 water resistance (up from IP67 on the Galaxy A56) and Gorilla Glass Victus+, making it feel closer to a premium device. That said, the overall look remains very similar, this isn’t a redesign. Galaxy A57 also has the same camera island as Galaxy A56. 

Display: mostly the same, just more polished

Both phones feature a 120Hz AMOLED display, and the difference is minimal. The Galaxy A57 keeps the same resolution and brightness levels, although Samsung improved the bezels, which are smaller compared to last year’s Galaxy A56, and panel efficiency and brightness tuning. In short, you’re not getting a brand-new display, just a slightly more refined one. 

Camera: small changes, not a big leap

On paper, both phones look very similar in terms of cameras. They both rock a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. However, the Galaxy A57 focuses more on software and improved processing improvements thanks to the new processor and new ISP, rather than new hardware. That means better image processing, improved HDR and low-light results, and possible upgrades to selfie camera quality. Still, don’t expect a dramatic jump in camera performance.

Same battery, same charging

Samsung didn’t change much here. Both the Galaxy A57 and A56 feature a 5,000mAh battery, with 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0, and still no wireless charging. Battery life should remain similar, although the newer chip in the A57 could bring slight efficiency improvements.

Software and AI get a bigger focus

One area where the A57 stands out more is software. It ships with Android 16-based One UI 8.5, along with expanded AI features like improved voice agents like Bixby and Google Gemini, a new AI transcription tool, and Circle to Search. Samsung is also promising up to six years of updates, which is a big deal in the midrange segment, but not unusual for Samsung.

So…is it a big upgrade?

Not really, and that’s the key takeaway. Those of you who already have a Galaxy A56 won’t see a huge difference switching to a Galaxy A57. If you upgrade from an older Galaxy A series phone like the Galaxy A54 or A53 or even A55, you will notice tons of improvements. 

What improved:

• Faster chipset (biggest upgrade)
• Thinner, lighter design
• Better durability
• More AI features

What stayed the same:

• Display
• Camera hardware
• Battery and charging speed

Overall, the Galaxy A57 feels like a polished version of the A56, not a completely new device. If you already own the Galaxy A56, the upgrade might not be worth it. But if you’re buying new, the Galaxy A57 makes more sense, mainly because of its better performance and longer software support.