Our verdict
The Galaxy A57 looks and feels closer to Samsung's expensive phones than its price suggests. It is 6.9mm thick and weighs 179g, with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ screen that refreshes up to 120 times a second (120Hz), so scrolling is smooth. The 5,000mAh battery gives a full day, and Samsung rates its Super Fast Charging 2.0 at 60% in about 30 minutes, though no charger comes in the box. The phone is rated IP68 for dust and water, and Samsung promises six generations of Android upgrades and six years of security updates. The compromise appears in demanding apps and the cameras: a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide and 5MP macro. The checked 256GB price is £529.
Buy it if
- You want Samsung's familiar menus at a lower price
- Long support matters more than gaming speed
- You prefer a large screen and sturdy build
Skip it if
- You play demanding games
- Camera quality is your first priority
- You want the strongest performance for the money
How it would fit your home
Best match
You want Samsung's familiar menus, a large 120Hz screen and six years of security updates at a lower price than the flagships.
Think twice
You play demanding games, where rivals at a similar price are quicker.
Before paying
Confirm the exact 256GB version and final basket price. A different storage size is a different value decision.
The details, in plain English
Screen and design
The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ screen refreshes up to 120Hz, so scrolling and animations look fluid, and Samsung lists a Vision Booster feature for the screen. The phone is 161.5 x 76.8 x 6.9mm and weighs 179g, so it is slim for its screen size. The IP68 rating means it is protected against dust and can survive being under water for a short time. Calls, messages, maps and social apps are comfortable.
Battery and charging
Battery life is a real strength, with a 5,000mAh battery that copes with a full day of use. Charging is not the quickest, though: Samsung says Super Fast Charging 2.0 reaches about 60% in 30 minutes, which is respectable but not class-leading. Samsung does not include a charger, so add one to your budget if you do not already own a compatible one.
Cameras
There is a 50MP main camera (f/1.8), a 12MP ultrawide for wider views, and a 5MP macro for close-ups, plus a 12MP front camera. The main camera is dependable in good light rather than exceptional. The 5MP macro adds little in practice. Rival phones can give better zoom or night results for similar money, so check sample photos if pictures matter most to you.
Performance and support
Samsung does not name the A57's processor, graphics chip or AI chip in the source we used. It has 8GB or 12GB of RAM, with 256GB or 512GB of storage on offer. In use, demanding apps and games are where it slows compared with similarly priced rivals. Samsung promises up to six generations of Android upgrades and six years of security updates, which suits long ownership.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- Premium-feeling glass and metal design, 6.9mm thin and 179g
- 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ screen with up to 120Hz refresh: bright, smooth and easy to read
- 5,000mAh battery for a full day, with Samsung rating 60% charge in about 30 minutes
- Six years of promised security updates and six Android generations
- IP68 dust and water resistance
What to watch out for
- Performance is weaker than several similarly priced rivals
- The 5MP macro camera adds little practical value
- Samsung does not include a charger
The Galaxy A57 competes with other mid-range phones aimed at the same buyer, and the configuration matters, so compare the 256GB version like for like. Rivals often offer faster performance or better cameras for similar money. The A57 stands out for build, screen, battery and support length, at this exact £529 price rather than a cheaper variant.
Make the Samsung Galaxy A57 easier to live with
Add-ons that answer a drawback we named above. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying.
Solves: samsung does not include a charger
Belkin BoostCharge WCA005myWH, 30W USB-C PD 3.0 PPS, UK white version Not yet reviewed by us
Provides a suitable USB-C wall-power where charging equipment or modest charging is named. It does not make the phone charge above its own limit.
Check first: Supplies USB-C power; it cannot exceed the phone’s charging limit.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Samsung Galaxy A57 (this one) | A reassuring, well-built everyday phone with long support, whose slow moments and ordinary cameras weaken its value. | £529RRP · 256GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung Galaxy A56 5G | A sensible Samsung for everyday apps, provided you are comfortable with its 6.7-inch size and do not need a dedicated zoom camera. | £499RRP · 256GB storage (the only official UK model, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Read the review |
 Samsung Galaxy S25 FE | The S25 FE suits you if you want a big, smooth screen and a real zoom camera, provided the price beats other Galaxy models you could buy instead. | £649RRP · 128GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung Galaxy S25 | An excellent compact flagship for anyone who wants premium Android performance and a real 3x optical zoom in a phone they can use one-handed, especially when discounted. | £799RRP · 128GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
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Where our findings come from
Research-based review, not a claim that UKTechExpert tested the product. We checked Samsung UK's release and pricing information and cross-checked the everyday strengths and weaknesses against an independent product-specific review by Tom's Guide. Specifications come from those sources.