Samsung refreshes its Galaxy A-series every year, and many of those updates are subtle. The new Galaxy A57, introduced as the successor to the Galaxy A56, sticks with the same overall formula — identical screen size, battery capacity and primary camera hardware — but several important refinements make it a meaningful upgrade in practice. Below is a clear comparison of the Galaxy A57 and the Galaxy A56 and what each change means for users.
| Samsung Galaxy A57 | Samsung Galaxy A56 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+, 120Hz, 1,900 nits | 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,900 nits |
| Chipset | Exynos 1680 (4nm) | Exynos 1580 (4nm) |
| RAM / Storage | 8GB or 12GB / up to 512GB | 8GB or 12GB / up to 256GB |
| Cameras | 50MP + 12MP ultrawide + 5MP macro | 50MP + 12MP ultrawide + 5MP macro |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 45W wired | 5,000mAh, 45W wired |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP67 |
| Design | 6.9mm, 179g | 7.4mm, 198g |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Software | Android 16, One UI 8.5 | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Starting Price | $550 | $499 |
Design and display
The most noticeable change between the two phones is how the A57 feels in the hand. Samsung reduced the thickness from 7.4mm to 6.9mm and trimmed the weight by 19 grams, from 198g to 179g. That difference is subtle on paper but becomes obvious during extended use, making the A57 easier to hold and handle. The A57 also improves water protection, moving from IP67 to IP68, which increases its rated submersion depth.
On paper the displays read similarly — both measure 6.7 inches and reach the same peak brightness — but the A57 uses a Super AMOLED+ panel with thinner bezels and a more refined subpixel arrangement. That results in slightly crisper text and a cleaner overall look without changing the resolution or refresh rate. For most users the difference will be subtle, yet tangible when viewing sharp content or reading small text.
Performance and other upgrades
Performance gains are present but not dramatic. Both devices use chipsets manufactured on a 4nm process, yet the A57’s Exynos 1680 brings modest improvements over the Exynos 1580 used in the A56. The CPU core layout is adjusted to favor a better balance of sustained performance and efficiency, which helps during longer multitasking sessions and heavier app usage.
The GPU sees a clearer improvement: the A57’s Xclipse 550 offers noticeably better graphics performance than the Xclipse 540 in the A56, which translates into smoother gaming and faster rendering in graphics‑heavy tasks. The neural processing unit is also stronger, improving on‑device AI tasks such as photo processing and smart features.
Memory and storage technology get meaningful upgrades. The A57 adopts faster LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, while the A56 uses LPDDR4X and UFS 3.1. Those changes lead to quicker app launches, faster file transfers, and better overall responsiveness, especially under load or when working with large files.
Camera hardware remains the same three‑sensor arrangement on both phones, but improvements in the image signal processor on the A57 deliver better HDR video and stronger low‑light performance. Shot‑to‑shot speed is also improved, reducing capture lag and making everyday photography feel snappier. Connectivity is bumped to Wi‑Fi 6E, which adds access to the 6GHz band for less congested wireless performance in supported networks. The A57 also introduces a 512GB storage option, addressing the needs of users who require more onboard capacity.
Pricing starts slightly higher for the A57, with a reported launch price of $550 compared to the A56’s $499 launch price. Retail promotions and discounts on the A56 can narrow that gap significantly, making the older model an attractive value if you find it at a reduced price.
In summary, the Galaxy A57 refines the A56 with a thinner, lighter design, improved water resistance, a slightly better display, upgraded memory and storage, faster graphics and enhanced on‑device AI and imaging. For owners of the A56, an upgrade isn’t essential unless you specifically need the new performance, storage options, or the incremental camera and display refinements. For buyers choosing between the two today, the A57 is the more future‑proof choice, while a discounted A56 remains a strong value option.