Since its release in February 2025, the Samsung Galaxy S25 has established itself as a formidable compact flagship, setting a high bar for performance in the Android ecosystem. However, the tech cycle never stops. As consumers continue to embrace the S25, regulatory filings are already shedding light on Samsung’s next major mid-range release, the Galaxy A57, offering a glimpse into the company’s roadmap for 2026.
The Benchmark: Galaxy S25’s Compact Dominance
The Galaxy S25 remains a masterclass in packing premium hardware into a manageable footprint. Measuring just 5.78 inches tall and weighing 5.71 ounces, it is built with an aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, maintaining IP68 water and dust resistance. The device centers around a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display that pushes a resolution of 2340×1080. What truly stands out is the panel’s brightness, hitting a peak of 2,600 nits, which ensures visibility even in direct sunlight, paired with a fluid 120Hz refresh rate.
Under the hood, the S25 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), an octa-core processor featuring Oryon V2 cores clocking up to 4.47GHz. This silicon, combined with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, crushes benchmarks, delivering a GeekBench 6 multi-core score of 9,626. It handles Android 15 effortlessly, supported by a promise of up to seven OS updates. Despite its smaller size, the phone manages decent endurance with a 4,000 mAh battery, offering over 18 hours of web browsing, backed by 25W wired and 15W wireless charging.
On the imaging front, the S25 utilizes a versatile triple-camera array. The primary shooter is a 50MP Samsung GN3 sensor with optical image stabilization, flanked by a 12MP ultra-wide and a 10MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. With capabilities like 8K video recording and comprehensive 5G support including mmWave, the S25 remains the device to beat in the compact sector.
Galaxy A57: The Next Generation of Mid-Range
While the S25 dominates the high-end market, attention is shifting toward the affordable segment. Fresh leaks from a Chinese certification authority (TENAA) have revealed concrete details about the Samsung Galaxy A57. These filings suggest that while the upcoming Galaxy S26 series is slated for a February reveal, the A57 is being prepped to follow closely, potentially redefining the mid-range landscape in 2026.
A Familiar but Capable Display
According to the regulatory data, Samsung is opting for refinement over a radical redesign. The Galaxy A57 is expected to sport a 6.6-inch AMOLED display, notably larger than the standard S25. It will feature a Full HD+ resolution of 2340 × 1.080 pixels. While the listing didn’t explicitly confirm the refresh rate, industry insiders are confident the device will retain the 120Hz standard seen in its predecessors. The biometric security also remains consistent, with a fingerprint sensor integrated directly into the screen.
New Silicon and Efficiency Upgrades
The most significant upgrade for the A57 appears to be its internal hardware. The device is rumored to run on the Exynos 1680, a new mid-range chipset that has not yet been officially announced. Reports indicate this will be the first Exynos processor in this price bracket manufactured using a 3-nanometer process. This shift suggests a substantial leap in energy efficiency and raw performance, potentially narrowing the gap between Samsung’s mid-tier and flagship offerings.
Memory configurations listed in the certification include 8GB and 12GB RAM options, paired with at least 256GB of internal storage. Powering the device is a robust 5,000 mAh battery, a staple for the A-series. Additionally, a separate TÜV certification has hinted at 45W fast-charging capabilities, which would be a welcome feature for power users on a budget.
Steady Camera Hardware
When it comes to photography, Samsung seems to be sticking to a proven formula. The A57 is listed with a triple-camera setup on the rear: a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide, and a 5-megapixel macro or depth unit. A 12-megapixel front-facing camera handles selfies. On paper, this hardware appears identical to the previous Galaxy A56, suggesting that any improvements in image quality will likely come from the new image signal processor (ISP) inside the Exynos 1680 rather than new lenses.
Projected Launch Timeline
Historical release patterns suggest the Galaxy A57 will likely make its debut in March or April of 2026. While there has been speculation about an earlier release, the anticipated February launch of the flagship Galaxy S26 series makes a later spring rollout for the A57 more probable. As of now, specific design renders remain under wraps, but the leak stream is undoubtedly just beginning.
