Samsung
Galaxy A57
Big screen, thin body
The Galaxy A57 is a midrange phone with a 6.7-inch OLED, and Samsung somehow managed to make it thinner and lighter than its predecessor. Combine that with a slight redesign and IP68 certification for the first time, and the Galaxy S57 impresses in the $550 segment.
Pros
- Thinner and lighter form factor
- 6.7-inch display with slimmer bezels
- One UI 8.5 with six years of software support
- Triple-camera system
- 45W fast wired charging
Cons
- 5MP macro lens is uninspiring
- No wireless charging support
- Asymmetrical bezels
- "Awesome Intelligence" is less robust than Galaxy AI
- More expensive
Google
Pixel 10a
Smaller and cheaper
The Google Pixel 10a made headlines by not upgrading the Tensor G4 processor carried over from its predecessor. Once you look past that fact, the Pixel 10a is a stellar midranger that offers longer software support while coming in at a lower price than the Galaxy A57. It also has a bigger battery, wireless charging support, and a flat back.
Pros
- Compact, 6.3-inch form factor
- Affordable $500 retail price
- Flat back with no camera bump
- Well-optimized Android 16 with Gemini and Google AI features
Cons
- Thicker and heavier
- Last-gen Tensor G4 chip
- Slow charging
