Coming from me from OnePlus, the new Galaxy A37 is an all-round, reliable phone that’s easy to recommend to anyone looking for a good value option. However, for some people this may not be enough of an upgrade to warrant purchasing the Galaxy A36. here’s why.<\/p>\n
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Best mobile deals of the week<\/h3>\n Deals are selected by the CNET Group Commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Display<\/h2>\n The most notable change is in the internal hardware. Samsung’s latest midrange phone runs on the Exynos 1480 chipset, while the A36 uses the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. I haven’t personally used the A36, but I’m familiar with the Snapdragon 6 thanks to the Moto G Stylus, which also runs on it and offers solid performance. So the question is, how does the Exynos chipset perform?<\/p>\n
Also: How to Easily Encrypt Files on an Android Phone \u2013 and the Free App I Use to Do It<\/strong><\/p>\nWell, brace yourself, but I’d say it’s almost like that. The phone feels fast and fluid in everyday use. Scrolling through websites, running multiple apps, and streaming videos all felt seamless. Performance remains consistent without any noticeable degradation. However, when it comes to gaming, the phone is not that good.<\/p>\n\n\n
Cesar Cadenas\/ZDNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDuring my time with the Galaxy A37, I tested two demanding titles, “Arknights Endfield” and “Honkai: Star Rails.” The first one struggled to operate the phone. Gameplay suffered from frequent stuttering, occasional freezes, and low resolution even at the lowest graphical settings. Star Rail’s performance was better. It ran more smoothly overall, although I still encountered some of the same problems.<\/p>\n
Plus: I’ve tested every major phone releasing so far in 2026 \u2014 and my buying advice is changing this year<\/strong><\/p>\nEven if you’re not a big gamer, just note that the Exynos 1480 may struggle with heavy multitasking. Another problem I faced is the heat. While downloading a major update for Arknights Endfield, the phone heated up to such an extent that it became uncomfortable to hold. Overheating isn’t limited to gaming, as the same thing happened while watching several YouTube livestreams.<\/p>\n\n\n
Cesar Cadenas\/ZDNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe remaining hardware differences between the Galaxy A37 and A36 are relatively minor, but they go a long way in enhancing the user experience. For example, on the A37, you can opt for a higher-tier configuration with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, in addition to the base 6GB and 128GB setup. It also has an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display, which adds an extra layer of security.<\/p>\n
point-and-shoot<\/h2>\n The camera system of the Samsung Galaxy A37 is largely unchanged from the previous generation. It has a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide and a 5MP macro lens capable of up to 10x digital zoom. The biggest upgrade to the camera is the addition of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). And it makes a noticeable difference in achieving image clarity.<\/p>\n
Also: Samsung is ending Messages in July: 5 replacements I’d adopt now<\/strong><\/p>\nFor testing, I took the phone out for a walk in a nearby park and recorded as I went. I wanted to see how well the camera handled motion. After taking both photos and videos, the results were great. I didn’t notice any obvious blur or focus issues during recording. Even when I jumped up and down to mess with the sensor, the photos came out mostly clear.<\/p>\n\n\n
Cesar Cadenas\/ZDNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe image quality is supreme. The photos and videos come in extremely clear and detailed descriptions. Below is a picture of my cat. The lighting may not be the best, but you can still see the individual threads of fur clearly. This is the kind of clarity you expect from high-end models.<\/p>\n
You know what? For good measure, let me also throw in this photo of a bunch of flowers that I took the previous day. I think it looks great and exemplifies the quality of the camera. None of the images were color corrected or edited in any significant way. I simply changed the aspect ratio to 16:9.<\/p>\n\n\n
Cesar Cadenas\/ZDNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThere are some flaws in the camera system. First, the phone changes its color balance depending on lighting conditions, becoming warmer in some shots and cooler in others. This change can be very drastic, and moving the phone a few feet can cause the light to change from orange to blue, which can be frustrating when you have a great shot that changes.<\/p>\n
Also, the 10x zoom isn’t the best. Zoomed-in objects appear blurry, and text on signs looks as if they are melting. It’s a strange effect.<\/p>\n
Design and battery<\/h2>\n As for design, the Galaxy A37, as you can probably guess, is very similar to the A36. It has the same dimensions, measuring 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm (6.41 x 3.07 x 0.29 in) and weighing 196 grams. Even though Samsung didn’t change anything, it still has a great form factor thanks to the rounded edges. The phone is quite comfortable to hold.<\/p>\n
Also: I’ve tested every Razr and Galaxy Flip: 3 reasons why Motorola beats Samsung in foldables<\/strong><\/p>\nOn the front, the A37 sports a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen that runs at Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Is excellent. Colors are vibrant, on-screen content looks clear, and the high refresh rate makes everything scrolling through web pages incredibly smooth. <\/p>\n
The speakers are another major attraction. Although it is not precisely tuned by any notable audio brand, the system still delivers great sound. Music sounds full with good instrument separation. Furthermore, everything comes through clearly, even at high volumes.<\/p>\n\n\n
Cesar Cadenas\/ZDNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBattery life is another strong point. Samsung’s Galaxy A37 packs a 5,000 mAh battery, which offers solid endurance. During my continuous livestream tests, the smartphone lasted more than 21 hours on a single charge \u2013 an impressive number by any standard. Recharging speed is ok. Using my own charger, the mobile device went from 0 to 30% in about 30 minutes. It’s good for quick top-ups, although it’s not class-leading.<\/p>\n
ZDNET’s shopping advice<\/h2>\n Samsung Galaxy A37<\/span><\/a><\/span> Starts at $450 for the 128GB model and $540 for the 256GB version. It comes in two colors: Awesome Charcoal (black) and Awesome Lavender (pink-violet). This phone is an easy recommendation for budget-conscious buyers, offering a fun, easy-to-use camera, excellent battery life, and a vibrant display.<\/p>\nAlso: Motorola Moto G (2026) review: Why I’d choose this $200 phone over competing models<\/strong><\/p>\nThat said, I struggle to call this an upgrade over the Galaxy A36. Although additions like OIS and a fingerprint sensor are welcome, the overall experience remains pretty much the same. <\/p>\n
Many features remain largely unchanged. What else, A36<\/span><\/a><\/span> Currently $300 on Amazon. If you want those extra features and don’t mind spending a little more, get the A37. Otherwise, last year’s model is a more practical choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n