Samsung has just released its latest mid-range smartphone champ in the Galaxy A57, and it can count the Google Pixel 10a as a direct rival.
We’re not going to lie – both Samsung and Google are evidently struggling with the current smartphone component crisis. Every manufacturer is.
What’s interesting is how the two biggest names in the Android field are dealing with those hiked RAM prices in their current mid-range offerings.
Google’s solution has been to repackage 2025’s Pixel 9a and retain its starting price for the Pixel 10a. Samsung ventured out a little more for the Galaxy A57, with an improved design and bolstered performance, but at the expense of an increased asking price.
Whatever you think of these two inherently compromised approaches, these remain the two most prominent £500/$500(ish) options in 2026. So which is better for you?
Are you looking to save some money?
As we’ve already mentioned, Samsung has opted to hike the price of the Galaxy A57, while Google has retained its 2025 pricing for the Pixel 10a.
This means that while the Google Pixel 10a starts from £499/$499, the Samsung Galaxy A57 starts from £529/$549. That’s a 6%/10% difference.
Whether or not that’s a consequential amount to you, there are two major caveats to note before we declare the Pixel 10a the better value model.
Chris Martin / Foundy
For one thing, the Galaxy A57 gives you double the storage as standard – 256GB to the Pixel 10a’s 128GB. If you were comparing like for like, then technically the Google Pixel 10a is more expensive, with the 256GB step-up model costing £599/$599.
We should also note that the Google Pixel 9a is still being sold as new for £399/$399.99, and is nigh-on identical to the Pixel 10a.
On a purely technical point, then, the Pixel 10a is the cheaper of the two phones. However, I’d hesitate to call it better value.
Winner: Google Pixel 10a (with major caveats)
Do you consume a lot of media?
If you’re someone who watches a lot of video content, then the Samsung Galaxy A57 offers a far more appealing canvas.
It’s not that the Pixel 10’s 6.3-inch OLED panel is bad – far from it – but it’s simply much smaller than that of its 6.7-inch Galaxy A57 rival. Both phones offer punchy colours, FHD+ resolutions, and 120Hz refresh rates, so there’s no significant advantage in those key aspects.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Elsewhere, the Google phone’s screen actually gets significantly brighter than Samsung’s (2000 nits vs 1200 nits in HBM). Combined with its compact nature, I’d argue it’s the more pleasant display to interact with when you’re on the move.
However, there’s no denying that the Galaxy A57 screen is simply better suited to media content.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy A57
Do you want top stamina and wireless charging?
If keeping your phone powered up is a priority, then Google’s phone is the best pick.
It might be physically smaller than the Galaxy A57, but Google has managed to pack in a larger 5100mAh battery (vs 5000mAh in the Samsung).
Chris Martin / Foundy
Combined with that smaller screen, Google’s phone simply lasts longer than its rival. Indeed, in my own back-to-back testing, the Pixel 10a lasted 18% longer when running the same looping video.
The Pixel 10a can also count upon wireless charging to get you back up to speed, which is a convenient provision that the Galaxy A57 lacks.
Samsung does win on wired charging speed, however, with its 45W support beating Google’s 30W. It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to get a full charging into the Pixel 10a, while the Galaxy A57 will take about 20 minutes less.
Winner: Google Pixel 10a
Do you want a phone that feels like a flagship?
Both of these phones are built well, with aluminium frames and IP68 water-resistance ratings.
However, I’d give the Galaxy A57 the slight edge on look and feel. While the Pixel 10a gives away its mid-range nature with its plastic back and cheap-looking camera module (though it being completely flat is quite a nice touch), the Samsung Galaxy A57 could almost be mistaken for the Galaxy S26 series.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
It uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back, has a very similar elevated camera module, and generally feels like a high-quality piece of kit.
What’s more, Samsung has refined the A57’s design so that it’s significantly slimmer (6.9mm vs 9mm) than its Pixel 10a rival. Despite having a much larger footprint, it’s actually a couple of grams lighter, too.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy A57
Do you demand the best performance?
Neither of these phones is a performance champ, but if you want a phone that’s likely to stay faster for longer, the Pixel 10a is the better bet.
It’s far from a walkover though. We were a little disappointed that Google gave its latest mid-ranger the year-old Tensor G4 chip, while Samsung has gone with a brand new Exynos 1680 chip.
Chris Martin / Foundy
What’s more, CPU performance is about on a par. Both phones handle day-to-day tasks quite smoothly.
Where the Pixel 10a has the advantage is in its GPU performance, which is in a class above its rival – though even here, Samsung’s improved thermal system supplies impressive stability over extended gaming sessions.
Google’s extra year of software support and the fact that it’s in full command of both software and hardware (it makes Android, of course) adds the final flourish in the Pixel 10a’s favour.
Winner: Google Pixel 10a
Samsung Galaxy A57 vs Google Pixel 10a: Conclusion
A simple scan of the respective review scores would indicate to you that we think the Google Pixel 10a is a better phone for most people than the Samsung Galaxy A57.
However, this isn’t a straightforward decision. Samsung’s phone will be better for some, while the Pixel 10a’s whole value proposition is questionable.
Samsung’s phone is bigger, making it better for media consumption, and its refined design looks and feels better than the Pixel.
The Pixel 10a ultimately wins us around for its cheaper starting price, superior performance, extra stamina and wireless charging provision. There’s also no getting away from the edge that Google’s stewardship of the Android platform gives it.
Of course, it’s tempting to encourage you to buy neither of these phones, and to pick up a brand new Google Pixel 9a for significantly less money instead, or see our top recommendations in our round-up of the best mid-range phones. But in a straight fight, the Pixel 10a is the winner. Just.
