Samsung is reportedly preparing major camera improvements for its 2026 Galaxy A-series smartphones. Leaks suggest that the upcoming Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57 will get much better camera hardware, focusing more on larger camera sensors instead of heavy software processing. This move could help Samsung narrow the gap between its mid-range phones and premium Galaxy S models.
Bigger sensors, better photos
The biggest change is the size of the main camera sensor. Both the Galaxy A37 and A57 are expected to feature a 50MP main camera with a 1/1.56-inch sensor, which is significantly larger than what Samsung used in earlier A-series phones.
A larger sensor can capture more light, which usually means:
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Better low-light photos
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Less noise
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Improved dynamic range
This is a big upgrade compared to the Galaxy A36, which used a smaller sensor and relied more on software to improve images.
Samsung is said to be using two different sensors for this camera:
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Sony IMX906, known for good low-light performance
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Samsung ISOCELL GNJ, Samsung’s own sensor with similar capabilities
Which sensor is used may depend on the production region.
How Samsung will separate A37 and A57
Even though both phones may share the same main camera, Samsung plans to keep the Galaxy A57 as the more premium option by giving it better secondary cameras.
The Galaxy A57 is expected to include:
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13MP ultrawide camera
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5MP macro camera
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12MP front camera
All of these cameras are likely to use Samsung’s own sensors, which helps with better colour consistency across photos.
The Galaxy A37, on the other hand, will use more basic secondary cameras:
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8MP ultrawide camera
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Lower-end selfie camera
While the main camera quality could be very similar on both phones, the A57 should offer a more flexible and complete photography experience.
Why Samsung is mixing camera suppliers
Samsung appears to be sourcing camera sensors from Sony, Samsung, and GalaxyCore. This approach helps the company avoid supply issues and keep costs under control—important for phones that sell in huge numbers like the Galaxy A-series.
Possible launch timeline
Software hints suggest that Samsung could launch the new Galaxy A-series phones in February 2026, slightly earlier than usual. This could be a strategy to get ahead of competitors in the crowded mid-range smartphone market, especially soon after the Galaxy S-series launch.
Why this matters for mid-range phones
For a long time, big camera sensors were limited to flagship phones. Mid-range devices usually depended on smaller sensors and heavy image processing, which often led to soft or overly edited photos.
By bringing large sensors like the IMX906 or ISOCELL GNJ to the Galaxy A-series, Samsung is responding to strong competition from brands like Xiaomi and Realme, which already offer powerful camera hardware at lower prices.
If the Galaxy A57 delivers near-flagship camera performance in normal conditions, it could also challenge phones like the Google Pixel A-series, which are known for their excellent cameras.
Final thoughts
If these leaks turn out to be accurate, the 2026 Galaxy A-series could be Samsung’s biggest camera upgrade in years. Users can expect noticeably better low-light performance and more reliable image quality—bringing mid-range phones closer than ever to older flagship models.
