I won’t buy the Galaxy A37 for $450, but I highly recommend these 4 great options

Samsung launched the Galaxy A37 5G for $449.99 in the base variant with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. The smartphone is $50 more expensive than its predecessor, and to me it looks like the premium will go directly to addressing the rise in component costs due to the ongoing storage crisis, rather than providing meaningful upgrades.

There are many things that could justify the price increase on paper. For example, the chipset upgrade from Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 to Exynos 1480 ensures a performance increase in the low double-digit range that is hardly noticeable for normal users. The phone has slightly higher HDR brightness (1900 nits vs 1700 nits) and a better IP rating (IP68 vs IP67).

The Galaxy A37 5G is an incremental upgrade at best

Apart from these changes, both phones are quite similar, be it the 6.7-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED screen, the 50-megapixel main camera (with 8-megapixel ultrawide and 5-megapixel macro cameras), the 12-megapixel front camera, the connectivity options (Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.4) or the 5,000mAh battery that supports 45W wired charging.

I strongly believe that the Galaxy A37 5G could have been a better bargain if Samsung had maintained the launch price of the Galaxy A36 5G – $399.99. Anyway, it is what it is. In my opinion, the device doesn’t offer the best value for money, but that’s certainly the case with some other smartphones. So if you’re looking for a powerful mid-range Android model, I have four alternatives to the Galaxy A37 5G for you.

I recommend these four smartphones instead

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Why do I recommend this smartphone? No, that’s not a typo. I actually recommend the Galaxy A36 5G over the Galaxy A37 5G for one simple reason. The smartphone is currently available at Walmart for $219.99 in the base 6GB + 128GB variant – less than half the price of the A37 5G. Do you see? The phone shares most of its specs with the newer version and costs less than it saves. What more could you want?

If you’re looking for a cheap but powerful Android smartphone, perhaps as a second phone for yourself or a new phone for your parents or someone else, the A36 5G is a no-brainer.

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G

Why do I recommend this smartphone? I’m talking about the company’s mid-range 2025 model, which sits above the Galaxy A36 5G in the company’s lineup. The Galaxy A56 5G offers several advantages over the new A37 5G, including a more premium hand feel (thanks to the aluminum frame), a slightly more powerful 4nm Exynos 1580 chip (better for future-proofing), and a higher resolution 12MP ultrawide sensor.

All of that and yet somehow you have to pay less for the A56 5G. That’s right. The handset is currently available at Best Buy for $384.99 in the base variant with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. However, if you’re willing to plug the phone into a Verizon or AT&T connection when you purchase it, you’ll save another $100 and get it for $284.99.

Google Pixel 9a

Why do I recommend this smartphone? For four very important reasons. First of all, the Pixel 9a offers one of the most consistent and reliable camera arrays I’ve ever used on a sub-$500 smartphone. The phone also offers the cleanest Android experience, especially when compared to non-Google Android smartphones.

Despite being a year old, the Pixel 9a will receive the latest operating system for seven years, effectively matching the A37’s six-year update promise (with quarterly Pixel Drops). Finally – and I don’t say this often – the Pixel 9a’s Tensor G4 chip offers more usable performance than the Exynos 1480 in the A37 5G. It’s also the most compact and easy-to-carry smartphone on this list.

The Pixel 9a (6GB + 128GB) is currently available at Best Buy for $399. However, if you are willing to activate it at the time of purchase, you can purchase it for $299. In my opinion, this makes it the best camera or Android smartphone at this price.

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro

Why do I recommend this smartphone? If you’re ready to increase your budget to $500, I have a recommendation that’s much more versatile and interesting (imagine people coming up to you and asking about your smartphone). Unlike its predecessor, the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is designed for a full US launch with much broader connectivity with leading service providers such as T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon.

For the premium price, you get a slimmer, more modern-looking smartphone with thinner bezels on the front and a Glyph Matrix interface on the back (which successfully lures the kid in me). The Phone (4a) Pro features a 6.83-inch AMOLED 144Hz screen (the highest refresh rate on this list), the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset for a more responsive interface and better performance under heavier workloads, a dedicated 50MP telephoto sensor that offers 3.5x optical zoom (for the photography enthusiast in you), and a 5,080mAh battery that supports 50W wired charging.

In addition, the smartphone offers a better overall package in terms of features and user-friendliness.