Samsung's new Galaxy A37: A stunning phone with a hidden flaw that could drive you mad

Samsung's A-series phones are the unsung heroes of its smartphone empire, consistently ranking among the best-selling devices in the world. The newly released Galaxy A37 aims to continue this legacy, offering a reliable, affordable phone that looks much like its premium siblings but makes a few sacrifices under the bonnet. But while it succeeds in some areas, a closer look reveals some frustrating flaws.

A premium design with a slippery secret

At first glance, the Galaxy A37 looks the part. It is almost identical to the slightly more powerful Galaxy A57 and other recent A-series models, featuring a clean, vertical camera bar that Samsung brands the "Ambient Island". The front and back are both covered in tough Gorilla Glass Victus+, which should offer good protection.

However, a detailed look at the phone from Business Insider reveals a less-than-premium feel. The reviewer noted that the glossy back glass looked and felt like "an inoculated petri dish" after less than three days of use, initially mistaking it for "plastic with a cheap, glossy finish". Samsung touts this glossy mirror finish as a key feature, but it reportedly turns the phone into a "bar of soap" the moment your hands get sweaty. After a couple of days, it becomes a "smudgy mess" of fingerprints and grease.

Furthermore, like many phones with a non-centred vertical camera bar, the Galaxy A37 will "teeter-totter" if you try to use it lying flat on a table, making a case a near-essential purchase. Thankfully, the "ceramic glaze" on the plastic frame has a brushed matte finish that is not slippery and does not show every single fingerprint.

Bright screen and impressive software support

The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen is a highlight, with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling and streaming a breeze. It gets plenty bright for indoor use, but things get trickier outdoors. The review explains that when the phone heats up during activities like a photo session or playing games in the sun, the screen automatically dims as a safety measure to prevent burn-in. This can make it difficult to read in direct sunlight, a potential dealbreaker for anyone who works outside.

For those sensitive to screen flicker, Samsung has obtained an Eye Care Certification for its blue-light filter, which is said to be about twice as strong as on competing devices. Under the screen sits an optical fingerprint sensor which, while effective, is placed quite low, requiring a bit of a thumb-stretch to reach one-handed. It can also feel "blinding when unlocking your phone at 3 a.m.".

A major selling point for the A37 is its software commitment. Launched in April 2026 with Android 16, Samsung has guaranteed it will receive system updates all the way through to Android 22, along with six years of security updates, making it one of the best-supported phones in its class.

Under the hood: Performance and daily use

The Galaxy A37 runs on a 2024-era Exynos 1480 processor with 6GB of RAM in the base model, and it is not intended for gamers or power users. The review points out that its limits are found very quickly, even without demanding games. During tests, the game Merge Dragons would hang for five to eight seconds on average when waking the phone, while Pokémon Go would kick the user back to the loading screen almost every time they swapped to another app.

For lighter tasks like reading, browsing social media, or watching YouTube, the A37 is said to perform well, so long as you are only switching between two or three apps at a time. The 5,000mAh battery is described as "long-lasting" but delivers strictly single-day use, unlike some competitors that can last for two days. To make up for this, it supports speedy 45W wired charging, though there is no wireless charging.

A camera that hits and misses

On paper, the camera system seems capable with its 50MP main sensor. In practice, daytime photos are vibrant thanks to Samsung's tendency to oversaturate colours. But its weaknesses become apparent with Zoom. The review notes that image detail drops off drastically after 4x digital zoom, turning photos into "watercolours". Even 2x zoom shots take a hit on sharpness.

The camera's performance was also hampered by the processor during fast-paced shooting. While trying to capture fireworks, the reviewer experienced "multi-second, stop-motion lag" as the limited RAM was overwhelmed, making it impossible to take rapid shots. The 8MP ultrawide camera is described as producing dimmer and less vibrant photos, while the 5MP macro camera was reportedly unable to produce a single photo that was properly in focus.

The Samsung Galaxy A37 positions itself as a reliable mid-range choice for those who value a large screen and an industry-leading update policy. However, its frustratingly slippery design, single-day battery life, and performance lag under pressure mean that keen photographers and mobile gamers may want to look elsewhere.