Galaxy A57 & A37 Charging Speeds are Getting Stuck in the Past
Analyzing the Stagnation of Samsung’s Budget Charging Strategy
In the rapidly evolving landscape of smartphone technology, charging speed has emerged as a critical battleground for manufacturers. Consumers today expect their devices to replenish their batteries in a fraction of the time that was considered standard just a few years ago. While competitors in the mid-range and budget segments are aggressively pushing the boundaries with 67W, 80W, and even 120W charging solutions, Samsung appears to be taking a drastically different, and arguably regressive, approach with its upcoming Galaxy A57 and A37 models. Our analysis indicates that these devices are poised to launch with charging speeds that are firmly stuck in the past, a decision that could significantly impact their competitive standing in a market that increasingly values speed and convenience above all else.
The core of the issue lies in the specifications we have observed for these forthcoming devices. While the industry standard for a mid-range smartphone in 2024 and heading into 2025 has effectively settled around the 45W to 67W mark, the Galaxy A57 and A37 are rumored to be capped at a paltry 25W charging. This is not merely a minor shortfall; it is a generational gap that places these devices at a severe disadvantage. To put this into perspective, a competitor’s device with a 67W charger can often charge from 0% to 100% in around 45 minutes. A 25W charging system, by contrast, can take significantly longer, often exceeding 90 minutes for a full charge, depending on the battery capacity. In a world where a 15-minute top-off can provide hours of use, the decision to limit the Galaxy A57 and A37 to 25W feels like a relic of a bygone era.
This stagnation is particularly confusing given Samsung’s own portfolio. The company has successfully integrated much faster charging speeds into other lines, demonstrating that they possess the technology and supply chain capability to do so. The continued use of 25W charging in the mid-range A-series, especially the A5x model which typically serves as a benchmark for the series, suggests a deliberate strategy to create product differentiation. However, this differentiation may be perceived by consumers as artificial obsolescence. By gimping the charging speed, Samsung may be attempting to push users who desire faster top-ups toward its more expensive Galaxy S series or Z Fold/Flip series. But in doing so, they risk alienating a massive segment of the market that is becoming increasingly educated on the technical specifications of their devices and is unwilling to compromise on fundamental quality-of-life features like charging speed.
The Competitive Disadvantage in the Modern Smartphone Market
When we evaluate the Galaxy A57 and A37 in the context of their direct market rivals, the extent of the charging speed deficit becomes starkly apparent. It is no longer sufficient for a mid-range smartphone to excel in just one or two areas like the camera or display; it must provide a balanced, holistic experience. Charging speed is now an integral part of that experience. Our research and market analysis show that brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Realme, and Vivo have made ultra-fast charging a cornerstone of their mid-range offerings. They understand that for the modern user, time is a valuable commodity, and a phone that charges quickly is a phone that fits seamlessly into a busy lifestyle.
For instance, consider the landscape of devices in the same price bracket that the Galaxy A57 is expected to occupy. It is common to find phones offering 67W charging as a standard feature. Some brands are even pushing 120W charging into the sub-$400 segment. When a user can purchase a device from a competitor that charges to 50% in under 15 minutes, while the Samsung alternative takes nearly an hour to reach the same level, the choice for a time-conscious consumer becomes remarkably clear. This is not a minor feature that can be overlooked; it is a fundamental usability metric. The Galaxy A37, positioned in the entry-level to lower mid-range segment, faces an even steeper challenge. Its competitors are rapidly adopting 33W and 45W charging as the new baseline, making the 25W standard on the A37 look positively archaic.
Furthermore, the issue is compounded by the fact that Samsung’s 25W charging implementation is not even the most efficient version of that technology. Many users are aware that even Samsung’s own flagship devices, which support higher wattage, often charge more slowly in real-world scenarios due to aggressive thermal management and charging curve optimization. For the Galaxy A57 and A37, the 25W limit will likely be sustained only for a brief period before throttling down significantly due to heat. In contrast, competitors’ faster charging systems are often more sophisticated, maintaining higher wattages for longer into the charging cycle. This means the real-world gap between Samsung’s 25W and a competitor’s 67W is even larger than the raw numbers suggest. Samsung is effectively asking consumers to pay for a device that is technologically outpaced at its very foundation.
Delving into the Technical Specifications: A Legacy Approach
To truly understand why the charging speeds of the Galaxy A57 and A37 are getting stuck in the past, we must examine the underlying technical specifications and the legacy approach Samsung seems committed to in this product line. The 25W charging standard, which Samsung brands as “Super Fast Charging,” is based on the USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 PPS (Programmable Power Supply) standard. While this was a commendable standard a few years ago, the industry has since moved on to more powerful and efficient implementations.
The primary bottleneck is often not just the power adapter, but the internal hardware of the phone itself. This includes the charge controller IC, the battery’s ability to accept a high charge rate safely, and the thermal dissipation system required to manage the heat generated by faster charging. Our analysis suggests that for the Galaxy A57 and A37, Samsung is likely reusing older, proven, and crucially, cheaper components from its existing supply chain. Implementing 45W or 67W charging requires a more sophisticated charge controller, a higher-grade battery cell (often with a higher “C-rate”), and a more effective cooling system, such as a larger vapor chamber or graphite thermal pads, which all add to the Bill of Materials (BOM).
By sticking with 25W, Samsung can achieve several cost-saving objectives. First, the 25W adapter itself is smaller, cheaper to manufacture, and has been produced in massive quantities, driving down unit costs. Second, the internal components required to handle 25W are less expensive and have a longer qualification history, reducing R&D and validation costs for the new device. Third, and perhaps most importantly, this creates a clear, cost-driven product differentiation within the broader Samsung ecosystem. The decision to limit the charging speed is a calculated, business-oriented choice, not a technological limitation. It allows Samsung to protect the premium status of its Galaxy S and Z series, where 45W charging is presented as a significant feature. However, this strategy ignores the reality that the market definition of “premium” and “standard” is shifting, and what was once a premium feature is now becoming a basic expectation.
Impact on the User Experience and Consumer Perception
The consequences of equipping the Galaxy A57 and A37 with sluggish charging speeds extend far beyond mere technical specifications; they have a tangible and negative impact on the day-to-day user experience. In the hands of a consumer, a 25W charging cap translates directly into “charging anxiety.” A user who forgets to charge their phone overnight, or who has a heavily used day ahead, will find the Galaxy A57 or A37 to be a source of frustration. The long wait times to get back to a usable battery level fundamentally disrupt the flow of a user’s day.
This user experience gap fosters a growing perception among consumers that Samsung is out of touch with the needs of the modern, mobile-first user. In an age of instant gratification, where services and information are available at the tap of a screen, the expectation for hardware to keep pace is immense. The delay imposed by 25W charging feels anachronistic. It signals to the consumer that the device was designed with yesterday’s priorities in mind. This perception can be incredibly damaging to a brand’s reputation, especially in the mid-range segment where brand loyalty is often fragile and consumers are highly price-sensitive and spec-conscious. They are not just buying a phone; they are investing in an ecosystem and a brand philosophy. A philosophy that deliberately limits a key convenience feature can be interpreted as a lack of respect for the consumer’s time and money.
Furthermore, we must consider the long-term value proposition. A phone’s battery health degrades over time. A device that starts with a relatively slow charging speed will feel painfully slow after a year or two of battery degradation. In contrast, a phone that initially charges at 67W will still feel respectably fast even after its battery capacity has diminished. By launching the Galaxy A57 and A37 with a 25W ceiling, Samsung is not only providing a subpar experience on day one but is also ensuring that the user’s frustration will only compound over the life of the device. This stands in stark contrast to the industry trend of providing charging headroom, ensuring that a device feels fast and responsive for years to come.
Market Strategy or Technological Paralysis?
This brings us to a critical question: Is Samsung’s reluctance to upgrade the charging speeds in the A-series a deliberate market strategy, or is it a sign of technological inertia within its mid-range development teams? We lean heavily towards the former, but the line between strategy and paralysis can become blurred. The strategy is clear: create a hierarchy of features. The “real” fast charging, 45W and above, is reserved for the Galaxy S and Z series, justifying their premium price tags. The A-series gets the “acceptable” tier of charging, which in Samsung’s view is 25W. This is a classic segmentation tactic used across many industries.
However, this strategy is becoming increasingly risky. As the performance gap between mid-range and flagship processors, displays, and cameras continues to narrow, charging speed has become one of the last true differentiators. But now, it is becoming a point of contention. Mid-range buyers are increasingly aware that they can get “flagship-killer” levels of performance and features from other brands for a fraction of the price of a true flagship. Charging speed is a key part of that package. By withholding it, Samsung is leaving a massive opening for competitors to swoin. A competitor can market its phone as “The Mid-Range Phone That Charges Like a Flagship,” putting the Galaxy A57 and A37 in a very difficult position.
We see this as a form of technological paralysis where a large, established corporation like Samsung finds it difficult to disrupt its own internal product ladders. There is likely immense internal pressure to protect the sales and perceived value of the higher-margin Galaxy S series. To change this, a bold move would be required: to democratize fast charging and treat it as a baseline feature across the board. This would force the S-series to differentiate on even more advanced technologies. The current path of holding back the A-series is the path of least resistance, but it is a path that leads to stagnation and leaves the door wide open for more agile and consumer-focused competitors to capture the hearts, minds, and wallets of the mainstream market. The Galaxy A57 and A37, as currently rumored, are not just phones with slow charging; they are a symbol of a brand that is struggling to adapt to the new reality of the market it once dominated.
The Role of Customization and Third-Party Solutions
For the tech-savvy user who finds the official charging limitations of the Galaxy A57 and A37 unacceptable, the question often turns to third-party solutions. On a non-rooted device, the options are limited to ensuring one is using the highest quality, compliant 25W PPS charger and cable to achieve the absolute maximum of the limited potential the device offers. However, for enthusiasts who are willing to explore deeper system-level modifications, the landscape of customization opens up. This is where communities and platforms like our own at Magisk Modules come into play.
The Magisk Module Repository, accessible at https://magiskmodule.gitlab.io/magisk-modules-repo/, is a curated collection of modules that can alter the behavior of an Android device at a root level. While we always advocate for caution and a thorough understanding of the risks involved, it is within this domain that users can sometimes bypass manufacturer-imposed software restrictions. For example, specific modules designed for kernel-level control might allow for adjustments to the charging current and voltage limits. By modifying the kernel’s charging parameters, it is sometimes possible to push the device to accept a higher wattage from a compatible charger than the stock software would normally allow.
However, we must issue a strong word of caution. This is not a simple plug-and-play solution. Modifying charging behavior at the kernel level is inherently risky. It can lead to increased heat generation, potential battery damage, reduced battery lifespan, and in worst-case scenarios, safety hazards. It requires a deep understanding of the device’s hardware capabilities and thermal limits. The stock 25W limit is not arbitrary; it is set by Samsung’s engineers based on the thermal design and battery chemistry of the phone. Attempting to override these safety parameters without proper knowledge is a recipe for disaster. Yet, the very existence of such possibilities highlights the frustration users feel. When a manufacturer deliberately limits a device, the enthusiast community often seeks a way to unlock that potential, even if it comes with significant risks. The desire for faster charging is so strong that users are willing to explore these advanced, unsupported methods to achieve a better experience than the one provided out of the box.
Future Outlook: Will Samsung Change Course?
As we look toward the eventual release of the Galaxy A57 and A37, the final question remains: Will Samsung heed the growing criticism and upgrade the charging speeds before launch? Historically, Samsung’s product specifications are locked down months in advance, making last-minute changes unlikely. The current rumors and leaks paint a consistent picture of a company adhering to its established charging hierarchy. Barring a major, unexpected shift in strategy, it is almost certain that the final retail units will ship with the same 25W charging limitation that has characterized the line for years.
This sets the stage for a crucial moment in the mid-range market. The reception of the Galaxy A57 and A37 will be a key indicator of whether Samsung’s brand loyalty is strong enough to overcome a significant, tangible feature deficit. We anticipate that professional reviewers will heavily criticize this aspect of the devices, and that consumer feedback on forums and social media will reflect widespread disappointment. The real-world sales numbers will then reveal the ultimate verdict. If the devices succeed despite the slow charging, it will signal to Samsung that its segmentation strategy is sound, potentially cementing this approach for future generations. If, however, sales underperform and competitors with faster charging see a significant boost, it may force Samsung to re-evaluate its position for the next iteration of the A-series.
Ultimately, the charging speeds of the Galaxy A57 and A37 being “stuck in the past” is more than just a headline; it is a reflection of a company at a crossroads. Samsung has the technical prowess and manufacturing capability to lead the industry in every metric. The decision to lag behind in a feature as fundamental as charging is a conscious choice that prioritizes internal product segmentation over holistic user experience. As consumers become more discerning and the global market more competitive, this choice may prove to be a costly one. The future of smartphone adoption will be defined by convenience and performance, and for the Galaxy A57 and A37, the slow crawl to a full battery may just be too slow for the modern world.