By @CNET
Publication Date: 2026-05-03 12:00:00
Affordable phones are bearing the brunt of supply chain constraints, which is reshaping what you can expect from a $500 phone. While midrange phones in 2026 don’t provide the same value as they used to, the latest phones from Google and Samsung are still competing neck-and-neck. The new Pixel 10A and Galaxy A57 remain the most lucrative midrange phones in the market right now. While they aren’t terribly different from their predecessors, each phone has its own distinct appeal.
The Google Pixel 10A didn’t get a lot of upgrades this year, but it has kept the $499 price of the Pixel 9A and has already gotten the occasional discount. On the other hand, Samsung’s Galaxy A57 is one of the lightest phones in this price range, even with a larger screen. I put them head-to-head, and both phones have their own highlights that could be better for different reasons.
Design and build
Samsung Galaxy A57 has a more immersive screen, thanks to its slim bezels.
The two Google…
