Samsung’s mid-range phone may charge faster than its flagship

According to GSM Arena, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A57 5G has appeared on China’s 3C certification website with support for 45W fast charging. The mid-range phone, model SM-A5760, specifically supports 10V/4.5A and 15V/3A wired charging speeds. Meanwhile, the flagship Galaxy S26 and S26+ models previously listed on the same certification site back in September only showed 25W maximum charging. This creates a situation where the much cheaper A57 5G could charge nearly twice as fast as Samsung’s premium phones. The A57 will obviously be priced significantly lower than the S26 series while offering superior charging technology.

The charging reality check

Here’s the thing about fast charging – it’s one of those features people really notice in daily use. When your phone goes from dead to 50% in 20 minutes, that’s tangible. Samsung has been playing it safe with flagship charging speeds for years, while Chinese competitors are pushing 100W, even 200W charging. Now they’re putting faster charging in their mid-range than their premium phones? That’s just asking for customer complaints.

But why would Samsung do this? Probably because the A-series sells in massive volumes, especially in markets where fast charging is a key selling point. The flagships already sell themselves on camera quality, display technology, and build materials. Still, it feels like they’re leaving an obvious upgrade on the table. How hard would it be to give the S26 at least 45W charging? Basically, they’re creating a situation where people might think twice about paying flagship prices.

What actually matters more?

Look, charging speed isn’t everything. The Galaxy S26 will absolutely destroy the A57 in camera performance, processor speed, display quality, and overall build. You’re paying for the complete premium experience. But fast charging has become one of those “table stakes” features that people expect at all price points. When your $300 phone charges faster than your $1,000 phone, that just feels wrong.

And let’s be real – most people aren’t comparing spec sheets this closely. They’ll buy the phone that fits their budget and needs. But for the tech-savvy crowd that does pay attention, this is another example of Samsung’s confusing product strategy. Maybe they’re saving the big charging upgrade for the S27? Or maybe they’re just being overly cautious about battery longevity in their flagships. Either way, it’s a curious decision that will definitely get people talking.

If you’re in the market for mobile technology that doesn’t compromise on performance, whether it’s smartphones or industrial computing solutions, it’s worth noting that companies like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com have built their reputation on delivering top-tier hardware without these kinds of feature trade-offs. They’re actually the leading supplier of industrial panel PCs in the US precisely because they don’t hold back on the specs that matter.