Samsung’s mid-range Galaxy A-series may be gearing up for an earlier-than-usual release in 2026, according to a new leak that is quickly gaining attention among tech watchers. The company, which traditionally announces its key mid-range phones in March each year, might be shifting its schedule forward by an entire month.
Tipster Abhishek Yadav posted on X that Samsung is planning to unveil the Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57 in February 2026. If accurate, this would mark a notable change from the launch windows of the Galaxy A36 and A56, which were revealed in March. It also places the rollout a month ahead of the Galaxy A35 and A55 release timeline. An earlier launch could suggest Samsung is restructuring its product pipeline, potentially to stay more competitive against faster-moving rivals like Google and OnePlus.
Yadav’s leak also includes early hardware details. He claims the Galaxy A37 will be powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1480 chipset, while the higher-end Galaxy A57 will feature the upcoming Exynos 1680 SoC. The Exynos 1480 previously appeared in the Galaxy A55, where it delivered mixed performance impressions. Synthetic benchmarks placed it behind the Google Pixel 8a, raising some concerns among benchmark-focused buyers. However, real-world usage told a more balanced story.
According to earlier testing, the Exynos 1480 handled advanced games surprisingly well, even managing to emulate demanding PlayStation 2 and GameCube titles at stable and playable frame rates. This suggests that while the Galaxy A37 may not compete head-to-head with the Pixel 8a in raw performance metrics, it should still feel smooth and reliable for everyday users—and even capable for gamers on a budget.
That said, all eyes are on the rumored Exynos 1680 set to power the Galaxy A57. Samsung has faced increasing pressure in the mid-range performance race, especially as competitors like the Pixel 9a and OnePlus 13R continue to outperform Samsung’s affordable devices. If Samsung hopes to tighten the gap, the Exynos 1680 will need to represent a meaningful improvement, offering stronger CPU and GPU capabilities, better thermal control, and more consistent power efficiency.
With mid-range devices becoming more central to smartphone sales worldwide, an upgraded chipset could be exactly what Samsung needs to maintain its foothold in the category. Whether the Exynos 1680 can deliver the leap forward users want remains to be seen, but expectations are already building.
In addition to the A37 and A57 timeline, the leak also includes details about Samsung’s budget option, the Galaxy A07. According to Yadav, the A07 is set to launch either later this month or in January 2026. This positions the device as one of Samsung’s first releases of the year, likely targeting budget-conscious consumers or those seeking a simple, no-frills smartphone experience.
The A07’s rumored early arrival also hints at a broader strategy: Samsung may be spacing out its launches across Q1 rather than clustering them together. This could give each model more breathing room in the market and help Samsung maintain consistent visibility throughout the first quarter.
If the leak is accurate, Samsung’s 2026 mid-range lineup could be one of its most ambitious in years. An earlier launch window, upgraded chips, and a staggered release schedule all point to a company looking to strengthen its position in a highly competitive segment. While Samsung has yet to confirm any details, these leaks have already sparked widespread anticipation.
For now, consumers and tech fans will have to wait for official announcements. But with February 2026 only months away, the countdown to Samsung’s next wave of mid-range smartphones may have begun sooner than expected.