Galaxy A37, A57 renders, S26 prices leak, Realme P4 Power official, Week 5 in review

The mobile tech world delivered another packed week of leaks, launches, and confirmations, with Samsung's mid-range and flagship strategies taking center stage alongside some genuinely impressive battery innovations.

Samsung's A-series evolution takes shape

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy A37 and A57 have emerged through what appear to be official renders, giving us our clearest look yet at the company's next mid-range offerings. The Galaxy A57, in particular, shows interesting design evolution - measuring just 6.9mm thick and weighing 182 grams, it's both slimmer and lighter than its A56 predecessor. This focus on reducing bulk while maintaining functionality suggests Samsung is responding to consumer demand for more pocketable devices without sacrificing screen real estate.

The A57 will feature a 6.6-inch TCL SCOT flexible OLED display, paired with Samsung's Exynos 1680 chipset and a 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging. The choice of TCL's SCOT (Single-Cut On-Cell Touch) technology is noteworthy, as it typically offers good brightness and touch responsiveness while keeping costs down - a smart move for a mid-range device.

Both the A37 and A57 maintain design continuity with their predecessors, suggesting Samsung is refining rather than reinventing its A-series aesthetic. This approach makes sense for brand recognition while allowing for incremental improvements in key areas like thickness and weight.

Galaxy S26 series pricing strategy revealed

Perhaps the most surprising news involves the Galaxy S26 series pricing. The flagship lineup appears to be getting a strategic reshuffle that could benefit consumers, particularly those eyeing the Ultra model.

According to leaks, the standard S26 might see a price increase, but this comes with a significant change - the base model will start with 256GB of storage instead of the traditional 128GB. This means you're getting more storage for potentially the same price, or a modest increase that nets you double the capacity.

The S26+ appears to be maintaining its predecessor's pricing while keeping similar specifications, offering consistency for those who prefer the Plus form factor.

However, the real headline is the Galaxy S26 Ultra potentially being €100 cheaper than the S25 Ultra. This price reduction for Samsung's most premium offering is unexpected and could make the Ultra model more accessible to a broader audience. Combined with the confirmed smart privacy screen feature - which lets you control screen visibility angles for specific moments, apps, or turn it off entirely - the S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a compelling upgrade.

Realme's battery monster arrives

Realme made waves with the official launch of the P4 Power, a device that prioritizes battery life above almost everything else. The standout feature is its massive 10,001mAh battery - a capacity that's becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones as manufacturers chase thinner designs.

Realme claims this behemoth can deliver 32 hours of continuous YouTube playback, which is genuinely impressive for power users or those who can't charge frequently. The company is also making a bold longevity claim: the battery will retain at least 80% of its capacity after 8 years of use. This kind of long-term performance guarantee is unusual in the smartphone industry and speaks to Realme's confidence in their battery technology.

On the software side, Realme is promising 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches, which is decent though not class-leading. The device also features a tough chassis, suggesting it's built for durability to match its impressive battery life.

Other notable launches and leaks

Several other devices made headlines this week. The Samsung Galaxy A07 5G officially launched with a 6,000mAh battery, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, and 4GB of RAM. It brings back some appreciated features like a microSD card slot and 3.5mm headphone jack, targeting budget-conscious consumers who value these legacy options.

The Redmi Turbo 5 and Turbo 5 Max received their launch date confirmation, with the Max variant showcased in an eye-catching orange color option. Meanwhile, the Nothing Phone (4a) received UAE certification from TDRA, confirming an imminent launch alongside the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, though specific specs remain under wraps.

Vivo confirmed the iQOO 15 Ultra launch date for February 4 in China. This gaming-focused device is tipped to pack impressive specifications: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, up to 24GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, a 6.85-inch LTPO AMOLED display, and a massive 7,400mAh battery with 100W charging support. The inclusion of an active cooling fan and shoulder triggers reinforces its gaming pedigree.

In a nostalgic twist, Apple confirmed that the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 are receiving a new iOS update, despite the iPhone 5s launching 13 years ago. This unexpected support demonstrates Apple's commitment to long-term device support, though the specific features of this update remain unclear.

The bigger picture

This week's news reveals several interesting trends in the smartphone industry. Samsung is clearly focusing on making its mid-range A-series more competitive through design refinements and thoughtful spec choices, while simultaneously making its flagship Ultra model more accessible through aggressive pricing.

Battery capacity is making a comeback as a key differentiator, with Realme's 10,001mAh offering and the iQOO 15 Ultra's 7,400mAh battery showing that there's still demand for devices that can go multiple days between charges. This runs counter to the industry's general push toward thinner devices and suggests a potential bifurcation in the market between slim flagships and battery-focused workhorses.

The continued support for older devices, exemplified by Apple's iPhone 5s update, highlights the growing importance of software longevity as a selling point. Consumers are increasingly factoring in how long a device will receive updates when making purchasing decisions.

As we move through 2026, it's clear that manufacturers are finding new ways to differentiate their offerings beyond just raw performance specs. Whether through innovative features like Samsung's privacy screen, exceptional battery life, or competitive pricing strategies, the smartphone market continues to evolve in interesting directions.

The week ahead promises more launches and leaks, particularly with the iQOO 15 Ultra's February 4 debut and the anticipated Nothing Phone (4a) arrival. Stay tuned for more developments in the ever-evolving mobile technology landscape.