BUDGET SMARTPHONE OF THE YEAR 2026/2027: SAMSUNG GALAXY A57

Elektronikkbransjen magazine, in collaboration with retail experts, has named the product of the year in 16 categories, and «Budget Smartphone of the Year 2026/2027» is the Samsung Galaxy A57.

This is the 23rd consecutive year that the trade magazine has organised the awards, which also include the selection of the Christmas gift of the year. Dedicated expert juries have assessed the products' features, whether they bring anything new to the market, and their expected popularity among the Norwegian public. The criteria also require that the products have gone on sale in Norway after 1 January 2026 and are available in shops in the run-up to Christmas.

The expert jury in this category consists of Thomas Korsnes (Power), Ida Hanto Haraldsen (Komplett/NetOnNet), Kreshnik Restelica (Elkjøp), Martin Winblad (Elon) and jury chair Stian Sønsteng (Elektronikkbransjen).

Samsung Galaxy A57

A budget phone in a slim, lightweight design, with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The model has a 50 MP main camera, a 5,000 mAh battery with fast charging, and AI features for search, transcription and image editing. An IP68 rating and six years of security updates contribute to a long service life. In its rationale, the expert jury says this is a solid and popular budget model, with strong processing power and display performance, and that the overall package is of high quality at a sensible price. NOK from 6,200

Finalists:

Honor Magic 8 Lite

The smartphone has a 6.79-inch OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and up to 6,000 nits of brightness. The main camera is 108 MP with optical image stabilisation. The 7,500 mAh battery provides up to three days of use and supports 66 W fast charging. The model has an IP68/IP69K rating, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and drop protection from heights of up to 2.5 metres, contributing to high durability in everyday use. The expert jury highlights the model as a strong candidate in the budget category for customers who value long battery life and fast charging. NOK 5,500

Motorola Edge 70 Fusion

A budget smartphone with an ultra-thin design, 120 Hz pOLED display and 68 W fast charging. The battery is designed for long battery life, and the phone has an IP69 rating for durability. The model offers AI features, a camera system suited to everyday photography and an Android experience in a lightweight format. It combines practical specifications and durability with features usually found in higher price ranges. The jury highlights that the phone offers excellent value for money, with a good battery, fast charging, a good display and a better camera than expected at this price, and also points to positive reviews in Norway. NOK 4,500