Last updated: October 22, 2026
The Galaxy A38 5G is Samsung’s next Galaxy A3x phone, expected to succeed the Galaxy A37 5G in 2027. Samsung hasn’t announced it, and the leaks so far are thin: regulatory listings show the phone exists, and one report says it will take a step back on the display. This page collects everything known in one place and will be updated as new leaks appear.
Galaxy A38 5G at a glance
| Category | Current rumor |
| Model numbers | SM-A386B/DS (global dual-SIM), SM-A386U (US) |
| Battery cells | EB-BA386EAE, EB-BA386EAY |
| Display | 6.7-inch OLED, 1080 × 2340, up to 120Hz |
| Display brightness | Around 800 nits, reportedly |
| Always-On Display | Reportedly absent |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro (rumored) |
| Front camera | 12MP (rumored) |
| Processor, RAM, storage | Not confirmed |
| Battery capacity, charging | Not confirmed |
| Software | Android 17 with One UI expected |
| Water resistance, fingerprint sensor | Not confirmed |
| Colors, price | Not confirmed |
| Launch | March–April 2027 (rumored) |
Certifications and model numbers
The Galaxy A38 5G first appeared in the GSMA IMEI database, where tipster Ovrplus spotted it under two model numbers: SM-A386B/DS for the global dual-SIM version and SM-A386U for the US version. Two battery cells, EB-BA386EAE and EB-BA386EAY, have since turned up in India’s BIS certification database. The BIS entries don’t name the phone, but the model numbers point to it, and the phone itself hasn’t appeared in the database. Neither listing reveals battery capacity or charging speed.
Display
The Galaxy A38 5G’s display is the one area with a concrete rumor, and it isn’t a welcome one. ZDNet Korea reported that Samsung will reuse the Galaxy A27’s OLED panel instead of the brighter one in the Galaxy A37, with rising memory prices cited as the reason for the cost-cutting.
| Spec | Galaxy A37 panel | Galaxy A27 panel (rumored for A38) |
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Resolution | 1080 × 2340 | 1080 × 2340 |
| Refresh rate | Up to 120Hz | Up to 120Hz |
| Outdoor brightness | Up to 1,900 nits | Around 800 nits |
| Always-On Display | Supported | Reportedly not supported |
If the report holds, size, resolution and refresh rate would stay the same, while brightness and Always-On Display would be the casualties.
Cameras
The A38 is rumored to keep the same camera resolutions as the Galaxy A37: a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide, a 5MP macro and a 12MP selfie camera. No camera upgrade has been reported, and sensor sizes and other hardware details haven’t been confirmed.
Processor, battery and charging
These are the biggest unknowns. There’s no reliable leak for the processor, RAM or storage, and the BIS listing confirms two battery cells without giving a capacity. For reference, the Galaxy A37 has a 5,000mAh battery, 45W wired charging and an Exynos 1480 chip, but none of that should be assumed for the A38.
Software
The phone is expected to run Android 17 with One UI. Samsung’s exact One UI version for launch hasn’t leaked.
Price
There’s no price yet. A price increase has been suggested amid rising component costs, but nothing is confirmed.
Release date
Samsung’s recent Galaxy A-series timing points to a March to April 2027 launch, potentially alongside the Galaxy A58, which has already received its first One UI 9 firmware build. Samsung hasn’t announced a launch date. The processor, battery capacity, charging speed, colors and pricing are all still open questions.
Latest Galaxy A38 news
M Adnan Akram is the founder and lead writer at Phoonomo, covering mobile technology with a primary focus on Apple and the broader smartphone industry, alongside emerging developments in AI. He follows product launches, spec leaks, and industry trends closely to keep readers informed with timely updates.
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