Samsung’s Flashiest Foldable Yet Is Here, But You’ll Have to Move to China to Get It

Samsung has launched a new high-end foldable in China called the W26, and it’s essentially a more luxurious version of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. While both phones share the same internal specs and design language, the W26 takes things up a notch with bold aesthetics, extra memory, and a few features tailored for the Chinese market.

A More Striking Take on the Fold 7

At first glance, the W26 looks like something straight out of a luxury brand catalog. Samsung’s kept the same size and shape as the Z Fold 7 but swapped out the finish for something far more eye-catching. You get two color options — black and red — both with gold accents around the frame and camera rings. The combination gives the phone a premium look that clearly targets those who want their devices to stand out.

Despite the flashier design, Samsung’s managed to keep the foldable light at just 215 grams, maintaining the same 8.9mm thickness when unfolded. The phone’s packaging is also a step above what you get with most flagships. Inside the box, Samsung includes a Kevlar case, charging cable, and even a power adapter — a small but appreciated touch in a world where chargers are often left out.

More Power and Exclusive Features

Under the hood, the Samsung W26 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the same flagship processor used in the Fold 7. But there’s one key upgrade — 16GB of RAM across both storage variants (512GB and 1TB). For comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 512GB version only gets 12GB of RAM.

The W26 also introduces something the global Fold 7 doesn’t have: satellite calling and messaging. While this feature is currently restricted to use within China, it adds a layer of utility for users who travel to areas with limited network coverage.

Samsung’s also included some China-exclusive software tweaks, such as Galaxy AI Smart Collection, a feature that helps users organize text, screenshots, and images by dragging them into one place for easy access.

Price and Availability

The W26 isn’t cheap, and that’s by design. The 512GB model is priced at CNY 16,999 (around ₹2,12,000), while the 1TB variant costs CNY 18,999 (roughly ₹2,36,000). That pricing firmly positions it as a luxury device rather than a mainstream foldable.

Like its predecessors, the W26 will remain exclusive to the Chinese market, sold through China Telecom as part of Samsung’s long-running W series. These phones are typically marketed as status symbols, appealing to professionals and executives who see smartphones as both tools and fashion statements.

There’s no word on an international launch, and given Samsung’s history with the W series, it’s unlikely we’ll see it outside China.