Samsung W26: an exclusive luxury foldable for China

Samsung has officially unveiled the W26, an exclusive foldable for the Chinese market and the most luxurious take on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 line. The model leans into refinement with gold accents tracing the frame, an armored aluminum build, and a reworked hinge that signals extra attention to detail.

In hand, the numbers tell their own story: 4.2 mm when open and 8.9 mm folded, all at 215 grams. The signature W-series styling stands out — gold rings around the triple camera, a visually emphasized hinge, and a choice of Danxi Red or Xuan Yao Black. The result looks less like a gadget and more like a carefully crafted object.

Under the hood, the W26 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite paired with One UI 8 (Android 16), and comes with 16 GB of RAM plus either 512 GB or 1 TB of storage. The display pairing features a 6.5-inch external panel and an 8-inch internal AMOLED screen, both at 120 Hz, protected by Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2. On paper, it’s a flagship package through and through, with the high refresh rate setup hinting at silky navigation and scrolling.

The cameras mirror the Z Fold 7: a 50 MP main sensor with OIS, a 12 MP ultra-wide, and a 10 MP telephoto with 3x zoom, joined by 10 MP and 4 MP front sensors (the latter under the display). Power comes from a 4400 mAh battery with 25 W charging. The capacity looks deliberately conservative to preserve that slim profile, favoring elegance over brute endurance.

Pricing lands at 16,999 yuan ($2,390) for the 16 GB + 512 GB version and 18,999 yuan ($2,670) for the 1 TB model. The smartphone will be available only in China, a decision that underlines its role as a prestige piece rather than a mass-market foldable.