Samsung W26 arrives as a China-exclusive Galaxy Z Fold 7 with gold frame and black body, Snapdragon 8 Elite expected. Design refresh, launching Oct 11.
© A. Krivonosov
Next week, Samsung will unveil a new foldable smartphone, but it won’t be the much-anticipated tri-fold Galaxy. Instead, the company is preparing a special edition of its current flagship, the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The device will be exclusive to the Chinese market and won’t be sold elsewhere.
In China, Samsung releases its foldables under the W brand. Last year brought the W25, so the new model will most likely be called Samsung W26. Early indications suggest it’s essentially the same Galaxy Z Fold 7 with cosmetic tweaks—such as a gold frame and a black body—choices that tend to resonate with local buyers.
On the technical side, the device will probably remain almost identical to the Fold 7, including the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite processor; official specifications will be confirmed only during the presentation. Everything points to a design-first refresh rather than a leap in hardware.
Samsung is continuing the W series despite its modest smartphone share in China and strong competition from Huawei and Xiaomi—a signal it intends to keep a foothold in the country’s foldable market. The W26 will be officially announced on October 11.