3 Minutes
Samsung's latest China-only handset takes the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and dresses it in high-end finishes. Meet the W26: a premium take on a familiar foldable formula, complete with gold accents, a refined hinge and flagship specs — but a price to match.
Gold trim and a slimmer hinge: design that screams premium
The W26 keeps the W series tradition of showy luxury. An armored aluminum frame wraps the device, while gold rings outline the triple-camera island and a gold-toned hinge runs the phone's spine. The W26 is offered in Danxi Red and Xuan Yao Black, both with the signature metallic highlights that set it apart from the standard Fold 7.
Despite the decorative touches, Samsung focused on making the foldable feel thin and light. Unfolded the W26 measures just 4.2mm and folds down to 8.9mm, matching the Galaxy Z Fold 7's listed 215 grams. The slimmer hinge design helps the device keep a refined profile without sacrificing durability.
Under the hood: the familiar power of Fold 7
Internally the W26 mirrors the Z Fold 7. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite platform and ships with One UI 8 based on Android 16. Storage and memory are aimed at premium users: a single 16GB RAM configuration with either 512GB or 1TB of onboard storage.
- Outer display: 6.5-inch AMOLED, 120Hz LTPO
- Inner display: 8.0-inch AMOLED, 120Hz LTPO
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the outer screen
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Memory: 16GB RAM; 512GB or 1TB storage
- Battery: 4400mAh with 25W wired charging
Both displays support adaptive 120Hz refresh for smooth scrolling and efficient power use. The outer screen also benefits from Ceramic 2 glass, giving it extra resistance against scratches and daily wear.
Cameras and day-to-day performance
Samsung left the camera hardware largely unchanged. The W26 uses the same trio found on the Fold 7: a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. Selfie duties fall to a 10MP front camera on the cover display and a 4MP under-display camera inside.
In practice that means consistent Fold 7 image quality in a flashier chassis. The software and imaging tuning remain the main differentiators rather than new sensors or radically different optics.
Price and where you can buy it
As expected for Samsung's premium W line, the W26 carries a steep price tag and limited availability. The base 16GB + 512GB model starts at CNY 16,999, roughly $2,390, while the 1TB version is CNY 18,999, about $2,670. Samsung has historically sold W-series devices only in China, and the W26 appears to follow that pattern.
So who should consider the W26? If you want a Z Fold 7 experience wrapped in an opulent package and you live in China, the W26 is a clear contender. For everyone else, the standard Galaxy Z Fold 7 likely offers the same core performance for less money.
Source: gizmochina
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