Samsung has officially unveiled the W26 in China, introducing its latest W-series foldable phone that draws inspiration from the renowned Galaxy Z Fold lineup. This new device mirrors many of the specifications and the “book-style” design of the Galaxy Z Fold model released earlier this year. Key features include an impressive 200-megapixel primary camera, a sprawling 8-inch foldable display, and a practical 6.5-inch cover screen. Powering the W26 is a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, complemented by a robust 4,400mAh battery—identical to that found in the Galaxy Z Fold 7. However, what sets the Samsung W26 apart from its global counterpart is its expanded memory and the highly anticipated direct satellite connectivity.
Pricing and Availability of the Samsung W26
For those in China, the Samsung W26 is priced starting at CNY 16,999 (approximately Rs. 2,11,600) for the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage configuration. A larger 16GB RAM + 1TB storage variant is available for CNY 18,999 (roughly Rs. 2,36,500). Consumers can purchase this premium foldable directly from the Samsung China website. It comes in two striking color options: Dan Xihong (a sophisticated red and gold) and Xuan Yao Black (a classic black and gold).
Samsung W26: Specifications and Innovative Features
The Samsung W26 boasts a stunning 8-inch inner AMOLED foldable display, offering a QXGA+ resolution of 1,968×2,184 pixels. Its external 6.5-inch Full-HD+ cover display features a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and can reach an impressive peak brightness of 2,600 nits. Under the hood, it’s driven by the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy SoC, paired with 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of onboard storage. The device runs on Android 16 with Samsung’s One UI 8 overlay, integrating various Galaxy AI features such as Smart Collection, Smart Drag And Drop, and a Smart Password Manager. Note: Information about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 with an 8-inch inner display being launched in India was also mentioned in the original source, indicating parallel developments.
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Samsung W26’s advanced camera setup. It includes a high-resolution 200-megapixel primary outer camera, a versatile 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. For selfies and video calls, there’s a 10-megapixel camera cleverly integrated into the inner foldable panel, alongside another 10-megapixel selfie camera on the cover screen.
A significant distinction of the Samsung W26, compared to the standard Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, is its support for direct satellite connectivity. This feature utilizes China’s Tiantong mobile communications satellite system, enabling emergency calls and messaging even in areas without traditional mobile network coverage. Connectivity options also include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, and USB Type-C. The phone is built with Samsung’s durable Armor Aluminum frame and incorporates a convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Keeping the device powered throughout the day is a 4,400mAh battery, supporting 25W wired fast charging. When unfolded, the Samsung W26 measures 158.4×143.2×4.2mm in size and weighs 215g. Folded, its dimensions are 158.4×72.8×8.9mm, making it remarkably compact for a foldable device.