Just when we thought Samsung had reached its peak with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the company quietly went and one-upped itself — but not for everyone.
Meet the Samsung W26, a phone that takes everything we already loved about the Fold 7 and dresses it up in pure luxury. It’s the kind of device that doesn’t just want to be powerful — it wants to be admired.
A Foldable That Looks Like Jewellery
At first glance, the W26 doesn’t even look like a phone. It looks like something you’d find in a high-end boutique — black and red tones framed in gold, shimmering just enough to say, “this isn’t for everyone.”
While the global version of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 already feels premium, this one feels personal. It’s bold. It’s confident. It’s Samsung showing off what happens when a foldable phone meets fine craftsmanship.
Despite the added detail and polish, the W26 still weighs only 215 grams — keeping its crown as the thinnest and lightest foldable in the world.
That mix of elegance and engineering perfection is what makes the W26 special. It’s not trying to be flashy; it’s trying to be flawless.
More Than Just a Pretty Face
Sure, it looks good — but the W26 doesn’t stop there. Samsung gave it a few upgrades that even global Fold 7 owners will envy.
The most impressive? Satellite calling.
While most Fold 7 models can’t connect off the grid, the W26 can. It supports satellite-based texts, images, and data — a massive leap for connectivity and one that makes sense for Samsung’s future plans in China, where satellite networks are expanding fast.
Then there’s performance. The W26 ships with a massive 16GB of RAM in both its 512GB and 1TB versions, giving it extra horsepower over the standard Fold 7, which caps out at 12GB. That means smoother multitasking, faster app switching, and better AI integration.
Smarter, in Every Sense
Samsung didn’t just add power — it added brains. The W26 comes with exclusive Galaxy AI tools, including a new feature called Smart Collection, which lets users drag text and images into a private workspace for easier organisation.
It’s one of those features that sounds small but ends up being incredibly useful — especially if you’re someone who’s constantly saving ideas, screenshots, and snippets on the go.
This is Samsung leaning into the next big era of smartphones — AI as your personal assistant, not just your camera filter.
The Packaging Feels Like a Ceremony
Unboxing the W26 is nothing like your average smartphone experience.
Samsung brings back the joy of presentation — a luxury black box, a Kevlar case, a charging cable, and yes, an actual charger inside. It feels intentional, almost ceremonial, like you’re opening something that was meant to be gifted, not just used.
That attention to detail gives the W26 a personality that modern phones often lack. It’s less “tech product” and more “collector’s piece.”
The Catch: You Can’t Buy It
There’s one downside — and it’s a big one. The W26 is a China-exclusive release, part of Samsung’s long-running partnership with China Telecom.
It starts at CNY 16,999 (around $2,383) for the 512GB model and CNY 18,999 (around $2,663) for the 1TB version.
Outside China, you won’t be able to buy it — at least not officially. And that’s what makes it even more intriguing. Samsung’s W series has always been about exclusivity, tailored to the Chinese market where luxury tech isn’t just admired — it’s celebrated.
Why It Matters
The W26 isn’t about specs or market share. It’s about a statement.
In a world where every brand is racing to make foldables thinner and faster, Samsung just reminded everyone that design and craftsmanship still matter.
It’s a phone that bridges two worlds — the practicality of modern foldables and the timelessness of luxury design.
And while the rest of us might never get to own one, the W26 quietly raises the bar for what “premium” can mean in smartphones.
Because sometimes, innovation isn’t about what’s new. It’s about what feels special.
Also read: Google’s New Foldable and Smartwatch Put AI at the Centre, Not Hardware
