Samsung launches new ultra-premium foldable with special design
Samsung has now introduced the new foldable that it started teasing at the beginning of the month. To recap, the company released the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, Galaxy Z Flip7 and Galaxy Z Fold7 this summer. Available globally, the trio are expected to be joined by Samsung's first tri-folding smartphone before the end of the year.
In the meantime, the company has unveiled the Samsung W26 in China with minor visual tweaks from the Galaxy Z Fold7 (curr. $1,869 on Amazon). For context, the Samsung W25 arrived last year as a more luxurious alternative to the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition sold in South Korea. Additionally Samsung offered the W25 Flip, which had its roots in the Galaxy Z Flip6.
Fundamentally, the Samsung W26 and Galaxy Z Fold7 contain the same hardware, whether that be a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, a 4,400 mAh battery that supports 25 W charging, a 200 MP primary camera or 6.5-inch cover and 8-inch foldable displays. Likewise, the Samsung W26 matches the Galaxy Z Fold7 with a reported 8.9 mm thickness and 215 g weight.
Surprisingly, the company has elected against replacing the W25 Flip with a W26 Flip. Instead, it has only launched the Samsung W26, which can be configured with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB or 1 TB of storage for CNY 16,999 (~$2,383) and CNY 18,999 (~$2,664), respectively. By contrast, Samsung charges between CNY 2,000 (~$280) and CNY 2,500 (~$350) less for the Galaxy Z Fold7 in China.
For that price difference, Samsung includes an exclusive Kevlar case and a CNY 1,000 (~$140) telecom discount code, as well as more elaborate packaging. Moreover, both Samsung W26 colour options feature gold frames with a ribbed finishes, unlike their Galaxy Z Fold7 contemporaries. Likewise the Samsung W26 has a glass back, rather than the ceramic equivalent found in the Samsung W25. While Samsung is unlikely to be officially sold outside China, the Samsung W26 should eventually be available via importers.
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