Samsung is preparing to launch the W26 foldable smartphone, the successor to last year’s Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, which debuted exclusively in Korea and later in China under the name Samsung W25.
The upcoming W26 has now been officially certified for sale in China, indicating an earlier release may be on the horizon.
The original Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition stood out for being thinner and lighter than the mainstream Galaxy Z Fold6, while offering larger displays—both on the main foldable screen and the external cover display. Many praised it as the ideal version of the Fold6, although its limited availability was a disappointment for global users.
With the W26 now certified by Chinese authorities, speculation is growing that Samsung could unveil the device sooner than the W25, which launched in November last year. While no exact launch date has been confirmed, the early certification hints at a possible advanced release timeline.
According to details revealed in the certification, the Samsung W26 will support 25W wired charging, a standard offering for Samsung foldables.
As expected, the phone will not include a charger in the box. Interestingly, the W26 is also expected to feature satellite connectivity, a feature becoming more common in premium smartphones for enhanced communication in remote areas.
While other technical specifications remain under wraps, the W26 is already generating buzz, especially among fans of compact, high-performance foldables. Samsung has yet to confirm if this model will remain exclusive to the Chinese and Korean markets or if it will expand globally.
Meanwhile, Samsung is preparing for its major Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9, where the company will introduce the Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7, and Flip7 FE. With the W26 now certified, it could join the spotlight soon after.