Samsung Galaxy W27 leaks as a gold Fold8 Extremely
With the iPhone Duo’s transport dates pushed again to January simply hours after preorders opened, whilst stories of cracked screens roll in, rivals have a uncommon probability to seize some consideration. Samsung is stepping in at present with a brand new foldable in China, wearing gold.
It’s known as the Galaxy W27, a luxurious China-only tackle the Galaxy Z Fold8 Extremely. Samsung confirmed the launch on Weibo, whereas two well-known leakers spoiled the look days forward of time. Shopping for one outdoors China means braving the import market. I’m tempted anyway.
Navy and gold: the Galaxy W27 up shut
The gold body has already caught my eye in Samsung’s teaser photos. There’s extra to choose aside on the registration web page, the place the URL reads “W2026” and a ballot asks guests about their curiosity within the W collection. Ice Universe posted a photograph of the handset, and Evan Blass gave us a number of extra views in his renders.
Deep navy on the again. Gold across the body. Three lenses in an extended gold digital camera capsule. The seal close to the underside carries Chinese language characters as an alternative of a well-known brand, and Samsung’s wordmark sits on the hinge. Ice Universe’s picture reveals a shiny end that Blass’s renders don’t fairly seize. I’m going with the picture.
16 GB of RAM and 1 TB, going by historical past
Inside, the W27 seems to repeat the Extremely. Ice Universe’s leak factors to a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip and a 200 MP primary digital camera, with 50 MP and 10 MP lenses beside it. That sensor alone makes the W27 greater than a fairly shell. The 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W charging is ok, and advantageous is a wierd phrase for a cellphone at this worth.
Reminiscence is the place the W collection tends to interrupt from its world sibling. Final yr’s W26 packed extra RAM than the Galaxy Z Fold7, and previous kind suggests the W27 arrives in a single 16 GB/1 TB configuration. The common Extremely stops at 12 GB.
Samsung hasn’t shared a worth. I’d brace for properly previous the $2,099.99 the 512GB Extremely already prices, and the iPhone Duo’s $1,999 beginning worth instantly seems wise subsequent to it. The W26 additionally shipped with a charger within the field, a perk I’d like to see return.
Samsung picked the Extremely, and I’d have gone broad
My Gadget Move teammates know I’m the one that retains mentioning foldables. And but, Samsung’s alternative for the W27 leaves me scratching my head.
The broader Galaxy Z Fold8 already exists, and the market appears to be transferring in that path. Apple’s iPhone Duo has introduced extra consideration to the class, whereas Xiaomi and Huawei have broad foldables on sale in China. Why go near-square with the Extremely when Samsung may have taken the broader route?
Analysts count on foldable show shipments to leap 44% this yr. You’d assume Samsung would need its showpiece driving that wave in its latest form. Nonetheless, the Extremely is Samsung’s prime foldable this yr, and a luxurious badge needs the highest spec sheet. Possibly that’s the purpose.
Background: a gold Fold yearly
Yearly, Samsung rebrands its prime foldable for China and wraps it in fancier packaging. The one exception got here in 2024, when the Galaxy Z Fold6 Particular Version reached extra markets and paved the best way for the Galaxy Z Fold7.
The W27 is Samsung’s fourth foldable in 2026, following the Galaxy Z Flip8 and each Fold8 fashions. Its official reveal ought to fill within the gaps. Inform me within the feedback whether or not you’d pay import costs for a gold Fold, as a result of I’m leaning towards sure.
Grigor Baklajyan is a copywriter masking know-how at Gadget Move. His contributions embrace product critiques, shopping for guides, how-to articles, and extra.