Samsung Launches Upgraded Galaxy Z Fold 7 with Satellite Connectivity in China

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Samsung has launched an upgraded version of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in China, dubbed the Samsung W26. The new model stands out with exclusive color options and a few meaningful enhancements. Most notably, it introduces a satellite communication feature not found in the standard version. It’s a practical addition that could be life-saving in emergency situations.

China gets a refined version of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7

The Samsung W26 is a China-exclusive foldable based on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The device retains the same 8.9mm slim profile and 215g lightweight design as the Fold, along with the familiar 6.5-inch cover display and 8-inch foldable screen. Both panels support a 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits for HDR content.

Under the hood, you get the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 200MP primary camera. However, Samsung has added some notable upgrades. The W26 ships with 16GB of RAM as standard, higher than the 12GB found in the global Fold 7. It comes in 512GB and 1TB storage variants with two classic color options: Black and Gold, and Red and Gold.

The standout addition, however, is the direct satellite connectivity feature for emergency calling and messaging. The Samsung W26 connects to Tiantong, China’s national mobile communication satellite system, enabling users to stay connected even without cellular coverage. This functionality is exclusive to the Chinese model and is not available on the global Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Additionally, buyers receive an upgraded in-box experience, including a Kevlar protective case, 25W charger, USB cable, and a China Telecom co-branded privilege card. Running Android 16 with One UI 8.0 out of the box, the device is eligible for seven years of major Android OS updates, matching Samsung’s latest long-term support promise.

The Samsung W26 is priced at CNY 16,999 (approx. $2,385) for the 512GB model and CNY 18,999 (approx. $2,665) for the 1TB version. The Fold 7 costs CNY 14,999 (approx. $2,105) for the 12GB+512GB variant in China. Samsung is unlikely to release this upgraded foldable in global markets.

Written by

Sumit Adhikari

Sumit, a life-long Samsung user, is passionate about technology and has been professionally writing on tech since 2017. He’s a mathematics graduate by education and enjoys teaching basic mathematics tricks to school kids in his spare time. Sumit believes in artificial intelligence and dreams of a fully open, intelligent and connected world.

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