Samsung still has foldables to release this year. A new leak shows the Galaxy W27, a luxury foldable set to launch next week. Unfortunately, like the rest of the W series, it’s unlikely to join the list of Android phones you can actually buy in the US.
The W27 continues Samsung’s yearly tradition of China-exclusive foldables. Samsung has partnered with China Telecom on its “Heart of the World” W series since 2008. Each year, the W model is essentially a rebranded version of Samsung’s top foldable, with a fancier design and usually some luxurious packaging. The one exception was the 2024 Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, which had a wider release.
Why the Galaxy W27 is based on the Ultra
According to Ice Universe, the W27’s specs match the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and the design lines up too. That’s a little surprising. The standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 has the new wider shape, and it’s been a hit for Samsung. Wide foldables are also catching on in China, where Xiaomi’s latest foldable uses nearly the same form factor, and Huawei has been making wide foldables longer than anyone.
So why go with the Ultra? It likely comes down to positioning. The W series has always been about luxury, so it makes sense for Samsung to base it on its most premium foldable. Past W models have cost noticeably more than their Galaxy Z counterparts, so don’t expect the W27 to be cheap either.
It’s also an important time for Samsung in China. Huawei, Honor, vivo, and Xiaomi dominate foldable sales there, and Samsung has struggled to grab much of the market. A gold-accented luxury model won’t change that overnight, but it gives Samsung something to stand out with.
Meanwhile, the foldable market is heating up. The iPhone Duo launches today, and Samsung has said Apple’s entry is putting an even bigger spotlight on foldables. Google is also in the mix with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.
Personally, I’d love to see Samsung offer the W27 design globally, even as a limited edition. That glossy blue-and-gold combo looks great, and plenty of buyers outside China would pay extra for it. Until then, importers will likely be your only option. If you’d rather stick with what’s available in the US, keep an eye on our deals page for Galaxy Z Fold 8 discounts.
The post Samsung’s Luxury Galaxy W27 Foldable Just Leaked Ahead of Next Week’s Launch appeared first on Android Headlines.
