Quick Overview<\/p>\n
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5<\/h3>\nThe best flagship foldable phone<\/h4>\n
$1,400 at Amazon<\/u><\/a> $1,799 at Google<\/u><\/a> $1,699 at OnePlus<\/u><\/a> $900 at Amazon<\/u><\/a> $700 at Amazon<\/u><\/a> \u00a3800 at Motorola<\/u><\/a>See 1 more<\/a><\/p>\n When evaluating foldables, we consider the same general criteria as we do when we\u2019re judging the best smartphones<\/a>. Devices need to have good battery life (at least a full day\u2019s use), bright displays (peaks of at least 1,000 nits), sharp cameras and responsive performance. That said, foldable phones come in different shapes (and sizes); there are varying designs that may appeal to different types of people.<\/p>\n For those who prefer more compact and stylish devices, flip-style foldables resemble old-school namesakes but with flexible interior displays (typically six to seven inches diagonally) and smaller exterior screens. Alternatively, for power users and people who want to maximize mobile productivity, there are larger book-style foldables (with seven to eight-inch main displays) that can transform from a candy bar-style phone to essentially a small tablet when opened.<\/p>\n Aside from their displays, the biggest difference between foldable phones and more traditional handsets is durability. That\u2019s because while some models like the Pixel Fold and Samsung\u2019s Galaxy Z line offer IPX8 water resistance (which is good for submersions of up to five feet for 30 minutes), their flexible screens \u2013 which are largely made from plastic \u2013 present some unique challenges.<\/p>\n Most foldables come with factory-installed screen protectors. However, unlike regular phones, users are instructed not to remove them without assistance from approved service centers. Thankfully, Samsung does offer one free screen protector replacement for its foldables, while Google charges between $29 and $129 depending on the warranty status of your device. That said, while we can\u2019t do long-term testing for every foldable phone on the market, after personally using the Galaxy Z Fold 3<\/a> and Galaxy Z Fold 4<\/a> each for a year, I\u2019ve found that Samsung\u2019s pre-installed screen protector tends to start bubbling nine to 12 months after purchase. So you\u2019ll probably want to factor in that your foldable may need some sort of servicing after about a year unless you plan on removing the screen protector entirely (which is possible, but goes against most manufacturers' instructions).<\/p>\n Furthermore, foldable phone owners need to be mindful about keeping sharp objects away from their flexible displays, as rocks, keys or even pressing down very hard with a fingernail can leave permanent marks. In the event that you need to get a flexible screen serviced, you\u2019re potentially facing a much higher repair bill when compared to a typical phone (up to $500 or more depending on the model and the severity of the damage). In short, while the ruggedness of foldable phones has improved a lot, they're still more delicate than traditional handsets, which is something you need to account for.<\/p>\n Despite a growing number of challengers, Samsung\u2019s Galaxy Z Fold line<\/a> remains the best flagship foldable on sale today and one of the best Android phones<\/a>, period. On the Z Fold 5<\/a>, Samsung introduced its new Flex Hinge, which has slimmed down the phone\u2019s dimensions while allowing it to close completely flat. It boasts blazing performance thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, excellent battery life and the flexible main screen’s brightness is the best you can get with a peak of 1,750 nits. And, thanks to new multitasking gestures and updated taskbar, its capacity for mobile productivity is simply unmatched. If that\u2019s not enough, unlike most of its competitors, the Z Fold 5 offers native stylus support, though you have to shell out extra for one of Samsung\u2019s S-Pens (and a case if you want somewhere to stash it). The biggest downside is that with a starting price of $1,800, the Z Fold 5 is still extremely expensive. \u2014 Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter<\/em><\/p>\n Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n $1,400 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n While the Z Fold 5 may be our favorite big foldable overall, the Pixel Fold<\/a> isn\u2019t far behind. Its wider design means its 5.8-inch exterior display feels a lot more usable than the Z Fold 5\u2019s skinnier 6.2-inch Cover Screen. Additionally, that extra width results in a flexible main screen with a landscape orientation, so it\u2019s super easy to open the Pixel Fold<\/a> and launch straight into watching a TV show or movie; no need to rotate the device. And, despite being Google\u2019s first foldable device, the Pixel Fold (12.1mm) is thinner than Samsung\u2019s alternative (13.4mm) while boasting better camera quality and a longer 5x optical zoom. The phone also has IPX8 water resistance and Google\u2019s excellent Pixel-only software including features like the Hold for me, Call Screener, the Pixel Recorder app and more. \u2014 S.R.<\/em><\/p>\n Read our full review of the Google Pixel Fold<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n $1,799 at Google<\/a><\/p>\n For those who want a big foldable that isn\u2019t quite as expensive, the OnePlus Open<\/a> is a very interesting option. Starting at $1,700, its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip offers similar performance to the Z Fold 5, but the Open features displays that are slightly larger and brighter. It\u2019s also thinner and lighter while packing a larger battery and its Open Canvas software delivers an innovative tile-based UI for multitasking. Sure, its triple rear camera module is bulky, but image quality is as good if not slightly better than the Z Fold 5 (though, still short of the Pixel Fold). But the best part is that, thanks to OnePlus\u2019 trade-in deal, you can exchange any old phone you have lying around for $200 off, which brings the Open\u2019s final price down to $1,500. That still isn\u2019t cheap, but it pushes the Open closer to being somewhat affordable. \u2014 S.R.<\/em><\/p>\n Read our full review of the OnePlus Open<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n $1,699 at OnePlus<\/a><\/p>\n Packing a faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, better cameras and longer battery life than the previous Flip 4, the Galaxy Z Flip 5<\/a> is our favorite compact foldable. This year, Samsung even added its new Flex Hinge, which makes the phone<\/a> thinner while also eliminating the gap between its screen when closed. Also, thanks to its larger 3.4-inch exterior display, the latest model can do much more without needing to open it up including displaying rich notifications, widgets and buttons. You can even run full Android apps, though you\u2019ll have to mess around with Samsung\u2019s Good Lock software first. Its display is also brighter and more colorful than what you get from rivals, and starting at $1,000, it\u2019s not that much more expensive than a more conventional high-end phone. \u2014 S.R.<\/em><\/p>\n Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n $900 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n While the Razr+<\/a> (or the Razr 40 Ultra for those outside North America) may not be quite as sophisticated as the Galaxy Z Flip 5, what it lacks in tech it makes up for with its personality<\/a>. It\u2019s available in three colors, with the magenta model featuring a soft vegan leather back. In addition, its exterior display features a neat cutout that wraps around its cameras and compared to Samsung\u2019s flip-style foldable, it\u2019s actually a touch easier to use. There\u2019s no need to fool around with extra settings just to view all your favorite Android apps. And for those who are nostalgic for the original Razr from the early 2000s, Moto even included an easter egg that features a retro UI<\/a>. Unfortunately, its water resistance is much less substantial, as it\u2019s only rated to withstand spills or small splashes. \u2014 S.R.<\/em><\/p>\n Read our full review of the Motorola Razr+<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n $700 at Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n The non-plus Moto Razr<\/a> (aka the Razr 40 internationally) is the company\u2019s first attempt to make a more affordable flip-style foldable. Starting at \u00a3800 (U.S. pricing still TBA), it\u2019s one of the least expensive options<\/a> on sale today. However, it features a much smaller 1.5-inch exterior display along with a slower Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset and somewhat underwhelming cameras. On the bright side, it features the same display you get on its more expensive sibling. The one difference is that it\u2019s limited to 144Hz instead of 165Hz due to its less powerful processor. And, similar to the magenta Razr+, all the colors of the basic Razr (Sage Green, Vanilla Cream, Summer Lilac) come with a soft vegan leather back. \u2014 S.R.<\/em><\/p>\n Read our full review of the Motorola Razr<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \u00a3800 at Motorola<\/a><\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, there\u2019s an abundance of exotic \u2013 and often more advanced \u2013 foldables well beyond the Samsungs and Motorolas of the world. However, you either need to have access to phone importers or actually live in Asia, and don\u2019t mind sideloading missing Google apps on your own.<\/p>\n The best overall book-style foldable is none other than the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3<\/a>, which specs include Qualcomm\u2019s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, four Leica-enhanced rear cameras (including a 5x zoom periscope) and a 4,800mAh battery within its surprisingly slim body \u2013 10.86mm when folded, and 5.26mm when unfolded. Xiaomi even goes as far as boasting a 500,000-fold durability \u2013 more than doubling that of the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Despite its absence in the western markets, the Mix Fold 3\u2019s newly-added 50W wireless charging option would be much welcomed over there. The phone comes with a protective case for both halves of the body, with the rear shell offering a kickstand for easier video playback and video calls. One Hong Kong-based specialist<\/a> can send a Mix Fold 3 to the US from around $1,500 with shipping included, which is still much cheaper than Samsung\u2019s equivalent. \u2014 Richard Lai, Senior Reporter<\/em><\/p>\n Another worthy contender is the Honor Magic V2<\/a>, which currently holds the title for the slimmest foldable phone available. We\u2019re talking about just 9.9mm thick when folded, and a mere 4.7mm thick when opened, but it\u2019s still a full-blown flagship device. Weighing at just 231g (8.15oz), this is the lightest book-style foldable phone as well. Funnily enough, the Magic V2 also packs the largest battery capacity in this category, offering 5,000mAh of juice thanks to Honor\u2019s silicon-carbon battery \u2013 a breakthrough tech in the mobile industry. The obvious trade-off here is the missing wireless charging feature, but you do get a durability rating of 400,000 folds. Sadly, due to limited availability, the Magic V2 costs slightly more \u2013 around $1,670, shipping included, from the same Hong Kong shop<\/a>. \u2014 R.L.<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019d prefer a smaller flip-style foldable from overseas, the Oppo Find N3 Flip<\/a> is the only triple-camera option at the time of writing this guide. While others only offer a main camera and an ultra-wide camera, the Find N3 Flip benefits from an additional 32-megapixel 2x portrait shooter next to its 3.26-inch external screen (and you still get a 32-megapixel selfie camera on the inside). As a bonus, this clamshell has a physical mute switch, a whopping 600,000-fold durability and a generous 4,300mAh battery. That said, wireless charging is again a no-show here. You can pick up a Find N3 Flip in either black, gold or pink, and importing from Hong Kong<\/a> should cost around $1,090 with shipping included. There\u2019s no price advantage in this case, so it\u2019s more about how much you want Oppo\u2019s designs, features and accessories than anything else. \u2014 R.L.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Folding phones have come a long way since the original Galaxy Fold went on sale back in 2019. They\u2019re smaller, they\u2019re tougher and while they still aren\u2019t a great option for people on a budget, they\u2019re now more affordable too. (Well, kind of.) And with more device makers getting into the space \u2014 and others […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":3181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55,52,49,56,48,51,239,53,47],"tags":[66,63,60,67,59,62,241,64,58],"yoast_head":"\n<\/p>\n
Google Pixel Fold<\/h3>\n
Runner up<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
OnePlus Open<\/h3>\n
A more affordable flagship foldable phone<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5<\/h3>\n
The best flip-style foldable phone<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Motorola Razr+<\/h3>\n
Runner up<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
Moto Razr<\/h3>\n
A more affordable folding phone option<\/h4>\n
How we test<\/h2>\n
Are foldable phones worth it? A note on durability<\/h2>\n
The best flagship foldable phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Photo by Sam Rutherford \/ Engadget<\/p>\n
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5<\/a><\/h3>\n
The best flagship foldable phone<\/a><\/h4>\n
Runner up: Google Pixel Fold<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Photo by Sam Rutherford \/ Engadget<\/p>\n
Google Pixel Fold<\/a><\/h3>\n
Runner up<\/a><\/h4>\n
A more affordable flagship foldable phone: OnePlus Open<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Photo by Sam Rutherford \/ Engadget<\/p>\n
OnePlus Open<\/a><\/h3>\n
A more affordable flagship foldable phone<\/a><\/h4>\n
The best flip-style foldable phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Photo by Cherlynn Low \/ Engadget<\/p>\n
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5<\/a><\/h3>\n
The best flip-style foldable phone<\/a><\/h4>\n
Runner up: Motorola Razr+<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Photo by Cherlynn Low \/ Engadget<\/p>\n
Motorola Razr+<\/a><\/h3>\n
Runner up<\/a><\/h4>\n
A more affordable folding phone option: Motorola Razr<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Photo by Mat Smith \/ Engadget<\/p>\n
Moto Razr<\/a><\/h3>\n
A more affordable folding phone option<\/a><\/h4>\n
Best alternative foldable phone options<\/h2>\n
Xiaomi Mix Fold 3<\/h3>\n
Honor Magic V2<\/h3>\n
Oppo Find N3 Flip<\/h3>\n