Foldable smartphones have come a long way since the original Samsung Galaxy Fold was released in 2019. They’re smaller, more durable, and now more affordable, if not the most affordable smartphone out there. Five years ago you might not have considered a foldable smartphone as a daily phone, but now it’s a much more realistic option, and there are more options to choose from. If you’re thinking about switching to a foldable smartphone, or you’re ready to upgrade the one you already have, Engadget is here to help you make the decision. We’ve spent hundreds of hours and days testing and reviewing the best foldable smartphones on the market right now. Here’s everything you need to know before you buy one.
Note: This guide focuses on devices that are widely available in North America and Europe. Those living in Asia (especially China) have many more options, but they are often difficult to purchase from overseas and may not be supported by local carriers.
How to test a foldable smartphone
When evaluating foldable phones, we consider the same general criteria we use to judge the best smartphones: the device should have good battery life (at least a day of use), a bright display (at least 1,000 nits peak), a sharp camera, and responsive performance. That said, foldable phones come in all shapes (and sizes) and have a variety of designs that can appeal to different types of people.
For those who prefer a more compact and stylish device, foldables resemble their classic namesakes but feature a flexible internal display (usually 6-7 inch diagonal) and a smaller external screen, while power users and those looking to maximize their mobile productivity have larger book-style foldables (with a 7-8 inch main display) that unfold to transform from a candy bar-style phone into what’s essentially a small tablet.
Are Foldable Phones Worth It? A Note About Durability
Aside from the display, the biggest difference between foldable smartphones and traditional phones is durability: While some models, like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung’s Galaxy Z series, are IPX8 waterproof (able to withstand up to 5 feet of water for 30 minutes), foldable screens, which are mostly made of plastic, pose unique challenges.
Most foldable smartphones come with a screen protector installed at the factory. However, unlike regular smartphones, you are instructed not to remove it without the assistance of an authorized service center. Thankfully, Samsung will replace the screen protector on its foldable smartphones once for free, while Google will charge you $29 to $129 depending on the warranty status of your device. That said, while I can’t do long-term testing of every foldable smartphone on the market, after personally using the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 for a year each, I found that Samsung’s pre-installed screen protector tends to start bubbling 9 to 12 months after purchase. So, unless you plan to remove the screen protector completely (which is possible, but against most manufacturers’ instructions), you should take into account that your foldable smartphone may need some kind of service after about a year.
Additionally, foldable smartphone owners should be careful to keep sharp objects away from the flexible display. Pressing too hard with a rock, key, or fingernail can leave a permanent mark. If a flexible screen needs to be repaired, it can be much more expensive to repair (up to $500 or more depending on the model and the extent of the damage) compared to a typical smartphone. In other words, although foldable smartphones have become much more durable, they are still more delicate than traditional phones and this needs to be taken into consideration.
Read our full Pixel 9 Pro Fold review
Full screen size: 8 inches | Folded screen size: 6.3 inches | Storage capacity: up to 512 GB | Weight: 9.1 ounces | Maximum battery life: up to 27 hours
Google’s small but powerful improvements to its second-generation foldable phone really put it ahead of the pack. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold transforms the original, somewhat unfinished Pixel Fold into a robust device worthy of primetime. Google revamped the design, giving it an aspect ratio that mimics the standard Pixel 9 phone. The exterior display is a familiar 6.3-inch, 20:9 screen that’s easy to use and hold. The interior display also has a more square aspect ratio, giving it a bit more screen real estate than before. The phone feels more premium overall, and with a matte back and satin metal frame, it looks more polished.
In addition to solid performance (and battery life) and an upgraded design to match, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has the best camera of any foldable we’ve tried so far, despite the lack of hardware upgrades from the original. Plus, Google’s AI image editing tools like Magic Editor give you more control over your photos, and Pixel-exclusive software like Made You Look makes Google’s foldables even more appealing. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
Pros: Sleek design, better camera than the competition, thinner and lighter than its predecessor, runs cooler than before, Cons: Still pricey, some software glitches, $1,799 at Google
Photo: Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review
Full screen size: 7.6 inches | Folded screen size: 6.3 inches | Storage capacity: up to 1TB | Weight: 239g | Maximum battery life: up to 23 hours
While we would have liked to see a more dramatic design change, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 is one of the most feature-packed and well-rounded of the big premium foldable phones. The new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip delivers strong performance and improved energy efficiency, and the reinforced Armor aluminum chassis is noticeably lighter than before (and a bit more durable). There’s also a new ultra-wide camera sensor and a ton of AI-powered features sprinkled throughout the phone. Plus, the Z Fold 6 is one of the few foldable phones with native stylus support, though you’ll have to pay extra to get one of Samsung’s S Pens. Perhaps the biggest downside is that Samsung’s latest flagship is $100 more expensive than its predecessor. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter
Pros Super bright, colorful display Even lighter housing Good battery life Native stylus pen support Cons Even more expensive than before Same main camera as the previous two Z Folds Doesn’t come with an S Pen Would be better with faster charging $1,900 from Samsung
Photo: Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Read our full OnePlus Open review
Full screen size: 7.8 inches | Folded screen size: 6.3 inches | Storage capacity: up to 512GB | Weight: 239g | Maximum battery life: up to 25.5 hours
For those who want a big foldable phone that’s not too expensive, the OnePlus Open is a very interesting option. Starting at $1,700, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip offers similar performance to the Z Fold 5, but the Open’s display is slightly larger and brighter. It’s also thinner and lighter, has a bigger battery, and its Open Canvas software offers an innovative tile-based UI for multitasking. Sure, the triple rear camera module is bulky, but the image quality is on par with or slightly better than the Z Fold 5 (though it’s not as good as the Pixel Fold). But the best part is that OnePlus’ trade-in deal lets you trade in your old phone for $200 off, bringing the final price of the Open down to $1,500. That’s still not cheap, but it does bring the Open closer to being reasonably affordable. — SR
Pros: Affordable price than competitors. Great performance. Thin and light design. Great battery life. $1,699 from OnePlus.
Photo: Matt Smith/Engadget
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review
Full screen size: 6.7 inches | Folded screen size: 3.4 inches | Storage capacity: up to 1TB | Weight: 187g | Maximum battery life: up to 23 hours
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 boasts an upgraded camera and a bigger battery than its predecessor. These two specs alone make the latest Galaxy flip phone a more attractive choice than rival flagship phones. The jump from a 12MP to a 50MP camera means you can take more detailed images and essentially crop them for digital zoom. The front screen has plenty of space to frame a selfie, and the new auto-zoom feature lets you frame unsupervised group photos too. Photo-taking is now much easier to use, powered by Samsung’s improved AI photo editing tools.
The Z Flip 6 is equipped with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, making it just as powerful as the S24 Ultra and Z Fold 6. Flip open the main screen and you’ll find a brighter screen than ever (up to 2,600 nits). Samsung says this is its brightest foldable display yet, making it easy to use and read outdoors.
The design hasn’t changed much, with a focus on new AI software and tricks that limits the usefulness of the cover screen, but it remains pocketable and the most mainstream foldable out there. — Matt Smith, Editor and UK Bureau Chief, Newsletter
Pros Improved camera performanceExtended battery lifeFun AI-generated tricksCons More expensive than the previous modelDesign is nearly the same as last yearLimited utility of front screenSlow charging$46 at Samsung Electronics
Photo: Cherlynn Low/Engadget
Read our full Motorola Razr+ review
Full screen size: 6.9 inches | Folded screen size: 3.6 inches | Storage capacity: up to 256 GB | Weight: 189 g | Maximum battery life: up to 23 hours
The Razr+ (Razr 40 Ultra outside of North America) may not be as sleek as the Galaxy Z Flip 5, but what it lacks in tech it makes up for in personality. It comes in three colors, with the magenta model featuring a soft vegan leather back. Plus, the external display has a neat cutout that encases the camera, which actually makes it a bit easier to use compared to Samsung’s flip-style foldables. You don’t have to fiddle around with extra settings to see all your favorite Android apps. And for those nostalgic for the original Razr from the early 2000s, Moto even included an Easter egg with a retro UI. Unfortunately, it’s much less water-resistant, only surviving spills and small splashes. — SR
Pros: Convenient, spacious external display; Folds in half to be very compact; Can use its own tripod for photos and videos. Cons: Camera doesn’t match flagships; Long-term durability and security remain concerns. $600 on Amazon
Photo: Matt Smith/Engadget
Read our full Motorola Razr review
Full screen size: 6.9 inches | Folding screen size: 1.5 inches | Storage capacity: up to 256 GB | Weight: 189 g | Maximum battery life: up to 23 hours
The non-Plus Moto Razr (also known as the Razr 40 overseas) is the company’s first attempt at making a more affordable flip-style foldable smartphone. Starting at £800 (price in the US is yet to be determined), it’s one of the cheapest options on sale right now. However, it has a much smaller 1.5-inch external display, a slower Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset, and a somewhat disappointing camera. On the plus side, it has the same display as its more expensive sibling. The only difference is that it’s limited to 144Hz instead of 165Hz due to a less powerful processor. And like the magenta Razr+, all of the base Razr colours (sage green, vanilla cream and summer lilac) come with a soft vegan leather back. — SR
Pros: Cheap flip phone, decent battery life, nice soft finishes Cons: Unremarkable external screen, disappointing camera, £800 for Motorola
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