Foldable telephones have gone from futuristic novelties to genuinely helpful units that mix portability with big-screen versatility. Whether or not you are into multitasking, cellular gaming or simply love having a telephone that turns heads, the perfect foldable telephones you should purchase supply highly effective efficiency, sturdy designs and spectacular shows that unfold to disclose extra room for apps, movies and productiveness.
From book-style designs to flip-style clamshells, the perfect foldable telephone for you relies on how you want to make use of your system. Some fashions concentrate on flagship-level energy and multitasking options, whereas others intention to maintain issues compact and classy. Both means, these folding handsets are pushing the boundaries of what smartphones can do.
Be aware: For this information, we’re specializing in units which might be extensively obtainable in North America and Europe. That’s as a result of whereas there are much more choices for individuals who dwell in Asia (particularly China), they’re usually tough to purchase from overseas and should not help your native carriers.
Desk of contents
Greatest foldable telephones for 2025
Learn our full Pixel 9 Professional Fold evaluation
Full display measurement: 8 inches | Folded display measurement: 6.3 inches | Storage capability: As much as 512GB | Weight: 9.1 oz | Max battery life: As much as 27 hours
The small however mighty enhancements Google dropped at its new second-gen foldable have pushed it to the entrance of the pack. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold turns the considerably unfinished authentic Pixel Fold right into a stable handset prepared for prime time. Google refined its design to have a facet ratio that mimics the usual Pixel 9 smartphones, with a well-known 6.3-inch, 20:9 outer show, that’s each simpler to make use of and maintain. The internal show has a extra sq. facet ratio as properly with a bit extra display actual property than earlier than. The handset total has a extra premium really feel and positively a extra polished look due to its matte again and satin steel body.
Together with stable efficiency (and battery life) and an upgraded design to match, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold nonetheless has the perfect cameras out of any foldable handset we’ve tried, regardless of not having any {hardware} upgrades from the unique model. Plus, Google’s AI picture modifying instruments like Magic Editor provide you with extra management over your pictures, and Pixel-only software program help like Made You Look make Google’s handset a extra compelling foldable. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
- Slick design
- Higher cameras than the competitors
- Thinner and lighter than earlier mannequin
- Runs cooler than earlier than
- Nonetheless costly
- Some software program quirks
Picture by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 evaluation
Full display measurement: 7.6 inches | Folded display measurement: 6.3 inches | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | Weight: 239g | Max battery life: As much as 23 hours
Whereas we’d have preferred to see some extra drastic design modifications, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 stays some of the versatile and well-rounded examples of an enormous, premium foldable telephone. The Galaxy Z Fold 6’s cowl show is bigger and extra usable than its opponents, and its new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip delivers sturdy efficiency and improved power effectivity whereas its Enhanced Armor Aluminum chassis is noticeably lighter than earlier than (and a bit extra sturdy too). There’s additionally a brand new ultra-wide angle digital camera sensor and a boatload of AI-powered options scattered all through the telephone. Plus, the Z Fold 6 stays one of many few foldables with native stylus help, although you’ll have to pay further for one in every of Samsung’s S Pens. Maybe the largest draw back is that Samsung’s newest flagship now prices $100 greater than its predecessor. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter
- Tremendous vibrant and colourful show
- Even lighter chassis
- Nice battery life
- Native stylus help
- Much more costly than earlier than
- Identical major digital camera because the earlier two Z Folds
- S Pen not included
- Charging speeds may very well be quicker
Picture by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Learn our full OnePlus Open evaluation
Full display measurement: 7.8 inches | Folded display measurement: 6.3 inches | Storage capability: As much as 512GB | Weight: 239g | Max battery life: As much as 25.5 hours
For individuals who desire a large foldable that isn’t fairly as costly, the OnePlus Open is a really fascinating choice. Beginning at $1,700, its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip presents comparable efficiency to the Z Fold 5, however the Open options shows which might be barely bigger and brighter. It’s additionally thinner and lighter whereas packing a bigger battery and its Open Canvas software program delivers an modern tile-based UI for multitasking, permitting you to handle apps and widgets seamlessly. Certain, its triple rear digital camera module is cumbersome, however picture high quality is nearly as good if not barely higher than the Z Fold 5 (although, nonetheless in need of the Pixel Fold). However the perfect half is that, due to OnePlus’ trade-in deal, you may alternate any previous telephone you’ve mendacity round for $200 off, which brings the Open’s last worth right down to $1,500. That also isn’t low-cost, however it pushes the Open nearer to being considerably inexpensive. — S.R.
- Extra inexpensive than the competitors
- Good efficiency
- Thinner and lighter design
- Good battery life
Picture by Mat Smith / Engadget
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 evaluation
Full display measurement: 6.7 inches | Folded display measurement: 3.4 inches | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | Weight: 187g | Max battery life: As much as 23 hours
Samsung’s foldables have been main the cost within the flip-style class, and the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is not any exception. It has an upgraded digital camera and a bigger battery than its predecessor, making it a extra tempting choice, even within the face of rival flagship telephones. The leap from a 12-megapixel to 50MP digital camera means you may select to seize extra element, or crop in for, successfully, a digital zoom. The duvet show gives sufficient area for framing selfies, checking notifications and utilizing widgets like climate or calendar, and its new Auto-Zoom characteristic means it may well even body unsupervised group photographs for you. Images is augmented by Samsung’s improved AI photograph modifying instruments, which is way simpler to make use of.
The Z Flip 6 now has a robust Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, so it’s simply as highly effective because the S24 Extremely and Z Fold 6. Unfold the primary display and also you’ll discover one which’s brighter than ever (as much as 2,600 nits). Samsung says that is its brightest foldable show but, making it simpler to make use of and skim outside.
The design hasn’t modified a lot and a concentrate on new AI software program and tips comes at the price of restricted cowl display utility, however it’s nonetheless as pocketable as ever and remains to be essentially the most mainstream foldable but. — Mat Smith, Editor, UK Bureau Chief, Publication
- Higher cameras
- Longer battery life
- Enjoyable generative AI tips
- Dearer than its predecessor
- Design is nearly an identical to final 12 months
- Restricted front-screen utility
- Sluggish charging
Picture by Cherlynn Low / Engadget
Learn our full Motorola Razr+ evaluation
Full display measurement: 6.9 inches | Folded display measurement: 3.6 inches | Storage capability: As much as 256GB | Weight: 189g | Max battery life: As much as 23 hours
Whereas the Razr+ (or the Razr 40 Extremely for these exterior North America) might not be fairly as refined because the Galaxy Z Flip 5, what it lacks in tech it makes up for with its character. It’s obtainable in three colours, with the magenta mannequin that includes a delicate vegan leather-based again. It encompasses a smooth design with a canopy show that wraps round its cameras and is barely extra user-friendly than Samsung’s. Plus, the software program is easy and intuitive, making it simpler to entry and use your favourite Android telephone apps. And for many who are nostalgic for the unique Razr from the early 2000s, Moto even included an easter egg that encompasses a retro UI. Sadly, its water resistance is way much less substantial, because it’s solely rated to face up to spills or small splashes. — S.R.
- Helpful and roomy exterior show
- Folds in half to develop into very compact
- Will be personal tripod for pictures or movies
- Cameras can’t examine to flagships
- Lengthy-term sturdiness and safety stays a priority
Picture by Mat Smith / Engadget
Learn our full Motorola Razr evaluation
Full display measurement: 6.9 inches | Folded display measurement: 1.5 inches | Storage capability: As much as 256GB | Weight: 189g | Max battery life: As much as 23 hours
The non-plus Moto Razr (aka the Razr 40 internationally) is the corporate’s first try and make a extra inexpensive flip-style foldable. Beginning at £800 (U.S. pricing nonetheless TBA), it’s one of many least costly choices on sale right this moment. Nonetheless, it encompasses a a lot smaller 1.5-inch exterior show together with a slower Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset and considerably underwhelming cameras. On the brilliant aspect, it options the identical show you get on its dearer sibling. The one distinction is that it’s restricted to 144Hz as an alternative of 165Hz as a consequence of its much less highly effective processor. And, much like the magenta Razr+, all the colours of the essential Razr (Sage Inexperienced, Vanilla Cream, Summer season Lilac) include a delicate vegan leather-based again. — S.R.
- A less expensive foldable telephone
- First rate battery life
- Tactile delicate end
- Unremarkable exterior display
- Underwhelming cameras
How we take a look at foldable telephones
When evaluating new foldable telephones, we take into account the identical normal standards as we do after we’re judging the finest smartphones. Gadgets have to have good battery life (no less than a full day’s use), vibrant internal shows (peaks of no less than 1,000 nits), sharp cameras and responsive efficiency. That mentioned, foldable telephones come in numerous shapes (and sizes); there are various designs which will attraction to various kinds of folks.
For individuals who desire extra compact and classy units, flip phone-style foldables resemble old-school namesakes however with versatile inside shows (sometimes six to seven inches diagonally) and smaller outer screens, sometimes called the duvet show. Alternatively, for energy customers and individuals who need to maximize cellular productiveness, there are bigger book-style foldables (with seven to eight-inch major shows) that may rework from a sweet bar-style telephone to basically a small pill when opened.
Are foldable telephones value it? A observe on sturdiness
Except for their shows, the largest distinction between foldable telephones and extra conventional handsets is sturdiness. That’s as a result of whereas some fashions just like the Pixel 9 Professional Fold and Samsung’s foldables supply IPX8 water resistance (which is nice for submersions of as much as 5 toes for half-hour), their versatile screens – that are largely created from plastic – current some distinctive challenges.
Most foldables include factory-installed display protectors. Nonetheless, in contrast to common telephones, customers are instructed to not take away them with out help from accepted service facilities. Fortunately, Samsung telephones do supply one free display protector substitute for its foldables, whereas Google costs between $29 and $129 relying on the guarantee standing of your system. That mentioned, whereas we are able to’t do long-term testing for each new foldable telephone available on the market, after personally utilizing the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 every for a 12 months, I’ve discovered that Samsung’s pre-installed display protector tends to start out effervescent 9 to 12 months after buy. So that you’ll most likely need to think about that your foldable might have some kind of servicing after a few 12 months until you intend on eradicating the display protector fully (which is feasible, however goes in opposition to most producers’ directions).
Moreover, foldable telephone house owners have to be aware about conserving sharp objects away from their versatile shows, as rocks, keys and even urgent down very laborious with a fingernail can go away everlasting marks. Within the occasion that it’s essential get a versatile display serviced, you’re doubtlessly going through a a lot larger restore invoice when in comparison with a typical telephone (as much as $500 or extra relying on the mannequin and the severity of the injury). In brief, whereas the ruggedness of foldable telephones has improved so much, they’re nonetheless extra delicate than conventional handsets, which is one thing it’s essential account for.
Nonetheless, foldables proceed to evolve, with higher AI options, improved specs and a extra refined kind elements that makes them much more sensible. Whether or not you’re after a flip telephone for nostalgia or an enormous display system for multitasking, right this moment’s foldable telephones supply thrilling prospects — you simply must resolve in the event that they’re the fitting match for you.
Foldable telephone FAQs
What’s the distinction between a foldable telephone and a flip telephone?
Foldable and flip telephones each use versatile shows, however the way in which they fold — and what which means for usability — is totally different. A foldable telephone sometimes opens like a guide, supplying you with a bigger tablet-like display inside, which is nice for multitasking or media. A flip telephone, however, folds vertically to develop into extra compact, sort of just like the basic clamshell telephones of the early 2000s. Flip telephones are extra pocket-friendly, whereas foldables supply extra display actual property when open.
What’s the drawback of a foldable telephone?
The largest trade-offs with foldable telephones are worth and sturdiness. They’re usually dearer than conventional smartphones, due to the advanced hinge mechanisms and versatile shows. Battery life can generally take a success too, particularly with bigger screens. And whereas the tech has come a great distance, foldables can nonetheless be a bit bulkier and never fairly as seamless as common slab telephones on the subject of on a regular basis use.
Are foldable telephones much less sturdy than different telephones?
Typically, sure — no less than for now. Foldable telephones use versatile shows and complicated hinges, which could be extra susceptible to put on and tear over time in comparison with commonplace telephones with stable glass screens. That mentioned, newer fashions have gotten more durable with improved hinge designs, water resistance and stronger ultra-thin glass. They’re positively extra sturdy than they was, however they nonetheless require a bit extra care than your common smartphone.
Georgie Peru contributed to this report.
