Remember the days when text messages and Snake on your Nokia 3310 were two of the most exciting things a phone could manage? We do, too. Fast-forward two decades and we have in-display fingerprint scanners, bezel-free displays, under-display cameras, plus a whole different take on slider and flip phones.
Flip phones were once slim, compact and hinged devices. Now, flip phones have morphed into these foldable phones with actual bendable screens. That tends to bring the potential for huge price tags, to get hold of a piece of this magic.
Here are the devices leading the foldable smartphone trend.
Our Top Pick: Best Foldable Phone
For
- Improved build quality and hinge Bright, vibrant display Cute, compact design with waterproofing Flex mode enhances software experience
Against
- Crease and screen reflection issues Display durability over time still a concern Cover screen could be more useful
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 features a more refined design compared to its predecessors - the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 5G - with a more durable hinge and frame design, making it feel more sturdy.
Like the Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Z Flip 3 has waterproofing too. The cover display is still small, and a little limited in functionality, but the internal display is a fantastic, vibrant panel with 120Hz adaptive refresh rates.
The camera specifications are good this time, as are the RAM and storage options and the battery capacity, plus with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 onboard, you get fast and efficient performance too.
Other foldable phones we recommend
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 won’t be the phone for everyone, and there are plenty of other models and styles to choose from, with more manufacturers joining the flexible smartphone market all the time and each with their benefits.
One of the most impressive-looking foldables around S Pen compatibility Speedy performance and good software
The under-panel camera isn’t great The usual crease and screen reflection gripes
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 succeeds the Galaxy Z Fold 3, bringing a few small - but important - improvements over the older model. The design and hinge were upgraded to make the phone more durable and long-lasting. Samsung also increased the width of the front display, making it closer to a regular smartphone ratio. It’s still quite narrow, but it’s an improvement nonetheless. Add to that a decent triple camera system with great zoom, a vibrant 120Hz display, the convenience of S Pen support and Flex mode software optimisations and you have an epic multitasking machine. All of this is built on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, which is an incredibly fast and efficient platform.
Proper flagship chipset inside Big, full-sized flexible display Fast charging and clean software
Not enough software optimisations for folding screen Ultrawide and selfie cameras are weak Hinge feels a little wobbly in motion
Motorola’s previous Razr model - the Razr 5G - was a little underwhelming. While it undoubtedly had buckets of style, and the nostalgia it encouraged with its classic design was definitely real, it lacked elements that would have made it a truly competitive device. First it cost a lot more than Samsung’s equivalent, and it featured a less powerful chipset and a smaller display. With the Razr 2022, Moto addressed all of those crucial features. The Razr 2022 is a proper flagship phone with a display that’s as big as a standard flagship’s, and the folding mechanism means there’s little in the way of creasing. Add to that a big cover display and satisfying ‘snap’ sound on closing, and you have a much better Razr.
Big front screen Powerful flagship specs Big internal display that folds flush Fast charging
No wireless charging Slight crease on the internal display It’s a big phone
Honor’s flagship foldable takes a similar approach to its former parent company, Huawei’s. It’s a really big device with a large flexible display on the inside and a full-sized screen on the outside. You get lots of screen real estate then, and both displays offer a great visual experience. It folds flush, which is a big draw, and has some impressive specifications. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 runs the show, and Honor’s Android skin comes with all the proper Play Store compatibility. It’s a great option for those who want a big screened foldable.
Compact and lightweight design Excellent display specs Powerful internals and fast charging Proper flagship cameras
Internal display is smaller than competitors No wireless charging
Sometimes being small and compact is - in itself - the best feature of a phone, and that’s exactly what we love about the Find N2. The portable and lightweight design means it’s a very different experience compared to the likes of Samsung and Honor’s horizontal folding phones. Its tiny front surface area means it fits comfortably even in the smallest pockets, and yet the external display is wide enough to be useful for everything, and the folding screen inside gives you that big of extra room when you need it. Add that to a flagship processor and a clever interface mode that kicks in whenever you open it at an angle, and you have a truly unique smartphone.
Much improved cameras Faster processor Superb design
Very expensive UI has quirks
The Surface Duo 2 is a bit of a different option, the screen doesn’t fold as with the other devices on the list, instead, the phone has two separate screens and folds like a notebook.
This screen separation makes it a great option for multitasking and Microsoft seems to have its sights squarely aimed at professional power users for this device.
It can’t match the camera quality of its competitors and the UI has some annoying quirks - but if you’re looking for ultimate productivity on the go, the Surface Duo 2 is a great option.
