The 7 Best Folding Phones We’ve Tested and Reviewed (2024)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 for $600: Last year Galaxy Z Flip 5th Generation5 (7/10, WIRED recommends) is a polished flip phone with IPX8 waterproof rating and a silent hinge. It closes completely flat without leaving a gap in the middle, and this version has a larger cover display on the front, allowing you to see large widgets like the calendar, weather, step count, and timer—plus notifications that can be responded to via the full-size keyboard—without opening the device. The newer Flip6 doesn’t add many new features—many of the upgrades are in the software, and the Flip5 will likely get many of them. Just make sure you don’t spend more than $600 on the Flip5.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 for $1,399: Galaxy Z Fold5 (7/10, WIRED recommends) from 2023 still has a lot in common with the newer Galaxy Z Fold6, although the front screen isn’t as wide and can be a little uncomfortable to use (apps can get a little compressed). It’s still a great, well-built phone, but you should avoid paying anything close to MSRP. Wait for a sale.
Google Pixel Fold for $1,779: We’ve seen the Pixel Fold drop in price to as low as $1,200 at retailers like Amazon And Best Buyand that’s a good price for it, especially since it’s been replaced by the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Read our Pixel Fold review (8/10, WIRED recommends) for more details on this spacious and sturdy device.
Motorola Razr+ (2023) for $600: Razr+ Phone (7/10, WIRED recommends) is one of the better-looking flip phones around, thanks to the leather back. Plus, it comes in ruby! The outer screen isn’t as large as the latest Razr+ (2024), but you can still open any app on it without any restrictions. The camera isn’t as great, and the battery life is mediocre. Still, it’s a smart choice at this price point.
Motorola Razr (2023) for $398: That’s a remarkable price for a foldable phone, even if it’s only a year old. It sacrifices a large front display, meaning the small one is only useful for checking the time, weather, and some notifications. The hinge mechanism doesn’t feel as good as newer models (it’s a bit noisy), but you get a 6.9-inch OLED display on the inside, a 144Hz refresh rate, and perfectly good performance thanks to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset.
Oppo Find N3 Flip for $899: I’ve been using the Find N3 Flip for a few weeks—including on the go—and it’s been a great travel companion. I don’t find its elongated front display all that useful (I’d prefer something like the Razr+ or Z Flip6), and the unpleasant sound it makes when flipping open doesn’t help. It also loses points for its IPX4 rating. But it’s quite powerful, the screen is reasonably bright, and the battery lasts all day with heavy use. The triple-camera system is a highlight—it’s a rarity on flip phones, and it includes 2X optical zoom. The results won’t blow you away, but they’re more than satisfying.
Nubia Flip 5G for $499 (£500): This super cute flip phone has a stylish circular display on the front. Nubia Flip 5G (WIRED Rating 6/10) is the most affordable foldable phone we’ve seen, with discounts on other models aside. Sadly, the front display isn’t very practical, and this is a decidedly average performer with limited processing power and battery life. The software is also outdated, and we’re concerned about Nubia’s update policy. But for those looking to try out a foldable phone on a budget, the Flip 5G is the way to go.
Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 for $1,199: It’s only available in China, but this Xiaomi phone (7/10, WIRED recommends) is like the OnePlus in that you get a very normal front display and a large internal display all in one neat package. The camera is great, the battery life is long and there’s wireless charging support. It’s a shame the software is clunky and there’s no IP rating for water or dust resistance.
