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Folding smartphones are a fairly mature market in 2024. When they first launched, foldables were futuristic and exciting, albeit buggy. With time, they have been refined and improved to cater to everyday use. Their prices are gradually decreasing as the technology advances, but they still remain expensive purchases, making it crucial to make the right buying decision.
Currently, there are two types of folding smartphones available on the market. The first type resembles a regular non-folding phone, but can be unfolded into a larger tablet-like device. The second type is similar to the classic Motorola Razr clamshell phones, where a normal-sized phone can be folded in half to become more compact and pocketable. Although both use the same screen and hinge technology, they cater to different needs.
In the future, other styles will likely arrive, but for now you must choose which of these two designs best suits your lifestyle. Whichever you choose, those first few weeks and months with your new folding smartphone are exciting, fun, and genuinely transformative. Now, let’s get you to that stage with our list of the best folding phones you can buy in 2024.
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Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
The best folding phone
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Review
- Brilliant screen for games and video
- Versatile and fun camera
- Long software update commitment
- Superb build and design
- Thin and well-balanced
- Free year of Gemini Advanced
- Slow charging
- Heavy
- Expensive
Why you should buy this: Google is a relative newcomer to the foldable market, but its second-generation foldable is already the best you can buy in the U.S.
Who’s it for: Anyone who wants the best all-around foldable phone experience, including a fun and versatile camera, excellent design, and a brilliant screen.
Why we picked the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold:
Google’s second-generation Pixel 9 Pro Fold defies its relative inexperience with folding phones thanks to a slew of improvements focused on fixing all of the problems with the first-generation. After an overhaul of most parts of the experience, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold ticks almost all the boxes and steals the best foldable phone crown from Samsung.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features the same premium build as the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup, but at 10.5mm, it’s thinner than most of the foldable phones on this list. This makes it far more comfortable to use everyday, and it feels similar to using the iPhone 15 Pro Max in a case. The satin aluminum chassis is cool to the touch, sandwiched by two Gorilla Glass Victus 2 panels on the front and rear. The latter has a matte finish that adds to the premium feel of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
The front display is a 6.3-inch OLED Actua Display that’s perfectly sized for daily use, but the 8-inch Super Actua OLED display on the inside is the real reason to buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It’s fantastic for watching videos, playing games, and browsing apps, and Android’s software smarts make it ideally sized to multitask with two apps open side by side.
The camera on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold belittles its Pro moniker, as it’s not the same as the Pixel 9 Pro, despite its much higher price. The triple camera setup features a 48-megapixel primary sensor, a 10.5MP ultrawide camera, and a 10.8MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. It’s better than that of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, but it’s not as good as Google’s non-folding flagships.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is powered by Google’s Tensor G4, which seems to improve on many of the performance issues with the first Pixel Fold. It delivers flawless performance with no overheating concerns even when gaming extensively and is paired with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The 4,650mAh battery delivers between three-and-a-half to five hours of screen time on a single charge, while 21 watts charging means it’ll take around 90 minutes to recharge to full. This is about the same time as the Galaxy Z Fold 6, but almost double the speed of the OnePlus Open.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The best folding phone runner-up
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Review
- Fantastic folding design
- Refined size and weight
- IP48 water and dust resistance
- Two colorful, usable screens
- Main camera takes fun, vibrant photos
- Long software commitment
- Slow battery charging
- One-day battery life
- More expensive than last year
Why you should buy this: Samsung still makes one of the best big folding phones around, with powerful specs, improved cameras, and a refined design with improved durability.
Who’s it for: Anyone who wants a tablet and smartphone combo in their pocket that can also take fun, vibrant photos.
Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6:
Samsung has been in the foldable game longer than almost everyone else, and in the U.S. market, it’s easily made the most folding devices so far, with each iteration adding something new. As with previous generations, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 doesn’t make huge changes, but it continues to refine what Samsung has already perfected. Unfortunately, Google’s improvements this year with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold relegate the Galaxy Z Fold 6 to a runner-up position, but it’s still an excellent phone that you should absolutely consider.
The design isn’t a huge change from the Galaxy Z Fold 5, but there are some additional refinements with Samsung’s engineers managing to shave down the dimensions. It’s only 12.1mm thick when folded, slightly bigger than other foldables, but not dramatically so. It’s also 14 grams less than the Fold 5, making it overall thinner and lighter than previous generations and easier to carry around, comparable to the iPhone 15 Pro Max in terms of pocketability.
The screens consist of a slightly upsized 6.3-inch cover screen that’s easier to use with one hand than the Fold 6. There’s also a large 7.6-inch display once you open up with phone and both screens come with Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X tech and 120Hz refresh rates. The phone is fully compatible with the S Pen stylus (though it doesn’t come with one), making it a good choice for sketching when combined with the larger inner screen.
It shouldn’t surprise you that the specs on the Fold 6 are top tier, with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with 12GB of RAM, putting it on par with other Samsung flagship phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Naturally, it’s faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on the Fold 5, and like the previous device, you’re able to run multiple apps at once across the inner display and multitask. It also handles gaming without any hiccups, and you can get 256GB storage in the base model and up to 1TB if you need more room.
The camera isn’t as potent as the ones on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it’s still nothing to scoff at. It’s very similar to the camera performance of the Fold 5, with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12MP wide-angle camera, and a 10MP telephoto with a 3x optical zoom, which again, is the same as the Z Fold 4. Pictures are colorful, with Samsung’s HDR punching up reds, greens, and blues. There’s also a 10MP selfie camera on the front cover, and a 4MP Under Display Camera (UDC) that takes passible selfie photos and does OK in video calls.
The 4,400mAh battery will give you about one day of use, but you may struggle to get much more than that with some unexpected power drain after games and watching videos. The 25-watt fast charging isn’t very fast compared to the 45W speed you get with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it’ll be quicker than the 15W wireless fast charging.
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
OnePlus Open
The best alternative folding phone
OnePlus Open Review
- Great compact and lightweight size
- Powerful cameras
- Beautiful screens
- Anti-glare inner display
- Opens flat easily
- 67W fast charging
- Intuitive multitasking
- Hinge isn’t firm enough
- Large camera bump
- Macro and 120x Super Res are not great
Why you should buy this: For a company just getting into the folding device business, OnePlus has hit a home run. The OnePlus is innovative and fun to use.
Who’s it for: Anyone who wants a unique phone experience.
Why we picked the OnePlus Open:
The OnePlus Open is a remarkable device that has managed to capture the attention of many people. It is the company’s first foldable device and it has been built with meticulous attention to detail. The use of titanium and other materials has made it lightweight and compact when folded, making it a great choice for those who are looking for a more portable and user-friendly device.
One of the standout features of the OnePlus Open is its high-quality cover and inner display. The cover display is about the size of a typical smartphone, making it very easy to use. The anti-reflective layer on the inner display is a great addition, making it more comfortable to use than other foldable devices like the Google Pixel Fold, which has a highly reflective inner display. The overall design of the OnePlus Open is quite attractive too, and it has been well-received by those who value aesthetics and design.
In terms of performance, the OnePlus Open is a top-notch device that is capable of handling even the most demanding tasks with ease — thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. It comes equipped with the latest hardware and software, and the user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. The battery life is also impressive, lasting for hours on a single charge. And when you need to recharge, the 67W wired charging is among the fastest you’ll find on a folding phone today, even if it’s not close to the 80W charging from the OnePlus 12.
Overall, the OnePlus Open is a great choice for those who are looking for a high-quality, well-built, and user-friendly foldable device. Its lightweight and compact design, combined with its high-quality display and impressive performance, make it a great investment for anyone who values quality and innovation.
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
Motorola Razr (2024)
The best cheap folding phone
Motorola Razr 2024 Review
- Super-compact design
- Large cover screen with always-on display
- Improved hinge design
- Good cameras
- Long battery life
- Crease is very minimal
- Fun colors
- Ultrawide camera isn’t the best
- Only three years of OS upgrades
- No reverse wireless charging
Why you should buy this: If budget is your primary concern, but you still want to take advantage of a more compact foldable form factor, this may be the device for you.
Who’s it for: Anyone who wants a no-hassle foldable smartphone experience.
Why we picked the Motorola Razr (2024):
The latest in Motorola’s Razr foldable lineup continues to build on everything we liked before with a unique and compact flip design, capable performance, and minimalistic features. The design is eye-catching, with various bright color options along with a vegan leather back. There’s also an improved hinge design that’s smaller and smoother with a larger 3.6-inch pOLED cover screen that now incorporates an always-on display, unlike the previous generation. You also don’t have to worry about how to use multitasking features because it’s a folding flip phone that runs Android, so you can use it just as you would a regular device.
The inner 6.9-inch FHD+ screen is bright and eye-catching, able to hit 3,000 nits in direct sunlight and coming with a 120Hz refresh rate. The dual rear cameras are decent though not exceptional, with a 50-megapixel main shooter and a 13MP ultrawide camera. There’s also a 32MP selfie camera. Specs are also a bump up, with the phone boasting a MediaTek 7300x processor with 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. It handles well and has a virtual RAM feature for more intensive usage. Battery life with the 4,200mAh battery should last you at least a full day.
That said, there are some minor drawbacks including Wi-Fi connections dropping somewhat frequently, no support for reverse wireless charging, and only three years of OS upgrades supported. These are fairly minor drawbacks in the scheme of things, especially when taking into account the fact that the Razr 2024 costs hundreds of dollars less than the Z Flip 6.
If you’re looking for a sleek and clamshell foldable that’s easy to use and affordable, the Motorola Razr (2024) could be the perfect choice for you.
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
Google Pixel Fold
The best compact folding phone
Google Pixel Fold Review
- Solid build quality
- Great cover display size
- Barely any gap when closed
- Beautiful displays
- Fantastic cameras
- Fast performance
- Cover display scratches easily
- One-day battery life
- Poor wireless charging options
Why you should buy this: It’s a powerful folding phone with a clean stock Android experience and multitasking capabilities. It’s also noted for having a short and wide cover screen, which some might be seeking.
Who’s it for: Anyone who wants a foldable phone with a normal-feeling cover display.
Why we picked the Google Pixel Fold:
The Pixel Fold is Google’s first entry into the foldable, but it won’t be the last. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is expected to be right around the corner, with Google holding a Made by Google event on August 13. In the meantime, you don’t appreciate the Z Fold 6’s narrow cover display or prefer a cleaner, more stock Android experience, then the Pixel Fold could be a good option for you. It boasts a short and wide cover screen, which sets it apart from similar handsets on the market.
The Pixel Fold’s 5.8-inch OLED cover display looks stunning and is similar to most smartphones, so it’s comfortable to use and type on. Due to its size, it is also easy to use one-handed, and there is no gap when the device is closed, as seen on the Z Fold 5. On the inside, the device features a 7.6-inch inner OLED display that is positioned in landscape orientation by default, but can be rotated to portrait orientation. Both screens have a 120Hz refresh rate and are sufficiently bright for outdoor use. However, the inner display can be quite reflective due to the built-in plastic screen protector.
Like the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel Fold is powered by Google’s own chip. In this case, it’s the Tensor G2 chip and it also comes with 12GB of RAM. It has two storage capacities — 256GB or 512GB. Thanks to the G2 chip, the device is powerful enough to handle everyday tasks with ease and is highly responsive. Google’s cutting-edge AI and computational photography processing techniques ensure that you get excellent results with photos. As for the camera, the Pixel Fold boasts a 48MP main camera, a 10.8MP ultrawide camera, and a 10.8MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. The cover display has a 9.5MP selfie camera, while the inner display has an 8MP selfie camera. You can also use the rear camera in Rear Camera Selfie mode to take high-quality selfies when the device is unfolded.
The Pixel Fold comes with a 4,821mAh battery that lasts for about a full day with moderate to heavy use. Charging speeds can reach up to 30W, but Google does not provide a power adapter, so you will need to use your own. While wireless charging is supported, its max speeds of 7.5W are a little underwhelming, and there is no reverse wireless charging feature.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends
Motorola Razr Plus 2024
The best folding flip phone
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 Review
- A smooth, durable hinge
- Lovely leather back
- Fantastic cover screen
- Much-improved cameras
- Reliable battery life
- Ample charging options
- Fun and charming software
- Tinny speakers
- Three years of OS upgrades
Why you should buy this: Motorola’s Razr Plus is a beefed-up flip phone in terms of specs and a true competitor to the Samsung’s Z Flip 6.
Who’s it for: Anyone who wants a powerful phone in a compact and small package that’s also fun to use.
Why we picked the Motorola Razr Plus:
The Motorola Razr Plus is definitely one of the best compact flip phones in 2024. It resembles the Razr Plus 2023 in design, with a vegan leather back and a verity of cool color options. The new hinge is also a big improvement — it feels much nicer opening and closing, and it’s smooth and silent. The Motorola Razr Plus 2024 has impressive IP52 dust and water resistance, arguably a step above the IP48 you get with the Z Flip 6.
The screens are bright and colorful, with the cover screen consisting of a larger 4-inch pOLED display with 2,400 nits of peak brightness and a 165Hz refresh rate. It’s a big improvement over the cover screen from last year, and blows the Flip 6 out of the water. The cover screen can also run apps that fill the entire screen, unlike the Samsung, which makes you jump through a number of hoops. It also finally incorporates an always-on display.
The inner screen is a 6.9-inch FHD+ display that can hit 3,000 nits of peak brightness and has a 165Hz refresh rate, making it faster and more responsive than the Flip 6. The crease is also much more minimal than before, which is another nice improvement. Specs are nothing to scoff at with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor. It’s not as good as the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip you can get on phones like the Galaxy S24, but it matches the capabilities of the Honor 200 Pro.
Camera performance gets a considerable improvement from the 2023 model, fixing one of the big areas of disappointment. You get a 50-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 50MP telephoto camera with 2x zoom, and a 32MP selfie camera. We liked the look of almost all the photos we took on the Razr Plus, though they do tend to err on the oversaturated side.
Finally, battery life also gets an improvement, bumping things up to a 4,000mAh cell that allows you to use it comfortably for a full day and matching the size of the Flip 6. It supports 45W wired fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging, making it faster to top up than either of Samsung’s latest foldables.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
The best folding flip phone runner-up
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Review
- Top-notch hardware
- IP48 dust and water resistance
- Very good inner display
- Fast, snappy performance
- New 50MP camera is great
- Seven years of updates
- Bad cover screen
- Slow charge speeds
- Frustrating price increase
- Extremely similar to the Flip 5
Why you should buy this: Samsung’s best flip phone comes with some key improvements, solid cameras, good performance, and improved durability.
Who’s it for: People who want the best Samsung clamshell foldable on the market.
Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6:
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 slips to second spot for best clamshell foldable phone on the market as despite some welcome improvements, the Motorola Razr Plus takes the crown. Samsung listened to customer feedback with the improvments in the Galaxy Z Flip 6 including the introduction of IP48 water and dust resistance, a more durable hinge, and improved shock distribution that should all go toward making your expensive foldable last longer. There are also plenty of eye-catching color option, and overall the Flip 6 just feels high-quality.
Other changes are relatively minimal. You get the same 3.4-inch AMOLED cover screen with a 60Hz refresh rate. The inner screen is also the same, but it’s still good with a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2,600 nits of peak brightness. A nice change is that the screen crease is less prominent than the one on the Flip 6, though it’s still more noticeable than the one on the Motorola Razr (2024). Performance also takes a bump, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with 12GB of RAM, more than the previous generation, and storage options ranging from 256GB to 512GB.
The Z Flip 6 cameras are generally quite good, though they won’t match the performance of the S24 Ultra. You get a 50MP primary camera, same as on the S24 and S24 Plus. There’s also a 12MP ultrawide camera and a 10MP selfie camera. Photos are generally quite clear, and the 123-degree field of view on the ultrawide sensor lets you capture a lot more in the frame.
The battery life takes a nice bump up as well, with a 4,000mAh cell making it the largest Samsung has ever put in a Z Flip. On the downside, it’s still only a one-day smartphone, but more comfortably so. Charging speeds continue to be lackluster, with 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
A foldable smartphone does everything a normal smartphone does, including taking calls, snapping pictures, playing games, all the usual stuff. But what it does have is versatility, as foldable smartphone displays are a lot more versatile than non-folding phones.
If you choose a large folding smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, the open screen’s large size makes it great for watching videos, playing games, reading, and multitasking — just like on a tablet. Once you’re done, you can close the phone so it’s a “normal” size and easier to carry around than a tablet, yet still usable like a non-folding phone.
Models like the Galaxy Z Flip 6 are also versatile, just in a different way. Open, the screen is the same size as a large non-folding smartphone, but you can fold the phone in half when it’s not in use. It’s the perfect phone for anyone who values convenience but doesn’t want to sacrifice a useful, modern, big screen in their quest for a more pocketable device. Non-folding smartphones can’t match this level of versatility.
It’s surprisingly difficult to imagine how transformative owning a folding smartphone can be, so we really recommend trying one out in a shop before buying. Often, just the action of folding and unfolding the phone is often enough to fire your imagination, and you’ll start to understand how helpful this new wave of smartphones can be. Not everyone will benefit from the technology, but don’t dismiss them until you’ve held one in your hands.
Anyone with a strong interest in mobile technology will appreciate owning a folding smartphone, as it really does feel completely different from a non-folding phone. If you’re always keen to try out the latest tech, then you should consider making a foldable your next phone.
If you use your phone for a lot of reading, watching videos, emails, and endless messaging, a big-screen foldable is likely to save you time and increase your enjoyment. Think of it as a phone and a tablet, all in one. Rather than swapping to a tablet at the end of the day for the ease of the big screen, you can just open up your phone for a similar experience.
Smaller flip phones like the Z Flip 6 aren’t useful in the exact same way, of course, as they unfold into a more regular phone display size. But these are more aimed at those who want a smaller, more conveniently sized phone. While a flip phone is going to be thicker than a regular phone, when folded it’s much shorter, making it easy to keep in a bag or pocket. If your current phone often gets in the way or frustrates due to its size, then a small foldable may be what you need.
When deciding which foldable phone you want, first decide what functions are most important to you. Are you looking for productivity? Or are you looking for the most convenient small device that fits in your pants pocket? Sometimes it’s not an either/or question. If you want to use your mobile device for reading, either size makes for a great reader, but for larger-format documents, a fold-out phone makes more sense. While it may seem like a larger screen is best for video watching, a clamshell is both lighter and more widescreen compatible. Depending on your favorite games, you may pick the size based on your gameplay preferences.
Folding smartphones used to be exclusively flagship devices with the latest technology, and so were very expensive. That’s started to change recently, with phones like the Motorola Razr (2024) starting at $700, and seeing discounts down to $500. While other foldables, like the Z Fold 6 and Flip 6, have stayed at flagship prices, it’s clear foldables are starting to become more accessible to more people.
As ever with smartphones, savvy shopping is your friend. Keeping an eye out for generous carrier trade-in deals or contracts can net you a saving, as can waiting until big sales holidays like Black Friday or Prime Day. Also, keep in mind that refurbished phones also come with a big discount, and so do older phones. Grabbing the Z Fold 5 or even the Z Fold 4 will still get you an advanced device, just without the latest bells and whistles, at a much lower price.
Folding smartphones are still very new, and they represent big investments for manufacturers. However, it’s an expanding market, and now we’re seeing many more manufacturers jumping on the bandwagon. Samsung is best known for its foldable smartphones, but 2023 saw the launch of foldables from Motorola, OnePlus, and even Google. So while Samsung was among the first to the party (and crucially, kept releasing folding phones throughout the tough early years) others are bringing their devices to the market, and we’re all benefiting as a result.
The situation is even more competitive once you leave the U.S., with a number of manufacturers not commonly seen on American shores making their own foldables. Huawei has the Mate X3, Oppo has the Find N3 Flip. Honor has the Magic Vs, and Xiaomi has the Mi Mix Fold 3, though these have variable availability in international markets, but increasingly you can find them outside of China.
