Foldable phones have been with us for a good few years now. Though they haven't hit mainstream adoption, these folding smartphones are seen as exciting, futuristic devices that stand out from regular phones. The market for folding phones is dominated by Samsung, with its Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 offering different folding forms to tempt you to part with your cash. But Samsung isn't the only company in the game, with Motorola having launched a refreshed version of its folding Razr flip phone.
Then there are folding phones from Honor and Oppo, which we really like, and while they're excellent options for those of you in Europe, there aren't any plans for either phone to officially go on sale in the US. And though there's still no sign of a folding iPhone, several leaks indicate that Google is working on a folding Pixel phone, which may even be shown off at Google I/O in May.
The folding phones we do have come in two main varieties; candy bar phones that open up to become larger, tablet-size foldable devices (like the Galaxy Z Fold 4) or candy bar phones that fold in half to become smaller and more pocketable (like the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Moto Razr 2022). Because of the still recent technology, all foldables are more expensive than their regular smartphone equivalents, but if you're keen to turn heads when you whip out your foldable display and bend your phone in half, they're worth investigating.
Here, then, are our picks for the best foldable phones available to buy now:
Usually priced at $1,800 (yikes!), the Galaxy Z Fold 4 still costs substantially more than your average phone. But the latest version of Samsung's book-style foldable is filled with small improvements that add up to a much more pleasant overall experience. The hinge is thinner, the device is lighter and the cover screen is wider, making it feel more natural to use as a phone when closed. That's on top of other routine upgrades like a better camera that's similar to the Galaxy S22's and a new processor. Our reviewer Patrick Holland called it his "favorite Android tablet."
If you already have a Z Fold 3, it's not worth upgrading. But if you're willing to spend big (or can find a good trade-in deal) and are interested in a phone that can double as a tablet, the Z Fold 4 is the way to go.
With a candy bar form that folds down on itself to become a smaller square, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 offers a much more compact footprint than the Z Fold 4. It makes it easier to slide into a tight pocket when not in use, but it still folds out to offer a sizeable 6.7-inch display when you need it.
Like the Z Fold 4, the Flip line has seen revisions over the years with improvements to its hinge system and reduction in crease marks in its display. It's got a new camera system too, along with a larger outer display that shows incoming notifications.
It's pricey, sure, and its battery life could be better but it's a fun phone and one we've enjoyed using.
Motorola Razr (2022)
Fresh update to a solid foldable
We reviewed the previous Motorola Razr phone back in 2020 and we liked its slick design and folding mechanism. The phone was given a fresh update in 2022 with updated internals, a fresh camera system and a bigger display.
And while this phone was announced for the Chinese market, the 2022 Razr is also listed on the UK website, along with a price tag of £950 ($1,160), so it's looking likely that the phone will get a wider release.
We're yet to get our hands on this phone so we can't say whether the updates have made it worthy of your money yet, but it's worth keeping in mind, particularly if you were considering buying the older model. We'll update this listing as more firm details are announced.
The Oppo Find N2 Flip's standout feature is its massive outer display, which at 3.26 inches, dwarfs the cover screens on both the Galaxy Z Flip 4 or Moto Razr. It gives loads of room to properly see incoming notifications or other information, meaning you don't need to unfold your phone every time you want to check something.
Open it up though and its 6.8-inch screen is bright and sharp, with a minimal crease that we found to be generally unobtrusive in everyday use. The dual rear cameras perform well and the phone's Mediatek processor is powerful enough for any of your daily needs.
It's a solid foldable phone and a great rival to the Galaxy Z Flip 4, but before you get too excited, keep in mind that it isn't available in the US. Following an initial launch in China, the phone is now available more widely across Europe and the UK, but there are no plans to make it available in the US.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3 isn't the most recent version, but the arrival of the Z Flip 4 meant a discount on the existing Z Flip 3. Starting at $600, the Flip 3 slices a hefty chunk off its original $900 asking price. This 2021 model packs features such as 5G connectivity, a potent processor and an aluminum chassis that feels sturdy.
It's not a lot cheaper than the current Z Flip 4, but if you're looking for a folding phone with a bit of spare change left over it's well worth considering.
While the 2020 Moto Razr 5G might have been replaced with a fresh 2022 model (see above), the existing model has had its price slashed to all-time-low levels. You can pick it up directly from Motorola for only $600, which is a huge saving over its original $1,400 asking price and makes it the cheapest foldable phone you can buy right now.
And it is still worth considering, despite its age, if you're determined to get a folding phone on a budget. We loved its design when we first got our hands on it and its 5G connectivity means it's ready to take advantage of those super-fast data speeds.
