The best foldable phones for 2025

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, cell gaming or simply love having a cellphone that turns heads, the perfect foldable telephones you should buy provide 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 cellphone for you is dependent upon how you want to make use of your gadget. Some fashions concentrate on flagship-level energy and multitasking options, whereas others goal to maintain issues compact and trendy. Both manner, 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 accessible in North America and Europe. That’s as a result of whereas there are much more choices for individuals who reside in Asia (particularly China), they’re usually troublesome to purchase from overseas and should not help your native carriers.Desk of contentsBest foldable telephones for 2025Sam Rutherford for EngadgetRead our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 overview Full display dimension: 8 inches | Folded display dimension: 6.5 inches | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | Weight: 215 grams | Max battery life: As much as 24 hours One of many largest points with foldable telephones is the added dimension and weight that always comes with the inclusion of a versatile show. Samsung has made {that a} factor of the previous on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which sports activities bigger screens — each inside and outside — whereas being 26 % thinner than earlier than. And as if that wasn’t sufficient, the Z Fold 7 additionally options improved sturdiness, elevated efficiency and a brand new 200MP major digicam, matching or exceeding what you get from conventional flagship smartphones. The primary downsides are that at $2,000, it is nonetheless removed from reasonably priced and for long-time Samsung followers, the lack of S Pen help could also be a dealbreaker. However for many who wish to expertise new heights in foldable cellphone design, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a masterpiece of recent gadget design. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter ProsExquisitely skinny designSleeker hingeBig 200MP major cameraLarger displaysTop-tier performanceConsVery expensiveNo S Pen supportMediocre charging speeds$2,000 at AmazonGoogleRead our full Pixel 9 Professional Fold overview Full display dimension: 8 inches | Folded display dimension: 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 be top-of-the-line foldables on the market. 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-recognized 6.3-inch, 20:9 outer show, that’s each simpler to make use of and maintain. The inside show has a extra sq. facet ratio as effectively with a bit extra display actual property than earlier than. The handset total has a extra premium really feel and definitely a extra polished look because of its matte again and satin metallic 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 images, and Pixel-only software program help like Made You Look make Google’s handset a extra compelling foldable. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor ProsSlick designBetter cameras than the competitionThinner and lighter than earlier modelRuns cooler than beforeConsStill expensiveSome software program quirks$1,799 at GooglePhoto by Sam Rutherford / EngadgetRead our full OnePlus Open overview Full display dimension: 7.8 inches | Folded display dimension: 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 huge foldable that isn’t fairly as costly, the OnePlus Open is a really fascinating possibility. Beginning at $1,700, its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip gives 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 digicam module is cumbersome, however picture high quality is nearly as good if not barely higher than the Z Fold 5 (although, nonetheless wanting the Pixel Fold). However the perfect half is that, because of OnePlus’ trade-in deal, you may change any outdated cellphone you will have mendacity round for $200 off, which brings the Open’s closing value right down to $1,500. That also isn’t low cost, but it surely pushes the Open nearer to being considerably reasonably priced. — S.R. ProsMore reasonably priced than the competitionGood performanceThinner and lighter designGood battery life$1,699 at OnePlusPhoto by Mat Smith / EngadgetRead our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 overview Full display dimension: 6.7 inches | Folded display dimension: 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 isn’t any exception. It has an upgraded digicam and a bigger battery than its predecessor, making it a extra tempting possibility, even within the face of rival flagship telephones. The leap from a 12-megapixel to 50MP digicam means you may select to seize extra element, or crop in for, successfully, a digital zoom. The duvet show offers sufficient area for framing selfies, checking notifications and utilizing widgets like climate or calendar, and its new Auto-Zoom function means it could possibly even body unsupervised group photographs for you. Pictures is augmented by Samsung’s improved AI picture modifying instruments, which is far 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 principle 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 open air. The design hasn’t modified a lot and a concentrate on new AI software program and methods comes at the price of restricted cowl display utility, but it surely’s nonetheless as pocketable as ever and remains to be probably the most mainstream foldable but. — Mat Smith, Editor, UK Bureau Chief, E-newsletter ProsBetter camerasLonger battery lifeFun generative AI tricksConsMore costly than its predecessorDesign is nearly similar to final yearLimited front-screen utilitySluggish charging$900 at AmazonPhoto by Cherlynn Low / EngadgetRead our full Motorola Razr+ overview Full display dimension: 6.9 inches | Folded display dimension: 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) is probably not fairly as refined because the Galaxy Z Flip 5, what it lacks in tech it makes up for with its persona. It’s accessible in three colours, with the magenta mannequin that includes a comfortable vegan leather-based again. It contains a glossy 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 cellphone apps. And for many who are nostalgic for the unique Razr from the early 2000s, Moto even included an easter egg that contains a retro UI. Sadly, its water resistance is far much less substantial, because it’s solely rated to resist spills or small splashes. — S.R. ProsUseful and roomy exterior displayFolds in half to develop into very compactCan be personal tripod for images or videosConsCameras can not examine to flagshipsLong-term sturdiness and safety stays a priority$1,299 at AmazonPhoto by Mat Smith / EngadgetRead our full Motorola Razr overview Full display dimension: 6.9 inches | Folded display dimension: 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 to make a extra reasonably priced flip-style foldable. Beginning at £800 (U.S. pricing nonetheless TBA), it’s one of many least costly choices on sale at present. Nonetheless, it contains a a lot smaller 1.5-inch exterior show together with a slower Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset and considerably underwhelming cameras. On the intense facet, it options the identical show you get on its costlier sibling. The one distinction is that it’s restricted to 144Hz as a substitute of 165Hz on account 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 comfortable vegan leather-based again. — S.R. ProsA cheaper foldable phoneDecent battery lifeTactile comfortable finishConsUnremarkable exterior screenUnderwhelming cameras£800 at MotorolaHow we check foldable phonesWhen evaluating new foldable telephones, we think about the identical common standards as we do once we’re judging the perfect smartphones. Units must have good battery life (at the very least a full day’s use), vivid inside shows (peaks of at the very least 1,000 nits), sharp cameras and responsive efficiency. That stated, foldable telephones come in several shapes (and sizes); there are various designs that will attraction to several types of folks.For individuals who favor extra compact and trendy units, flip phone-style foldables resemble old-school namesakes however with versatile inside shows (usually six to seven inches diagonally) and smaller outer screens, sometimes called the duvet show. Alternatively, for energy customers and individuals who wish to maximize cell productiveness, there are bigger book-style foldables (with seven to eight-inch major shows) that may remodel from a sweet bar-style cellphone to basically a small pill when opened.Are foldable telephones price it? A notice on durabilityAside from 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 provide IPX8 water resistance (which is sweet for submersions of as much as 5 ft for half-hour), their versatile screens – that are largely made out of 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 authorized service facilities. Fortunately, Samsung telephones do provide one free display protector alternative for its foldables, whereas Google prices between $29 and $129 relying on the guarantee standing of your gadget. That stated, whereas we are able to’t do long-term testing for each new foldable cellphone in the marketplace, after personally utilizing the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 every for a yr, 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 in all probability wish to consider that your foldable might have some form of servicing after a few yr until you intend on eradicating the display protector solely (which is feasible, however goes towards most producers’ directions).Moreover, foldable cellphone house owners must be conscious about protecting 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 is advisable get a versatile display serviced, you’re probably going through a a lot greater restore invoice when in comparison with a typical cellphone (as much as $500 or extra relying on the mannequin and the severity of the harm). In brief, whereas the ruggedness of foldable telephones has improved quite a bit, they’re nonetheless extra delicate than conventional handsets, which is one thing it is advisable account for.Nonetheless, foldables proceed to evolve, with higher AI options, improved specs and a extra refined type elements that makes them much more sensible. Whether or not you’re after a flip cellphone for nostalgia or an enormous display gadget for multitasking, at present’s foldable telephones provide thrilling prospects — you simply should determine in the event that they’re the appropriate match for you.Foldable cellphone FAQsWhat is the distinction between a foldable cellphone and a flip cellphone?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 cellphone usually opens like a guide, supplying you with a bigger tablet-like display inside, which is nice for multitasking or media. A flip cellphone, however, folds vertically to develop into extra compact, type of just like the basic clamshell telephones of the early 2000s. Flip telephones are extra pocket-friendly, whereas foldables provide extra display actual property when open.What’s the drawback of a foldable cellphone?The largest trade-offs with foldable telephones are value and sturdiness. They’re usually costlier than conventional smartphones, because of the complicated hinge mechanisms and versatile shows. Battery life can generally take successful too, particularly with bigger screens. And whereas the tech has come a good distance, foldables can nonetheless be a bit bulkier and never fairly as seamless as common slab telephones in terms of on a regular basis use.Are foldable telephones much less sturdy than different telephones?Typically, sure — at the very least for now. Foldable telephones use versatile shows and complicated hinges, which might be extra susceptible to put on and tear over time in comparison with customary telephones with stable glass screens. That stated, newer fashions have gotten more durable with improved hinge designs, water resistance and stronger ultra-thin glass. They’re undoubtedly extra sturdy than they was once, however they nonetheless require a bit extra care than your common smartphone.Georgie Peru contributed to this report.