When it comes to foldable phones, Samsung has hit the ball out of the park with its third-generation flagship foldable models: The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 3. It’s fair to say reviews have judged these folding phones to be home runs. No, they’re not perfect — not yet — but the third try makes it clear that folding smartphones will be a valid design alternative to the “Great Glass Slab” from now on.
For the moment, folding phones come at a premium. Despite their hefty price tags, the marketplace for foldables continues to heat up. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted foldable smartphones will eventually become a “must-have” offering for major smartphone brands. The compact, hybrid folding phone-slash-tablet combo is designed for people who seek more screen real estate but dislike the newer gigantic phablets. The small models are for those who always longed for their clamshells of old.
In addition to Samsung’s latest handsets, the few foldable phones available sport a variety of styles and forms, while TCL has famously experimented with less conventional design concepts.
In the future, we expect folding phones from companies such as TCL and Apple, though some manufacturers may target local markets, like the Vivo X Fold, the Oppo Find N, the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold, all currently only available in China. There’s even word of a foldable from Google, which could be the Pixel Fold or Pixel Notepad.
As companies like Samsung, Motorola, and Huawei lead the charge for a creative overhaul of the smartphone genre, we present the best foldable phones available today.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
The smart money had it right: Last year, Samsung, as anticipated, released the third generation of its flagship foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold 3. The reception for this product has been overwhelmingly positive and most of the earlier predictions regarding upgrades to the handset — S Pen support, IPX8 rating water resistance, and an under-display camera — came to pass.
The 6.2-inch 5G smartphone is available in Phantom Black, Phantom Green, and Phantom Silver. When open, you get 7.6 inches of AMOLED 2X screen made with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. An additional panel layer and protective film make the Fold 3’s interior main screen more durable. Screens are accompanied by Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The under-display camera is hidden beneath the main screen. You can split the screen into three apps and then open five more via pop-up for multitasking. The Fold 3 sports 12MP telephoto, 12MP wide-angle, and 12MP ultrawide-angle cameras in an Armor Aluminum frame.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
The 4.2-inch Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 — in Cream, Green, Lavender, or Phantom Black, plus a range of Bespoke Edition colors — debuted alongside its sibling, the Z Fold 3 last year. The beloved clamshell design is intact with a whole lot more goodies, such as an IPX8 water resistance rating.
The 6.7-inch dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz display offers a bright, clear, responsive visual, while the 1.9-inch cover screen shows and lets you interact with notifications. The glass is both flexible and durable with a new protective layer and film. The exterior front cover and back cover are made with durable Gorilla Glass. When it comes to shooting pics and selfies, the Flip 3 has you covered with a 10MP front, 12MP ultrawide, and 12MP wide-angle camera and selfies from the dual rear camera. Split your screen in two to multitask. The 3,300mAh battery adjusts based on your daily use.
Motorola Razr (2020)
This newest model is Motorola’s successor to the Razr 2019 and addresses many of the complaints about the older phone, including a lack of splash resistance. The Razr 2020, available unlocked, heavily resembles the look of the older model, with the same size, clamshell design, and dimensions, as well as the internal 6.2-inch 21:9 foldable display and external 2.7-inch Quick View display. It also runs the same software — though the Quick View display can now run any app, accomplish quick tasks, and reply to messages. The new device sports 3D curved glass on both sides with an aluminum frame in Black, Blush Gold, and Gray. The chin at the bottom is smoother and smaller, and the fingerprint sensor is now on the back of the phone.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G
The original Samsung Galaxy Z Flip was upgraded to include 5G. With its 6.7-inch AMOLED display and 2636 × 1080 resolution, the updated Z Flip appeals to a certain class of buyer. While there is a noticeable crease in the middle of the device at the bend area, it is hard to see when looking directly at the device. A Flex Mode detects when the phone is half-open and automatically separates the interface into two screens for certain apps.
With Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 Plus processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip’s chipset is up there with the high-end flagships. The device has a 3,300mAh battery and the ability to charge or share power wirelessly with other devices. It also features a pair of 12-megapixel wide-angle and ultrawide-angle cameras.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is still available, despite the newer model. It features a 7.6-inch inner touchscreen, a 6.2-inch cover touchscreen, and a 12MP telephoto camera lens. It runs on a powerful Snapdragon 865 Plus processor and a sleek body. Samsung has outfitted the device with the latest Ultra Thin Glass (UTG), which made the Z Fold sturdy. The hinge, which uses tiny bristles to banish dust and debris, is a huge improvement over the original Fold.
Microsoft Surface Duo 2
In October 2021, Microsoft released the Surface Duo 2, the follow-up to the original Surface Duo. This dual-screen phone ships with Android 11 and, when unfolded, has a larger 8.3-inch display than its predecessor, measuring in at 5.8 inches while folded. The PixelSense AMOLED display has a resolution of 2688 x 1892 while open and 1344 x 1892 when closed. There’s also a bump to a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone can fold completely closed, open like a book, or fold back on itself for single-screen use.
Under the hood, the Surface Duo 2 packs a Snapdragon 888 processor, 8GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of onboard storage. Strong battery life and a triple camera array round out the package, plus 5G for future-proofing and NFC. However, unlike Samsung’s foldables there’s no IP rating here.