Best Smartphones
Best Folding Phones in 2023
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: The best folding phone
Pros:
- Thinner and lighter design
- Silent, high-quality hinge
- Strong multitasking capabilities
- Fun, social media-friendly camera
- IPX8 and durable framework
Cons:
- Battery life hasn’t seen a significant improvement
- Slow charging
Reasons to consider the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5:
Generous Size and Power: The Galaxy Z Fold 5 offers a substantial and powerful device with noteworthy improvements that enhance overall performance.
Target Audience: Designed for individuals seeking the convenience of both a tablet and smartphone, effectively combining the two functionalities in a pocket-sized device.
Samsung’s Expertise in Foldable Tech: Samsung, a longstanding player in the foldable device market, has consistently introduced innovative foldable devices. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 builds on this legacy with incremental but significant enhancements.
Evolving Design Features: While maintaining a design continuity from the Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Z Fold 5 distinguishes itself by being notably lighter and thinner. The hinge design is a standout feature, now folding completely flat, eliminating the gap between displays and contributing to a more refined appearance.
Display Technology: The device features a 6.2-inch cover display and a spacious 7.6-inch inner display, both incorporating Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology and boasting a 120Hz refresh rate for vibrant and smooth visuals.
Powerful Processor: Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, the Z Fold 5 ensures robust processing capabilities. This is particularly relevant for handling multitasking and displaying content seamlessly on the expansive inner screen.
Ample Storage Options: Available in storage capacities ranging from 256GB to 1TB, the Z Fold 5 caters to diverse needs, offering extensive space for users who require substantial storage.
Camera Capabilities: The camera setup, while not on par with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, is more than satisfactory. It includes a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12MP wide-angle camera, and a 10MP telephoto with a 3x optical zoom. The front cover houses a 10MP selfie camera, and the device incorporates experimental 4MP Under Display Camera (UDC) technology.
Battery Performance: With a 4,400mAh battery, the Z Fold 5 delivers a full day and more on a single charge. The 25-watt fast charging capability ensures efficient replenishment, although the charger for this speed may not be included in the box.
S Pen Compatibility: Fully compatible with the S Pen stylus, although not bundled with the device, the Z Fold 5 caters to users interested in sketching and note-taking, particularly on the expansive inner screen.
OnePlus Open: The best folding phone runner-up
OnePlus Open Review
- Compact and lightweight design
- Powerful camera capabilities
- Stunning display quality
- Anti-glare feature on the inner display
- Opens flat easily
- 67W fast charging
- Intuitive multitasking functionality
Cons:
- Hinge not firm enough
- Large camera bump
- Macro and 120x Super Res are not great
Reasons to consider the OnePlus Open:
Innovative and Fun Design: A remarkable foldable device from OnePlus, showcasing the company’s entry into the folding device market. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, offering an innovative and enjoyable user experience.
Versatile Audience: Suited for anyone seeking a unique and distinct phone experience.
Materials and Portability: Crafted with lightweight titanium and other premium materials, ensuring a compact and portable form when folded. Ideal for users looking for a more portable and user-friendly foldable device.
High-Quality Display: Features a high-quality cover display, comparable in size to a typical smartphone, enhancing ease of use. Incorporates an anti-reflective layer on the inner display for added comfort during use.
Aesthetically Pleasing Design: Attractive overall design that has garnered positive reception from users who value aesthetics and design.
Top-Notch Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, delivering exceptional performance and handling demanding tasks with ease. Equipped with the latest hardware and software, featuring an intuitive and user-friendly interface.
Impressive Battery Life: Boasts an impressive battery life, providing hours of usage on a single charge.
Fast Charging Capability: Rapid 67W wired charging, among the fastest available for folding phones, ensuring quick recharging when needed.
In summary, the OnePlus Open stands out as a compelling choice for those seeking a high-quality, well-built, and user-friendly foldable device. Its combination of lightweight design, premium display, powerful performance, and fast charging make it a noteworthy investment for individuals who prioritize quality and innovation.
Motorola Razr (2023): The best cheap folding phone
- Lightweight and compact
- Camera suitable for social media
- Fast battery charging
- Cute Moo character brightens up the cover screen
- Dust and water resistance
Cons:
- No always-on screen
- Slow wireless charging
- Can get warm under heavy usage
Reasons to consider the Motorola Razr (2023):
Tailored for Simplicity: Not everyone desires the extensive features found in other foldable phones. The Motorola Razr (2023) caters to those who prefer a straightforward and uncomplicated foldable smartphone experience.
Ideal User Profile: Geared towards individuals seeking a hassle-free foldable smartphone encounter.
Unique Flip Design: The latest Motorola Razr stands out with its distinctive and compact flip design, capturing attention with minimalistic features. The phone’s simple yet reliable design contributes to maintaining an affordable price, making it well-suited for everyday use.
Android Functionality: Operates on the Android platform, offering users a familiar and user-friendly experience. The folding flip phone concept is executed seamlessly, providing users with a delightful and functional device.
Aesthetic Touches: Features a vegan leather back, adding a touch of sophistication to the device. The hinge is designed for reliability, ensuring a durable and consistent user experience. Motorola’s Moo character adds a playful and enjoyable element to the phone’s design.
Considerations for Users: While the phone excels in simplicity, it lacks an always-on option for the cover screen, which may be a minor inconvenience for some users. The efficiency of wireless charging is noted as a drawback, and the phone’s processor may face challenges under heavy loads.
Budget-Friendly Option: Despite minor drawbacks, the Motorola Razr presents an excellent value proposition for those in search of a budget-friendly folding phone. It offers an affordable entry point for individuals eager to explore foldable smartphone technology without a substantial financial commitment.
Sleek and Affordable: Positioned as one of the more economical choices for entering the foldable smartphone market. Combines a sleek and unique design with affordability, making it an appealing option for users prioritizing ease of use and cost-effectiveness.
In summary, the Motorola Razr (2023) caters to users seeking a simplified yet stylish foldable smartphone experience, with a focus on affordability and user-friendly design.
Google Pixel Fold: The best compact folding phone
Pros:
- Solid build quality
- Great cover display size
- Minimal gap when closed
- Beautiful displays
- Fantastic cameras
- Fast performance
Cons:
- Cover display scratches easily
- One-day battery life
- Limited wireless charging options
Reasons to consider the Google Pixel Fold:
Powerful Folding Experience: Recognized as a potent folding phone, the Google Pixel Fold delivers robust performance combined with a clean stock Android interface and efficient multitasking capabilities.
Normal-Feeling Cover Display: Tailored for users who prefer a foldable phone with a cover display that feels familiar and typical. Ideal for anyone seeking a device with a regular and comfortable cover screen experience.
Selection Rationale: Google’s entry into the foldable smartphone arena with the Pixel Fold signifies a formidable contender in the market. Particularly appealing for individuals who may not favor the narrower cover display of the Z Fold 5 or those who prioritize a cleaner, stock Android experience.
Short and Wide Cover Screen: Distinguishes itself with a 5.8-inch OLED cover display that offers a visually stunning experience. The cover screen’s dimensions provide comfort for activities like typing and using the phone with one hand. Notable absence of a gap when the device is closed, in contrast to the Z Fold 5.
Impressive Dual Display Setup: Features a 7.6-inch inner OLED display that defaults to landscape orientation but offers the flexibility to switch to portrait orientation. Both screens boast a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and ample brightness for outdoor visibility. The inner display may exhibit some reflectivity due to the integrated plastic screen protector.
Tensor G2 Chip and Ample RAM: Powered by the Tensor G2 chip and equipped with 12GB of RAM, ensuring a responsive and powerful performance for everyday tasks.
Cutting-Edge Photography Features: Leverages Google’s advanced AI and computational photography techniques to deliver outstanding photo results. Camera setup includes a 48MP main camera, a 10.8MP ultrawide camera, and a 10.8MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom.
Battery Life and Charging: The Pixel Fold incorporates a 4,821mAh battery, providing a full day of usage under moderate to heavy loads. Charging speeds can reach up to 30W, but users need to provide their own power adapter. While supporting wireless charging, the max speeds of 7.5W may be considered somewhat modest, and there is no reverse wireless charging feature.
In summary, the Google Pixel Fold stands out as a compelling choice for users seeking a powerful foldable phone with a user-friendly interface, a normal-feeling cover display, and advanced photography capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: The best folding flip phone
Pros:
- No gap when folded shut
- Extremely well-built
- Outstanding hinge
- Useful cover screen
- Fantastic performance
- Good and dependable cameras
- 5 years of updates
Cons:
- The crease is still present
- Moderate battery life
- Cover screen requires tweaking
Reasons to consider the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5:
Enhanced Flip Phone Experience: Regarded as Samsung’s best flip phone, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 offers significant improvements over its predecessors.
Target Audience: Tailored for individuals who appreciate the clamshell fold design but are unwilling to compromise on the “smart” functionalities of their phones.
Selection Justification: Recognized for being a substantial upgrade, incorporating favorable aspects from the Motorola Razr Plus into the already outstanding Z Flip 4. Achieves a noteworthy level of refinement, addressing some of the imperfections found in previous Samsung flip phones.
Improved Hinge Design: Similar to the Z Fold 5, the Z Flip 5 eliminates the gap where the displays meet at the hinge, allowing the device to sit completely flat when folded shut. This design adjustment contributes to a slimmer profile, enhancing the phone’s comfort when placed in pockets.
Enhanced Build Quality: The Z Flip 5 showcases an elevated sense of quality, with components feeling more robust compared to previous iterations and even surpassing the Motorola Razr Plus in this aspect.
Revamped Cover Screen: The Z Flip 5’s cover screen has been expanded to 3.4 inches, a substantial increase from the 1.9-inch size in its predecessor. The cover screen now offers an array of useful widgets, providing an improved user experience. However, running certain apps may require workarounds using apps from the Galaxy Store.
Camera System Updates: While maintaining similarities with the Z Flip 4, the Z Flip 5 incorporates upgrades such as an improved image signal processor for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and a new clear lens coating. Despite occasional oversaturation, the camera performance is considered reliable and surpasses the Motorola Razr Plus.
Battery Life Considerations: Similar to the Z Flip 4, the Z Flip 5 is designed for a one-day usage pattern, and heavy users may need to top up the battery before the day concludes. The device supports 25W charging, allowing for relatively quick top-ups; however, it’s worth noting that a 25W charger is not included in the package.
In summary, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is an attractive choice for those seeking an improved and refined flip phone experience, with enhancements in hinge design, build quality, cover screen functionality, and camera system performance.
Motorola Razr Plus: The best folding flip phone runner-up
Pros:
- Viva Magenta color looks incredible
- Water and dust resistance
- Game-changing cover screen
- Minimal display crease
- Excellent performance
- Lovely software experience
Cons:
- Mediocre cameras
- One-day battery life
- Wired charging capped at 30W