## Best Folding Phones of 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
Folding smartphones have come a long way since their initial, albeit buggy, introduction. Today, they’re refined, powerful devices designed for everyday use. While their prices are gradually decreasing, they remain a significant investment, making informed decision-making crucial.
The folding phone market currently offers two distinct types:
Book-Style Foldables
resembling a regular phone that unfolds into a tablet, andClamshell Foldables
, similar to the classic Motorola Razr, compactly folding in half. Both styles utilize the same screen and hinge technologies but cater to different user preferences.As we delve into the best folding phones available in 2024, remember that this is a rapidly evolving technology. Other styles may emerge in the future, but for now, these two designs are dominating the market. Whichever you choose, your first weeks and months with a new folding phone will be a thrilling and transformative experience.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Why you should buy this:
Samsung continues to lead the pack with the Z Fold 6, offering a premium big-screen foldable experience. Its powerful specs, improved cameras, and refined design with enhanced durability make it a top contender.Who’s it for:
Anyone seeking a combination of tablet and smartphone in their pocket, capable of capturing stunning photos.Why we picked it:
Samsung’s experience in the foldable market is evident in the Z Fold 6. While not drastically different from its predecessor, the Fold 6 refines Samsung’s proven formula. The design remains similar to the Z Fold 5, but with subtle improvements, Samsung’s engineers have successfully reduced its dimensions. Now only 12.1mm thick when folded, it’s slightly thicker than other foldables but not drastically so. It’s also 14 grams lighter than the Fold 5, making it noticeably thinner and lighter for easier carrying. Its pocketability now rivals that of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.The screens have been upgraded with a slightly larger 6.3-inch cover screen, offering better one-handed usability. Unfolded, a spacious 7.6-inch display awaits, both powered by Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X tech with 120Hz refresh rates. The phone is fully compatible with the S Pen stylus (sold separately), making it a great option for sketching on the larger inner screen.
As expected, the Z Fold 6 boasts top-tier specs, featuring the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with 12GB of RAM. This performance puts it on par with other Samsung flagship phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It’s significantly faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 found in the Fold 5 and effortlessly manages multitasking, allowing you to run multiple apps simultaneously on the inner display. Gaming is smooth, with no lag, and storage options range from 256GB in the base model to 1TB for those needing more space.
While not as powerful as the cameras on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Z Fold 6’s cameras are still impressive. They mirror the Fold 5’s performance with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12MP wide-angle camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Photos are vibrant and colorful thanks to Samsung’s HDR technology, enhancing reds, greens, and blues. The front cover features a 10MP selfie camera, while the inner display has a 4MP Under Display Camera (UDC), capable of taking decent selfies and performing well in video calls.
The 4,400mAh battery provides a full day of use, although heavy gaming and video watching might lead to quicker drain. While the 25-watt fast charging is not as rapid as the 45W speed found on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, it’s still faster than the 15W wireless fast charging option.
OnePlus Open
Why you should buy this:
OnePlus has made a remarkable entry into the foldable market with the Open. It’s an innovative and fun device for those seeking a unique phone experience.Who’s it for:
Users looking for something different and exciting.Why we picked it:
The OnePlus Open is a standout device that has garnered significant attention. This is OnePlus’s first foldable, and it’s meticulously crafted. The use of titanium and other high-quality materials has resulted in a lightweight and compact device when folded, ideal for users seeking portability and user-friendliness.One of the Open’s key strengths is its high-quality cover and inner display. The cover display is similar in size to a typical smartphone, making it incredibly user-friendly. The anti-reflective layer on the inner display is a welcome addition, offering a more comfortable viewing experience compared to the highly reflective inner display of the Google Pixel Fold.
The OnePlus Open’s design is aesthetically pleasing and has received positive feedback from those who appreciate aesthetics and design.
Performance-wise, the OnePlus Open is a top-notch device powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, easily handling even the most demanding tasks. It’s equipped with the latest hardware and software, and its user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. Battery life is impressive, lasting for hours on a single charge. When you need to recharge, the 67W wired charging is among the fastest available on a foldable phone today, though not as fast as the 80W charging offered by the OnePlus 12.
Overall, the OnePlus Open is an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality, well-built, and user-friendly foldable. Its lightweight and compact design, combined with its high-quality display and impressive performance, make it a valuable investment for users prioritizing quality and innovation.
Motorola Razr (2024)
Why you should buy this:
Budget-conscious users who still want the benefits of a compact foldable design will find the Razr (2024) a compelling option.Who’s it for:
Users seeking a hassle-free foldable smartphone experience.Why we picked it:
Motorola’s latest Razr foldable continues to build upon its predecessors’ success with a unique and compact flip design, capable performance, and a minimalist feature set. The design is eye-catching, available in various vibrant color options, and featuring a vegan leather back. The hinge design has been improved, resulting in a smaller, smoother hinge with a larger 3.6-inch pOLED cover screen now incorporating an always-on display, a feature missing in the previous generation.Multitasking is straightforward, as it’s a folding flip phone running Android, allowing you to use it like a regular device. The inner 6.9-inch FHD+ screen is bright and captivating, reaching 3,000 nits in direct sunlight and boasting a 120Hz refresh rate. The dual rear cameras are decent, though not exceptional, with a 50-megapixel main camera and a 13MP ultrawide camera. There’s also a 32MP selfie camera.
Specs have been upgraded, with the phone featuring a MediaTek 7300x processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage. It handles tasks well and includes a virtual RAM feature for more intensive usage. The 4,200mAh battery should provide at least a full day of use.
There are a few minor drawbacks, including somewhat frequent Wi-Fi connection drops, the absence of reverse wireless charging, and only three years of OS upgrades. These are relatively minor issues, especially considering the Razr 2024’s price tag, which is hundreds of dollars lower than the Z Flip 6. If you’re looking for a stylish clamshell foldable that’s easy to use and affordable, the Motorola Razr (2024) is an excellent choice.
Google Pixel Fold
Why you should buy this:
It’s a powerful folding phone with a clean stock Android experience and multitasking capabilities. It’s also notable for its short and wide cover screen, which might appeal to some users.Who’s it for:
Users seeking a foldable phone with a familiar cover display experience.Why we picked it:
The Pixel Fold is Google’s first foray into the foldable market, but it certainly won’t be the last. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is expected to launch soon, with Google hosting a Made by Google event on August 13. In the meantime, if you’re not a fan of the Z Fold 6’s narrow cover display or prefer a cleaner, more stock Android experience, the Pixel Fold is a worthy contender. It boasts a short and wide cover screen, setting it apart from other foldable handsets.The Pixel Fold’s 5.8-inch OLED cover display is visually stunning and similar in size to most smartphones, making it comfortable to use and type on. Its size also enables easy one-handed use, and there’s no gap when the device is closed, unlike the Z Fold 5. On the inside, a 7.6-inch inner OLED display 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 Tensor G2 chip, paired with 12GB of RAM. It comes in two storage capacities: 256GB or 512GB. Thanks to the G2 chip, the device handles everyday tasks effortlessly and is highly responsive. Google’s advanced AI and computational photography processing techniques ensure excellent photo quality.
The Pixel Fold features 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 utilize the rear camera in Rear Camera Selfie mode to capture high-quality selfies when the device is unfolded.
The Pixel Fold comes equipped with a 4,821mAh battery that lasts for a full day with moderate to heavy use. Charging speeds reach up to 30W, but Google doesn’t include a power adapter, so you’ll need to use your own. While wireless charging is supported, its maximum speeds of 7.5W are underwhelming, and reverse wireless charging is not available.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Why you should buy this:
Samsung’s top-of-the-line flip phone, the Z Flip 6, comes with significant improvements, solid cameras, strong performance, and enhanced durability.Who’s it for:
Users who want the best clamshell foldable on the market.Why we picked it:
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 maintains its position as the top clamshell foldable, but it faces tougher competition than before. Key improvements include the introduction of IP48 water and dust resistance, a more durable hinge, and enhanced shock distribution, all contributing to the longevity of your expensive foldable. There are also numerous eye-catching color options, and the Flip 6 feels exceptionally high-quality overall.Other changes are relatively minor. You get the same 3.4-inch AMOLED cover screen with a 60Hz refresh rate. The inner screen remains the same, a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. A welcome change is a less prominent screen crease compared to the Flip 5, though it’s still more noticeable than the crease on the Motorola Razr (2024).
Performance receives a boost with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 12GB of RAM (more than the previous generation), and storage options ranging from 256GB to 512GB. The Z Flip 6 cameras are generally excellent, although they don’t match the performance of the S24 Ultra. You get a 50MP primary camera, the same as the S24 and S24 Plus. There’s also a 12MP ultrawide camera and a 10MP selfie camera. Photos are typically clear, and the 123-degree field of view on the ultrawide sensor captures a wider scene.
Battery life sees a significant improvement with a 4,000mAh cell, the largest ever included in a Samsung Z Flip. While still limited to a one-day smartphone, it provides a more comfortable experience. Charging speeds remain underwhelming, with 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
Motorola Razr Plus 2024
Why you should buy this:
The Motorola Razr Plus is a beefed-up flip phone in terms of specs, offering a genuine challenge to the Samsung Z Flip 6.Who’s it for:
Users seeking a powerful phone in a compact and fun-to-use package.Why we picked it:
While the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 may have taken the throne, the Motorola Razr Plus is undeniably one of the best compact flip phones of 2024. It closely resembles the Razr Plus 2023 in design, featuring a vegan leather back and various cool color options. The new hinge is a significant improvement, feeling much smoother and quieter when opening and closing. The Motorola Razr Plus 2024 offers impressive IP52 dust and water resistance, surpassing the IP48 rating of 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 substantial upgrade over last year’s cover screen and surpasses the Flip 6 in this regard. The cover screen can also run apps that fill the entire screen, unlike the Samsung, which requires additional steps. It also finally includes an always-on display. The inner screen is a 6.9-inch FHD+ display reaching 3,000 nits of peak brightness and a 165Hz refresh rate, making it faster and more responsive than the Flip 6. The crease is much less prominent than before, another welcome improvement.
Specs are nothing to scoff at, with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor. It’s not as powerful as the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip found in phones like the Galaxy S24, but it matches the capabilities of the Honor 200 Pro.
Camera performance sees a considerable improvement over the 2023 model, addressing a major area 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. The photos taken with the Razr Plus were generally impressive, although they tend to be slightly oversaturated. Finally, battery life also gets an upgrade with a 4,000mAh cell, allowing for comfortable use for a full day and matching the Flip 6’s size. It supports 45W wired fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging, making it faster to charge than either of Samsung’s latest foldables.
Frequently Asked Questions
*
What is the best folding phone for overall performance and features?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 currently holds the top spot for overall performance and features, offering a large display, powerful specs, and excellent cameras.*
What is the best budget-friendly folding phone?
The Motorola Razr (2024) is the most affordable option, offering a compact flip design and solid performance for its price.*
What is the best folding phone for a unique experience?
The OnePlus Open is a standout choice for its innovative design and user experience.*
What is the best folding phone for a compact and powerful design?
The Motorola Razr Plus 2024 is a strong contender, offering a compact flip design, a high-quality cover screen, and impressive camera performance.*
What is the best folding phone with a clean Android experience?
The Google Pixel Fold provides a clean stock Android experience with powerful specs and a unique cover screen.This comprehensive guide provides a starting point for your search for the perfect folding phone. Consider your priorities, such as budget, screen size, performance, and camera capabilities, when making your decision. With these top contenders, the future of folding phones is bright and full of exciting possibilities.
