The Best Foldable Phones of 2024

Once a novelty, foldable phones have become mainstream over the past few years. Here’s a look at the five best foldable phones, from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 to the OnePlus Open.

What to Look for in a Foldable Phone in 2024

Shopping for a foldable phone can be challenging, as there are many factors to consider. Before worrying about the intricacies of folding phones, it’s important to first examine the same things you’d check on a traditional smartphone. That means you’ll want to look for a premium processor, good front- and rear-facing cameras, support for 5G, and overall storage space. Battery life is a big concern with foldable phones, as their large displays often require massive power reserves.

You’ll also want to consider the operating system powering all this hardware. Most foldables available today run on some version of Android — but if you’re very particular about your OS or are coming over from an iPhone, it pays to dig a bit deeper into the nuances of your prospective phones. It’s hard to pick a bad OS nowadays, but we prefer the software offered by Samsung and Google as they’re time-tested and wildly popular.

Once you’ve verified that the hardware and software powering your phone fits your needs, you can start looking at foldable-specific details. The main consideration here is the hinge and screen crease. The hinge is the external component that allows the foldable to fold. If it isn’t durable or properly constructed, it can start failing or let debris slip inside the device.

As for the screen crease, this is the portion of the screen that folds in half while the device is closed. Depending on the smartphone, this can range from a serious nuisance to practically invisible. You’ll likely notice a slight crease on all foldables when viewed from specific angles, but some do a better job than others of hiding it when viewed head-on.

Our top picks feature a durable hinge and limited screen crease, though discerning shoppers may want to watch a few videos or check out these foldables in person to ensure they meet your expectations. They’re also designed as premium smartphones that compete with traditional smartphones at the high end of the market, ensuring you get a well-rounded device that’ll serve you well for years.

Samsung devices are always well-reviewed, so it should come as no surprise that the latest iteration of the company’s foldable is the best on the market. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a big upgrade over its predecessors, proving Samsung has found a winning formula.

The hinge and screen crease are key components of any foldable. If the hinge isn’t durable, you must be incredibly cautious while using your fragile smartphone. If the display has a noticeable crease, no one will want to use it to stream TV shows or play games. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about either with the Z Fold 6. The hinge is much more durable than the outgoing Z Fold 5, while the screen crease is less noticeable due to advanced layering techniques during construction.

Of course, the rest of the Z Fold 6’s hardware is just as compelling. Equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12GB RAM, 50MP rear camera that can record in up to 8K, and an outer display that supports HD+ resolutions, there isn’t much missing with Samsung’s latest foldable. It even supports the S Pen for drawing or taking notes. Its battery life isn’t the greatest and it’s quite expensive, but no doubt it’s worth every penny.

Best Foldable Overall

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a foldable smartphone that combines the functionality of a tablet with the convenience of a phone. It features a large, flexible internal screen that automatically picks up where you left off on the cover display. It is the definition of mobile productivity and entertainment with advanced multitasking capabilities, powerful performance, and enhanced Galaxy AI capabilities.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the newest smartphone on this list, and it makes big improvements over the old Pixel Fold. Offering a thin design, large displays, and great internal hardware, Google has built a foldable that can hang with the best.

With a massive 6.3-inch outer display, you should have no problem accessing all your content without the need to snap open your smartphone. When you unfurl the device, you’ll get a gorgeous 8-inch OLED screen. This makes it great for multitasking, gaming, or streaming, as it’s among the largest inner screens on the market.

Equipped with the Google Tensor G4, 16GB RAM, and up to 512GB SSD, this is a premium (and powerful) flagship capable of running all your apps without slowing down. It’s still wildly expensive and the device’s longevity is yet to be determined, but this is the ideal choice for anyone seeking the latest and greatest tech on the market.

Best Foldable for Google

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a cutting-edge foldable smartphone featuring an 8-inch Super Actua Flex inner display that supports multitasking and immersive entertainment. It is powered by the Tensor G4 processor, offers 16 GB of RAM, and comes with advanced AI capabilities, making it a powerful and efficient device for creativity and productivity.

Best Foldable Outer Display: OnePlus Open

OnePlus might not be quite as popular as Google or Samsung, but the OnePlus Open is among the best foldables on the market. Part of its appeal is its outer screen, which is shaped much closer to a traditional smartphone and clocks in at 6.31 inches—making it more functional than the competition.

The cover and main screens are vibrant AMOLED displays that support up to 120Hz refresh rates. Whether gaming, streaming TV, or just scrolling through your emails, the phone looks great in action. And because of its 7.82-inch size when unfolded, it’s one of the largest foldables you can buy.

Couple those displays with a Snapdragon Gen 2, support for 5G, and an impressive (albeit large) camera block, and you’ve got a nice alternative to the mainstream picks. It lacks wireless charging and is only splashproof (not waterproof), though these are minor drawbacks for an otherwise well-rounded smartphone.

Best Foldable Outer Display

OnePlus Open

The OnePlus Open is a tablet-like foldable phone. It features a phone-sized outside display and nearly square inside display, along with a massive camera array on the back.

Whether you consider it a foldable or a “flippable”, the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 hits all the right notes for a smartphone with a collapsible display. It’s much smaller than true foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and OnePlus Open, making it a great compromise for folks seeking a traditional smartphone that can slip into a pocket.

The biggest knock on the Razr Plus 2024 is its display. Its outer display is large enough to let you scroll through music selections, play a variety of games, and access apps, but its inner pOLED screen isn’t quite as compelling as the competition’s AMOLED display. However, its hinge durability is impressive, and there’s virtually no crease while in use—partially making up for the lower-quality images.

Aside from that minor knock, this modern take on the classic Razr has little to complain about. Equipped with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, 12GB RAM, and enough juice to last you all day, the internal hardware goes toe-for-toe with other flagships. Be sure to give it a look if you’re interested in the “flippable” smartphone format.

Best Foldable for Nostalgia

Motorola Razr Plus 2024

$840 $1000 Save $160

The Razr Plus 2024 features a functional outer screen that lets you check out various apps at a glance. Coupled with a reasonable price and impressive hardware, it’s a great option if you’re seeking a smaller smartphone.

Like the Razr Plus 2024, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is designed as a traditional smartphone that folds in half. That makes it ultra-portable yet still offers an impressive 6.7-inch main screen. As you’d expect, it’s built to Samsung’s high standards, features a camera block that rivals its best competitors and comes with a battery that provides enough power for a full day of use.

The inner AMOLED display looks stunning, thanks to a diminished crease, sturdy hinge, and buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The same can’t be said of the tiny outer screen, which is still a bit cumbersome to use at just 3.4 inches and 60Hz. But when paired with the Snapdragon Gen 3, you’ve got more than enough power to back up all your games and apps.

Other notable features include a premium camera block with a 50MP main camera, support for 5G, and IP48 dust and water resistance for peace of mind. It’s quite expensive at over $1,000 for the 512GB model, but there’s no denying it has a unique “cool” factor that other phones can’t replicate.

Best Foldable Flip Phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a sleek, foldable smartphone with a dynamic AMOLED 6.7-inch internal display and a robust hinge mechanism. Powered by the latest Snapdragon processor, it offers exceptional performance, a greatly improved dual-camera system, and Flex Mode for hands-free selfies and video calls.

FAQ

What is a foldable phone?

A foldable phone is one that can literally fold in half. This allows it to offer a large screen in a portable format that better fits in pockets, purses, or backpacks.

Are foldable phones more fragile than regular smartphones?

Foldable phones are necessarily more fragile than regular phones, but they do have more components to worry about. The hinge is the biggest issue, as it needs to be durable enough to withstand daily use without failing over the years.

Are all flip phones now foldable phones?

Modern flip phones are essentially foldable phones. However, while foldable phones typically unfold to offer massive inner screens that rival tablets, flip phones unfold to offer a screen the size of a traditional smartphone. You can also still find classic flip phones like the Nokia 2780 Flip.