Best Foldable Smartphones: Top 7 Devices, According To Tech Experts -

A smartphone screen that would fold was only a pipe dream a few years ago. Now — the market is flooded with these devices that will bend without breaking. These cutting-edge foldable smartphones blend the convenience of a compact phone with the expanded screen size of a tablet, offering a unique, versatile user experience. Equipped with advanced display technologies and durable hinges, they are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use while providing a seamless transition between phone and tablet modes. Manufacturers continue to enhance the phone’s design, durability, and functionality, so they are no longer just a novelty but a practical choice for the modern consumer. The challenge is to buy one of the best foldable smartphones on the market, but don’t worry, we’ve researched, so you don’t have to.

You may ask yourself why you should opt for a foldable device. What is the appeal? Several key factors contribute to the growing popularity of foldable smartphones:

Increased Screen Real Estate: Unfolding the device reveals a expansive display, offering an immersive experience for consuming content, gaming, and multitasking.
Enhanced Portability: When folded, these phones are remarkably compact, fitting comfortably into pockets or bags, making them ideal for individuals on the go.
Multitasking Powerhouse: The larger screen allows for split-screen functionality, enabling users to work on two apps simultaneously, boosting productivity and efficiency.
Innovation and Uniqueness: Owning a foldable smartphone signifies a tech-savvy and forward-thinking approach, offering a sense of exclusivity and individuality.
Novelty and Excitement: The innovative design and functionality of foldable phones provide a sense of novelty and excitement, appealing to those who embrace cutting-edge technology.

With all the benefits of owning a foldable phone, it seems like a great idea to grab one for yourself. When selecting a model, the experts say you should buy one with a durable hinge and screen and make sure it has a long battery life. These phones often have larger screens that consume batteries faster. Also, don’t overlook camera quality and consider the size of the device folded and unfolded. Brand reputation and price should also be considered. Also, be ready to spend more to repair the device if it should break because of the larger screen. Ready to see our list of the best foldable smartphones? Check it out below.

Samsung Galaxy Fold 5 (Photo by 2H Media on Unsplash)

The List: Best Foldable Smartphones, Per Experts

1. OnePlus Open

This is Oppo’s first attempt at a foldable phone and it’s already getting rave reviews. According to Tom’s Guide, “It’s undeniably the best foldable around, but the OnePlus Open is made better because you don’t have to pay full price for a phone that just launched.”

“With the OnePlus Open, the Oppo’s new phone-to-tablet foldable has not only undercut the likes of Samsung and Google in price but also brought about some fancy new features that we’ve yet to see in the product category,” according to ZDNet. “For example, the OnePlus Open is both thinner and lighter (245g) than the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (253g) and Pixel Fold (283g), and it supports 67W fast charging. Perhaps more importantly, the OnePlus introduces Open Canvas, a multitasking feature that lets you glide between several app windows for a seamless multitasking experience.”

Android Police writes, “Although the Open is technically OnePlus’s first foldable phone, it gives the competition a run for its money with an impressive debut. It boasts excellent build quality with the internals expected of a 2023 flagship phone, plus it offers innovative software features. And unlike its rivals, the OnePlus Open comes with a charger and a case in the box.”

2. Galaxy Z Fold 5

So, what’s all the hype about this device? “The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is in a class by itself, with huge power, a huge internal display, and more features than you’ll know what to do with,” writes Tech Radar. “Samsung has been making foldable phones longer than any other maker on this list, and it shows in the refinement and polish on the latest Fold 5. The Z Fold 5 prioritizes being a tablet, so if you’re looking for a big screen that you can carry anywhere, this is the phone for you.”

Engadget says, “Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line remains the best flagship foldable on sale today and one of the best Android phones, period. On the Z Fold 5, Samsung introduced its new Flex Hinge, which has slimmed down the phone’s dimensions while allowing it to close completely flat. It boasts blazing performance thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, excellent battery life, and the flexible main screen’s brightness is the best you can get with a peak of 1,750 nits.”

According to ZDNet’s Jason Hiner, “The hinge, battery, and photography updates are nothing flashy, but they’re things you’ll benefit from every day when using the Fold 5.”

3. Google Pixel Fold

Google strikes again! “The Google Pixel Fold arrives a little late to the foldable party,” according to Tech Radar. “It’s a smartphone/tablet combo that mostly delights, and it earns a place among our ranking of the best Foldable Phones. From its construction, including its precision hinge, to its high-resolution screens, the Pixel Fold is a well-thought-out Android phone that’s equally at home as a small-screen, but thick, 5.8-inch phone or, unfolded, as a 7.6-inch mini tablet.”

ZDNet says, “Thanks to its flexible design allowing you to set the phone down and angle it for photos, this is technically the best Pixel phone for selfies and low-light captures.”

According to Engadget, “Despite being Google’s first foldable device, the Pixel Fold (12.1mm) is thinner than Samsung’s alternative (13.4mm) while boasting better camera quality and a longer 5x optical zoom. The phone also has IPX8 water resistance and Google’s excellent Pixel-only software including features like the Hold for Me, Call Screener, the Pixel Recorder app, and more.”

4. Motorola Razr +

According to Tom’s Guide, “The Moto Razr+ is one of the best foldable phones around. Not only does it have a sleek and stylish design, but we love the extra utility of its large, outer screen.”

Android Police writes, “The Motorola Razr+ isn’t just my favorite folding phone of 2023 — it’s my favorite foldable ever. While readers who find themselves drawn to the promise of a pocket-sized tablet will need to look for other options, anyone who misses smaller smartphones will find themselves head over heels in love with Moto’s latest clamshell.”

“The Motorola Razr Plus raised the bar for what a flip phone should be in 2023,” according to CNET. “Its 3.6-inch cover screen allows you to use almost any app without opening the phone, plus battery life is long enough to get you through a busy day. It’s also thinner than the Galaxy Z Flip 5, which could make it the ideal choice for those who prioritize portability in a phone.”

5. Galaxy Z Flip 5

According to Engadget, “Packing a faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, better cameras and longer battery life than the previous Flip 4, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is our favorite compact foldable. This year, Samsung even added its new Flex Hinge, which makes the phone thinner while also eliminating the gap between its screen when closed.”

ZDNet writes, “Compared to the Razr Plus, the Z Flip 5 features a more reliable dual camera system, a Qualcomm chipset that’s a generation ahead, and Samsung’s trusted four-year software update policy (plus five years of security patches).”

Android Police adds, “New to the Z Flip 5 is a 3.4-inch cover display that’s nearly four times the size of the front screen on the Z Flip 4. The 720p resolution at 60Hz works wonders for checking notifications and interacting with widgets, and you can even use a keyboard to answer messages. The internal 6.7-inch screen remains the same, though it does have a new hinge that apparently lessens the shock of impacts when dropped or bumped.”

6. Motorola Razr

This is yet another Motorola model that experts rave about. “You won’t find a better price on a foldable phone than the Motorola Razr 2023,” according to Tom’s Guide. “Good battery life and decent cameras make sure this scaled-back Razr still delivers value.”

Android Police adds, “The Razr (2023) is not just a more affordable alternative to the Razr+ (2023) but to any clamshell foldable. With the Razr (2023), Motorola has succeeded in democratizing foldable smartphones, albeit with a few tradeoffs. That said, the Razr (2023)’s selling points include a great main screen, splendid battery life, and a build quality that defies the price tag.”

According to Engadget, “The non-plus Moto Razr (aka the Razr 40 internationally) is the company’s first attempt to make a more affordable flip-style foldable. It’s one of the least expensive options on sale today. However, it features a much smaller 1.5-inch exterior display along with a slower Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset and somewhat underwhelming cameras. On the bright side, it features the same display you get on its more expensive sibling.”

7. Find N2 Flip

Tech Radar writes, “As well as undercutting Samsung on price, Oppo’s debut clamshell foldable also matches its rival on an impressive four years of OS updates and five years of security updates.”

According to Stuff, “The Find N2 Flip clamshell is a very close rival to the Galaxy Z Flip series, yet costs a fair bit less. It has a gorgeous design, a giant external display, and a pair of decent (though not class-leading) rear cameras. Add in one of the biggest batteries you’ll find on a flip phone and rapid 44W wired charging, and you’re looking at a near-complete package.”

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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.

Tags: smartphones, tech