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The best foldable phones you can buy: Expert tested
Before AI, foldable smartphones were the new hotness. Samsung led the scene with the original Galaxy Fold in 2019, and since then, consumers have gotten more options than ever before, whether the preference is for a foldable that can transform into a tablet or one that flips outward at the flick of the wrist, paying homage to the classic Motorola Razr.
What is the best foldable phone right now?
ZDNET has tested and reviewed every single mass-market foldable during the past year, and the devices below represent the best of the best. Our pick for the best foldable phone overall is the OnePlus Open, a handset that personifies the company's industrial design prowess and "never settle" mentality in performance and speed. The Open has the fastest charging speed of all the foldables we've tested, and it's also less expensive than its closest competitors. Read on for more of our top picks.
Best foldable phones in 2024
- Slim, easy-to-manage form factor
- 16GB of RAM and 512GB is the "base" storage
- 67W wired charging is practical to use
- No wireless charging
- No official IP rating for water resistance
- Can't buy directly from a carrier store
With Chinese phone maker Oppo having released several foldable phones throughout the years, it was only a matter of time before its sister company, OnePlus, would unveil one of its own -- bringing about some much-needed competition in the US market.
With the OnePlus Open, the company's latest phone-to-tablet foldable has not only undercut the likes of Samsung and Google in price but also introduced some fancy new features that we've yet to see in the product category. For example, the OnePlus Open is one of the lightest and thinnest foldables in the North American market, matching that of the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It also supports 67W fast charging, a much quicker rate than the 25W to 45W standards on competing handsets.
Review: OnePlus Open
Perhaps more importantly, the OnePlus introduced Open Canvas, a multitasking feature that lets you glide between several app windows for a seamless multitasking experience. The camera system, from our tests, is great, with a triple-lens configuration helmed by a 48MP sensor capable of capturing vivid and sharp imagery throughout various lighting conditions.
The well-roundedness and aggressive pricing -- OnePlus will deduct at least $200 from the Open when you trade in any phone in any condition -- make this the foldable phone to beat going into 2024.
OnePlus Open tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Display sizes: 6.3-inch exterior and 7.8-inch interior | RAM/Storage: 16GB with 512GB | Battery: 4,805mAh | Camera: 48MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto, 32MP front | Price: Starting at $1,699
- Thinner and lighter than ever
- IP rated for better water and dust resistance
- 2,600 nits of brightness for outdoor viewing
- Best ecosystem of accessories
- Expensive, starting at $1,899
- Cameras are still a step below the S24 Ultra
- Battery size and charging speed are passable
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 6 and OnePlus Open went tooth and nail for the top spot on this list, but key feature advantages put the latter ahead. Still, the Z Fold 6 remains a formidable option for foldable shoppers this year thanks to its more refined and durable design, productivity-inducing software, and undervalued after-sales support.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Z Fold 6 features the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which has proven to yield better on-device and hybrid-based AI capabilities, including Samsung's new Sketch-to-Image, Interpreter Mode, Composer, and more. Samsung also upgraded the hinge this year, making the Fold notably thinner and lighter yet still durable enough to withstand 200,000 bends -- maybe more -- throughout its lifespan.
Thanks to a brighter 2,600-nit display and a crease that's a little less noticeable when open, "the Z Fold 6's 7.6-inch screen is a near-perfect canvas for watching movies, playing games, and getting work done," I mentioned in my review. It's unfortunate that Samsung didn't upgrade the cameras or charging speeds all that much with the latest generation; otherwise, it would've given the OnePlus a run for its money.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Display sizes: 6.2-inch exterior and 7.6-inch interior | RAM/Storage: 12GB with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Battery: 4,400mAh | Camera: 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto, 10MP front | Price: Starting at $1,899
- Wider and shorter display is very practical to use
- Smooth and bloatware-free software
- Impressive battery life
- Best camera system of any foldable
- No stylus support
- Noticeably heavier than other foldables
- Multitasking features are limited
While the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 forges ahead with better design and productivity features, the Google Pixel Fold is a close second thanks to its user-friendly form factor and market-leading camera system. Google took the traditional smartphone route when building the outer display of the Pixel Fold, opting for a shorter and wider panel than Samsung's taller approach.
Review: Google Pixel Fold
Naturally, all the content you're used to consuming, like video streaming and social media, is portrayed in a familiar manner; nothing feels disordered. And while the foldable doesn't match its Pixel Pro sibling spec-for-spec, I noted in my review that "where the Pixel Fold truly shines, and more than makes up for the 'inferior' camera system, is in long exposure shots and selfies," thanks to its self-standing nature.
Google Pixel Fold tech specs: Processor: Google Tensor G2 | Display sizes: 5.8-inch exterior and 7.6-inch interior | RAM/Storage: 12GB with 256GB, 512GB | Battery: 4,821mAh | Camera: 48MP wide, 10.8MP ultrawide, 10.8MP telephoto, 9.5MP front | Price: Starting at $1,799
- 3.6-inch external display for quick interactions
- Performant Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor
- Highly customizable interface with Moto gestures
- Telephoto lens on a flip phone
- Battery lasts no more than a day
- Hinge design is not as sturdy as Samsung's
- No ultrawide lens for landscape photos
Deciding on the best flip-style foldable phone also came down to the wire, with Motorola's Razr Plus (2024) just scraping by Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6. I went hands-on with both devices this summer and was left impressed by both, but I ultimately sided with the Motorola because it lets you do more with the outer display.
Review: Motorola Razr Plus (2024)
Not only is the outer display on the Razr Plus an impressive 3.6-inch panel, but the software supports virtually any app you throw at it, meaning you can browse the web, play games, scroll TikTok, and do other mobile tasks without ever needing to flip open the device. Samsung's platform is more limited in this regard.
The under-the-hood upgrades this year are meaningful, too, such as the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip that's optimized for AI workloads, the 12GB of RAM, and the larger 4,000mAh battery that can be charged wired or wirelessly. Motorola's more ambitious new AI features like "Remember this," which is akin to Microsoft's Recall, will be released later this year, but for now, I'm cautiously optimistic about the brand's latest flip phone.
Motorola Razr Plus (2024) tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Display sizes: 4-inch exterior and 6.9-inch interior | RAM/Storage: 8GB/12GB with 256GB | Battery: 4,000mAh | Camera: 50MP wide, 50MP telephoto, 32MP front | Price: Starting at $999
- Similar design to last year's Razr Plus
- 3.6-inch external display is plenty useful
- Relatively affordable and discounted often
- Processor is not as performant
- Camera quality is just passable
- Software update policy is sluggish
When the market is competitive, both manufacturers and consumers are winners. Case in point: No one, including myself, expected the $699 Motorola Razr to be as good as it is for the money.
Review: Motorola Razr Plus
In some ways, the standard Razr model yields a better experience than the more expensive Plus variant, with a larger 4,200mAh battery and ultrawide lens that allows for more flexible shooting styles. ZDNET's Max Buondonno tested the Razr and also commended its variety of cover designs, citing, "The Koala Gray version I have comes with a vegan suede material, while the Beach Sand and Spritz Orange (a.k.a. the best color) have vegan leather."
Under the hood is a weaker but still passable MediaTek Dimensity 7300X chipset, with Moto's minimalist approach to Android. There are a few gesture-based perks, like twisting your wrist to prompt the camera or doing a chopping motion to turn on the flashlight, and the front screen is just as customizable as the one on the Razr Plus.
Motorola Razr (2024) tech specs: Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300X | Display sizes: 3.6-inch exterior and 6.9-inch interior | RAM/Storage: 8GB with 256GB | Battery: 4,200mAh | Camera: 50MP wide, 13MP ultrawide, 32MP front | Price: Starting at $699
What is the best folding phone?
The best foldable phone is the OnePlus Open, which offers the most complete mobile experience with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a 4,805mAh battery with 67W fast charging, and more. Just as important, the Open undercuts the competition by as much as $200.
Foldable phone | Price | Display | Camera |
OnePlus Open | $1,699 | 6.3-inch and 7.8-inch | 48MP wide, 64MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto, 20MP front |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 | $1,899 | 6.2-inch and 7.6-inch | 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto, 10MP front |
Google Pixel Fold | $1,799 | 5.8-inch and 7.6-inch | 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto, 10MP front |
Motorola Razr Plus (2024) | $999 | 4-inch and 6.9-inch | 50MP wide, 50MP telephoto, 32MP front |
Motorola Razr (2024) | $699 | 3.6-inch and 6.9-inch | 50MP wide, 13MP ultrawide, 32MP front |
Which is the right phone for you?
To help you decide, see below for the key reasons to buy each of ZDNET's top foldable phone picks.
Choose this foldable phone… | If you want… |
OnePlus Open | The best foldable phone right now, with top-of-the-line RAM and storage, market-leading fast charging, and a price to beat. It's also the lightest tablet-style foldable in the US. |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 | The most refined, industry-backed foldable that money can buy. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 also supports S Pen stylus inputs and seven years of OS updates. |
Google Pixel Fold | An S-class camera system in a foldable form factor. Google's Pixel Fold nails the large-screen form factor and excels with AI-powered camera features. |
Motorola Razr Plus (2024) | The best flipping foldable on the market, with a 4-inch outer display that's highly personalizable and a 4,000mAh battery. |
Motorola Razr (2024) | A foldable for less. If you can live with its compromises, the $699 Motorola Razr is, without question, the most accessible device of its kind. |
Factors to consider when choosing a phone
The process of making our phone selections includes real-world testing and researching about the phones for weeks, consulting with colleagues, industry experts, and analysts who also have hands-on experience with the smartphones, and then selecting the best from all of the available choices.
Ultimately, we weigh in the following aspects when curating this list:
- Design: Currently, foldable phones come in two designs: regular phones that unfold into tablets, and ones that flip inward to become more pocketable. The best-designed foldables are practical to use, require a moderate learning curve at most, and should have a burdenless hand feel.
- Software optimization: A foldable phone relies on more than just the standard software features of a traditional handset; it needs specialized tools and services built for larger (and smaller) displays.
- Durability: The best foldable phone can take a beating, whether that's in the form of waist-high drops or pouring rain. Every device on this list is either certified IPX8 or IP52 or has been tested to meet above-average durability standards.
- Value: It's difficult to ignore how expensive foldable can be, so price-to-performance is something deeply considered when evaluating between devices. Carrier store promotions, trade-in deals, and other offers are also factored in.
How we test phones
ZDNET's review team spends upwards of a year testing the ins and outs of every major phone release, evaluating the day-to-day performance, camera quality, battery life and endurance, and special features. Here's a breakdown of every factor we consider before we make recommendations:
- Design and ergonomics: How good a phone looks and feels plays a big role in many users' buying journeys, so we consider these aspects heavily when testing.
- Performance: Several factors affect a phone's performance, including LTE/5G signal, battery life, and background tasks. Therefore, we typically begin our evaluations with a fully charged handset, with all background tasks closed, and with as stable of a mobile connection as possible.
- Camera quality: ZDNET tests phone cameras by capturing hundreds of photos and videos of various subjects and in various lighting conditions. We also compare the output to that of older models.
- Battery life and charging: It's also important for us to evaluate how long phones last under light, moderate, and heavy usage, how long they take to recharge, and how they do it (wired, wireless, or both).
- Special features: These features distinguish tested devices from a bustling smartphone market and hopefully bring added value to users, not the opposite.
- Pricing and availability: Beyond budget considerations, we also note if a phone is available in the US or only internationally.
For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive phone testing methodology page.
Will Apple make a foldable phone?
It's the question everyone's been asking since the very first foldable was launched back in 2019, whether or not Apple will put out a foldable iPhone of its own. While the company has yet to unveil any plans of making one, and the rumor mill has been rather slow in that regard, it would not be surprising if there's a team within Cupertino already building one out.
Also: Why foldable phones are still so expensive, according to analysts
And, as is often the case with consumer technology, once Apple does feel comfortable enough to release a mass-market foldable phone, we can expect there to be a drop in overall pricing in the market, as manufacturers scramble to compete in value. The latest rumors point to a release as soon as in 2026.
Other phones we tested
The best foldable phones listed above strike the perfect balance of design, functionality, and innovation. If you're still on the fence, here are some alternatives to consider.