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Best Flip PhoneMotorola Razr Ultra (2025)

$1,300 $800 (38% off) Amazon

Best Folding PhoneSamsung Galaxy Z Fold7

$2,000 $1,675 (16% off) Amazon

Best Budget Folding PhoneMotorola Razr (2025)

$700 $473 (32% off) Amazon

Another Good FoldGoogle Pixel 10 Pro Fold

$1,799 $1,499 (17% off) Amazon

You may be scoffing as you read this. The best folding phones? Really? Aren't those just gimmicks? I'm here to tell you they're pretty darn useful. And yes, there are now quite a few of them, so you have options. Folding phones are an evolution of the traditional single-screen slab of glass we've all been using for nearly two decades—and we might even see a folding iPhone in 2026.

They largely come in two forms: a folding flip phone or a folding book-like phone, enabling you to either relive the glory days of small phones or expand your multitasking options while on the go. (There are triple-screen phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold.) A folding phone is a personal decision—arguably even more than a traditional smartphone, since it hinges (heh) on what style you prefer. I have tested almost all of them, and my colleague Simon Hill has helped test models specific to the UK and other markets. These are our favorites.

Check out our other mobile buying guides, including the Best Android Phones, Best iPhones, Best Cheap Phones, Best Samsung Phones, Best Google Pixel Phones, Best Motorola Phones, Best Phones With a Headphone Jack, and Best Phones You Can't Buy in the US.

Updated March 2026: We've added information about Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold and the Motorola Razr Fold.

Things to Know Before Buying

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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Folding phones are more fragile than normal phones. Folding phones have more parts than a traditional smartphone, not to mention a hinge. Companies advertise how many folds these devices have been tested for—usually around 200,000 or 500,000 folds—but a single drop can be incredibly damaging. They are not as dust-resistant, and some aren't as water-resistant (only the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is IP68-rated), so you'll want to be especially careful. Use a case, and it might be worthwhile to invest in the manufacturer's device care policy.

Don't remove the built-in screen protector. Most of these folding phones have a film over the inner screen. You might be tempted to remove it, but don't—it can damage the display. There are usually instructions in the packaging instructing you not to remove it, and how to care for your device.

There's a small learning curve to the software. Flip-style folding phones are fairly straightforward, but book-like folding phones that double as tablets have new multitasking tricks that will take some getting used to if you want to make the most of them. I recommend taking some time to run through these features so you understand how they work.

They're expensive. Do you need one? Nobody needs a folding phone. If you think you're someone who will benefit from them, know that they're frequently discounted during big sale events like Black Friday, and you can also knock a few hundred dollars off if you trade in an eligible device.

Which Type of Folding Phone Is for You?

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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Folding flip phones are for people who want a compact device. Think of a normal phone you can fold in half. That's pretty much what you get, plus a screen on the front to monitor widgets and texts. This does mean you can flip the phone to answer a call and flip it shut to end one—super cool. You can put the phone at a 90-degree angle, and some apps will adapt to show controls on the bottom, and important details at the top, like in video calling apps, or when watching videos on YouTube, though this depends on the phone. Folding flip phones typically have mediocre battery life, and the cameras are not as good as their non-folding counterparts.

Folding book-like phones are for people who want the big-screen experience. Are you constantly watching full-length movies on your phone? Or do you always find yourself jumping back and forth between two apps? Then these are for you. They have good battery life and better cameras (though not as good as non-folding phones), but they're far more expensive. These include the triple-screen folding devices like Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold, too. They're thick and heavy, though we're seeing newer models that are surprisingly thin. Still, you may have a hard time fitting them in your pockets.

Is Now a Good Time to Buy?

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Sort of. Samsung isn't expected to debut new folding phones until the middle of the summer at its next Galaxy Unpacked event. (Samsung a

5 Best Folding Phones (2026), Tested and Reviewed | WIRED