I have been writing about phones for a while now, and honestly, I am always astounded by how foldable phones have changed in recent years. While foldables might have started as something of a gimmick, they have shot up in quality over recent years.
However, this improvement is something of a double-edged sword, as it means that there are more and more models to choose from. This can make it harder than ever to find the best device for you and to know what to look for in the first place. But I and the rest of the Tom’s Guide phones team have reviewed and tested all of these devices, learning that it's the little things that really make a great foldable phone.
When it comes to the best foldable phone, there's a lot to look at, but all of my favorites share something that makes them special. After several valiant efforts, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 lands in our top spot for the bigger upgrades it gets this time, like its larger Flex Window display, sturdier construction, and support for Samsung DeX.
It's a surprising change after the Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) held the top spot for a while, but it's still proves to be an endurance champ with its long battery life. Other new additions include the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which takes foldable designs to a new level with its thin construction, while staples like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and OnePlus Open continue to show their staying power.
I'm the senior editor for mobile at Tom's Guide, where I've been working since 2023. I've been covering mobile tech for 16 years in total, reviewing early foldables like the Kyocera Echo and Sony Tablet P. While those early models got me excited for foldable phones, it took several years before the best foldable phones were perfected. Not only do they have interesting form factors, but foldable phones have extra utility you don't quite get in your typical slate phone; like how they're better vlogging by folding them over to use their rear cameras while seeing yourself on the display.
The quick list
With bigger upgrades than years past, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the best foldable phone you can buy with bigger upgrades like a larger outer screen, multimodal AI experience, longer battery life, and Samsung DeX support.
Not only does it get a big makeover with its thin design, but the Galaxy Z Fold 7 gets ultra-level cameras with its brand new 200MP main shooter.
Motorola's foldable lineup expands this year with the addition of the Razr Ultra 2025. It's priced higher than previous models, but it's backed by a massive battery, flagship caliber chipset, and Moto AI tools that put it into the AI conversation.
Despite being almost two years old, the OnePlus Open does multitasking better than any other phone thanks to Open Canvas. Once you've experienced it, you can't go back to anything else.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a much more satisfying foldable complete with AI features that make it a breeze to edit photos like a champ and the brightest screen in a foldable.
The best foldable phones you can buy today
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Best foldable phone overall
After falling short the last couple of years trailing Motorola, Samsung makes a stunning return to the top with the Galaxy Z Flip 7. All of this is due to the bigger hardware upgrades it's been given over previous years, along with a strong emphasis on the software. You get an incredibly powerful foldable phone without any price increase.
First and foremost, its larger 4.1-inch Flex Window display stretches from edge-to-edge, which I really enjoy using when paired with its rear cameras to capture selfies and record vlogs — which also helps when its main 50MP camera works well under different conditions.
In my Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs Razr Ultra (2025) photo shootout, I mention how low light continues to be a strong category for the Z Flip 7. Not only does it produce brighter images, but also more detail. Any camera enthusiast will also appreciate the rich camera software it offers, thanks to its manual modes.
Samsung also finally brings DeX support to the Z Flip series for the first time, and I cannot tell you how it's long overdue. It simply adds more to its package with that desktop PC-like experience when I connect it to an external monitor. And lastly, you get the full AI experience thanks to its new Galaxy AI features and the multimodal AI experience of Gemini Live.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 review.
Best camera foldable phone
Notebook style foldable phones aren't known for their pocketable sizes. Yet, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a work of art sporting an unbelievable thin construction that's skinnier than most slate phones.
What's equally as remarkable is the main camera it's been given, a 200MP sensor that's matched only by the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It makes such a difference because of how good it performs under broad conditions. From capturing portraits with incredible detail, to how it brightens shots under low light, it's the foldable phone known for its cameras.
Still not convinced about how it's one of the best camera phones around? My colleague Richard Priday compared it to last year's Z Fold 6 to uncover any differences.
But it doesn't stop there because just like the Z Flip 7, the Z Fold 7 has a robust camera interface — like pro video that lets you tune many of the settings. My colleague Mark Spoonauer was really impressed by the macro performance from its 40MP ultrawide camera, while its support for 8K video recording gives extra room for creativity.
Beyond the camera, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is one powerhouse of a foldable phone backed by its fast Snapdragon 8 Elite performance, brilliant looking displays, and more AI features that have been optimized for the foldable form factor.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review.
Best foldable phone battery life
Motorola remains in the best foldable phones discussion thanks in part to how the Razr Ultra 2025 takes flip phones to a new level — putting it into flagship territory for the sheer amount of upgrades it packs. While its overall design language remains the same, a new titanium reinforced hinge and more color options makes it feel incredibly sturdy. And yes, it still has an outer screen that's much larger than other devices.
It's not just the screens where the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 excels. I'm glad that Motorola reverts to a more logical dual-camera setup that ditches the telephoto camera of the previous Razr Plus 2024 and swaps it in for a 50MP ultrawide paired with the 50MP main sensor.
What's even more impressive about the design is that it isn't any larger or heavier, but somehow Moto's able to cram in a bigger 4,700 mAh battery that makes it the longest lasting foldable phone that I've tested. On top of that, the Snapdragon 8 Elite effectively makes it the most powerful flip phone too.
There's also a substantial improvement to the software experience, as Moto AI is properly available from the start. Even though its toolset isn't as robust as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold or Galaxy Z Fold 7, it's a marked improvement over previous Razrs. The only downside here is that you're paying much more now for all of these benefits, plus it has a short 3 years of software support.
Read our full Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 review.
Best foldable phone for multitasking
As our best overall foldable, there is a lot to love about the OnePlus Open, which we hope to see recreated in the OnePlus Open 2. When I reviewed the OnePlus Open, I said that the phone should be “a wakeup call for everyone.” Considering how it's OnePlus' first try at a foldable phone, it's really compelling how it still holds up today.
OnePlus tried to put in as much as it could in this device, including some impressive cameras. If you want to go even further then you could grab the OnePlus Open Apex Edition. Compared to the base model the Apex Edition boosts the storage and adds pretty cool AI cutout features to make stickers from any photo you take. It also features a VIP mode that lets you turn off the camera and microphone for a little extra privacy.
Regardless of which model you pick the phone comes with everything you could want. Both models feature the same thin and light design, including the its dynamic Open Canvas multitasking that actually is intuitive to use. I can't believe it took this long for someone to come out with a functional way to handle multitasking, but it sets the bar because of how the screen dynamically adapts to show upwards of three apps at once.
Aside from the multitasking, it also has an amazing battery life (which is great when watching series on some of the best streaming services) and the chance for a pretty good trade-in deal. However, no phone is perfect as the lack of wireless charging might be a turn-off for some and the camera isn’t amazing in low light.
Read our full OnePlus Open review.
Best AI foldable phone
Google's foldable game has made a massive leap in quality with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold after the Pixel Fold — despite Google’s new awkward naming conventions. There’s a lot to love about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, especially the much bigger and brighter 8-inch main display which is the main reason why it's managed to snag a spot on this list. When we tested the phone in the TG lab, the display was easily the best of any of the foldables we tested. However, that isn’t the only thing to love about the phone.
In my Pixel 9 Pro Fold review, I mentioned that I loved the longer battery life, durable redesign and the host of AI features that help the phone to stand out from the competition. While it is a pretty great phone, there are a few issues namely the lackluster Tensor G4, although honestly, the average user wouldn’t notice that issue in everyday use.
Furthermore, I really can’t emphasize just how bright the screen is. When we tested it, the screen reached as high as 2,319 nits. Now, normally I would expect this level of brightness to mean that the phone would have a pitiful battery life. However, when we tested the phone it reached 11 hours and 36 minutes, which is more than enough time to watch or play anything you please.
Even more remarkable is that my colleague, Richard Priday, shot over 250 photos with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6 — which ended up being a win for Google's foldable phone.
Read our full Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review.
What to look for in a foldable phone
Before you buy a foldable phone, you'll need to consider what that kind of device will be able to do for you that a standard phone can't. With the exception of the $699 Motorola Razr, most foldables still cost $1,000 or more. Unless you really need the extra screen real estate, you may be better off with a phablet or one of the other best big phones that we've tested.
If you do think a foldable phone will help you get more done, though, be sure to pay attention to the device's construction. Early foldable phones like the Galaxy Fold and original Motorola Razr had design quirks that led us to pan those handsets. With the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in 2020, though, Samsung made some critical changes that made the phone more likely to withstand everyday use, and that work has continued with subsequent models. After adding water-resistance to the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Samsung worked on a lighter, slimmer hinge for its latest foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7.
There are two screens to consider when buying a foldable phone — the larger internal display and a secondary screen, usually on the outside of the device. Find out just what you can do with that exterior screen — can you run full apps or is it just there for notifications and a few other features? And does the screen support something like Samsung's continuity feature where the app you're using on the cover screen is waiting for you when you open the device?
Apart from size — you'll want to make sure a closed foldable phone is something you're comfortable carrying around — you're looking at a lot of the same criteria you'd use to judge conventional phones. That includes the processor, cameras and — especially — the battery life. After all, there are usually multiple screens to keep powered up on a foldable phone.
How we test foldable phones
We test for the best foldable phones the same way we review any smartphone. (See our look at how Tom's Guide tests and review smartphones for a more detailed explanation of our process.) We conduct lab tests, including synthetic benchmarks as Geekbench 5 and 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited to measure graphics performance. We also run a real-world video transcoding test on each phone using the Adobe Premiere Rush app and time the result.
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Geekbench (single-core / multicore) | 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited (FPS) | Adobe Rush Premiere (minutes, seconds) |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 | 2286 / 8079 | 114.64 | 1:04 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | 3,052 / 9,735 | 123.83 | 0:52 |
Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 | 2,719 / 8,342 | 145.32 | 0:59 |
OnePlus Open | 1,087 / 4,203 | 84.8 | 1:08 |
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold | 1,956 / 4,813 | 55.72 | N/A |
To measure the quality of a phone's display, we perform lab tests to determine the brightness of the panel (in nits), as well as how colorful each screen is (DCI-P3 color gamut). In these cases, higher numbers are better. We also measure the color accuracy of each panel with a Delta-E rating, where lower numbers are better and a score of 0 is perfect.
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Brightness(nits) | DCI-P3 (%) | Delta-E |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 | 1,989 | 107.4 (Vivid) / 89.8 (Natural) | 0.23 (Vivid) / 0.23 (Natural) |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | 2,310 | 105.2% (Vivid) / 96%(Natural) | 0.28 (Vivid) / 0.22 (Natural) |
Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 | 1,835 | 151.8 (Vivid) / 123.2 (Natural) | 0.33 (Vivid) / 0.26 (Natural) |
OnePlus Open | 1,158 | 79.2 (Natural), 76.6 (Pro), 120.2 (Vivid) | 0.14 (natural), 0.17 (Pro), 0.29 (Vivid) |
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold | 2,319 | 125.9% (Adaptive), 111.4% (Natural) | 0.33 (Adaptive), 0.19 (Natural) |
We run a custom battery test in which we have the phone surf the web over cellular with its screen set to 150 nits of brightness. We then time how long it takes the phone to run out of power. For foldable phones, we conduct this test on the phone's main display.
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Battery Life (hours:minutes) | Recharge level at 15 minutes (%) | Recharge level at 30 minutes (%) |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 | 12:24 | 29% | 55% |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | 10:55 | 28% | 64% |
Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 | 15:42 | 40% | 72% |
OnePlus Open | 12:07 | 50% | 85% |
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold | 11:36 | 18% | 38% |
We also test the cameras on each foldable phone, taking them out into the field to perform comparative shots, usually with another device that features comparable specs. In some cases, that's a foldable phone or another device in the same price tier.
How to choose a foldable phone?
Choosing the best foldable phones boils down to two things: the features matter most to you and your budget.
Notebook style foldable phones, like the OnePlus Open and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, offer the most suitable productivity experience thanks to their expansive displays. For example, you can run about 2 to 3 apps simultaneously. Want something that's more portable and versatility for content creating? Then perhaps flip phone foldables are better for you, like the Galaxy Z Flip 7 or Motorola Razr Ultra 2025, which make it easy to use their superior rear cameras with their outer screens.
Now, if your budget is a lot tighter, there are still options for you. There are still very few budget foldable phones, but the Motorola Razr 2025 is a steal for $699 given what it offers.
And finally, do you want the ultimate foldable phone that can replace your laptop? The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are the only models in the list that offers a desktop PC-like experience with Samsung DeX. Plug it into a monitor, pair a mouse and keyboard to it, and then you'll have the ultimate on-the-go laptop replacement.
Is it worth getting a foldable phone?
It entirely depends on what you look for in a device and your average use. For the most part, foldable phones don’t do much differently from other devices when it comes to communication, they still call and text like any other phone after all. However, their strength comes from the larger display and the opportunity that presents. So, if you are someone who likes to watch a lot of videos or read on your phone, then it could be a solid investment, but the price might turn away the average user. Flip phones are a bit more complicated, as they usually have the same size inner display as your average phone. Their strength comes from how small they can be, so if you want a space saver that’s still got all the modern features, then this is the type for you.
Do foldable phones still show a crease?
The simple fact is that the crease is just a part of any device with a flexible screen, especially in Samsung phones. However, they’re not nearly as noticeable as people say. In my experience, you only really notice the crease in very specific circumstances, and it doesn’t really affect everyday use.
Are foldable phones less tough than other phones?
There’s a common misconception that foldable phones will over-bend and break with ease, I know I used to have that concern. However, the hinges are designed in such a way that you will really have to push to break the phone in half and there’s no chance of doing it by accident. However, the flexible inner screens are more likely to get damaged than a typical smartphone screen since they're made of softer materials, so keep the phone folded up when you're not actively using it.
Does the hinge on a foldable phone get damaged easily?
While the phone isn’t likely to just break in half, the hinge can get detritus in it, which makes the folding action crunchier and can lead to permanent damage. But new hinges are better designed and, as such, are much less likely to break or get damaged with everyday use. Many manufacturers rate their foldable as being able to withstand millions of total folds - more than you'll likely ever do during your time with the phone - before breaking.
Will we ever see a foldable iPhone?
One phone maker absent on our list is Apple. The world's most renowned phone maker has yet to take the plunge here, but rumors hint at a potential foldable iPhone. First of all, it's been debated if Apple would go after a flip-style design with an iPhone Flip, but now it looks like the company's targeting a notebook style one that could open up to nearly the size of an iPad Mini. The latter's tipped for a late 2026 to early 2027 release, with a price tag that could push the needle north of $2,000, which would make it more expensive than its rivals.
