With enough force, almost every phone can fold in half – not even the best phones are immune to brute strength. But only a few can do it without suffering terminal damage. From retro revivals to cutting-edge clamshells, the best flip phones combine a flexible internal display with a secondary outer screen for the perfect blend of pocketability and top-tier hardware.
By hiding a larger screen on the inside, flip phones are half the size of a traditional smartphone. Their outer screens are getting smarter and smarter, too, saving you from constantly flipping the thing open to read notifications, reply to messages or check incoming emails. Add in increasingly capable cameras and they’re some of the most versatile phones around. We’ve highlighted which one is worth your cash, and also pointed out the upcoming models that might be worth waiting for.
Perhaps you prefer a larger book-style foldable with a little more substance? Read about the best foldable phones here.
Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products.
Our top best flip phone picks for 2026 at a glance
The best flip phones you can buy today:
1. Motorola Razr 70 Ultra
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| Specifications | Motorola Razr 70 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Cover display | 4in, 1272×1080 165Hz AMOLED |
| Main display | 7in 2992×1224 165Hz AMOLED |
| Cameras | 50MP, f/1.8 w/ PDAF, OIS + 50MP, f/2.0 ultrawide w/ PDAF rear, 50MP, f/2.0 front |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Memory | 12/16GB RAM |
| Storage | 512GB |
| Battery | 5000mAh w/ 68W wired, 30W wireless charging |
| Dimensions | 172x74x7.2mm (unfolded), 88x74x15.7mm (folded), 199g |
It’s not just about the looks – though the mix of Pantone colours and Alcantara, leather or wood finishes make it feel more premium than any rival. The Motorola Razr 70 Ultra’s real magic lies in how usable it is while shut. The 4in outer display isn’t just for widgets – you can reply to emails, type messages and even run full apps comfortably without needing to flip it open. That alone gave it a huge edge over Samsung’s Z Flip line, although the latest iteration has closed that gap.
Open it up and you’re greeted by a gorgeous 7in OLED that’s brighter and sharper than any rival. The crease barely registers, colours are vivid, and the 165Hz maximum refresh rate makes scrolling silky. The cameras finally feel like more than an afterthought too. The 50MP main sensor uses LOFIC technology that massively increases dynamic range and helps keep performance consistent in low light. Shooting with the cover screen as a viewfinder is as brilliant as ever – especially for selfies.
Performance is flagship-strong thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 16GB RAM, even if it does run hot during long gaming sessions and there’s basically no change from the outgoing Razr 60 Ultra. Battery life will blow you away. The 5000mAh cell is as big as it gets in the class right now, and 68W charging got us back up in just over an hour.
Why we chose it
It’s expensive, but with no real weak links, the Razr 70 Ultra is the closest any clamshell has come to perfection.
2. Samsung Galaxy Flip8
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| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 |
|---|---|
| Cover display | 4.1in, 1048×948, 120Hz AMOLED |
| Main display | 6.9in, 2520×1080, 120Hz AMOLED |
| Cameras | 50MP + 12MP ultrawide rear, 10MP front |
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 2600 |
| Memory | 12GB RAM |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB |
| Battery | 4300mAh |
| Dimensions | 75x86x13.7mm (folded), 75x167x6.1mm (unfolded), 180g |
If the Galaxy Z Flip 7 was easily the most refined Samsung flip phone I’d tested in 2025, it stands to reason its successor raises the bar even further – but you’d almost need a microscope to see by how much. It’s a near-total retread of what was, admittedly, a big overhaul for last year’s iteration.
A new Exynos 2600 chipset brings a slight speed boost, but battery capacity remains unchanged at a meagre 4300mAh. The dual rear cameras are essentially unchanged, so users can expect snaps more on par with non-folding midrangers than top-tier flagships.
That said, software improvements mean the 4.1in outer screen finally plays a real role, with the ability to use apps on it without having to jump through a bunch of hoops first. The 6.9in inner AMOLED remains classic Samsung: sharp, bright and buttery smooth.
Why we chose it
With a design that’s still eye-catching, respectable performance in every area and software that has more mainstream appeal, the Z Flip8 is Samsung’s most balanced flip phone yet – even if it’s not all that different from last year.
3. Motorola Razr 60
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| Specifications | Motorola Razr 60 |
|---|---|
| Cover display | 3.6in, 1056×1066 AMOLED |
| Main display | 6.9in 2640×1080 AMOLED 120Hz |
| Cameras | 50+50MP (rear), 32MP (front) |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 7450X |
| Memory | 8GB RAM |
| Storage | 128/256/512GB |
| Battery | 4800mAh |
| Dimensions | 88x74x15.9mm (folded) 171x74x7.3mm (unfolded), 188g |
Motorola’s two-tier approach to flip phones has been working well for a few generations now, bringing the cost of entry down significantly. That’s still the case for the Razr 70, which has seen just the right amount of upgrades to keep it competitive while also keeping the price at a sensible level.
Battery life has grown for the second time in as many years, so you’re now getting 4800mAh – easily good enough for a day of heavy use. Inside, a more potent MediaTek chipsets gives the 70 a small but welcome performance leg up over the outgoing Razr 60. The 50MP main snapper has now been joined by a matching 50MP ultrawide, a big gain over the old phone’s 13MP unit.
While Samsung’s latest Flip isn’t as restrictive on what can be done on its outer display, the Razr 70’s 3.6in panel still has the edge for everyday usability. The 6.9in inner screen remains a stunner too.
Why we chose it
It’s most of what makes the Razr 70 Ultra our top flip phone choice, dialled back just enough to reach a more appealing price.
Flip phone specs compared
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| Specifications | Motorola Razr 70 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 | Motorola Razr 70 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover display | 4in AMOLED | 4.1in AMOLED | 3.6in AMOLED |
| Main display | 7in AMOLED | 6.9in AMOLED | 6.9in AMOLED |
| Cameras | 50MP + 50MP ultrawide rear, 50MP front | 50MP + 12MP ultrawide rear, 10MP front | 50 + 50MP ultrawide (rear), 32MP (front) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Samsung Exynos 2600 | MediaTek Dimensity 7450X |
| Memory | 16GB RAM | 12GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Storage | 512GB | 256/512GB | 128/256/512GB |
| Battery | 5000mAh | 4300mAh | 4800mAh |
| Dimensions | 172x74x7.2mm (unfolded), 88x74x15.7mm (folded), 199g | 75x86x13.7mm (folded), 75x167x6.5mm (unfolded), 188g | 88x74x15.9mm (folded) 171x74x7.3mm (unfolded), 188g |
Frequently asked questions
Stuff’s top flip phone pick in 2026 is the Motorola Razr 70 Ultra. Its blend of performance, battery life and camera capabilities remain unmatched, although pricing has definitely jumped compared to last year. A Razr 60 Ultra remains a compelling alternative if you can find one at the right price.
Flip phones bring something refreshing to the smartphone world. They’re novel and fun. You get a big screen that folds neatly in half, making it pocket-friendly without losing that premium smartphone feel. The folding design also doubles as a built-in stand for hands-free video calls or taking selfies. Beyond the novelty, there’s practicality: smaller size, added protection when closed, and often some genuinely fun features like cover screen widgets or camera shortcuts.
Early clamshell phones honestly weren’t great: flexible AMOLED screens were still emerging tech and didn’t like being folded. Things have improved dramatically in just a few years, so now they can cope with being opened and closed hundreds of thousands of times. New hinge mechanisms with better seals mean modern flip phones usually have an IP rating of IP48 or above, meaning they can survive a short drop into water.
Yes, over time, but not in a deal-breaking way. Today’s flip phones are far tougher than the early models. Brands like Samsung, Motorola, and Oppo have refined their hinge systems to survive hundreds of thousands of folds (roughly equivalent to years of daily use). You might notice a faint crease on the screen, but it’s usually only visible at certain angles or lighting. The key is to treat it like any high-end gadget, so avoid grit near the hinge and use a case. It’s durable, but obviously not indestructible.
It’s hard to say. What started as a niche trend evolved into a proper category with annual updates from major brands. Durability is improving and the designs are more refined each year – but new interest in wide-style foldable phones and stagnation from the firms that previous championed a flip style form factor (namely Samsung and Motorola) could mean we’re not in line for too many more generations.
How to choose the best flip phone
Start with the screen – it’s the main event. Go for a sharp AMOLED display with a fast refresh rate for smooth scrolling and bold colours. Durability matters too. Foldable screens use delicate materials such as ultra-thin glass, so it’s worth checking reviews and real-world tests to see which models can handle daily folding without fuss.
The hinge is another make-or-break part. A solid hinge should fold smoothly, stay firm when open, and keep dust out. Brands that talk about tested lifespans or have strong user feedback tend to be safer bets for long-term reliability.
Don’t overlook the outer display either. A larger cover screen lets you read messages, take selfies or change tracks without opening the phone. If you like quick access on the go, this can make a big difference to how practical the phone feels day-to-day.
Battery life can be tricky with flip phones, as there’s less space for big cells. Look for phones that use power efficiently and support fast charging. Also, make sure the software makes use of the folding design — multitasking should feel natural, not like a gimmick.
Upcoming flip phones
Want to wait and see what the next generation of flip phones bring to the table? These clamshells should all arrive to take on the established class leaders… eventually.
- Motorola officially launched the Razr 70, Razr 70 Plus and Razr 70 Ultra in April 2026, though which models are available depends on where in the world you live. Only the Razr 70 and Razr 70 Ultra went to the UK, for example. The former is a somewhat safe mid-range update to the Razr 60, while the latter brings a bigger battery, new Pantone-approved colours and a LOFIC lead camera sensor that promises wider dynamic range than the previous effort. A new generation isn’t predicted until 2027.
- The Galaxy Z Flip 8 arrived in July, but almost as a footnote to the passport-style Galaxy Z Fold8, which brought modern, wide foldables to a Western audience for the first time. The Flip8 by comparison is a by-the-numbers update, with a new chipset being the biggest change. At least the software side saw more improvement, making it easier to use the outer display for third-party apps. A Z Flip 8 FE will likely follow in the coming months, with cut-down internals and a cheaper price.
- Some rumours suggest Apple’s first foldable could be a clamshell, with the iPhone Air acting as a test bed for the slim dimensions needed to compete with the ultra-skinny flip phones offered in the Android stable. Others have hinted it’ll be a book-style foldable more like the Galaxy Z Fold series. September 2026 could be our first look, though tipsters have suggested it’ll be pushed back to 2027 if the firm isn’t able to fully hide the screen crease.
Recent updates
- 7 September 2026: Motorola Razr 70, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8, Motorola Razr 70 added
- 22nd May 2026: Motorola Razr 70, Razr 70 Ultra details confirmed in upcoming phones section
- 12th March 2026: added specs comparison table
- 6th February 2026: added “what other flip phones are available?” section, updated upcoming phones section
- 23rd January 2026: Fixed the numbering and updated the headline
- 12th December 2025: Removed Xiaomi Mix Flip, added Motorola Razr 60, added upcoming flip phones section
- 27th October 2025: Added frequently asked questions section
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