Smartphones that transform into sizeable tablets used to be pure sci-fi… but now bendable screens are our tech reality. Besides the obvious wow factor, these book-style foldables offer innovative flexibility that could change the way you use your mobile – while also packing in hardware to rival the best phones with more traditional form factors.
Think folding phones are just a hinged gimmick? Think again. The best foldable phones are about as versatile as handsets get, even if they almost exclusively come at prices that make regular flagships look cheap. We’ve tested them all to work out which is best, and highlighted the upcoming foldable models to look out for.
Maybe you’d prefer a more compact clamshell foldable? Read all about the best flip 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.
Quick list: what is the best foldable phone?
The best foldable phones you can buy today:
1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
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| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 |
|---|---|
| Screen | 5.5in, 1972×1248, 120Hz AMOLED (outer) / 7.6in, 2448×1828, 120Hz AMOLED (inner) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Memory | 12GB RAM |
| Cameras | 50MP + 50MP ultrawide rear. 10MP front. 10MP inner |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB on-board |
| Operating system | Android 17 w/ OneUI 9 |
| Battery | 4800mAh w/ 45W wired, 20W wireless charging |
| Dimensions | 82x124x9.7mm (folded) / 161x124x4.5mm (unfolded), 201g |
A new wider form factor was exactly the shakeup book-style foldables needed. The Galaxy Z Fold8 brought a palm- and pocket-friendly shape that gives apps room to breathe on the outer display and an internal screen that’s unbeatable for content consumption.
Why we chose it
Samsung didn’t pull out all the stops for the Z Fold8, meaning there are better options out there if you value battery life, charging speed, photography or stylus-based inputs. But in all other respects, this is the new standard for book-style foldables. The new form factor is wonderfully compact yet apps still feel spacious on the outer screen, with just a little more vertical scrolling required. Open it up and the inner display has a tablet-like 4:3 aspect ratio that’s great for video playback in landscape and near perfect for web browsing or reading in portrait.
Performance is punchy thanks to a bespoke-tuned Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset and OneUI remains a thorough yet user-friendly take on Android, with a bulging selection of AI-assisted apps. You only get two cameras here, meaning zoom is limited – something photography fans coming from a slab-style handset might miss – but Samsung’s image processing ensures the main and ultrawide delivery clean, detailed snaps.
This wasn’t the first wide-style foldable – Huawei’s China-only Pura X Max got there most recently – and it won’t be the last. Apple will almost certainly reveal a similarly shaped rival in September. But in the Android world, Samsung’s worldwide presence is hard to beat. While alternatives I tested earlier in 2026 got higher star ratings, I still think this is now the best choice for both anyone new to foldables and those that have already grown to love them.
1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
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| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Screens | 6.5in, 2520×1080, 120Hz AMOLED (outer) / 8.0in, 2504×2256, 120Hz AMOLED (inner) |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Memory | 12GB/16GB |
| Cameras | 200MP + 10MP telephoto (3x) + 50MP ultrawide rear. 10MP inner. 10MP outer |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB on-board |
| Operating system | Android 17 w/ OneUI |
| Battery | 5000mAh w/ 45W wired, 20W wireless charging |
| Dimensions | 158x73x8.9mm (folded) / 158x143x4.1mm (unfolded), 215g |
The sequel to what was comfortably 2025’s best all-round foldable phone gets a new name and some small but welcome hardware improvements. A higher price sours things a little, but a trio of capable cameras and a bigger battery help the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra maintain Samsung’s position at the top of the class.
Why we chose it
A sleek design, gorgeous AMOLED screens and a palm-friendly shape make the Z Fold8 Ultra quite the looker. It’s powerful underneath, too, with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset. Battery capacity has grown to 5000mAh, all but guaranteeing you’ll get through the day on a single charge, and the uprated ultrawide camera can really cram in landscapes and city scenes with little effort.
Not everyone will gel with the narrow outer display, and it lacks the wow factor of the wider Z Fold8, but anyone already familiar with Samsung’s foldables will feel right at home. The 200MP camera is very capable indeed, and charging speeds have usefully improved too. It’s ultimately Samsung’s strong app ecosystem and greater worldwide availability that earn it a higher recommendation than rivals, even if they have better hardware in a few areas.
2. Honor Magic V6
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| Specifications | Honor Magic V6 |
|---|---|
| Screen | 7.95in, 2352×2172, 120Hz OLED (inner) / 6.52in, 2420×1080, 120Hz OLED (outer) |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Memory | 12/16GB |
| Cameras | 50MP + 64MP telephoto (3x) + 50MP ultrawide rear, 20MP front, 20MP inner |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Operating system | Android 16 w/ MagicOS 10 |
| Battery | 6660mAh w/ 80W wired, 66W wireless charging |
| Dimensions | 157x146x4.0mm (unolded) / 157x75x8.8mm (folded), 219g (white) |
Honor continues to raise the bar for slimness with each new foldable generation. The Magic V6 is a mere 4mm thick while opened, yet somehow finds room inside for a colossal 6660mAh battery that gives it incredible staying power. Capable cameras, solid performance and a pair of ultra-bright screens also impress.
Why we chose it
Feeling like a non-folding flagship when in your pocket, the Magic V6 unfurls to show off a gorgeous 7.95in inner screen that’s ideal for both multimedia and productivity. This year’s model stands out with distinct colour and material choices, and although the camera hardware hasn’t changed all that much Honor continues to refine its image processing algorithms.
The firm still has some work to do on making its software as slick as the competition, but the V6 has a commanding lead on battery life thanks to silicon-carbon chemistry dramatically boosting capacity. Prices have climbed compared to the outgoing model, though, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for Honor’s regular, generous discounts if you want to go as long as possible between trips to the plug socket.
3. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
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| Specifications | Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold |
|---|---|
| Screen | 6.4in, 2364×1080 OLED w/ 120Hz (outer), 8.0in, 2152×2076 OLED w/ 120Hz (inner) |
| CPU | Google Tensor G5 |
| Memory | 16GB |
| Cameras | 48MP + 10.8MP telephoto + 10.8MP ultrawide rear. 10MP front. 10MP inner |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Operating system | Android 16 |
| Battery | 5015mAh |
| Dimensions | 155x150x5.2mm (unfolded) / 155x76x10.8mm (folded) |
| Weight | 258g |
It doesn’t look all that different from the previous generation, which was surprising when rivals had suddenly embraced slimness, but the Pixel 10 Pro Fold adds features you won’t find on any other foldable and has the might of Google’s image processing algorithms to make it a fantastic choice for photography.
Why we chose it
While bigger and heavier than Honor, Samsung and Motorola’s efforts, the Pixel 10 Pro makes up for it with a robust IP68 resistance rating and the addition of Qi2 magnetic wireless charging – something no rival is offering right now. A new generation of Tensor silicon, with boosts to Gemini AI processing and better power efficiency, is the hardware highlight, while battery capacity has grown enough to keep it competitive.
The rear camera arrangement hasn’t really changed, so the gap to the competition is narrower than ever, but improved picture processing (and some clever AI-based composition tips) keep it at the top of the foldable pile. The majority of phone buyers will love the pleasing pics it produces.
3. Motorola Razr Fold Fold
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| Specifications | Motorola Razr Fold |
|---|---|
| Screen | 6.6in, 2520×1080, 165Hz OLED (outer) + 8.1in, 2484×2232, 120Hz OLED (inner) |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 |
| Memory | 12/16GB RAM |
| Cameras | 50MP + 50MP telephoto (3x) + 50MP ultrawide rear, 20MP cover, 32MP inner |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Operating system | Android 16 w/ Hello UI |
| Battery | 6000mAh w/ 80W wired, 50W wireless charging |
| Dimensions | 160x145x4.7mm (unfolded) / 160x74x10.1mm (folded), 243g |
After multiple generations of flip-style foldables, Motorola has finally taken a stab at a book-style device. The Razr Fold does a lot right, including a big battery, stylus support and superb software. The fact it’s one of only three foldables on sale in the US also helps it make a great first impression.
Why we chose it
Ever since Samsung ditched stylus support on ints foldables, we’ve been waiting for a rival to fill the gap. Honor and Oppo technically support pen input but it was Motorola that bundled one in with the phone. It’s great for taking written notes, sketching or acting as a remote shutter for the three rather capable rear cameras.
Moto has gone for a step-down chipset, putting it behind the class leaders for raw performance. That does help with power consumption, though, letting the 6000mAh cell get surprisingly close to the higher capacity Honor Magic V6. Fast wired and wireless charging are also nice to have.
Finally Motorola’s take on Android is among the best outside of Google’s for simplicity and straightforward navigation. Moto AI shortcuts do muddy the water a bit, but there’s no denying its multitasking skills are top tier.
What other folding phones are available?
Western audiences don’t have a huge selection of foldable phones to choose from, but it’s a different story in Asia. These are the most recent ones worth talking about:
Huawei has the most foldable variety of any brand, Chinese or otherwise. There’s the Mate X6, an ultra-slim foldable with a trio of rear camera lenses, including a periscope telephoto – still a rarity in this category. It’s well-made and has stunning screens. The Pura X Max toes the line between flip and foldable form factors, with much larger screens than a typical clamshell. There’s also the Mate XT, a first of its kind three-fold phone that’s jaw-droppingly cool – but super expensive. And while the firm is banned from using Western hardware or software, there’s little incentive to release it outside of China.
The Vivo X Fold5 launched in China in July 2025, with a typically giant battery and three high pixel count rear cameras. There’s no Pro variant this year, and the differences between generations are pretty minor.
Xiaomi might have a big presence in Europe, but the Mix Fold 4 remains China-only for now. It’s super-slim, lasts an impressively long time per charge, and takes wonderful photos. The region-specific software could be a headache for anyone wanting to import one, though.
Finally the Tecno Phantom V Fold2 is the most affordable book-style foldable around. MediaTek power and a set of rear cameras that are merely decent show how the firm managed to keep costs in check, as does the slightly thicker build. But it does well to keep its screen crease subtle, and you can’t argue with the price.
Upcoming foldable phones
Want to wait and see what the next generation of foldable phones bring to the table? These models should all arrive to take on the established class leaders… eventually.
At the time of writing Google was mere weeks away from revealing its Pixel 11 series, which will almost certainly include the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. It’s widely expected to get the latest Tensor chipset and a few small hardware tweaks but largely stick to the shape and size established by the current Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Until Apple says otherwise, it will probably be the only foldable this generation with Qi2 magnetic wireless charging.
Apple is also widely believed to be working on its first foldable. Some considered the iPhone Air a test bed for the sort of slim dimensions needed to compete with the ultra-skinny Android offerings. It will almost certainly use a wide form factor – which could explain why Samsung wants to get in there first before Apple can pull back the curtain in September 2026.
Recent updates
4th August 2026: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 ultra added. Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold added to upcoming phones list.
6th February 2026: Motorola Razr Fold, Honor Magic V6, Oppo Find N6 added
12th December 2025: Samsung Galaxy TriFold added to upcoming phones list
15th October 2025: Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Honor Magic V5 added, China-specific phones list refreshed with latest models
