5 Best Folding Phones (2026), Tested and Reviewed

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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

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?

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?

Sort of. Samsung isn't expected to debut new folding phones until the middle of the summer at its next Galaxy Unpacked event. (Samsung also recently discontinued its Galaxy Z TriFold after just three months in the US.) Google won't have a successor to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold until August. If those designs and brands appeal to you, I think you won't feel burned buying current models, and you'll probably find a good deal.

However, Motorola announces its folding phones in the spring, so we can expect the Razr 2026 lineup in the next month or two. Also, at CES 2026, Motorola teased the Razr Fold—its first book-like folding phone—which will arrive early in the summer. I think it's worth waiting to see what Motorola will deliver, especially if you're eyeing a folding flip phone.

For folks outside the US, you have more choices. Oppo just announced its Find N6, and Honor recently debuted the Magic V6. Keep an eye on our Best Phones You Can't Buy in the US guide for updates.

My Favorite Folding Features

Whichever style you go for, my favorite feature of folding phones is the ability to see the viewfinder on the external screen and snap a selfie with the high-quality rear cameras—just set the phone down slightly folded so it stays upright, and there's usually a button you can click in the camera app to send the preview to the external screen. You can usually trigger the shutter hands-free with a palm gesture. (Motorola's Razr Ultra 2025 lets you start and stop video recordings with hand gestures, too!) It's excellent when traveling if you want to take a photo of yourself next to a point of interest.

Many of these phones offer similar functionality with translation—Samsung and Google, for example, let you show your words translated on the external screen so the person you are speaking to can see it, and then they can tap a button on the screen to have the phone start translating their words, which you'll see on the internal screen. It's a much nicer system than using Google Translate on a candybar phone.

Other Folding Phones to Consider

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 for $1,056: Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip7 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a close second to Motorola's Razr Ultra. I liked the camera quality from Motorola's latest flip more than Samsung's, a big win for the Razr, but the Flip7 captures nice photos and offers better video quality, if that's your thing. Samsung's latest Flip has a larger front screen, though you still have to jump through a few hoops to make it useful. For example, you need to install an app called Multistar to add any app of your choosing to the cover screen. The phone also has a lackluster battery life, struggling to last a full day; the Razr Ultra still only lasts a day, but I didn't feel like I had to plug in as much. And it also gets a little too warm for my tastes when it's under load. It's a good flip phone, but I prefer Motorola's 2025 flagship.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold for $1,250: The only reason to consider the Pixel 9 Pro Fold right now is if you see it on sale. Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the newer, better handset. The 9 Pro Fold isn't as slim or as lightweight as the Galaxy Z Fold7, but it's still a svelte device with a large front screen that feels like a normal phone. The 8-inch inner screen is excellent, and the triple-camera system delivers great results, though not as great as the Pixel 9 Pro series. Read our Best Pixel Phones guide for more.

Motorola Razr+ (2025) for $700: There is technically a third phone in Motorola's latest Razr lineup: the Razr+ 2025. However, it's nearly identical to the Razr+ 2024, with fresh colors and the improved IP48 rating and titanium-reinforced hinge. It sits in an awkward middle ground, though. It's not as affordable as the standard Razr, which offers a pretty nice experience for t