Foldable phones are no longer a gadget – they are there to stay, and they are better than ever. Whether you like the nostalgia for a phone flip or want the versatility of a near tablet size screen that is part of your pocket, the new foldable devices today are filled with advanced technologies. Brands like Samsung, Google and Motorola lead the charge, pushing the limits of what a smartphone can do with elegant conceptions, powerful AI features and a transparent multitasking.
Unlike traditional smartphones, foldable phones give you the best of both worlds: a compact factor when you need portability and a large screen when you want to broadcast, play or do work. In addition, with the progress of sustainability, better external screens and flagship specifications, these phones are more practical than ever. Whether you are planning the latest Samsung phones or you were curious about the next step for the foldable, we have gathered the best options to help you decide.
Note: For this guide, we focus on devices widely available in North America and Europe. Indeed, even if there are even more options for people who live in Asia (especially China), they are often difficult to buy abroad and may not support your local carriers.
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Best foldable phones for 2025
How to test foldable phones
When assessing new foldable phones, we consider the same general criteria as we do when we judge the Best smartphones. The devices must have a good battery life (at least one use of a full day), brilliant interior screens (peaks of at least 1,000 nits), pointed cameras and reactive performance. That said, foldable phones come in different forms (and sizes); There are variable conceptions that can appeal to different types of people.
For those who prefer more compact and elegant devices, Flip Phone style foldables look like old -fashioned homonyms but with flexible interior screens (generally six to seven inches diagonally) and smaller external screens, often called the cover of the cover. Alternatively, for power users and people who want to maximize mobile productivity, there are larger book foldables (with main screens from seven to eight inches) which can be transformed from a bars style phone to a Small tablet at the opening.
Do foldable phones are worth it? A note on sustainability
Aside from their screens, the biggest difference between foldable phones and more traditional combines is sustainability. Indeed, while certain models like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the foldables of Samsung offer a resistance to water IPX8 (which is good for submersions up to five feet for 30 minutes), their flexible screens – which are largely made from plastic – have unique challenges.
Most foldables are delivered with screen protectors installed in the factory. However, unlike ordinary phones, users are invited not to delete them without assistance from approved service centers. Fortunately, Samsung phones offer free replacement for screen protector for its foldable, while Google invoices between $ 29 and $ 129 depending on the warranty of your device. That said, even if we cannot do long -term tests for each new foldable phone on the market, after having personally used the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 each for a year, I found that the Preinstalled screen of Samsung The protector tends to start bubbling new at 12 months after purchase. You will therefore likely want to take into account that your foldable may need a kind of service after about a year, unless you plan to completely delete the screen protector (which is possible, but goes against the instructions most manufacturers).
In addition, the owners of foldable phones must be aware of keeping sharp objects far from their flexible screens, because rocks, keys or even very strong pressures with a nail can leave permanent marks. In the event that you must show a flexible screen, you are potentially faced with a much higher repair bill compared to a typical phone (up to $ 500 or more depending on the model and seriousness of the damage). In short, although the robustness of foldable phones has improved a lot, they are always more delicate than traditional handsets, which you need to take into account.
However, foldables continue to evolve, with better AI features, improved specifications and more refined form factors that make them even more practical. Whether you are looking for a Flip phone for nostalgia or a large screen for multitasking, today’s foldable phones offer exciting possibilities – you just have to decide if they are the right adjustment for you.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/best-foldable-phones-160030013.html?src=SSS
