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 they 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. However, I and the rest of the Tom’s Guide phones team have reviewed and tested all of these devices and have found it’s the little things that really make a great foldable phone.
When it comes to the best foldable there’s a lot to look at, but all our favorites share something that makes them special. What’s most surprising in my testing is despite being a year old at this point, the OnePlus Open is the best foldable phone you can buy — beating out newer devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. I can’t discount flip style phones like the Galaxy Z Flip 6 or Motorola Razr Plus 2024, but the OnePlus Open is hard to beat due to its balance of features and cost. Nevertheless, each of these phones has something to love about them and all offer a generally great user experience.
Best foldable phone overall
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. I reviewed the OnePlus Open and 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’s a baseline for any future foldable phone.
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, the Dynamic Open Canvas multitasking or the frankly 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.
Most feature rich foldable
Samsung is probably the most well-known phone maker when it comes to foldable phones and it knows what it is doing. This is no more obvious than with the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which builds and improves upon the prior Galaxy Z Fold 5 and stands as our most feature-rich foldable phone. When TG global editor-in-chief Mark Spoonauer reviewed the phone, he had a lot of positive things to say, especially about the new design, durability and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip.
While there might be some disappointment about the cameras, as they are basically the same as the prior model, there’s a noticeable difference in actual image quality. If we look at the difference in quality during our 200 photo shoot out with the Z Fold 6 vs. Z Fold 4 we can see a marked improvement. While you might not buy a foldable for the camera, it’s certainly an addition that you want to see.
I also can’t talk about a new Samsung phone without mentioning the Galaxy AI features, including the Sketch To Image feature. This allows you to draw anything you want into the Samsung Notes app and then the Galaxy AI will turn it into anything from water art to a 3D cartoon. The results are, as Mark says, “pretty frickin’ impressive.”
I’ve also been using the Galaxy Z Fold 6 for an extended period of time, trying to use it as a laptop replacement. And while it’s not perfect, its the closest thing we have to it.
Best foldable phone value
Motorola might not be the dominant force it was in the past, but it can still create a great phone for good value. This is obvious in the Motorola Razr 2024, which is upgraded in all the right areas compared to the prior Razr and is easily our best-value phone. In our review, we noted that the bigger screen offered far more functionality than before, while also being brighter.
Now, it should be noted that there are two variations of the Motorola Razr 2024, and both appear in this guide. What puts this foldable ahead of its larger cousin is the balance it strikes between features and cost. Everything from the design to the 50MP camera and 13MP ultrawide for as little as $699 is a real steal. In my 200 photo shoot out between the Razr Plus 2024 and Razr 2024, I mention that the Plus still delivers the better camera performance despite ditching the ultrawide camera for a telephoto one.
If that was the only change then it would be more than enough for a value phone, but there’s even more thanks to the outstanding battery life and surprisingly snappy performance. I said in my Motorola Razr 2024 review that even the Galaxy Z Fold 6 “faces a tough competitor.” However, there are some issues as there is no ultrawide camera, which might be a turnoff for some, as well as shorter software support compared to other Samsung devices.
Best display in a foldable
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 Friday, 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.
