Flip phones are back in grand fashion, reinventing the smartphone experience yet again. Still, these modern foldable devices can bend in half to bring you all the best Android features. Needless to say, flip phones are just as cool today as they were in the early 2000s.
Growth was slow at first, but now the foldable market offers bold and dynamic options. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip models continue to dominate the segment, followed by stiff competition from Motorola and OPPO. If you want uncompromising quality with years of software support, Samsung is your ultimate choice.
at first glance
1. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Best Overall
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the ultimate flip phone, giving you the best combination of specs, software support, user interface, features and durability.
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best design
Don’t like the Flip 5’s outdated design? Motorola has upped the ante even further with the launch of the slim and portable Razr Plus, which exudes elegance and charm.
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best budget
Buying a flip phone on a strict budget isn’t easy. Motorola Razr (2023) is the cheapest in the US.
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4. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
best previous generation
If you want better value for money but don’t mind an older model, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is pretty good even today.
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Best International
For the global market, OPPO Find N3 Flip delivers the pinnacle foldable experience for flip phones. From the camera to the design, everything is excellent.
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Best International Budget
TECNO’s PHANTOM V Flip may be the most affordable flip phone out there, and its leather-backed design doesn’t look cheap at all.
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Best Overall
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 takes the tried-and-true formula of the Z Flip 4 and improves it, but only in a few select areas. The most notable improvement to this generation of Samsung flip phones is the case display. You now get a bigger screen and can do more.
Inside, the flexible 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x screen is even brighter. You get a better, sturdier hinge, and the Flip 5 retains the Flip 4’s IPX8 waterproofing. Aside from the newer, more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for the Galaxy chipset, the rest of the specs are almost identical to the previous generation Z Flip. You get the same old battery and charge, along with five years of OS and four years of security updates.
Consistency is key, and it’s why Samsung remains in such a strong position year after year. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of the most reliable Android flip phones.
best design
A few years ago, Motorola reminded us of the past with its Razr line of foldable phones. The Motorola Razr Plus has the best foldability, and in terms of design alone, it’s probably the best flip phone yet. Best of all, the phone’s price isn’t even that high, which makes it our second choice behind the Z Flip 5.
The large cover display is very versatile and has about nine different functions. The chipset may be old, but the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is still powerful. Gaming, multitasking, and processor-intensive tasks are a breeze with this flip phone. We just wish the display was brighter in sunlight.
best budget
Motorola also beats it with its cheaper Razr+ sibling, even though the Razr (2023)’s protective screen is nearly useless. The price is too good to be true, making high-quality foldables within reach. You get very good performance from the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC, and the display is nice and bright.
The Motorola Razr (2023) has very good battery life, and its 30W wired charging is better than the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s 25W charging. IP52 waterproof and dustproof performance varies. While we appreciate its dust resistance, the device is more susceptible to water damage. The camera still needs some improvements, especially in the area of video capture.
best previous generation
If you don’t mind an older device, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is still a solid choice by today’s standards. Samsung’s latest generation of foldable phones have much smaller screen covers, so you can’t do much on them. However, the rest of the experience was amazing.
You get a decent camera, great software, and solid build quality. The price of the Z Flip 4 isn’t that high anymore because it’s a bit older. The battery lasts about a day, which is good for any Android phone, and you’re guaranteed five years of security and four major updates. In addition, the Z Flip 4 is IPX8 waterproof.
Best International
In general, non-US residents enjoy a wider selection of Android phones. This also applies to flip phones, which means you can opt for the powerful OPPO Find N3 Flip, which costs less than the Z Flip 5 but gives you just as much or even more features.
The OPPO Find N3 Flip is excellent and is widely regarded as the best clamshell folding phone on the international market. From its excellent camera to its all-day battery life and fast charging, everything about it is nearly perfect. The cover screen is large and functional. You miss out on wireless charging, but the biggest bummer is the lack of IP rating.
Best International Budget
TECNO is not a very famous smartphone brand, but with the launch of PHANTOM V Flip, it has really made itself famous. The budget smartphone maker has made its cheapest foldable phone ever, with specs that add a lot of value to users.
You get all-day battery life, fast 45W wired charging, and a beautiful vegan leather design. This cheap flip phone isn’t available in North America, which is a shame for US residents. If you don’t live in the area, you can sit back and relax.
While the camera isn’t as eye-catching as other phones on this list, the TECNO PHANTOM V Flip really works hard. You don’t get a high-end software experience or ingress protection, but the build quality is surprisingly good and the display is excellent.
Flip phones come in all beautiful shapes and forms
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Nowadays, foldable phones that fold in half come in many unique designs. But if you’re in the United States, you’ll find that the collection is much more limited. In that case, there is nothing above the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5.
Samsung’s software support and experience live up to expectations and consistently meet expectations. With years of guaranteed updates, cool new features are rolled out regularly. Your Z Flip 5 will stay fresh and secure for longer, and the hardware is designed to match this. Throw in IPX8 water resistance and you have the best flip phone money can buy.