After the trend of borderless displays and under-screen cameras, the foldable smartphone is also emerging as one of the hottest developments. In a clamshell or wallet design style, the foldable smartphone has an interesting practicality and outstanding reliability. In this list, find the best foldable smartphones of the year and find the model that suits you best.
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Our selection
"Enjoy 3 different applications at the same time on a highly immersive 6.2-inch Amoled Infinity Flex display. In the rain or pool, the Galaxy Z…"
"To stay on a foldable smartphone with a smaller screen, the Galaxy Z Flip3 is one of the best alternatives. It runs with a very…"
"Huawei is among a serious contender in the foldable smartphone market and it proves it with its know-how with the Mate Xs. An 8-inch Oled…"
"For a more professional solution, this smartphone from Microsoft lets you work with your favorite apps on an Android 10 device. The slim design and…"
"If you can afford it, choose the Motorola Razr over the Samsung Z-Flip. Stylish, powerful and easy to store, this clamshell smartphone has it all.…"
Enjoy 3 different applications at the same time on a highly immersive 6.2-inch Amoled Infinity Flex display. In the rain or pool, the Galaxy Z Fold3 is IPX8 certified to withstand a significant amount of moisture.
1 319 £ on Boulanger.comUnderneath a massive 6.2-inch Amoled display is a super-powerful Snapdragon 888 5G processor that is backed by 12GB of RAM. The device runs on Android 11 with the home-made One UI 3.5 overlay. It also comes equipped with an Adreno 660 GPU which is one of the most powerful graphics chips out there. Whether it's games and applications that require good graphics, nothing will stand in the way of this smartphone.
For all your shots and videos, find 3 back cameras with a resolution of 12 MP each. An under-display front camera of 4 MP and another 10 MP coverage camera can be found on the front of the device. Enjoy great battery life with a 4400 mAh battery that supports fast wired and inductive charging with the recognized accessory.
To stay on a foldable smartphone with a smaller screen, the Galaxy Z Flip3 is one of the best alternatives. It runs with a very powerful Soc embedded under a 2X Amoled display with 120 Hz refresh rate.
783 £ on Boulanger.comBe a part of the evolution of cell phones with the Galaxy Z Flip3 to experience the foldable screen and cover screen. At 6.7 inches in size, this smartphone's Dynamic Amoled display offers an exceptional burst of color with FHD+ resolution. To run your favorite games and apps, the Snapdragon 888 5G octa-core processor backed by 8GB RAM.
The 12 MP dual-lens main sensor will allow you to take photos and videos in 4K 60 fps. On the front is a 10 MP camera also capable of recording in 4K 60 fps for your selfies and video chat. Also get Android 11 with Samsung's One UI 3 overlay for better customization of the device. With a 3300 mAh Dual smart battery, never run out of charges.
Huawei is among a serious contender in the foldable smartphone market and it proves it with its know-how with the Mate Xs. An 8-inch Oled display with Falcon Wing technology as well as a titanic processor make it run.
See on AliexpressExperience the foldable smartphone differently with a flexible device beyond what is feasible. To achieve the best performance and great execution speed, the Mate Xs leverages the Kirin 990 5G Chipset. An 8GB RAM balances the power to open multiple apps at once. The 8-inch high-resolution Oled display is perfect for your gaming, movie and other multimedia viewing sessions.
On the photo side, find 4 main lenses on the back (40 mp + 16 mp + 8 mp + TOF) provided by Leica. To support the power-hungry components and usage, the 4500 mAh 55W fast charge battery is a reliable ally. A liquid cooling system also keeps the Mate Xs' temperature in check. Besides, 5G connectivity goes with you everywhere.
For a more professional solution, this smartphone from Microsoft lets you work with your favorite apps on an Android 10 device. The slim design and dual screen alternative offers you better productivity at all times.
599 £ on MicrosoftThe Microsoft Surface Duo lets you switch between tasks with the latest generation 360° hinge. The large, high-resolution 8.1-inch PixelSense display folds into a 5.6-inch screen for a one-handed grip. Running on a home-grown SoC and 6GB of RAM, accomplish more with less time. This smartphone runs Android 10 to easily use your favorite Microsoft apps without difficulty.
Sync your accounts and work anywhere by accessing your documents in cloud storages. It also has a Sim card slot for your mobile calls and connections. Enjoy a long-lasting 3577 mAh battery so your device can go anywhere. Enjoy its slimness with less than a centimeter of thickness when unfolded.
If you can afford it, choose the Motorola Razr over the Samsung Z-Flip. Stylish, powerful and easy to store, this clamshell smartphone has it all. When unfolded, its Amoled screen measures 6.2 inches.
1 103 £ on DartyThin, elegant and especially powerful, here is the Motorola Razr. Its 6.2-inch Amoled clamshell display will let you enjoy your favorite content and applications. It offers a resolution of 2,142 x 876 pixels and a display format with a 21:9 ratio. As for power, Motorola has opted for the Qualcomm Snapdragon SD710 processor with 8 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz supported by 6 GB of RAM.
However, the internal memory is limited to 128 GB: impossible to add from a memory card, a shame in 2020! If you're a fan of photos and selfies, you should know that this foldable cell phone has a 16MP rear sensor and a 5MP front sensor. Finally, the autonomy is ensured by a 2500 mAh battery.
Any specific needs?
The best foldable cell phone in 2021
The best entry-level foldable cell phone
The best high-end foldable cell phone
The best mid-range foldable cell phone
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE TOP | NOT EXPENSIVE | Middle of the range | VERY GOOD | ||
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G 256GB
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G 128GB
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Huawei Mate XS
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Microsoft Surface Duo 256 GB
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Motorola Razr
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Enjoy 3 different applications at the same time on a highly immersive 6.2-inch Amoled Infinity Flex display. In the rain or pool, the Galaxy Z Fold3 is IPX8 certified to withstand a significant amount of moisture.
|
To stay on a foldable smartphone with a smaller screen, the Galaxy Z Flip3 is one of the best alternatives. It runs with a very powerful Soc embedded under a 2X Amoled display with 120 Hz refresh rate.
|
Huawei is among a serious contender in the foldable smartphone market and it proves it with its know-how with the Mate Xs. An 8-inch Oled display with Falcon Wing technology as well as a titanic processor make it run.
|
For a more professional solution, this smartphone from Microsoft lets you work with your favorite apps on an Android 10 device. The slim design and dual screen alternative offers you better productivity at all times.
|
If you can afford it, choose the Motorola Razr over the Samsung Z-Flip. Stylish, powerful and easy to store, this clamshell smartphone has it all. When unfolded, its Amoled screen measures 6.2 inches.
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Processor
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G
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Qualcomm snapdragon 888 5G
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Hisilicon Kirin 990 5G
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
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Qualcomm Snapdragon SD710 octa-core
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Screen size
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6.2 inches
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6.7 inches
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8 inches
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8.1 inches
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6.2 inches
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Storage
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256 GB
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128 GB
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256 GB
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256 GB
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128 GB
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Operating system
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Android 11
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Android 11
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Harmony OS
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Android 10
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Android 9
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RAM memory
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12 GB
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8 GB
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8 GB
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6 GB
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6 GB
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There are mainly 3 types of folding depending on the model. They are the wallet fold, the three fold and the two fold also called clamshell fold. The first two types of folding are characterized by an often large display diagonal, which can reach or exceed 8 inches.
Expressed in pixels, it determines the display quality of the flexphone screen. The higher it is, the better the image quality will be. Some models of foldable smartphones offer a resolution that is much higher than Full HD or high definition quality. This becomes especially useful for enjoying videos recorded in ultra HD mode.
Screen size is naturally part of the criteria for choosing a flexphone. With this type of smartphone, the goal is essentially to achieve a compact size while still enjoying the display size of a tablet. While there are flexphones under 7 inches with a 21:9 or 22:9 ratio, the trend is clearly toward the tablet format.
When choosing a foldable smartphone, consider checking the accessories provided. In view of the high price, flexphones must include functional accessories, such as a hands-free kit, cables and charger, which can be complemented by a shell specific to the model.
With
a phone that also acts as a tablet, one has the right to expect additional features. It's done, since several foldable smartphones offer the multi-window function to open several applications at once like on a computer! Even if their fluidity is not yet equivalent to that of a tablet, it brings a real plus to the device.
When you want to buy a phone that is worth well over 1,000 euros, you demand build quality that matches the price. Fortunately, most of the models offered are made of solid and elegant materials, such as plastic fiber for the flexible screen, and metal for the body of the flexphone. The negative point is that the current models are not waterproof, not to mention the fragility of the folding part. Beware of falls and splashes! Nevertheless, this is compensated by the resistance of these phones to successive folding as announced by the manufacturers. Some claim that the phone can be folded up to 200,000 times.
Even though it is still a new product and not very well known by the public, the flexphone is starting to make a name for itself. The success of this XXL smartphone is well underway. Manufacturers have understood this and those who are already present on this niche are preparing new models to better seduce.
As for the other manufacturers, they don't want to miss the train, convinced by the general trend towards an ever larger screen. But for the moment, worldwide sales of foldable cell phones represent only 5% of smartphones.
Why choose a foldable cell phone?
The foldable smartphone has one major advantage, which is that it is a two-in-one device. With this device, you have a "classic" smartphone in your hand, but it can instantly transform into a tablet. You get a multitude of benefits:
What are its drawbacks
Beyond the few perfectible defects linked to the performance of these devices, especially the energy consuming side, the foldable smartphones have as a major disadvantage their still high price. Count 2 iPhone 11 Pro Max or 2 Galaxy S20 Ultra for a single Huawei Mate Xs! However, a gradual decrease in prices will be possible with the announced arrival of several models in the coming months.
To maximize the protection of your foldable smartphone, don't hesitate to invest in a shell if it is not included in the box. Even if it's a small extra investment, it's worth it for a phone that can cost up to 100 times more.
If you want to keep the convenience of a smartphone and the small footprint while enjoying the benefits of a tablet, the wallet fold is the ideal choice. This format offers a substantial screen size while still allowing the phone to be easily stored when folded. This is the case with the Galaxy Fold and the Huawei XS, for example.
This type of folding has a major advantage: it takes up very little space. It's like folding a standard-sized smartphone in half! The unfolded screen is the size of a standard smartphone screen, usable in portrait or landscape mode. However, this choice has its limits, since the screen size is reduced and makes the multi-window function almost impossible.
If your main goal is to keep the footprint as small as possible for practical purposes, and if you don't need to use a lot of apps, the clamshell-style folding smartphone is ideal.
On the other hand, if you intend to use your foldable smartphone to its fullest potential and make it an all-in-one device, a model that folds like a wallet is recommended. It offers more display area for a variety of applications.
For its extra-large screen
When the screen of this phone model is unfolded, it becomes as big as a tablet. Thus, the display of your video games and images is improved. This extra-large screen also allows you to use several applications at the same time and independently. This is a new technology that appeals mainly to young people, but anyone can use it and benefit from increased visibility and legibility.
For its practicality
A foldable phone is a three-in-one device. It can act as a smartphone, a laptop to check your emails, and a tablet to play your favorite game. It meets the needs of all new generation mobile device enthusiasts. This feature allows you to carry it in your pocket without cluttering you with bulky devices and have a powerful smartphone at hand.
For its robustness
Unlike the classic smartphone, a foldable model has been designed with special materials that ensure optimal resistance to the external elements. To allow the screen to fold, it has been designed with flexible plastic. This also allows the device to resist shocks. So you no longer have to worry about breaking your phone's screen by accident.
For its performance
Based on modern technology, foldable phones are extremely powerful. Indeed, they are equipped with a powerful processor and a large storage space. It is these features that allow you to use multiple applications simultaneously. Moreover, foldable smartphones are equipped with a battery with extended autonomy. In addition, it is part of the smartphones potentially eligible for the 5G network, which further benefits mobile users.
For image quality
With a foldable smartphone, you are guaranteed to have high resolution images. Indeed, this model offers two cameras with 16 to 20 mega pixels. You can also switch from the back camera to the front camera by folding your phone.
In our opinion, the best brands of foldable mobile phones in 2022 are :
Samsung is the best phone brand you can choose in 2021. It produces excellent phones in a range of prices and has even managed to improve its upgrades. It is famous for its flagship phones, which are some of the best phones made in the market. The brand new Samsung Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Ultra are great smartphones with the latest technology.
Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. The company's high-end smartphones create strong brand affiliation for its low-end and mid-range models, which is a big reason why the company is the second-largest smartphone manufacturer in the world, according to IDC.
Motorola is an American consumer electronics and telecommunications company. It is a subsidiary of the Chinese multinational technology company Lenovo.Motorola mainly manufactures smartphones and other mobile devices running the Android operating system developed by Google. The company is reliable.
LG Electronics was founded in 1958 and has since led the way into the advanced digital age with the technological expertise gained from manufacturing many home appliances such as radios and televisions, not to mention phones. LG is a quality brand and this is seen all over the world.
Royole Corporation is a manufacturer of flexible displays and sensors that can be used in a range of human-machine interface products, including foldable smartphones and other smart devices. Today, the brand has its own high-end foldable phone that matches those of major brands like samsung and huawei.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Value autonomy.
It is recommended to choose a foldable smartphone that matches your usage habits. If you like to play games during your breaks or even on the weekend, then your foldable smartphone should have a solid battery life. Choose a model with a battery capacity of at least 3,000 mAh, knowing that some brands launch models with a 4,500 or 5,000 mAh battery.
Choose a foldable smartphone from a major brand.
Because it's
a big investment, it's safer to get a model from a reputable brand when choosing a foldable smartphone
.
Avoid water jets, splashes and dust.
Your
foldable smartphone is costing you a lot of money, and you don't want to see it damaged in a short period of time due to a lack of care. Be aware that the current models are not waterproof and therefore, you need to protect your phone from any form of splash or water spray. Also remember to keep it dust-free.
Add apps to make the most of your foldable smartphone.
If
you have chosen a model with a large diagonal when unfolded, be aware that you can add additional apps to take advantage of the features and power of your foldable smartphone.
Remember to replace the hull at the slightest wear.
Don
't use your foldable smartphone without a protective shell. Also, as soon as you notice that the shell is showing signs of wear and tear and is no longer able to protect the device, replace it. Then consider purchasing a spare shell.
The best foldable mobile phone depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide for the best products available.
The price of a foldable mobile phone ranges from 1,300 euros for the cheapest to 2,500 euros for the most expensive.
The internal storage of a foldable smartphone has a high capacity, ranging from 128 to 512 GB. Some models also have a port for an external memory card to add additional storage volume.
Under normal use, which includes video game sessions, calls, and app use, a foldable cell phone offers one day of battery life.
When it comes to network connectivity, current models are 4G compatible and some are 5G compatible. Added to that are other new wireless connectivity standards like Bluetooth 5.0, NFC and Wi-Fi.
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