Best foldable 2023: which folding smartphone should you buy?

With enough force, almost every smartphone can fold in half. But only a few can do it without suffering terminal damage. Think folding phones are just a hinged gimmick? Think again: the best foldables are about as versatile as handsets get in 2023.

From retro clamshell revivals to smartphones that transform into sizeable tablets, all but one of the blowers below feature bendable screens. And besides the obvious wow-factor, each offers innovative flexibility that could change the way you use your mobile.

But with price tags that make other flagships look cheap, is it worth buying a folding phone in 2023? Or should you wait for a next-gen foldable which might iron out some of the compromises? We’ve tested the top options to find out, as well as highlighting the upcoming foldable models to look out for.

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Our pick of the best foldables

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

There’s no escaping its astronomical price tag, but Samsung’s latest foldable flagship sets a new bar for folding smartphones. Visually the spit of its predecessor, the Z Fold 4 is marginally more manageable in the hand, yet reassuringly sturdy and as stylish as you’d expect.

Performance from the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor is predictably impressive, delivering eye-blink speeds. Longevity gains are a little more modest, relying on increased chip efficiency to squeeze more life out of the same 4400mAh cell.

Bigger wins are found in productivity features borrowed from desktop software: a slick in-app taskbar means side-by-side multi-tasking is effortless on the bright, sharp and slightly wider main display. That panel now suffers from a less noticeable crease as well – although it’s still there if you go looking for it.

Inheriting the camera setup from the Galaxy S22 also gives the Fold 4 top-tier shooting skills. There’s impressive consistency across all lenses: detail from the main sensor is seriously good, while zoom clarity with the telephoto is similarly superb. Low-light results are stand-out, too.

• Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 review here

Oppo Find N2 Flip

Oppo wasn’t in a rush to bring a foldable phone to foreign markets, but its first attempt already looks set to shake up the market. The Find N2 Flip clamshell is a very close rival to the Galaxy Z Flip 4, yet costs a fair bit less.

It has a gorgeous design, giant external display and a pair of decent (though not class-leading) rear cameras. Add in one of the biggest batteries you’ll find on a flip phone and rapid 44W wired charging, and you’re looking at a near-complete package.

The lack of wireless charging is a bit of a downer, and Oppo’s version of Android can be a little too aggressive when it comes to power management, but otherwise clamshell customers need to think long and hard over who deserves their cash.

• Read our Oppo Find N2 Flip review here

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

Sorting some its predecessor’s snags while retaining the same pocketable proportions, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 looks like a winning foldable for the mainstream. Virtually the twin of the Z Flip 3, it remains a well-made, water-resistant clamshell – now with a slightly flatter frame.

Flipped open, the main 6.7in OLED panel is sharp, detailed and bursting with colour. And Samsung’s done plenty to improve its multi-tasking potential: a two-finger swipe opens multi-window, while third-party apps have been optimised for the folding screen. The dinky external display is also more useful, mirroring your theme and offering more widgets.

Camera hardware hasn’t changed from the Z Flip 3. Only real-world testing will tell whether processing tweaks will help the Flip 4 keep pace with flagship rivals. A clearer upgrade comes from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, which first impressions proved to be as potent as you’d expect.

Battery life also looks promising, with a 400mAh increase in capacity. The final verdict will have to wait for our full review, but early conclusions suggest the Z Flip 4 could be the top folding option for most people.

• Read our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 review here

Motorola Razr (2022)

Motorola’s first effort at reviving the iconic Razr handset in 2019 had its fair share of foibles. The second-gen attempt addressed a few of those, but it would be 2022 edition that would properly raise the bar. It further streamlines the throwback design, while retaining the nostalgia value of an all-screen smartphone that you can flip shut.

Fully deleting the chin, eliminating the gap when folded, and adding a much bigger cover display really do make for a refined device, while uprated internals aren’t to be sniffed at either. It’s got a flagship chip now, instead of mid-range silicon, and the battery can usually cope with a full day of use.

Its cameras are still a step behind the likes of Samsung and Oppo, though, and Moto hasn’t done a huge amount with the form factor on the software front. But if you prefer a more stock Android experience, this foldable should be near the top of your list.

• Read our Motorola Razr 2022 review here

Oppo Find N

Oppo’s first foldable makes the case for pocket-friendly folding phones. It’s not tiny: the AMOLED centrefold measures 7.1in and the Find N remains substantial at 275g. And while it snaps shut satisfyingly, the package still feels like two smartphones stacked together. But at 133mm tall, it’s significantly shorter and more manageable than the Z Fold 3.

Its sturdy hinge design does a solid job of hiding the screen’s crease, while the panel itself is wonderful – even if its squared aspect ratio results in black bars sandwiching videos. Peak brightness hits 1000 nits, with LTPO tech allowing refresh rates to span from 1 to 120Hz for enhanced efficiency.

Power’s not a problem: a Snapdragon 888 chip zips through tasks, helped by 12GB of RAM. Oppo’s simple, attractive ColorOS interface also sits light on Android 11, while battery capacity is par for the course at 4500mAh.

The serviceable triple-cam setup is led by a familiar 50MP Sony sensor. It captures sound results without much fuss, although images tend towards over-processed. Identical 32MP sensors mean selfie performance is the same whether the Find N is open or shut.

• Read our long-term Oppo Find N test here

Microsoft Surface Duo 2

Software updates have transformed Microsoft’s second-gen Duo into a solid productivity tool, if not something to replace your personal smartphone. Performance from the Snapdragon 888 CPU isn’t flagship spec, but it provides enough grunt to load apps quickly and make multi-tasking slick – meaning the Duo 2 broadly fulfils its business brief.

Like the first version, the Duo 2 sports two 5.8in screens held together by a sturdy hinge. Folded flat to create a ‘single’ 8.3in panel, there’s no crease in sight, but a narrow gap to look past instead. Bezels have been strategically slimmed, although they remain chunky top and bottom.

Glass front and back gives it a premium feel, while thin halves render the Duo 2 just small enough to slip in a pocket. OLED screen tech is sumptuous to look at, while 90Hz refresh rates make scrolling a smoother experience. A new glance bar shows notifications without flipping it open, too.

Three rear cameras can produce reasonable snaps, but noting to trouble the latest handsets. Likewise, battery life falls short of most flagships – although there’s enough fuel to get you through an average work day, which is what the Duo 2 will spend most of its time doing.

• Read our full Microsoft Surface Duo 2 review here

Huawei Mate Xs 2

Huawei’s Mate Xs 2 is complicated. Its outward-folding design deftly bridges the gap between smartphone and tablet. But it’s held back by trade sanctions which limit hardware and software. Given its high price, most will be better served by cheaper, more user-friendly alternatives.

But for well-heeled tinkerers, there’s still a lot to love. Folded, the Xs 2 is slimmer than an iPhone 3G. Unfurl the wraparound panel and the package becomes a paper-thin yet rigid slate. Contrast is excellent, brightness is good and the crease subtle. Camera quality is likewise impressive: detail, colour accuracy and noise control proved competitive across all three rear cameras, even in low light.

What you don’t get is Google Play Store support, 5G or the latest silicon. Its Snapdragon 888 chip packs enough grunt to zip through most apps, but it’s beaten in benchmarks by many of its contemporaries. Huawei’s home-grown Android overlay does make it easier to realise the screen’s potential with swipe gestures, but you’ll need to side-load titles missing from the App Gallery. The pixel count also impacts battery life, which is bottom of the foldable table.

• Read our full Huawei Mate Xs 2 review here

Are there any other folding phones available?

The foldables above aren’t the only models in production – but most of the alternatives aren’t officially available in the UK. Several impressive folding smartphones have been released over the past twelve months, but most are only available in China at the moment.

Honor’s first UK-bound foldable, the Magic Vs, should be hitting shop shelves by June 2023. That’s quite a wait, seeing how it’s been on sale in China since late last year, and was really just a minor upgrade on the original Magic V. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU powering it might feel a little old hat, and its three 50MP rear cameras aren’t quite as impressive as the pixel count suggests – but if Honor gets the price right, it could still be one of the more affordable book-style foldables.

We also got hands-on with the landmark Huawei Mate X2 in 2021. Conclusion? It’s a seriously special smartphone – one which proves that foldables can be both awesome and durable. It’s well-made and features stellar camera kit, but it’s also crippled by a lack of Google software support. It looks unlikely to ever make it outside of the Chinese market.

Xiaomi’s Mi Mix Fold is likewise China-only. Which is a shame, because its spec sheet suggests it could be a compelling foldable. Think Snapdragon 888 silicon, a 108MP main camera, Harman Kardon speakers and a 5020mAh battery, all complemented by an 8.01in WQHD+ OLED folding display.

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