Many years ago, when the use of mobile phones was new, the flip phone was the dominant form available. The trend was to close the phone after a call. However, technology is impressive, and evolution brings amazing evolutions. In 2018, the first foldable phone, the Royole Flexpai, was launched. Although it represented a huge technological leap in smartphone technology, it fell short in many ways. Samsung is a brand that has dominated the foldable phone market.
Ever since its inception in 2018, foldable phones have evolved. There are two primary concepts of foldable phones- the fold style and the clamshell style. Motorola RAZR debuted the clamshell-style flip phone in 2019. Suppose you are looking to get a foldable phone in the future. This article will cover the five (5) best foldable phones and the benefits of using them.
Best Foldables In 2023 – Summarized List
- Galaxy Z Fold 4 – See Pricing
- Galaxy Z Flip 4 – See Pricing
- Motorola Razer – See Pricing
- Galaxy Z Fold 3 – See Pricing
- Galaxy Z Flip 3 – See Pricing
1. Galaxy Z Fold 4
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 made its commercial debut on August 2022. This phone is the best foldable phone on the market. In addition, it comes with upgrades on the Fold 3. It has an optimized camera and software that suits the 7-inch screen.
Although it is quite pricey, Z Fold 4 is the best multitasking smartphone from Samsung. However, the battery life and display are similar to Fold 3. Suppose you already own a Z Fold 3. You can update to a Z Fold 4 if the price is not discouraging. You can see the latest pricing on Galaxy Z Fold 4 here.
Specifications
Weight: 271g
OS: Android 12L
Resolution: 904 x 2316 / 1812 x 2176
Dimensions: 55.1 x 67.1 x 14.2-15.8mm / 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3mm
Screen size: 6.2-inch / 7.6-inch
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
Front camera: 10MP / 4MP
Rear camera: 50MP + 12MP + 10MP
Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
RAM: 12GB
Pros
- Excellent choice for multitasking
- Great main and cover screens
Cons
- You can still notice the crease
- The camera could be better
- Incredibly expensive
2. Galaxy Z Flip 4
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is one of Samsung’s best clamshell foldable phones. It is quite similar to Flip 3. Significant differences include a bigger 3,700mAh battery with faster 25W charging and a faster Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset.
One of the best things about this model is its availability. In addition, the battery is another significant factor that makes it a top choice. Furthermore, the software updates promise to keep it at the top of the game in the coming years. You can see the latest pricing on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 here.
Specifications
Weight: 187g
OS: Android 12
Battery: 3,700mAh
RAM: 8GB
Front camera: 10MP
Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
Pros
- Overall performance is excellent
- Faster charging and durable battery
Cons
- The camera could be better
- Display crease is still obvious
3. Motorola Razer 5G
Motorola debuted a new clamshell device called the Razer 5G in 2020. It is an upgraded version of the Motorola Razer V3. Users were excited about the Razer 5G as it combines novel tech and updates that set it apart from older models. However, the Motorola Razer 5G is quite pricey. Nevertheless, the folding phone looks great and has software upgrades that make it an ideal option. In addition, you can take selfies with the 48MP main lens is an advantage.
The battery life is fair-can last about 24 hours. In addition, you cannot expand the 256GB storage. The performance is okay. However, the P-OLED (internal plastic) screen is not so much fun. You can see the latest pricing on the Motorola Razer 5g here.
Specifications
Weight: 192g
OS: Android 10
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB
Battery: 2,800mAh
Front camera: 20MP
Rear camera: 48MP
Dimensions: 169.2 x 72.6 x 7.9mm / 91.7 x 72.6 x 16mm
Screen size: 6.2-inch / 2.7-inch
Pros
- Great flip-phone design
- Impressive camera and selfie shooter
- Water resistance phone
Cons
- Quite pricey
- The plastic display could be improved
- Not optimized for gaming
4. Galaxy Z Fold 3
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a great foldable phone released in 2021. Although it is expensive, Z Fold 3 is durable and water resistant. This is a model you would be sure to get your money’s worth.
It comes with an S Pen stylus, which allows you to make the best use of the large display. In addition, the battery life is better than its predecessors. One feature that is not satisfactory is the camera. Regardless, it is an excellent choice for foldable phones. You can see the latest pricing on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 here.
Specifications
Weight: 271g
OS: Android 11
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256GB / 512GB
Battery: 4,400mAh
Front camera: 10MP / 4MP
Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP
Dimensions: 158.2 x 67.1 x 14.4-16mm / 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4mm
Screen size: 6.2-inch / 7.6-inch
Pros
- Comes with S pen support
- A durable phone
- Made with armor aluminum which is a light material
- Water-resistant
Cons
- The camera is not encouraging
- Expensive phone
- Extra cost for the S pen as it is bought separately
5. Galaxy Z Flip 3
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a clamshell form of a foldable phone. Although there are not many upgrades from the previous versions, it is still a better phone. Therefore, it makes our list of the top five best foldable phones you can consider getting in 2022.
Many would argue that Flip 3 is a standard for foldable phones. The phone is solid flagship power. It has an amazing 120Hz refresh rate. In addition, Flip 3 has an interesting 6.7-inch AMOLED display. However, the secondary display is bigger. As a result, it is more useful. However, it still comes in a small resolution of 1.9 inches. You can see the latest pricing on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 here.
Specifications
Weight: 183g
OS: Android 11
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB
Battery: 3,300mAh
Front camera: 10MP
Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP
Dimensions: 166 x 72.2 x 6.9mm / 86.4 x 72.2 x 15.9-17.1mm
Screen size: 1.9-inch / 6.7-inch
Pros
- Great price for a great phone
- Optimized designs and displays
- High refresh rate
- Water resistance
Cons
- The battery power is not extraordinary
- A telephoto lens is absent
Reasons To Use A Folding Phone
Pocket Friendly
The primary reason to use a folding phone is its compact size. Previously, smartphones had large designs that could hardly fit in your palms. Foldable phones offer a bigger screen in smaller packaging. In addition, folding phones are designed with modern technology such that they may become the future of smartphones.
Large Screen
Another reason to use a folding phone is that they always come with a large screen. Despite the folding and flipping, the intensity of the screen is not compromised. Therefore, you can watch your favorite shows or sports conveniently. For example, an iPhone 11 has a screen of 6.1 inches; however, the Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 has a folded display of 6.2 inches and 7.6 inches when open.
A Blend Between Using a Tablet & a Phone
Tablets were declining in sales as people preferred smartphones. However, the need for a larger screen increased due to the pandemic. In addition, people need a convenient platform for meetings, streaming Netflix, shopping, gaming, and more. Foldable phones are the perfect solution. You can enjoy the benefits of the large screen, when you are done, fold it and keep it in your pocket.
Added Benefit to using a foldable phone
- A foldable phone offers the convenience of a smaller phone without compromising the screen size.
- The practical value of a foldable phone is “foldability.” It offers a more convenient layout for using apps on the phone.
- Although folding phones are expensive, one cannot dispute that they are cool factors. Suppose you carry a foldable phone. People will easily recognize the uniqueness than going out with the latest iPhone.
- Multi-tasking has never been easier.
- Durability comes into play with these phones being built with more resilient materials.
Final Thoughts
The evolution of foldable phones is commendable. As discussed earlier, Samsung has some of the best foldable phones on the market. Foldable devices are great for business and personal purposes. It offers the unique benefit of a larger screen with a sleek, compact design. However, the main limitation to the use of foldable phones is the price-pretty expensive. Do you think folding devices could become the next rave in the smartphone industry?
