Its been 3 years since Samsung unveiled its first commercial foldable phone. This means that foldable display technology is still fairly infant. The fact is that these are not devices for everyone and also the options available for foldable phones is limited.
As foldable display technology continues to evolve over the years, we will consider the design, durability, software capabilities, and more in our process to consider phones for this best list. Let’s list down all the foldable phones that have been commercial since inception and perhaps you will find out which one is best for you in 2022.
1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
- Main Display: 7.6inches, 2208×1768 pixels
- Cover Display: 6.2inches, 832×2268 pixels
- RAM/Storage: 12GB/ 256GB
- Cameras: Three rear 12MP, 10MP cover screen, 4MP under main display
- Battery: 4400mAh
- Price: $1799.99
The 2020 Galaxy Z Fold 2 set the bar for foldable devices that also serve as mini-tablets. At first glance, the Z Fold 3 may appear to be just a minor update to the Z Fold 2, but at a starting price of $200 less, Samsung provides S Pen support and IPX8 water resistance. These were two features many have asked for, and Samsung delivered once again.
In addition to a couple of new features, the cover display resolution and refresh rate were updated. Hence, you get a high-resolution display with 120Hz support constructed of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The main display has improved panels and a screen protector that provides an 80% increase in its durability. The three main cameras are basically the same, but the new under-display camera is a step forward in mobile technology.
Pros:
- An innovative engineering marvel
- Armor Aluminum material for a lighter and sleeker phone
- High IPX8 water resistance
- S Pen support
- Improved software optimized for foldables
Cons:
- Still expensive, but $200 less than last year
- S Pen purchase separately
2. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
A compact foldable priced to compete
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
- Main Display: 6.7inches, 1080×2640 pixels
- Cover Display: 1.9inches, 260×512 pixels
- RAM/Storage: 8GB/ 128GB
- Cameras: Two rear 12MP, 10MP selfie
- Battery: 3300mAh
- Price: $999.99
Like the Z Fold 3, the Z Flip 3 is the third generation Flip device from Samsung. One significant improvement is the increased size of the cover screen display from 1.1 to 1.9 inches. The other major change is the IPX8 water resistance that gives you peace of mind when you are flipping open and closed out in the weather.
The $200 price drop on the Z Flip 3 means you can now join the foldable sector for $1000, which is competitive to other flagship smartphones and gives the Z Flip 3 the potential to seriously challenge other manufacturers while expanding the adoption of foldable devices.
Battery life was a concern with the last generation model, so we’ll have to see how the processor, Android 11, and Samsung software enhancements impact the battery life on the Z Flip 3.
Pros:
- High-quality materials, fit, and finish
- IPX8 water resistance
- High refresh rate main display
- Affordable price for a foldable
- It folds into a pocketable form factor
Cons:
- No telephoto camera
3. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus
- Main Display: 7.6inches, 2208×1768 pixels
- Cover Display: 6.2inches, 720×1680 pixels
- RAM/Storage: 12GB/ 256GB
- Cameras: Three rear 12MP, 10MP front, 10MP selfie
- Battery: 4500mAh
- Price: $1799.99
Samsung conducted market research and performed surveys after the original Galaxy Fold release. It found that 34% of Fold users were using two apps at once compared to just 4% doing so with other typical smartphones. Fold users increased their video consumption by 71% compared to usage on their previous phones. This level of multitasking and video consumption shows that people were using the Fold in a manner similar to tablet users.
The Z Fold 2 was the best foldable in 2020, and we have seen software updates that have improved usability for split-screen and foldable views since its release. It’s a bit thicker and heavier than the new model, but still, an amazing device to help you get work done on the go.
Pros:
- A stunning achievement in engineering
- High-quality materials, fit, and finish
- 5G and excellent RF performance
- Optimized cover and inside displays
- Improved software for multitasking
Cons:
- No dust/water resistance
- Expensive
4. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus
- Main Display: 6.7inches, 1080×2636 pixels
- Cover Display: 1.1inches, 112×300 pixels
- RAM/Storage: 8GB/ 256GB
- Cameras: Two rear 12MP, 10MP selfie
- Battery: 3300mAh
- Price: $1199.99
If you don’t care about the water-resistant feature and rarely use the outside display, then you may be able to save some money with last year’s Z Flip 5G. This phone is designed to be your pocketable companion that then opens up into a large display smartphone. The focus is clearly on providing a small phone that can be big when you need to use it, but its effectiveness for productivity is a bit questionable.
The Z Flip 5G improves on the original Z Flip with 5G radio support and slight improvements to the hinge mechanism. It is a very well-constructed device, but the battery life won’t get you through a day.
Pros:
- High-quality materials, fit, and finish
- 5G and excellent RF performance
- It folds into a pocketable form factor
Cons:
- No dust/water resistance
- Expensive
- Barely acceptable battery life
5. Huawei Mate X2
Processor: Huawei Kirin 9000
Main Display: 8inches, 2480×2200 pixels
Cover Display: 6.45inches, 1160×2700 pixels
RAM/Storage: 8GB/ 256GB
Cameras: Four rear 50MP, 16MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto (3x optical), 8MP SuperZoom (10x optical) and 16MP selfie camera
Battery: 4500mAh
Price: Unknown
Huawei’s first big foldables, the Mate X and XS, were interesting in that they incorporated a foldable form factor with displays opposite of what Samsung tried with the Fold. The displays were positioned on the outside and were always exposed, but the designs looked amazing. This year we see Huawei with the Mate X2 that offers a foldable experience similar to the Z Fold 3.
Huawei is known for its amazing camera technology and partnership with Leica, which continues on the Mate X2 with four rear cameras and a selfie camera.
ZDNet’s Sandra Vogel spent some hands-on time with the Huawei Mate X2 and came away impressed. There are limitations on using the phone without Google Mobile Services, and it is currently limited to availability in China.
Pros:
- High-quality cameras
- Impressive engineering design
- Large main display
Cons:
- No dust/water resistance
- Not readily available
6. Huawei P50 Pocket
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G SoC
Main Display: 6.9-inches in size, with a 21:9 ratio and 120Hz refresh rate
Cover Display: 1-inch cover screen
RAM/Storage: 8GB/ 256GB and 12GB/512GB
Cameras: 40-megapixel main sensor, 13-megapixel wide-angle lens, and 32-megapixel “super spectrum” lens
Battery: 4,750mAh
Price: 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $1,400), and 12GB of RAM and 512GB for $1,700
Huawei officially announced the P50 Pocket, a clamshell-style folding smartphone that has a circular, 1-inch external display for quick access to notifications and widgets. The device launched in December 2021, though US sanctions (which mean Huawei can’t use key tech like Google’s Android OS) mean the P50 Pocket won’t make any impact in the West.
Pros:
- Small and pockable
- Great engineering design
- Minimal creese
Cons:
- No dust/water resistance
- Not readily available
7. Honor Magic V
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Main Display: 7.9 inches, 2272 x 1984 pixels, 90 Hz refresh rate
Cover Display: 2560 x 1080, a 120Hz refresh rate
RAM/Storage: 12GB/ 256GB /256GB
Cameras: A trio of 50-megapixel sensors, A pair of 42-megapixel selfie cameras
Battery: 4,750mAh
Price: $1,569 for 256GB model
Former Huawei sub-brand Honor has just announced its first foldable smartphone, the Honor Magic V. It uses a similar folding form factor to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold devices, combining a large internal folding display with a smaller external display that can be used while the device is folded. Honor joins an increasingly long list of companies that have either announced or have started to sell foldable smartphones.
Pros:
- 3 same megapixels high-quality cameras
- Great engineering design
- Large main display
Cons:
- No dust/water resistance
- Not readily available
8. Oppo Find N
Processor: Snapdragon 888 processor
Main Display: 7.1 inches diagonal and has a slightly landscape 9:8.4 aspect ratio, 120 Hz refresh rate
Cover Display: At 5.49 inches with an aspect ratio of 2:1 at 60Hz
RAM/Storage: 8GB/ 256GB and 12GB /256GB
Cameras: On the rear there is 50 megapixels, using the same Sony IMX766 sensor,16-megapixel ultrawide, and a 13-megapixel 2x telephoto
Battery: 4,500mAh
Price: $1,200 for a model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. $1,400 for a 12GB/512GB model.
The Find N features a similar design to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, with a large, squarish folding OLED panel on the inside and a smaller screen on the outside that can be used when the phone is closed. The 120Hz inner display is 7.1 inches diagonal and has a slightly landscape 9:8.4 aspect ratio, unlike the Z Fold display, which is taller when unfolded.
Pros:
- Great aspect ratio as a normal smartphone
- Easy to hold
- Minimal crease
- Has 200,000 folds
Cons:
- Outer screen is that it’s only 60Hz
- Customized software not at par with Samsung
- No dust/water resistance
- Not readily available
9. Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Main Display: 8.01-inch 4:3 OLED panel with 2480 x 1860 pixels
Cover Display: 6.52-inches with a 90Hz refresh rate
RAM/Storage: 12GB or 16GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage
Cameras: 108-megapixel main sensor and a 13-megapixel ultrawide, a telephoto lens with a close focusing distance of 3cm and optical zoom of 3x, or 30x hybrid zoom
Battery: 5,020mAh
Price: $1,521 for a model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, going all the way up to $1,978 for a 16GB / 512GB ceramic special edition.
Xiaomi resurrected its Mi Mix series last year with the Mi Mix Fold, the company’s first commercial folding phone. Unlike previous outlandish Mix devices and concepts from the company, the Mi Mix Fold was a pretty conventional folding phone that uses a big-screen-on-the-inside / small-screen-on-the-outside design similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series and Huawei’s new Mate X2.
Pros:
- Huge battery compared to other foldables
- Great engineering design
- Large main display
Cons:
- No dust/water resistance
- Not readily available
10. Motorola Razr (2020)
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
- Main Display: 6.2inches, 2142×876 pixels
- Cover Display: 2.7inches, 800×600 pixels
- RAM/Storage: 8GB/ 256GB
- Cameras: One rear/back 48MP quad-pixel with OIS and 20MP selfie camera
- Battery: 2800mAh
- Price: $1399.99
Motorola’s first attempt at a foldable phone using its iconic design influence was fairly disastrous, and I thought we would not see a second generation. The original’s battery life was terrible, the hinge loosened quickly, and there were many reports of the display falling apart.
Like Samsung, Motorola incorporated design improvements, and in late 2020, released the Motorola Razr (2020) that also brought in support for 5G networks.
Pros:
- Sleek, compact form factor
- It can be used with the display closed
- Water repellent features
Cons:
- Backglass easily scuffs
- Expensive
Finally
After figuring out your intention for the foldable, we can look at your use case. If you want water resistance, then two Samsung foldables are available for you. If you love using a stylus with your device, then the Z Fold 3 is the clear choice.
Price is a factor, but with Samsung launching its latest generation foldables at a starting price of $200 less than last year, the price difference is not as high as we’ve seen in the past. Feel free to consider other options if they are available in your country and most definitely if you can afford them.
