Other Folding Phones to Consider
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 for $1,100: Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip7 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a close second to Motorola's Razr Ultra. I liked the camera quality from Motorola's flip phone this year more than Samsung's—a big win for the Razr—but the Flip7 still captures nice photos and offers better video quality, if that's your thing. Samsung's latest Flip has a larger front screen, though you still have to jump through a few hoops to make it useful. For example, you need to install an app called Multistar to add any app of your choosing to the cover screen. The phone also has a lackluster battery life, struggling to last a full day; the Razr Ultra still only lasts a day, but I didn't feel like I had to plug in as much. And it also gets a little too warm for my tastes when it's under load. It's a good flip phone, but I prefer Motorola's flagship this year.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold for $1,700: The only reason to consider the Pixel 9 Pro Fold right now is if you see it on sale. Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold is right around the corner, and you're better off waiting to see what's new. That said, we saw the Pixel 9 Pro Fold dip to $1,499 during major sale events, and that's a pretty great price for what you get. It might not be as slim as the new Galaxy Z Fold7 nor as lightweight, but it's still a svelte device with a large front screen that feels like a normal phone. The 8-inch inner screen is excellent, and the triple-camera system delivers great results, though not as great as the Pixel 9 Pro series. Read our Best Pixel Phones guide for more.
Razr 2025 series Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Motorola Razr+ (2025) for $1,000: There is technically a third phone in Motorola's latest Razr lineup: the Razr+ 2025. However, it's nearly identical to last year's Razr+ 2024, with fresh colors and the improved IP48 rating and titanium-reinforced hinge. It sits in an awkward middle ground, though. It's not as affordable as the standard Razr, which offers a pretty nice experience for the money. But it's also not as flagship as the Razr Ultra. It is also the only one of the lineup without the ultrawide camera. I usually love telephoto zoom lenses, but ultrawides are so handy on flip phones for group selfies. If you're considering this model, it's also worth considering the Razr+ from 2024, as you'll see some nice discounts on it throughout the year; it just lacks the reinforced hinge and IP48 rating.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 for $1,345: The Galaxy Fold6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the sixth-generation folding phone from Samsung and came out in 2024. In this version, Samsung added a wider front screen that feels like a normal smartphone, though not as wide as the Galaxy Z Fold7. I don't find multitasking as easy as on phones like the OnePlus Open, and the aspect ratio still restricts some apps from showing a multi-pane view, like Gmail, unless you rotate the phone to landscape. It may not be as easy to find now that it has a successor, but if you find it on sale for under $1,400, it's worth considering, especially since Samsung offers long software support.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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