Flip phones are more exciting than ever, thanks to Samsung finally seeing some competition against its more popular devices, which is heating up the scene. The current smartphone market still consists of very few players, especially in the US. Still, there are signs of stiff competition with the likes of the Motorola, Nubia, and Blackview smartphones arriving.
And if you’re someone who often buys phones on contract, don’t forget thatBlack Friday and Cyber Mondayare right around the corner, and you could save hundreds of dollars on some of thebest Android phones in 2024– which will undoubtedly include many of the flip phones that we’re going to mention here.
Motorola Razr+ (2024)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Motorola Razr (2024)
Motorola Razr (2023)
Nubia Flip 5G
Blackview Hero 10
The best flip phones available
Most stylish flip just got better
The Motorola Razr+ (2024) is an impressive flip foldable, featuring high-end internals. With the 2024 variant, Motorola has made one of our favorite flip phones from last year even better, bumping the cover screen size even further, fitting a beefier battery, and improving the cameras.
Motorola took the Razr+ we knew and loved from last year and souped it up with an exciting new outer display and improved internals. The outgoing Razr+ already bested the Galaxy Z Flip 5 with its 3.6-inch external display, but Motorola increased its size to 4 inches for 2024, giving you more room for apps and widgets. It’s a gorgeous LTPO OLED refreshing at 165Hz, making for a silky smooth scrolling experience, limiting the number of times you have to open the device for Instagram or X binges.
But Motorola didn’t stop at cosmetics and outer displays; this year’s Razr+ features some power under the hood with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and an improved 12GB of RAM. It’s not quite top-of-the-line flagship power, but it’s close enough for most users, giving you plenty of frames in your favorite AAA mobile game. Moto also didn’t neglect the internal display, fitting the Razr+ with a gorgeous 6.9-inch P-OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate to match the outer screen. It’s a fantastic panel with great color and 3,000 nits peak brightness, ideal for outdoor viewing.
Once again, the Razr+’s 4,000mAh battery does the job, lasting the entire day on a single charge. And while 45W wired charging isn’t the fastest we’ve ever seen, it’s more than adequate to top off quickly. Motorola also added 15W wireless charging, a welcome touch given the smaller form factor of the Razr+. When you pair these enhancements with the Razr+’s already sleek styling, you get a winning package, especially since Motorola offers the Razr+ for $1,000 — $100 below the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Still a class act
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a delightfully refined evolution of the classic flip phone lineup, even if it takes fewer risks than its rivals. The design is top-notch, the display is even brighter, and the powerful Snapdragon chip and years of updates will keep it relevant well into the future.
Samsung is indisputably the most venerable name in fold and flip phones, and the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is merely the next chapter in a long line of successes. Sadly, the key word here may be “merely.” Samsung’s lineup of clamshell phones came into its own two years ago with the Galaxy Z Flip 4; the changes we’ve seen since are the epitome of “evolutionary” rather than “revolutionary,” to the point where it feels like Samsung may be squandering its lead against upstart challengers like Motorola.
That doesn’t mean the Galaxy Z Flip 6 doesn’t remain a fantastic flip phone, but as we said in our review, it’s no longer a “slam dunk,” especially with a $100 price increase that truly makes it a more premium pick. Still, if you’re a fan of Samsung’s prior Z Flip models, this one won’t disappoint in the slightest. While they’re easy to miss at first glance, the Z Flip 6 has some delightful design refinements here that give it a bit of extra panache and make it easier to use. We found the matte aluminum frame looks and feels nicer than the glossier look of past models, and while the days ofthe fun Bespoke Editionsare behind us, the standard finishes are eye-catching and classy. The cameras now sport an outline that matches the overall color, helping them stand out and delivering a more whimsical look.
Of course, there’s more to the Galaxy Z Flip 6 than just its good looks. Samsung has beefed up the dust resistance to give its flip phone an IP48 rating. That still falls short of the IP68 on most other phones, but it’s also hard to seal a flip phone entirely against dust and sand. While the 3.4-inch 720 x 748 cover screen still isn’t anything to write home about, flipping the phone open reveals the usual gorgeous 6.7-inch AMOLED display, which this year gets an increase in brightness to peak at 2600 nits. The only caution here is that we found ourselves opening the phone more often than should have been necessary since the outer display is more limited, which will take a hit on battery life. You shouldn’t have any problems getting through a full day, but expect to hit the charger every night.
Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is powered by the “for Galaxy” edition of Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which means it’s no slouch in performance, especially since Samsung has seen fit to finally upgrade the base RAM to 12GB. We had no problems getting top-notch performance during our time with the Galaxy Z Flip 6, and are confident it will be able to handle anything you throw at it. That additional horsepower is also great for future-proofing, as Samsung is matching this year’s Galaxy S24 lineup with a promise of seven years of Android updates. This means that you’ll someday be able to put Android 21 on this phone.
Review: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 is great but it’s no longer the slam dunk foldable choice
The best one yet, but is that good enough?
Samsung has also made some nice camera improvements this year, so if you were hesitant about the quality on prior Z Flip models, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 may be worth a closer look. The specs are similar to the base Galaxy S24, with a 50MP f/1.8 main sensor joined by a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera. The only downside is there’s still no telephoto lens, although like Samsung’s other phones, 2x optical-quality zooms are possible from the 50MP camera by cropping the shot to the center pixels. We don’t think anyone will be disappointed with the photographic prowess of the Galaxy Z Flip 6, but it’s still not quite up to the standards of Samsung’s standard flagships, much less camera-focused competitors like Google’s Pixel.
Moto strikes again with the flip value King
The Razr (2024) is Motorola’s affordable flip phone, packing almost all the features you may ask for. It packs a big, usable 3.6-inch cover display, a 6.9-inch pOLED folding screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a powerful MediaTek DImensity chip.
If this year’s Motorola Razr looks familiar, there is a reason — it’s remarkably similar to the 2023 Razr+ with a few changes. First off, there’s the price. Motorola has once again made its base Razr line attractive with a $700 price point, making it the most affordable fold in the US. But unlike last year’s Razr, the new version features a 3.6-inch outer display, making it capable of more than just notifications. Motorola also improved the hinge for this year, producing a more consistent feel through opening and closing — it’s noticeable and a decent upgrade over last year’s model.
The Motorola Razr (2024) is a killer foldable that deserves better software support
Moto’s software game can’t match its hardware
Like its more expensive brother, the Razr also received upgrades under the hood. It’s powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300X, which gives it respectable performance for daily tasks. As we mentioned in our review, it’s probably all the raw power you need unless you’re a hardcore gamer. In addition, Moto included 8GB of RAM, helping aid smooth performance in the UI and applications.
Even though this year’s Razr is a tad thicker, it’s worth it since the trade-off is a 4,200mAh battery, good enough for a day’s worth on a single charge and then some. Mixed use with light gaming and social media was no issue, so you’ll rarely battle battery anxiety on typical days. Overall, it’s hard to beat the value Motorola offers with the Razr. If you’re willing to accept some compromises (as you have to do with smaller fold devices), the Razr is an excellent choice for $700.
A budget-friendly flip phone
Motorola opened up the flip phone design to an entirely new set of consumers with the Motorola Razr (2023). It took its excellent Razr+ and turned down some of the specs, creating a device that starts at $700 and can very often be found for much less than that.
Flip phones are fantastic devices, but their high price points have kept them out of the hands of more budget-conscious shoppers. Thankfully, last year’s Motorola Razr (2023) is great value with its new $500 price tag flipped that script, bringing clamshell designs to the mid-range of devices. Motorola did have to cut some corners but created another great flip phone, and it’s still a fantastic phone in 2024.
The Motorola Razr feels great in the hand thanks to its vegan leather finish and similar overall dimensions to its more expensive sibling. It also has the same beautiful internal 6.9-inch LTPO display that the Razr+ uses.
To get the price this low, Motorola had to make some tough decisions. It nixed the large outer display and replaced it with a much smaller and limited 1.5-inch one. It is suitable for reading short messages but pales in comparison to the larger displays used on the more premium lineup.
Motorola also went with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor and 8GB of RAM. From a power standpoint, this chip is much weaker than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 but is more than capable of handling day-to-day tasks. It may chug along at times, but you’ll hardly notice any real-world slowdown.
Motorola Razr (2023) review: Better than it should be
It’s not the flashiest or most powerful, but this clamshell foldable is great for the space
One added benefit of a smaller outer display and the weaker processor is pretty good battery life from the included 4,200mAh battery. Flip phones aren’t known for great battery life, so knowing you won’t be hunting for a charger, even during heavy usage, is a great feeling.
High-end design at a midrange price
There’s nothing like giving consumers a choice, which is one reason we’re so excited about the Nubia Flip 5G. This solidly midrange device sports hardware that should work well for years, and unlike Motorola’s similarly priced competitors, this one sports a reasonably large and well-implemented outer display.
Still a relatively niche form factor, you can’t expect there to be a ton of cheap clamshell foldables. Last year, Motorola’s Razr showed us that it’s possible to deliver a competent midrange device with a folding screen at a price that doesn’t break the bank. This year, ZTE spin-off company Nubia’s pushing its envelope globally, bringing the $500 Nubia Flip to the States.
The Nubia Flip, like the Motorola before it, does make notable sacrifices compared to flagship alternatives. But while true enthusiasts might balk at the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC, it’s honestly fine for day-to-day use. It plays games reasonably well, doesn’t suck up too much battery, and rarely gets warm or throttles. Its pixel density’s even better than the Z Flip 4’s.
Where it really shines, though, is in the cover display. The round outer screen feels very much like a smartwatch slapped on a phone, in a good way — we had no trouble navigating and utilizing the various widgets it supports, which give it considerably more functionality than its counterpart in the base model Razr 2023. And, taken as a whole, the entire thinglooksquite a bit like a $1,000 phone, even though it costs half that.
Nubia Flip 5G review: Folding on a budget
And loving it!
The tradeoffs, while noticeable, didn’t hamper our experience in any material way. As nice as the phone looks, its assembly isn’t on par with anything twice its price. There is a little give in the hinge, and we felt some flex and even heard some rattling periodically, but it nevertheless feels solid and doesn’t give us pause in terms of long-term durability — though be warned, your warranty and repair support here won’t compare to Samsung or Motorola.
Blackview makes its flip debut
The Blackview Hero 10 is a mid-range foldable offering decent performance and a stylish design. It features a gorgeous 6.9-inch AMOLED panel and 12GB of RAM. The Hero 10 is powered by the Helio G99, allowing it to breeze through social media apps and light gaming. Blackview also promises three major Android upgrades, something you don’t often see from some smaller brands.
Blackview might not be a household name in the US, but that shouldn’t deter you from trying something different. The Blackview Hero 10 is an affordable flip phone with great style and decent performance. It sports a gorgeous 6.9-inch AMOLED 1080p display. The colors are fantastic, and games and content pop off the screen. It also features a stylish design. Our Sakura Purple review unit is gorgeous, and the aluminum alloy frame is tinted to match the Hero 10’s eco-leather finish.
Blackview Hero 10 review: All the style, half the price
But not without serious compromises
The Blackview Hero 10 is powered by the Helio G99, a budget chipset that offers enough raw performance for daily tasks and light gaming. Blackview paired the G99 with 12GB of RAM, an impressive amount in a midrange device, and it keeps the Hero 10 running smoothly. In addition, the Hero 10 sports a 5,150mAh battery, another impressive spec. And while DokeOS takes a little getting used to, it’s a fun and pleasant skin of Android. Blackview stands out from other overseas manufacturers by offering 3 major upgrades of Android for the Hero 10, meaning you won’t be left behind with new features and security patches.
If you’re in the market for something different and aren’t hampered by its lack of 5G support, the Blackview Hero 10 offers a fresh take on flip phones while maintaining a firmly mid-range price tag.
Durability concerns
If durability is a concern for you, there are some important factors to note. While large outer displays are a fantastic addition, it does make them more likely to break over time, so make sure you get yourself a solid case and a set of outer display screen protectors.
Water and dust protection is also crucial. All of the latest Motorola and Samung models have at least IPX8 ratings. This means the devices can withstand rain, splashes, and even submersion, so you should be mostly safe from water. The Z Flip 6 has been rated for some dust protection too, but Motorola’s models haven’t.
The best flip phone that you should buy
The Motorola Razr+ (2024) is hands-down one of the best flip phones you can buy today. It offers a beautiful display on the inside and outside, and the cover screen is large enough to let you do everything you want. It has a fast-performing chip that enables you to multitask and play any games, and while the camera might not stand out too much, it still accomplishes a decent job compared to other flip phones.
Of course, if you don’t have $1,000, you might want to save some money by going for its regular Razr sibling, which offers a reasonably powerful hardware, durable design, and all the features you could ask for, for half the price. However, if you’re willing to spend equivalent to the Razr+, you could also consider the excellent Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, which offers a stunning hardware, new Galaxy AI features, and a much better software support option.
Style King once more
The Motorola Razr+ for 2024 once again earns our top pick for best overall flip phone with its stylish design and impressive performance. Its large 4-inch outer display sets it apart from other flips, making daily tasks and social media scrolls a breeze without opening the phone. It’s 4,000mAh battery also lasts the entire day, meaning you’ll never be caught without power.
