Here are the best foldable phones expected to arrive in 2025.
Foldable phones have evolved, and they will be ready for widespread use by 2025. Samsung has retaken the lead with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which has a thinner, lighter design and a 200 MP flagship-level camera.
Oppo's Find N5 still excels in camera performance, while Honor's Magic V5 emphasizes thinness and portability. Vivo's X Fold 3 Pro has the longest battery life of any foldable we've tested, and Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold will soon be succeeded by the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
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Best Overall Foldable Phone
Best Battery life on a Foldable Phone
Best Camera on a Foldable Phone
Most Compact Foldable Phone
Most Comfortable Foldable Phone
Best Overall Foldable Phone
Best Battery life on a Foldable Phone
Best Camera on a Foldable Phone
Most Compact Foldable Phone
Most Comfortable Foldable Phone
Best Overall Foldable Phone
The Galaxy Z Fold 7
What we like
Ultra-thin and light design
Lots of useful features
Refined software
What we don't like
Battery could be better
Slower charging than competitors
The Galaxy Z Fold 7, launched in July 2025, marks a key moment for Samsung's foldable phones. After trying to catch up with slimmer, more stylish Chinese competitors for years, the Fold 7 embodies Samsung's original vision. It addresses longstanding concerns about the thickness, cover screen, and crease, while keeping Samsung's software support and global availability.
Why I Picked It?
During testing, the Fold 7 had the best balance of refinement, performance, and availability. Its design is much thinner and lighter, measuring 8.9mm thick when folded and weighing 215g. It’s the first Fold that feels like a normal phone.
The wider 6.5-inch cover screen feels more functional and familiar, reducing the need to unfold it for basic tasks. The 8-inch inner display is brighter and stronger due to a thicker UTG layer, and the crease is less noticeable. The new 200 MP main camera is a significant improvement, approaching the detail and sharpness of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The Fold 7 stands out due to its excellent multitasking software, refined One UI 8 features, strong Snapdragon 8 Elite performance, and Samsung’s seven-year update commitment.
Availability was also a key factor. While Oppo, Honor, and Vivo offer impressive foldables, they are often difficult to purchase. The Fold 7 is widely available in the U.S., with trade-in deals that offset some of its $2,000 cost, making it a more appealing option.
Who’s It For?
The Z Fold 7 is ideal for those who have been waiting for a compact, durable foldable with a good camera and reliable software. I would recommend it to anyone without access to or who isn't a fan of foldable phones not sold in the U.S.
Read more:
Galaxy Z Fold 7 review
TRADE-IN
Galaxy Z Fold 7: up to $1,000 off with trade-ins
$1119 99
$2119 99
$1000 off (47%)
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is available for up to $1,000 off at the Samsung Store. The promo is available on both the 256GB and 512GB models and requires a trade-in.
Buy at Samsung
Best Battery Life on a Foldable Phone
Vivo X Fold 3 Pro
What we like
Excellent external and internal screens
Thin for a foldable, usable as a regular phone
Long battery life, great performance
What we don't like
Disappointing camera
Uncertain software update duration
Mediocre speakers
The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro immediately impressed in our battery testing. It outperformed all competitors, lasting 6 hours and 45 minutes in our stress test.
Why I Picked It?
The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro is the foldable I could depend on for battery life, which is unusual for a large foldable phone. Our lab stress test showed it had the longest battery life of any 2025 foldable at 6 hours and 45 minutes, surpassing the Honor Magic V3 and Oppo Find N5. It performed especially well in browsing (13h 38m) and video playback (10h 32m), which matched my real-world usage. I enjoy watching long YouTube videos and editing photos, and neither required me to charge the phone by the end of the day.
A major factor in its battery life is the large 5,700 mAh capacity, and Vivo also optimized thermal management and display efficiency. Even during extended gaming, the X Fold 3 Pro lasted over 10 hours in our tests.
However, the large battery means the phone isn't as thin or light as the Oppo Find N5 or Galaxy Z Fold 7. At nearly 240 g, I noticed the weight in my pocket. But for me, the reliable battery life was worth the extra weight. If you need a foldable that can handle travel, work, and evenings out without worrying about battery, this is it.
Who’s It For?
This foldable is for you if battery life is your highest priority. Availability in the U.S. is limited, but it is the best choice for power users and travelers.
Also read:
Vivo X Fold 3 Pro review
Best Camera on a Foldable Phone
Oppo Find N5
What we like
Extremely thin for a foldable
Excellent hardware design
Largest screen for a book-style foldable
What we don't like
Limited availability
The Oppo Find N5, released earlier in 2025, quickly became the standard for foldable photography. It combines Oppo’s sleek design with one of the most effective triple-camera systems in a foldable, earning the highest camera score in our tests.
Why I Picked It?
Currently, no other foldable surpasses the Find N5 in our camera tests. The 50 MP main sensor, 50 MP 3x telephoto, and 8 MP ultrawide consistently produced natural and well-balanced photos. In our tests, the Find N5 favored realistic tones and subtle processing, a refreshing change from the oversaturated results of competitors.
The Find N5 provided the most refined camera experience in everyday use. Shots of landscapes, portraits, and low-light cityscapes showed reliable exposure and detail, even when switching between lenses. Video was stable and natural-looking, making it a dependable all-around camera.
While availability is limited outside of Asia and almost impossible to find through U.S. carriers, the Oppo Find N5 is the best option for those who prioritize camera quality in a foldable. It proves that you don’t have to compromise image quality to enjoy the foldable design.
Who’s It For?
The Oppo Find N5 is for those who want the best foldable hardware design, with no compromises in display quality or performance. It is the most refined foldable you can purchase in 2025, assuming availability isn't an issue in your region.
Read more:
Oppo Find N5 review
Most Compact Foldable Phone
Honor Magic V5
What we like
Thinnest foldable available
Great overall performance
Good camera, battery life, and fast charging
What we don't like
Price and availability
May be too thin for some
The Honor Magic V5, announced in July 2025, has expanded beyond China to parts of Europe. It is Honor’s most ambitious global foldable, combining extreme thinness with high-end performance, extended software support, and day-to-day usability. Although U.S. availability is still limited, the Magic V5 demonstrates Honor's commitment to competing at the top of the foldable market.
Why I Picked It?
Comfort depends on how a phone feels and performs with each use, not just thinness or size. The Magic V5 excels in the small details that make living with a foldable enjoyable.
The hinge opens smoothly and closes with a soft, premium sound, free of creaks or wobbles. The crease is minimal, becoming unnoticeable within minutes. The 21:9 cover screen is ideal for one-handed use, and the power button fingerprint reader is quick and reliable.
Both screens support Honor’s Magic-Pen, which is useful for annotating PDFs or sketching.
Performance is smooth (topping our chart at 7.5), and while our battery life estimate was about 6h 21m, the 66 W wired and 50 W wireless charging makes quick top-ups easy. We charged the phone to 80% in 30 minutes and fully charged it in just 47 minutes.
The speaker placement is my main complaint, as it's easily blocked during horizontal gaming. Also, availability is limited. Despite these drawbacks, the Magic V5 is an excellent foldable deserving of its place on this list.
Who’s It For?
It's ideal for users who prioritize feel and ergonomics and are willing to import it. The minimal crease, smooth hinge, cover screen, and fast charging are the V5's main selling points.
Also read:
Honor Magic V5 review
Most Comfortable Foldable Phone
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold
What we like
Functional external screen, feels like a regular phone
Thin design, smooth hinge
Google Pixel camera quality
What we don't like
Mediocre battery life
Tensor chip is not as good as other flagships
Expensive considering the Pixel 9 Pro has a better camera
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Google’s second attempt at a book-style foldable, was released in 2024 and addressed many issues of the original Pixel Fold. With a taller aspect ratio and a more practical cover screen, it quickly became the most comfortable foldable for everyday use as a regular smartphone.
Why I Picked It?
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold's appeal wasn’t its specs, but its feel in daily use. Unlike older Folds with narrow closed designs, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s cover screen felt like a normal phone, making it arguably the best foldable for those wanting a familiar smartphone experience with the added benefit of a larger screen.
Typing, scrolling, and navigating felt natural. The 8-inch main display provided ample space for multitasking, video watching, and photo editing with AI tools like Reimagine.
Google focused on the hinge and durability. While not as thin or light as recent Oppo or Honor foldables, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold balances build quality and comfortable handling.
It also has a decent camera and adequate battery life for a full day of use.
Looking Ahead: Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Now that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has been announced and will ship October 9, Google's foldable may earn a different title. Google’s third-generation foldable includes IP68 water and dust resistance, a sturdier gearless hinge, and a slightly improved design.
It also features a larger 5,015 mAh battery, Qi2 magnetic charging and accessories, and the new Tensor G5 chip with smarter on-device AI. The camera hardware is similar, but Google has updated the UI with new tools like Instant View to better utilize the dual-screen setup.
Based on current information, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold seems to be a stronger contender for best battery life among foldables, but we will need to test it to confirm.
Should you pre-order the Pixel 10 Pro Fold?
If you like foldables and are invested in Google’s ecosystem, then yes—the Pixel 10 Pro Fold appears to be a significant upgrade from the 9 Pro Fold, and there is no price increase this year.
The larger battery, Qi2 magnetic charging, and new hinge address real-world concerns, and the Tensor G5 enables AI features that could enhance productivity.
However, waiting for our review before deciding is advisable. Google’s foldables often excel in usability but can have issues with durability or battery life under heavy use. Pre-order deals may seem appealing, but caution is best. Large foldable phones are expensive, after all.
Read more:
Pixel 9 Pro Fold review
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Pixel 10 Pro Fold: pre-order at Amazon
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold brings an improved foldable experience, featuring the latest Tensor G5 chip, Android 16 out of the box, and two gorgeous screens. You can pre-order the phone at Amazon without discounts. Shipping is set to begin on October 9.
Pre-order at Amazon
Pixel 9 Pro Fold at Amazon for 14% off
$251 off (14%)
Unleash your productivity with the splendid Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The high-end foldable packs two gorgeous displays and multiple AI features. Right now, you can get it for 14% off.
Buy at Amazon
What to look for in a foldable phone?
When selecting a foldable, the display and hinge are important starting points. The internal screen should be bright, sharp, and smooth, with reinforced glass or protective layers for durability. A reliable hinge is essential for longevity and hands-free use at various angles.
Equally important are the design and size/weight. Companies are focusing on thinner, more durable designs, which is beneficial since you will be carrying it all day. The closer it feels to a regular phone in your pocket, the better!
Software is another key aspect. The best foldables utilize their large screens with smooth multitasking, seamless app transitions between screens, and features that leverage the unique form factor.
Finally, consider performance and battery life. Battery life is more critical due to the large screen, which consumes a lot of power. However, a powerful processor is also needed for demanding tasks related to work or creativity.
When is the best time to buy a foldable?
The best time to buy a foldable is usually during its initial launch. Samsung and Google typically offer the best trade-in values and free storage upgrades early on. If you miss this, major shopping events like Black Friday or back-to-school sales are good alternatives, often with bundled accessories or discounts.
Another option is waiting two to three months after launch when the initial demand decreases and certified refurbished models become available at lower prices.
How durable are foldables?
Modern foldable phones are more durable than earlier models but still more delicate than regular smartphones. Updated hinges and thicker ultra-thin glass help, but sand and dust remain significant threats. Keep your pockets clean, avoid unreliable screen protectors, and close the phone before putting it in a bag.
Are foldable phones water-resistant?
Most foldable phones have an IPX8 rating, meaning they can withstand continuous immersion in fresh water beyond one meter, generally around 1.5 to 3 meters for up to 30 minutes, depending on the manufacturer. This indicates they are protected from splashes, rain, and accidental drops in water.
Note that the IPX8 rating doesn't protect against salt water, chlorinated pools, soapy water, or high-pressure water. Tests are conducted in controlled environments, and real-world conditions like movement, temperature changes, or long-term wear can reduce protection.
If your foldable is exposed to salt water, rinse it with fresh water and let it air dry (without using hair dryers!). Avoid charging when the device is wet, and remember that the rating indicates water resistance, not waterproofing.
Do foldable phones have a crease?
Yes, but the visibility and feel vary. Oppo and Samsung’s newest models have the least noticeable creases; you may even forget it’s there when viewing content.
Is Apple making a foldable iPhone?
Foldable iPhone rumors persist. Recent reports suggest Apple's first foldable iPhone could arrive in 2026, so waiting might be worthwhile if you are an iPhone user interested in a foldable.
How we test phones
We subject every foldable to the same lab and real-world testing:
Battery: Three standardized tests: web browsing, YouTube streaming, and 3D gaming. These are performed at 200-lux ambient light and calibrated screen brightness, a fixed refresh rate (60/120Hz as applicable), with a fresh install, and identical network conditions. We publish each result and an estimated battery life score.
Display: Calibrated colorimeter is used for peak/typical brightness, color accuracy (∆E), gamma, and reflectance. Crease visibility is assessed side-by-side under consistent lighting.
Performance: Synthetic benchmarks and a 30-minute sustained load are used to evaluate throttling and chassis temperatures (logged at multiple points).
Camera: Controlled scene chart (artificial lighting, identical subjects and angles) is used.
Ergonomics: Each device is carried daily for at least three days, noting pocket feel, one-hand reach on the cover screen, hinge stability at various angles, and comfort.