Launched as cutting-edge niche products, the best foldable smartphones are now finding their way into the pockets of many users. Two formats exist on the market today: the "clamshell" format with a horizontal fold, which offers a very compact format to fit in all pockets, and the "book" format with a vertical fold that transforms the smartphone into a small tablet.
What are the best folding phones in April 2025?
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
- Motorola Razr 50 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
- Honor Magic V3
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
- Xiaomi MIX Flip
- Huawei Mate XT
To help you choose the perfect foldable smartphone for you, we've put together a selection of products that have been tested and approved by the editorial team and that we believe are the best foldable phones in April 2025.
1. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: The Sure Value of Foldable Smartphones
Let's start right away with Samsung's "best-seller," the Galaxy Z Flip 6. This is logically the most accomplished version of the product, which is an excellent choice if you're looking for a flip smartphone that's as beautiful as it is comprehensive in terms of software. Samsung's flip phone is currently the only one in its category to benefit from seven years of software and security updates.
Some will criticize it for its lack of evolution compared to the Flip 5, its charging speed still being too slow, or the lack of a telephoto lens. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, on the other hand, makes a leap forward in terms of battery life, allowing it to stand up to a "normal" smartphone on this point. To find out more, don't hesitate to consult our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
2. Motorola Razr 50 Ultra: the best flip alternative
The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is, at least in Europe, the main rival of the Galaxy Z Flip 6. It takes smartly counters its Korean competitor by offering a larger, unbridled cover (external) screen right out of the box to display all the apps you want. Charging speed is also faster than the Z Flip and the build quality is excellent.
On the downside, we can mention only three years of major Android updates, the lack of an ultra-wide angle (but a 2x telephoto lens), as well as average battery life and a 22:9 internal screen that may not appeal to everyone. To learn more, find our review of the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra here.
3. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: A recipe that still works
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 looks a lot like its predecessor, but Samsung has improved the formula considerably. This includes a larger external screen, 25g lighter on the scale, IP48 certification, but also better optimization which allows it to be more efficient AND durable than the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
A lot of good things that come at a high price, however. This is one of the main flaws we pointed out in our review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. We also regret its not-so-fast charging (25W), as well as its weight and thickness, which now have something to be ashamed of compared to some competitors, like the one we present to you just below.
4. Honor Magic V3: The Thinnest Folding Phone
The Honor Magic V3 isn't just the thinnest book-sized folding smartphone you can buy in France, it's also one of the most durable. Honor has managed to squeeze in a 5150 mAh battery, which offers the luxury of offering a longer battery life than some non-folding smartphones. It's also IPX8 certified, which offers underwater resistance up to 2.5 m. The Chinese brand shows that it is possible to design a folding smartphone in book format that has (almost) nothing to envy from a classic phone.
Not everything is perfect, however, with a sometimes cluttered interface and less complete update tracking than its Korean competitor (4 years compared to 7 years). The lack of support for the hinge when the phone is placed horizontally is also one of the criticisms we addressed in our full review of the Honor Magic V3. You can also find our hands-on below.
5. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: A Geek's Dream
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the American brand's second folding smartphone, but the first to be successful! Google has pulled out all the stops to create a formula that finally has nothing to be ashamed of compared to the competition. During our review of the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, we appreciated its large, very bright screen, its software interface, the quality of the photos, and the seven years of Android updates.
Among its flaws, we will mention a chip that is far from offering performance worthy of a smartphone at this price. We also regret the absence of certain features in France, its average battery life, and its overly slow charging. These qualities and flaws are also found on Pixel smartphones, which nevertheless remain highly recommended.
6. Xiaomi MIX Flip: A Very Attractive Folding Phone
The Xiaomi MIX Flip has some strong selling points, starting with its superb external screen, perfectly integrated into the entire phone. The interface is pleasant to use, fluid and well thought out, even if some AI-based functions are still missing. Both screens are of excellent quality, both well calibrated and very bright, which makes the experience particularly comfortable on a daily basis. We also appreciate the 65W fast charging, which partly compensates for a merely decent battery life. Finally, the overall performance is up to par, even if it doesn't necessarily aim for the very top of the range.
Battery life is average, which can be disappointing at this price point. The lack of IP certification is also regrettable for such a premium device, as is the lack of an ultra-wide angle and photo capabilities that struggle to compete with some competitors. That said, these flaws are often inherent to the folding format. Overall, the Xiaomi MIX Flip manages to position itself as a credible alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Motorola Razr 50 Ultra, combining ease of use and customization. A relevant choice for those looking for a well-balanced flip smartphone.
7. Huawei Mate XT: the smartphone that folds in three
When we first got our hands on the Huawei Mate XT, we were impressed by its innovative design and its ability to transform from a classic smartphone format to a tablet format of around 10 inches. Huawei's technical achievement lies in the thinness of the phone, despite a slightly thicker part to accommodate the camera unit and essential components. However, the new foldable format has two visible creases, an aspect that Huawei has partially addressed with a smart hinge.
This ultra-premium smartphone, marketed primarily in China, does not yet offer any features specific to its triple screen, although it does include a simple multitasking mode. The Huawei Mate XT is aimed at a wealthy clientele, as evidenced by its price of around 2,500 euros, not including potential taxes if the device were to be sold internationally. Huawei is offering exclusive services for this device, including two free screen replacements, reinforcing its image as a high-end product.
How to choose a foldable smartphone?
What is the lifespan of a folding phone?
This is THE question to which we don't really have a definitive answer. Indeed, this category of smartphones is only a few years old, so it's difficult to draw any conclusions on this subject for the moment. While manufacturers now guarantee their folding hinges for around five years of use, some users experience problems before then. Today, Samsung offers seven years of Android and security updates on its Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6, proving that the manufacturer is confident about the lifespan of its products.
Are foldable smartphones more expensive than conventional smartphones?
Yes and no. Yes, most foldable smartphones are high-end products selling for over 1000 euros. No, in the sense that there are also conventional smartphones at this price. The difference is that folding products make some concessions at the same price, which we detail just below.
Are folding phones as efficient as others?
For everyday tasks, yes. You won't see any difference for web browsing, social media, multitasking, etc. However, if you push them a little to their limits with demanding tasks, like video games, you might see differences. This is mainly due to the cooling system, which puts a little more strain on the chips integrated into folding phones. So, we found that the state-of-the-art mobile chipset performs worse on a foldable phone than on a traditional high-end smartphone.
Do foldable smartphones offer the same battery life as other phones?
For a long time, the answer was no, but that's no longer the case. Manufacturers have managed to overcome the constraints linked to the different folding formats and the consumption of screens to now offer a battery life similar to that of classic smartphones.
Are all applications compatible with smartphones with folding screens?
All Android apps run normally on the internal screens of foldable smartphones. The only differences are in how they display on the external screens. Some have been specifically developed to display on the small external screens of clamshell-style foldables. At the same time, apps like Samsung's Good Lock allow all apps to be displayed on the Z Flip's external screen, but their display may not always be optimal. Also note that the internal screens of book-style foldables can sometimes artificially "stretch" the display of certain apps, but this is increasingly rare.
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