Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 for $600: Last year’s fifth-generation Galaxy Z Flip5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a polished flip-style handset with an IPX8 water-resistance rating and a silent hinge. It closes completely without leaving a gap in the middle, and this iteration has a larger screen cover on the front, allowing you to view large widgets like the calendar, weather, number of step, and timer—along with notifications with the ability to respond to them via a full-size keyboard—without opening the device. The newer Flip6 doesn’t add a ton of new features—many of the upgrades are in software, and the Flip5 will likely receive many of them. Just make sure you don’t spend more than $600 on the Flip5.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 for $1,399: The Galaxy Z Fold5 (7/10, WIRED Recommended) from 2023 still shares a lot in common with the newer Galaxy Z Fold6, though the front screen isn’t as wide and can be a little annoying to use (apps are may feel a little squished ). It’s still a great, well-built phone, but you should avoid paying anything close to MSRP. Wait for a sale.
Google Pixel Fold for $1,779: We’ve seen the Pixel Fold slashed to $1,200 at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, and that’s a good price for it, especially since it’s now succeeded by the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Read our Pixel Fold review (8/10, WIRED Recommend) for more details on this wide, chunky device.
Motorola Razr+ (2023) for $600: The Razr+ (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of the better looking flip phones thanks to the leatherlike material on the back. Plus it comes in ruby! The external screen is not as big as the latest Razr+ (2024), but you can still open any app on it without restrictions. The cameras aren’t as good, and the battery life is mediocre. Still, it’s a smart buy at this price.
Motorola Razr (2023) for $398: That’s an impressive price for a foldable phone, even if it’s only a year old. This sacrifices a large cover screen, meaning the small front display is only useful for checking the time, weather, and some notifications. The hinge mechanism isn’t as good as newer models (it’s a bit noisy), but you get a 6.9-inch OLED screen inside, a 144-Hz screen refresh rate, and perfectly good performance thanks to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset.
Oppo Find N3 Flip for $899: I used the Find N3 Flip for several weeks—including when I was on the move—and it was a great companion. I don’t find its extended front screen useful (I’d prefer something like the Razr+ or Z Flip6), and it doesn’t help that flipping it makes a not-so-pleasant sound. It also loses points to the IPX4 rating. But it’s very powerful, the screen gets decently bright, and the battery reliably lasts a full day with heavy use. The triple camera system is the highlight—it’s a rarity in a flip phone and includes 2X optical zoom. The results will not make you happy but more than satisfactory.
Nubia Flip 5G for $499 (£500): This supercute flip foldable has a stylish circular screen on the front. The Nubia Flip 5G (6/10 WIRED Review) is the most affordable foldable we’ve seen, outside of discounts for other models. Sadly, the front screen isn’t very practical, and it’s a remarkably average performer with limited processing power and battery life. The software is also dated, and we have concerns about Nubia’s update policy. But for people who want to try a foldable on a limited budget, the Flip 5G is a way to do it.
Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 for $1,199: It’s only available in China, but this Xiaomi phone (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is similar to the OnePlus in that you get a very normal front screen and a large internal screen, all in one sleek package. The cameras are great, the battery life is long, and there’s support for wireless charging. Too bad the software is clunky, and there’s no IP rating at all for water or dust resistance.
