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Looking for a foldable? Then we'll tell you which foldable phones are worth buying in 2023. After a couple of new flagship models from Motorola, Google, and of course, Samsung, see which phones managed to find a place in our nextpit "Best Of" list.
The best Foldables in 2023 compared
Best large foldable | Best clamshell flip | Best foldable alternative | Best flip alternative | Price pick | |
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Product | |||||
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Internal display | 7.6'' OLED 2176 x 1812 pixels 1~120 Hz |
6.67'' OLED 2640 x 1080 pixels 120 Hz refresh rate |
7.6" OLED 2298 x 1840 pixels 120 Hz refresh rate |
6.9'' OLED 2640 x 1080 pixels (413 PPI) 165 Hz refresh rate |
6.9'' OLED 2640 x 1080 pixels (413 PPI) 144 Hz refresh rate |
External display | 6.2'' OLED 2316 x 904 pixels 48~120 Hz |
3.4'' OLED 720 x 748 px |
5.8" OLED 2092 x 1080 pixels 120 Hz refresh rate |
3.6'' OLED 1066 x 1056 pixels (413 PPI) 144 Hz refresh rate |
1.5'' OLED 194 x 368 pixels (282 PPI) 60 Hz refresh rate |
Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Google Tensor G2 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | |
RAM | 12 GB LPDDR5X | 8 GB LPDDR5X | 12 GB LPDDR5 | 8 / 12 GB LPDDR5 | 8 GB LPDDR4X |
Storage | 256 / 512 / 1024 GB UFS 4 | 256 / 512 GB UFS 4 | 256 / 512 GB UFS 3.1 | 256 / 512 GB UFS 3.1 | 128 / 256 GB (US/Global) UFS 2.2 |
microSD | ❌ | ||||
Software | One UI 5.1 | Android 13 Four Android upgrades Five years of security updates |
Android 13 Three Android upgrades Five years of security updates |
Moto My UX based on Android 13 Three Android upgrades Four years of security updates |
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Camera | Main: 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS Ultra-wide angle: 12 MP, f/2.2 Telephoto: 10 MP, f/2.4. OIS |
Main: 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS Ultra-wide-angle: 12 MP, f/2.2 |
Main: 48 MP, f/1.7, OIS Ultra-wide angle: 10.8 MP, f/2.2 Telephoto: 10.8 MP, f/3.05, OIS |
Main: 12 MP, 1/2.55'', f/1.5, OIS Wide: 13 MP, 1/3'', f/2.2, 108° FOV |
Main: 64 MP, 1/2.55'', f/1.7, OIS Wide: 13 MP, 1/3'', f/2.2, 120° FOV |
Selfie | 4 MP, f/1.8 | 10 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, f/2.4 | |
Battery | 4,400 mAh 25 W wired charging 10 W wireless charging |
3,700 mAh 25 W wired charging 10 W wireless charging |
4,621 mAh 21 W wired charging 7.5 W wireless charging |
3,800 mAh 30 W wired charging 5 W wireless charging |
4,200 mAh 30 W wired charging 5 W wireless charging |
Connectivity | 5G | Wi-Fi 6e | Wi-Fi Direct | Bluetooth 5.3 | NFC | 5G | Wi-Fi 6e | Wi-Fi Direct | Bluetooth 5.2 | NFC | 5G | Wi-Fi 6e | Wi-Fi Direct | Bluetooth 5.3 | NFC | ||
eSIM | ✅ | ||||
UWB | ✅ | ❌ | |||
IP certification | IPx8 | IP52 | |||
Dimensions | Closed: 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4 mm Opened: 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mm |
Closed: 71.9 x 85.1 x 15.1 mm Opened: 71.9 x 165.1 x 6.9 mm |
Closed: 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1 mm Opened: 139.7 x 158.7 x 5.8 mm |
Closed: 73.95 x 88.42 x 15.1 mm Opened: 73.95 x 170.83 x 6.99 mm |
Closed: 73.95 x 88.24 x 15.8 mm Opened: 73.95 x 170.82 x 7.35 mm |
Weight | 253 g | 187 g | 283 g | 188.5 g | 188.6 g |
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Rating | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 - Go to review | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 - Go to review | Google Pixel Fold - Go to review | Motorola Razr+ (2023) - Go to review | Motorola Razr (2023) - Go to review |
Offers* |
As you can see, our foldables list is clearly dominated by Samsung smartphones. Of course, this is also due to the fact that the new Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 models are even better than their predecessors. Yes, we were able to test both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, together with the 2023 Motorola Razr new models and the first foldable from Google, the Pixel Fold.
Note: Models like the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold and the Huawei Mate X are not listed for obvious reasons: Availability Stateside.
Here's what to look out for when buying a foldable
Different types exist:
Basically, we can distinguish two types when it comes to foldable devices:
- Clamshell models like the Z Flip, which offer a normal smartphone-sized display when fully opened
- Foldables in a book or booklet form factor, where the usual smartphone screen's surface area is almost enlarged to a tablet form factor
Clamshell devices are much more compact in size, folding horizontally like how the first foldable phones once did. Meanwhile, they also come with external displays like the Galaxy Z Flip 5, on which you can control music or read notifications. Foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 5, on the other hand, are folded vertically and offer significantly more multitasking possibilities due to the larger display area. Moreover, they are fully usable even when folded due to a generous outer display.
Who are foldables suitable for?
Foldable smartphones are unfortunately very expensive for most of the available models and offer manufacturers a lot of room for experimentation. Thus, the target group must also be equally well off and would not think twice about dropping four figures at a moment's notice. In addition, they will also have to be patient and live with the fact that the new features and hardware components are sometimes not yet completely mature.
The large booklet format is a good choice for users who also need to be productive on the go. You benefit from the large display which allows you to use office applications in a more productive manner with the option of stylus support for selected models. A practical feature of the clamshell models is how you can place it half open and thus, for instance, making it useful for content creators to record a video hands-free in front of the smartphone camera.
So foldables are perfect for early adopters who like to be the first to check out "state-of-the-art" technologies and have deep pockets.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: The returning foldable king

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 looks almost exactly like its predecessor—and additionally has even fewer new things to offer than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 we reviewed in 2022 had to offer compared to its predecessor. If a smartphone is perfect, that would not be a criticism at all, but the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 also lacks an integrated garage for the productive accessory, the S Pen, in 2023.
Last year, the South Koreans could still rest on their monopoly position—but this year, there is much more serious competition. Of course, there is the Google Pixel Fold (review), which can also be expensive. Nevertheless, we cannot deny the South Koreans their experience and competence with five generations of foldables, which is why it was still enough for four out of five stars in our nextpit rating.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Best compact model

Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung delivered some important updates in 2023 for the Z Flip 5. First and foremost is the 3.4-inch cover display, which is almost fully functional. South Korea has also been able to improve the hinge design and reduce the gap between the two display halves that lie on top of each other to almost zero.
In her detailed review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Camila Rinaldi also liked the fact that not only the storage space was doubled, but also the base prices were kept at the same levels as for the Fold 4. That is also worth mentioning in times when everyone is tightening their budgets.
Foldable alternative: Google Pixel Fold

The Pixel Fold is the first foldable smartphone from Google. That alone brings with it certain first-generation risks and its typical flaws. In addition, Google wants to set a milestone with the unusual form factor—similar to the Oppo Find N.
To make matters worse, the price is a whopping $1,800, which probably restricts the potential customer base even more. Nevertheless, Google is the Android benchmark in terms of software, AI support, and photography, so the rating is still equal to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 in the end. For more details, read nextpit's detailed review of the Google Pixel Fold.
Clamshell alternative: Motorola Razr+ (2023)

After a couple of missteps in the foldable category—like leaning too heavily on nostalgia instead of technical pizzaz—Motorola started 2023 on fire with two foldables launched not much after a strong showing with the Razr (2022) we reviewed in Nov/2022. And the Razr+ (aka Razr 40 Ultra) came ready to dethrone the competition with the biggest external display ever used on a flip phone: A crisp 3.6'' OLED.
With a release so soon after the Razr (2022), the new model kept the same capable and efficient Snapdraogn 8+ Gen 1 processor, but resorted to an unfortunate downgrade in the main camera, with a smaller sensor than its predecessor (1/2.55'' vs 1/1.55''), that particularly hurt its light capturing performance at night.
The new Razr+ (2023) is the first flip phone that can claim its external display is actually useful, and Motorola even managed to start offering a decent update policy of three Android versions and four years of security updates. And despite not quite taking down the Galaxy Z Flip 4 from this list, it shows that Motorola is definitely back to the fight.
"Value" alternative: Motorola Razr (2023)

And Motorola is back again on this list, who would imagine? Launched alongside the Razr+, the standard Razr (2023)—globally sold as the Razr 40—refines the formula used on the 2019 and 2020 Razrs: A competent mid-range processor with capable cameras, while fixing the main flaws on the original Droid Razrs with a functional form factor and, most importantly, a competitive price that undercuts the competition.
The "cheap" Razr impressed my colleague Matt so much in his review that he gave it a score better than the Razr+. The Razr (2023) goes back to a mid-range SoC but keeps a big 6.9'' OLED internal display, offers good memory options, and, surprisingly, a bigger resolution main camera and bigger battery without sacrificing wireless charging.
With an attractive bang-for-the-buck proposition, the Razr (2023) launched at an MSRP lower than its rivals in Europe but has yet to be officially announced in the US.
Other foldables worth mentioning
The market for foldable smartphones has grown by a few devices this year, so we also want to discuss foldables that were recently introduced but have neither reached the shelves nor been tested extensively by the nextpit editorial team.
Huawei Mate X3

The Huawei Mate X3, in its turn, is one of many foldable smartphones from the Chinese manufacturer. In fact, Huawei is one of the manufacturers that were the first to launch a foldable on the market, together with Samsung. However, the manufacturer has been subject to the US embargo since 2019, which makes the smartphone unattractive even in Europe due to the lack of Google Mobile Services and 5G support.
In the end, even the otherwise superior technology of a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, an inwardly folded 7.85-inch AMOLED main display (2,496 x 2,224 px), and a 6.4-inch outer panel does not help over that. Even with the price of 2,199 Euros, Huawei does not seem to show any understanding that, without access to the Google Play Store, it will be difficult to compete in the tough foldable market outside the Chinese Walls.
Short take
These are the models that we could agree on with the nextpit editorial team from a subjective point of view. Compared to the other devices, the Microsoft representative has fallen out of favor in our assessment. Nevertheless, we wanted to mention the Surface Duo 2 because it is the only foldable that relies on a solution with two independent displays.
Let us know in the comments which model is your foldable favorite and if you agree with our picks.
nextpit's best phones lists
Our selection of the best foldable smartphones has been updated as of August 2023, previous comments were kept and may appear out of context.
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