It has taken a considerable amount of time for foldable phones to reach the market. The concept of a foldable smartphone with a larger display has proven intriguing to consumers and manufacturers alike.
Today, foldable and flexible screens in mobile devices are already commercially available. The main issue is that at the moment, the cost of most of them is out of reach for the average person.
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The best foldable phones on the market
Here is a look at some of the best foldable smartphones currently available.
1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 155.1×130.1×6.3mm (unfolded)
- Weight: 263g
- Storage: 256GB-1TB
- RAM: 12G
- Main display: 7.6in 2176×1812 AMOLED 120Hz
- Cameras: 12+50+10MP (rear), 4MP (front), 10MP (cover)
- Cover display: 6.2in 2316×904 AMOLED 120Hz
Despite its prohibitive cost, Samsung’s new foldable flagship raises the bar for mobile devices that can be folded in half. The Z Fold 4 is nearly indistinguishable from its predecessor visually, but it is somewhat more comfortable to hold than its predecessor, and it is just as robust and fashionable as its predecessor.
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor performs as expectedly well, with speeds that are barely noticeable even after a brief pause. Gains in longevity are slightly less dramatic, with improved performance coming from a more efficient chip rather than a larger battery.
The larger benefits come from productivity features ported over from desktop software. For example, the main display is bright, crisp, and slightly wider, making side-by-side multitasking a breeze. The wrinkle in that panel is now much less obvious. Inheriting the Galaxy S22’s camera arrangement, the Fold 4 is also capable of excellent photography. The uniformity between lenses is very impressive.
2. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
Specifications
- Dimensions: 158.2×128.1×6.4mm (unfolded)
- Weight: 271g
- Storage: 256/512GB
- RAM: 12GB
- Cameras: 12+12+12MP (rear), 4+10MP (front)
- Cover display: 6.2in 832×2268 AMOLED 120Hz
- Main display: 7.6in 1768×2208 AMOLED 120Hz
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is, much like its predecessor, an insanely costly but enticing gadget. Its sturdy, water-resistant build made it the first folding smartphone to make a strong case, and its allure has only grown over time.
Its set of features is also quite comprehensive. The phone has 5G speeds, good stereo speakers, and a selfie camera embedded in the screen. The construction is top-notch as well, including aluminium frames and a front screen covered in scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Victus. A Snapdragon 888 processor handles the inner workings with relative ease.
It’s only really compromised by the cameras, though. They’re fine, but not up to Samsung’s usual standards, especially in terms of the secondary cameras. A non-folding flagship will provide you with more photography capabilities for your money.
With a 6.2-inch external OLED and a 7.6-inch internal screen, the Z Fold 3 is surprisingly lightweight and compact for its size.
3. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Specifications
- Dimensions: 165.2×71.9×6.9mm (unfolded)
- Weight: 187g
- Cameras: 12+12MP (rear), 10MP (front)
- Main display: 6.7in 2640×1080 AMOLED 120Hz
- Cover display: 1.9in 512×260 AMOLED
- Battery: 3595mAh
- Storage: 128–512GB
- RAM: 8GB
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 seems like a winning foldable for the public, since it fixes some of the problems with its predecessor while maintaining the same pocketable proportions. Similar to the Z Flip 3, but with a flatter design, this clamshell is built to last and can withstand the elements.
When open, the 6.7-inch OLED display is crisp, detailed, and awash in vivid colour. Plus, Samsung has done a lot to enhance its ability to multitask, with features like a two-finger swipe that opens multi-window and third-party programs that have been optimized for the folding screen. Even if it’s little, the external screen is more helpful because it can reflect your chosen aesthetic and provide access to other widgets
With a 400 mAh increase, the battery life also looks good. Not much has changed in terms of the camera’s hardware since the Z Flip 3. The only time in the field will tell if the Flip 4’s processor improvements are enough to keep it competitive with leading models. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor from Qualcomm is a more noticeable boost.
4. Oppo Find N
Specifications
- Dimensions: 132.6×140.2×8.0mm (unfolded)
- Weight: 275g
- Cameras: 50+13+16MP (rear), 32+32MP (front)
- Storage: 256/512GB
- RAM: 8/12GB
- Main display: 7.1in 1792×1920 OLED
- Cover display: 5.49in 988×1972 OLED
- Processor: Snapdragon 888
The first folding smartphone from Oppo proves the concept of a compact folding phone. With a 7.1-inch AMOLED display at its heart and a weight of 275 grams, the Find N is hardly pocketable. Even though it closes with a satisfying snap, the packaging looks and feels like it contains two cellphones. In contrast to the Z Fold 3, its height of 133mm makes it much more portable and easy to use.
Its excellent hinge design successfully conceals the screen’s crease, and the panel itself is fantastic, albeit the squared aspect ratio does cause black bars to appear on either side of videos. LTPO technology enables refresh rates from 1 to 120Hz, resulting in a maximum brightness of 1000 nits and improved productivity.
The triple camera system works well, and it’s led by a 50MP Sony sensor you’re probably already familiar with. It’s easy to use and produces reliable results, although the resulting photographs are often over-processed. Selfie performance on the Find N is consistent whether the phone is open or closed because both use identical 32MP sensors.
Read also: New Oppo A17, features and price of one of the cheapest and most complete smartphones on the market
Foldable phones trend, many other options available
There are more than only the aforementioned foldable phones on the market today. There are additional options, but none can match the quality and effectiveness of the ones above.
In the past year, several remarkable folding smartphones have been released, but they are now only available in China.
Read also: Looking for an indestructible phone? Here are the most resistant rugged smartphones
