It’s funny to think how far we have come with cell phones, from the traditional ones with numeric keypads to ultra-thin devices with touchscreens that still fit in your pocket. But it’s also interesting to see how we are shifting back to some old design traditions. There’s a refreshed take on the clamshell design via sleek, foldable phones. These devices are often much more expensive than a traditional phone. But having one has become a sign of prestige.
The data supports the fact that foldable phones are on the rise. Research firm TrendForce reports that foldable phone shipments are expected to reach 17.8 million units in 2024 with market penetration to reach 4.8% (from just 1.5% today) by 2028 as designs continue to improve and costs come down.
What are the options right now? Here are highlights of some of the most interesting foldable phones you can buy.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Introduced this summer, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is the brand’s latest in its growing line of foldable phones. At the heart of the device is the integration of Galaxy AI, which you can access both when the phone is open as well as on the smaller external screen when it’s closed. As the slimmest and lightest model in the Galaxy Z Fold line, the Galaxy Z Fold6 has a strengthened dual rail hinge structure and is overall more durable than its predecessor. With a powerful processor, vapor chamber, AI-powered tools, including access to the Gemini app, and unique features like dual-screen translation, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is arguably the most feature-rich, premium foldable you can buy today. It comes with a 7.6-inch inner screen and 6.3-inch cover screen. Available starting July 24, 2024, pricing starts at $2,565 in Canada, also making it one of the most expensive options. It comes in Silver Shadow, Pink, and Navy.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
Another option in the foldables space from Samsung is the Galaxy Z Flip6, which has a 6.7-inch inner screen and smaller 3.4-inch cover screen. This phone has the same AI integration as the Z Fold6 along with an enhanced Super AMOLED FlexWindow that can display more widgets and thus more information while closed. There’s also Suggested replies that can suggest a logical reply for a message and exciting new camera features. For example, FlexCam can use Auto Zoom to automatically frame your shot by selecting the subject and zooming in and out to adjust. A night capturing feature for photos is available in-app on Instagram, so you can take and send or share images directly from within the app. It comes in Silver Shadow, Yellow, Blue, and Mint color (Samsung.com also offers exclusive colours Crafted Black, White, and Peach) for a starting price in Canada of $1,463.
Honor Magic V2
Revealed during Mobile World Congress earlier this year, the Honor Magic V2 foldable phone is just 9.9mm thin and features on-device AI, 5,500mAh dual battery that can last a full day with 66W SuperCharge capabilities, a titanium hinge, and eye-care features like 3,840Hz diming to intelligently adjust the screen brightness to help reduce eye fatigue. The second-gen Nanocrystal glass offers tough drop resistance while the outer screen is a huge 6.43 inches combined with the 7.92-inch inner screen. Powered by MagicOS, there are neat features like dual-screen handwriting, a wide main camera, telephoto camera, and dual front cameras. Available in purple, gold, black, or black (PU), the phone has an elegant and refined look to it. It’s not available in North America just yet but keep your eyes and ears peeled. It sells for the equivalent of about $2,000.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
As follow up to Google’s inaugural Pixel Fold phone that was introduced in May 2023, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold was introduced at Google’s Made for Google event earlier this month. It’s an ultra-thin phone boasting the new, more powerful, Google Tensor G4 chip. It comes with a 6.3-inch external cover and 8-inch internal folding screen, both Actua displays with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 glass. The fluid-friction hinge allows for folding and unfolding with ease.
It boasts Google AI, features like split screen for multitasking, dual screen with Google Meet, and new features like Pixel Screenshots that analyzes content in screenshots to make information searchable, the new Pixel Studio image generator, and Add Me to add yourself to a group photo even if you were behind the camera. Plus, you get existing Google favourite features like Circle to Search, Summarize, Magic Editor, Best Take, and Video Boost. With a triple camera system and improved ultra-wide camera, a cool new feature called Made You Look displays an animation on the outer screen to help grab the attention of a young child so you can get a perfect smiling photo. It will be available in Canada September 4 starting at $2,399.
OnePlus Open
OnePlus has been releasing many new phones of late, and while the OnePlus Open was introduced back in October 2023, it remains the brand’s flagship foldable device. It has a 7.82-inch inner screen and 6.31-inch cover screen, peak brightness of 2,800 nits, and 120Hz refresh rate for both screens. Available in Emerald Dusk and Voyager Black, the Ceramic Guard ensures its durability alongside Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The phone is further protected with three layers: Ultra-Thin Glass that sits above the flexi OLED, a layer of TPU for shielding against physical impact, and an anti-reflection screen protector to reduce everyday wear and tear. It opens and closes using the patented Flexion Hinge, is designed to be lightweight, and has a triple main camera system that can take everything from ultra-wide to telephoto images as well as, of course, selfies. Running on OxygenOS 13.2, you can enjoy split screen views, a desktop-like taskbar, drag and drop commands, and more. It starts at $2,300 in Canada, but at the time of this writing, it was on sale for $1,900.
Motorola Razr+ 2024
The latest Motorola foldable is the Moto Razr+ (2024), which comes in fun colours like Hot Pink (a throwback to the original Razr) and Midnight Blue. Available for $1,300 ($1,200 on sale), it’s one of the most affordable foldable phones on the market right now. It runs on Android 14 and has a 6.9-inch inner display and smaller 4-inch external screen. While this phone doesn’t quite live up to the others in terms of specs and performance, it’s a decent option worth considering.
It comes with access to the Google Gemini app with an on-board AI engine, and a RAM Boost option to use some of the storage as extra RAM as needed, like while gaming. Some features users will love include the option to hold it like a retro camcorder to record videos and Photo Booth, which captures four different photos with four poses like those old shopping mall photo booths. You can even use the external display to preview a selfie before snapping it. Oddly, it doesn’t come with a charger in the box, but you likely have a spare one at home anyway. With the TurboPower 45W charger, you can recharge the 4,000mAh battery to full in just 12 minutes.
Nubia Flip 5G
An interesting twist on the traditional foldable phone, the Nubia Flip 5G has a small 1.43-inch circular outer screen versus a larger square one that occupies the entire front. At just US$499, it’s the cheapest option you’ll find. But there are some concessions. The cover screen is very small, as noted, and you can’t do quite as much with it as the others. You can, however, use it to preview photos, access a limited number of widgets, tap to call someone back, or even play with a virtual 3D interactive pet. The full screen once you flip it open vertically is 6.9 inches in size. With cameras, support for 33W fast charging, and an ultra-pocketable design, this phone is more of a fashion statement than anything else. Powered by MyOS 13, it’s available in Cosmic Black, Sunshine Gold, or Flowing Lilac. This is a fun foldable, not so much one for intense productivity like the others. But it’s a cute option if you can get your hands on one by ordering online.
Huawei Mate X3
The Huawei Mate X3 foldable phone is different from the others in that when folded, it’s the size of a standard smartphone and when unfolded, it takes on a tablet form factor. Made of durable Kunlun glass, it has soft rounded edges and is made from aluminum and carbon fibre to create a lightweight design. Folded up, it’s 6.4 inches in size and unfolded, it’s 7.85 inches with only an inner screen: no outer one. From split screen with apps like video calling that shows faces at the top and controls at the bottom to the dual-track, wing-shaped hinge, the Huawei Mate X3 is a good option for mobile workers looking for a phone and tablet hybrid device. It comes in white, black, violet, dark green, and gold but is only available in China and some European countries. The price is equivalent to about US$2,400.
Xiaomi Mix Fold 3
Another foldable phone not yet available in the North American market is the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3. Co-engineered with Leica, it’s touted as being thin, strong, durable, and with a long-lasting battery. It comes equipped with a proprietary hinge, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and a Leica optical lens with its quad camera system. Naturally, given the partnership with Leica, there’s a heavy focus on photography, including a telephoto lens with different focal lengths, a periscope lens, a hover feature to instantly snap selfies, external screen previews, and custom photographic styles to adjust things like tone, tonality, and texture. It has an 8.03-inch inner screen and 6.56-inch external screen, folding like a tablet similarly to the Huawei Mate X3.
Should You Go Foldable?
We’ll likely see more foldable phones coming to market from brands like Samsung, Motorola, and Google, and potentially even Apple in the future. As for the others, we’ll have to wait and see if these brands bring their foldable phones to Canada, shaking up the market with even more options.
For now, diving into the foldable phones market requires a pretty hefty investment. You’re best to take some time to visit a local retailer or wireless carrier store and try one out to see if you’re comfortable with it. There are trade-in options where you can pay monthly for one and trade it in for something else once your contract is up (or even potentially before) if you decide the experience isn’t for you.
From a productivity, entertainment, and cool factor standpoint, foldable phones are the future. At least for now.
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