Best Foldable Phones in 2026: Samsung, Google, Motorola Tested – CNET

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a refreshing spin on Samsung’s existing book-style foldable design, with a squat, passport-sized build and a 4:3 aspect ratio when open, making it feel more like a tablet. 

With a spacious 7.6-inch inside display, it’s ideal for watching horizontal videos and multitasking in landscape orientation, and is well-suited for vertical content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok when turned to portrait. The 5.5-inch cover screen is just big enough to handle everyday tasks like sending a text, responding to an email or snapping a photo. Overall, it’s an incredibly versatile yet compact handset that’s made for those of us who can’t stop scrolling or binge-watching.  

Why we like it

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is not only adorable and satisfying to hold, but it’s also quite practical if you spend a lot of time consuming content on social media or streaming platforms. It also doubles as a great platform for reading documents and ebooks when held in a portrait orientation. Because of its adaptability, it’s well-suited for practically any type of media you want to consume. 

Who it’s best for

This phone is for anyone who spends a lot of time scrolling through social media, watching videos or reading digital documents or ebooks.

Who shouldn’t get it

If you want pro-level photography or a better canvas for multitasking, the more traditionally designed Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra might be a better fit for you.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra doesn’t have a wealth of upgrades over its predecessor, but the few tweaks it does have have a big impact. Most notably in the design and the hinge, it’s far easier to open, which is a significant quality-of-life improvement, and the crease on the inner display is much less obvious. 

It’s a powerhouse, with more than enough grunt to make gaming on that massive display a real joy, while the cameras are good enough for all but the most discerning of shutterbugs. While the new silicon-carbon battery technology didn’t really improve battery life, it’s still perfectly capable of getting through a full day on a single charge. 

Why we like it

It’s one of the slimmest, highest performing foldable phones around. There’s nothing you can throw at it that it can’t handle, whether you want to use that big inner display for gaming, editing photos or watching movies. 

Who it’s best for

Anyone who wants to be on the cutting edge of technology with a fancy folding phone that’s packed with power. And those who have deep pockets.

Who shouldn’t get it

Anyone who has a relatively recent Samsung foldable. The phone is superb, but it’s not much of an upgrade over the last model. 

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is among the best-looking flip phones we’ve tested. It’s thin, light and folds up neatly to slide into your pocket. The outer cover screen has been refined, making it far easier to navigate, so you can do a lot without even unfolding it. 

Like the Z Fold 8 Ultra, it hasn’t had a huge amount of upgrades over the previous generation, but a plethora of smaller tweaks to the design and battery — not to mention a new, faster processor — makes the Z Fold 8 Flip feel like a fresh enough product this time round. Still, if you can pick up the Z Flip 7 with a healthy discount, that’s a smart move. 

Why we like it

Folding flip phones already have size on their side, but the Z Flip 8’s refined dimensions make it feel even more compact, great for slotting away out of sight.

Who it’s best for

Any of you who hate having big, chunky devices bulging out of your pockets in an embarrassing way. 

Who shouldn’t get it

Those of you shopping on a budget. Like most phones, this generation has seen a price increase, making it a pricey option that won’t be worth the upgrade if you’re already using a relatively recent Samsung foldable.

Starting at $800, Motorola’s 2026 Razr is significantly less expensive than Samsung’s rival flip phone. And that’s despite a $100 price hike due to the ongoing component shortage. Foldable phones have always commanded a significant premium over their non-folding counterparts, but this is one of the few that doesn’t demand you empty your entire bank balance to get it. 

That lower price means its processor doesn’t offer the same high performance as more expensive rivals, and it only gets three years of Android support. But its neat design and fun colors make it a great option if you’re not willing to spend big on higher-end devices.

Why we like it

The low price. Obviously. 

Who it’s best for

Those of you who really want a cute foldable flip phone but don’t want to spend the vast amounts needed to put Samsung’s Z Flip 8 in your pocket.

Who shouldn’t get it

Anyone who wants bleeding-edge performance from the processor and cameras. This thing is capable of everyday basics, but it starts to struggle when you demand much more. 

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is Google’s sleekest foldable phone yet. Measuring 5mm thick when open and 10.1mm thick when closed, it feels remarkably like a slab phone, especially with the expansive 6.5-inch cover screen. The 8-inch inside screen is ideal for watching videos and multitasking. 

Impressively, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold keeps durability at the forefront. A sturdy aluminum frame allows the phone to be relatively lightweight, and an IP68 rating protects it against both dust and water — a rarity in the world of foldables.

Why we like it

Foldables are pricey, with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold starting at $1,899. Having a durable device offers some peace of mind. That’s the Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s strong suit — quite literally. Along with an IP68 rating and scratch- and crack-resistant glass, Google’s latest foldable still maintains a sleek profile, allowing it to feel relatively slim and lightweight in hand. 

Who it’s best for

If you’re someone who tends to work or watch movies on their phone, a foldable with an expansive inner screen like the Pixel 11 Pro Fold can be a good fit. It also has the advantage of being durable, with a dust-resistant and waterproof design that means you can hopefully take the Pixel 11 Pro Fold to the beach without worrying about sand destroying it.

Who shouldn’t get it

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s expansive 6.5-inch cover screen is somewhat of a double-edged sword. It’s spacious enough to comfortably type, scroll and watch movies, but that also means I tend to forget there’s a larger 8-inch screen inside, and so I typically stick to the cover screen. 

That can defeat the purpose of a foldable phone, but I like cracking open the Pixel Fold for multitasking and a more immersive viewing experience. If you’re someone who doesn’t have much use for a larger phone screen, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars by sticking with a premium slab phone like the Pixel 11 Pro or 11 Pro XL.