Slab phones have been the only option for the longest time since the invention of smartphones. However, if you're bored of them and want to try something different, you can buy a foldable phone. Here are the best foldables on the market right now.

1 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Samsung was one of the first mobile companies to launch a dedicated line of foldables. While it initially faced various quality issues, the company overcame those hurdles. Today, Samsung's foldable phones are some of the best money can buy.

Our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 review reveals a solid foldable phone, getting it right from the exterior design to the build and internals. It boasts the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, the same chip that powers the company's 2023 flagship Galaxy S23 series. Samsung paired the chip with 12GB of RAM, so performance isn't an issue.

The cameras are also solid, and despite being a foldable device, its battery life is similar to regular slab phones. The Z Fold 5 mimics a book with a smaller 6.2-inch display on the exterior, and when you open it, a larger 7.6-inch tablet-size 120Hz screen awaits.

Samsung made the hinge close without leaving a gap, a much-wanted feature that makes it hard for debris and other particles to enter between the two sides of the main display when closed.

All in all, the Z Fold 5 is perfect for those who are finally ready to take the leap and embrace foldable phones. Considering Samsung launched it in 2023, you can find the Galaxy Z Fold 5 at a discount on Amazon.

2 OnePlus Open

OnePlus Open is another excellent option if you're tired of slab phones and are looking for a book-style foldable like the Z Fold 5. It's OnePlus' first foldable phone, and the company has done an excellent job with the hardware.

The main interior display is a 120Hz 7.82-inch LTPO display. In addition, there's a 6.31-inch LTPO panel on the outside, allowing you to use the device like a regular slab phone whenever you wish. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset powers the device with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, so you won't compromise performance if you switch.

OnePlus also offers a solid camera lineup with triple cameras on the rear, which includes a 64MP telephoto lens, a 48MP wide lens, and another 48MP ultrawide lens with a 114-degree field of view. There are also two other selfie cameras, one on the inside and another on the cover.

The OnePlus Open launched with an MSRP of $1,699, but you can find it for less on Amazon. The OnePlus Open's wider form factor makes the cover screen more usable, and that's one of the reasons why I prefer it to the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

3 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

The Z Flip 5 is a solid alternative to slab phones, especially considering its clamshell foldable design. Essentially, it's just a regular slab phone that can fold in half. However, the flip-style folding mechanism means you get two screens: a 3.4-inch cover screen for mainly keeping up with the notifications and a 6.7-inch main screen.

Unlike a book-style foldable, the Z Flip 5 is perfect if you want a device with a footprint identical to a regular phone. But despite being foldable, it's built with durability in mind. For instance, it has an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powers the entire setup with 8GB of memory. You can choose between 256GB and 512GB storage variants depending on how much storage you need on your smartphone. It features dual 12MP camera lenses on the rear and a single 10MP lens on the front.

As stated in our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 review, it's the king of the clamshell foldable design, getting nearly all the key points right. It's also one of the most affordable foldable phones you can buy; you can find it for under $900 on Amazon.

4 Motorola Razr+ (2024)

If you feel the OnePlus Open and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 are bulky, the best alternative is a flip-style option. Aside from the Galaxy Z Flip 5, another solid option is the Motorola Razr+ 2024 (also called the Razr 50 Ultra in some regions).

The device's standout feature is its relatively large 4-inch outer display. The large size makes the cover screen more practical for completing some actions without unfolding it flat to use the inner 6.9-inch main display. That main display also stands out due to its relatively higher 165Hz refresh rate.

The phone has two rear camera lenses: a 50MP primary wide shooter and a secondary 50MP ultrawide lens. On the inside is a single 32MP selfie camera. Resolution-wise, this camera configuration puts Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 5 to shame. And just like Samsung's offering, the Razr+ (2024) has an IPX8 rating for water resistance.

Motorola went with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip, which sits right below the flagship 8 Gen 3 due to its slightly inferior Adreno 735 GPU. Unlike Samsung, Motorola offers 8GB and 12GB RAM options for the Razr+ (2024). You can preorder it from July 10, 2024, via Motorola's official site, and it'll be available starting July 24.

5 Google Pixel Fold

Google's Pixel Fold follows the book-style folding design of the Z Fold 5 and OnePlus Open. Like other devices in the Pixel lineup, the Pixel Fold runs stock Android, with the only enhancement being that it's optimized for the flexible form factor.

One of the best features of Google's Pixel Fold is the seamless hardware and software integration. For example, you can easily switch from watching a video on the exterior 5.8-inch panel to the larger 7.6-inch inner display (and vice versa) without a fuss.

Camera-wise, the Pixel Fold boasts one of the best setups on the market from Google that we've adored over the years. You'll find a 48MP wide primary lens, a 10.8MP telephoto, and another 10.8MP ultrawide lens with a 121-degree field of view. You also get two selfie cameras: an 8MP wide lens on the cover screen and a 9.5MP unit on the inside.

As for performance, Google's capable Tensor G2 chip is paired with 12GB of memory. Like most foldable phones we covered here, you can choose between 256GB and 512GB storage variants. Although the Pixel Fold launched with an MSRP of $1,799 in 2023, it's now available for less on Amazon.

Can't decide between book-style and clamshell foldables? The latter is perfect if you don't want your phone to double as a tablet for productivity. Clamshell foldables are also easy to carry around in your pockets. However, a book-style foldable is the way to go if you want more screen real estate to get some work done quickly.