The Foldable Frontier: Our Top Picks for the Best Foldable Phones of 2025
Remember when foldable phones felt like something out of a sci-fi movie? Fast forward to 2025, and these once-futuristic devices have firmly cemented their place in the mainstream. No longer just expensive novelties, the best foldable phones now offer a compelling blend of portability, power, and expansive screen real estate. Whether you’re a multitasking maestro, a mobile gaming enthusiast, or simply someone who loves to turn heads with their tech, the latest crop of foldables is designed to impress.
From sleek, pocketable clamshells to expansive, tablet-like book-style designs, the foldable market is maturing at a rapid pace. These innovative handsets are pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone can be, offering solutions that genuinely enhance our digital lives. In this guide, we’ll dive into the best foldable phones we expect to see dominating the market in 2025, focusing on devices readily available to consumers in North America and Europe.
The Book-Style Beasts: Unfolding Your Digital Workspace
For those who crave the ultimate in screen real estate and productivity, book-style foldables remain the undisputed champions. These devices open up like a mini-tablet, offering ample room for split-screen multitasking, immersive media consumption, and even light creative work. In 2025, these models aren’t just getting bigger; they’re getting smarter, sleeker, and more durable.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: The Undisputed Flagship
Samsung has consistently led the charge in the foldable market, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is expected to be no exception. We anticipate a refined hinge mechanism, possibly an even more discreet crease, and a further improved under-display camera that truly blends into the main screen. Performance will be top-tier, likely featuring the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor, ensuring seamless multitasking and incredible gaming experiences. Expect continued advancements in S Pen integration, making it an even more potent productivity tool for taking notes or sketching on the go. Battery life will likely see a boost, addressing one of the few remaining compromises of previous generations, and the cover screen is expected to be more practical and feature-rich than ever.
- Google Pixel Fold 2: Software Superpower Meets Foldable Form
Google’s entry into the foldable space brought its renowned software prowess to the table, and the Pixel Fold 2 is poised to build on that foundation. We expect a more modern aspect ratio for both the inner and outer displays, making it more comfortable for daily use when closed and more efficient for apps when open. Tensor G4 or G5 will power the device, leveraging Google’s AI capabilities for superior camera processing, intelligent battery management, and an even smoother Android experience tailored for foldables. The camera system, already a Pixel strong suit, is anticipated to receive significant upgrades, potentially challenging traditional flagship phones for photographic supremacy. Google’s commitment to long-term software updates and unique Pixel features will make this a compelling choice for Android purists.
The Clamshell Comebacks: Style Meets Portability
If compactness and style are your top priorities, flip-style clamshell foldables are designed for you. These devices offer the full smartphone experience when open but fold down into a conveniently small form factor that easily slips into pockets or small bags. Expect 2025’s clamshells to boast even more sophisticated designs, improved cover screens, and enhanced durability.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: The Fashion-Forward Powerhouse
The Galaxy Z Flip line has always been about combining cutting-edge tech with a strong sense of style, and the Z Flip 7 is expected to continue this trend. We’re looking forward to a larger, more functional cover screen that goes beyond basic notifications, potentially allowing for more app interactions without fully unfolding the device. Internally, it will be equipped with a flagship-level processor, ensuring smooth performance for all tasks, from social media to gaming. Durability will likely see further enhancements, making the Z Flip 7 an even more resilient daily driver. Expect vibrant new color options and possibly even more customizable cover screen widgets and themes, solidifying its position as a fashionable tech accessory.
- Motorola Razr+ (2025): Retro Charm, Modern Muscle
Motorola has been a consistent innovator in the flip phone market, bringing back the iconic Razr name with a modern twist. The 2025 Razr+ (or its successor) is expected to push the boundaries of cover screen utility even further, possibly offering near full-screen app access in its folded state. We anticipate a focus on a truly gapless design when closed, enhancing its premium feel and pocketability. Performance will be significantly improved with a top-tier Snapdragon processor, and Motorola’s clean Android experience, combined with its unique “Ready For” desktop-like functionality, will make it a surprisingly versatile device. The Razr+ will likely continue to target users who appreciate a blend of nostalgia, cutting-edge design, and practical functionality.
Emerging Innovators and Unexpected Surprises
While Samsung and Google are prominent players, the foldable market is seeing increasing competition from other brands. While not always widely available in Western markets, these innovators often push the boundaries of design and features, hinting at future trends.
- OnePlus Open 2 (or successor): The Performance Contender
The original OnePlus Open made a strong impression with its excellent design, powerful performance, and practical aspect ratios. The successor is expected to refine this winning formula, focusing on an even thinner and lighter design, improved cameras, and OnePlus’s signature Warp Charge for incredibly fast charging. Expect OxygenOS to continue offering a clean, fast experience optimized for the large display. If OnePlus can maintain competitive pricing while delivering flagship-level specs and a refined user experience, it could be a significant contender in the book-style foldable market.
- Foldable Tablets: The Next Evolution?
Beyond phones, 2025 might also be the year we see more genuine foldable tablets enter the mainstream. Devices that fold into a more compact tablet size, or even into a phone form factor, could blur the lines between device categories even further. While not strictly phones, their innovative foldable screens will undeniably influence handset design and functionality.
The Future is Flexible: Durability, Software, and Ecosystems
As we move deeper into 2025, several key themes will shape the foldable phone landscape. Durability, once a major concern, is becoming less of an issue, with manufacturers focusing on stronger hinge mechanisms, more resilient display materials, and improved dust and water resistance ratings. Software optimization is also crucial; a foldable phone is only as good as the operating system and apps that take full advantage of its unique form factor. Google’s continued commitment to optimizing Android for foldables, along with manufacturers’ custom UI layers, will be pivotal.
Finally, the growing ecosystem of accessories, from specialized cases to stylus integration, will further enhance the user experience of these versatile devices. The best foldable phones of 2025 aren’t just individual pieces of hardware; they are central to an evolving digital lifestyle, offering flexibility and power that traditional smartphones simply can’t match.
Unfold Your Next Adventure
The journey of the foldable phone has been nothing short of remarkable. What began as a bold, experimental concept has evolved into a category brimming with innovative, practical, and incredibly exciting devices. The best foldable phones for 2025 promise a future where our devices adapt to our needs, seamlessly transitioning between a compact companion and an expansive canvas for creativity and productivity.
Whether you prioritize the versatility of a book-style foldable for work and play, or the stylish portability of a clamshell for on-the-go convenience, 2025 is set to deliver an incredible array of choices. It’s time to embrace the flexible future and see how these remarkable devices can transform the way you interact with your digital world. The question is no longer “if” you’ll get a foldable, but “which one” will best suit your lifestyle.
