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Tag: folding devices

  • The Best Folding Phones

    The Best Folding Phones

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    Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 for $600: Last year’s fifth-generation Galaxy Z Flip5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a polished flip-style handset with an IPX8 water-resistance rating and a silent hinge. It closes completely flat without leaving a gap in the middle, and this iteration has a larger cover screen on the front, which lets you look at large widgets like the calendar, weather, step count, and timer—plus notifications with the ability to respond to them via a full-size keyboard—without opening the device up. The newer Flip6 doesn’t add a ton of new features—many of the upgrades are in the software, and the Flip5 will likely receive many of them. Just make sure you don’t spend more than $600 on the Flip5.

    Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 for $1,399: The Galaxy Z Fold5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) from 2023 still shares a lot of similarities with the newer Galaxy Z Fold6, though the front screen is not as wide and can be a little annoying to use (apps can feel a bit squished). It’s still an excellent, well-built phone, but you should avoid paying anything near MSRP. Wait for a sale.

    Google Pixel Fold for $1,779: We’ve seen the Pixel Fold drop for as little as $1,200 at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, and that’s a good price for it, especially since it has now been succeeded by the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Read our Pixel Fold review (8/10, WIRED Recommends) for more details on this wide and chunky device.

    Motorola Razr+ (2023) for $600: The Razr+ (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of the nicer-looking flip phones thanks to the leatherlike material on the back. Plus it comes in ruby! The external screen isn’t as large as the latest Razr+ (2024), but you can still open any app on it with no restrictions. The cameras aren’t as nice, and the battery life is mediocre. Still, it’s a smart buy at this price.

    Motorola Razr (2023) for $398: This is a remarkable price for a folding phone, even if it’s just a year old. It sacrifices a large cover screen, meaning the little display on the front is only useful for checking the time, weather, and some notifications. The hinge mechanism doesn’t feel anywhere near as nice as the newer models (it’s a little noisy), but you get a 6.9-inch OLED screen on the inside, a 144-Hz screen refresh rate, and perfectly good performance thanks to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset.

    Oppo Find N3 Flip for $899: I used the Find N3 Flip for several weeks—including when I was moving—and it was an excellent companion. I don’t find its elongated front screen all that useful (I prefer something like the Razr+ or Z Flip6), and it doesn’t help that flipping it open makes a not-so-pleasant sound. It loses points on the IPX4 rating too. But it’s plenty powerful, the screen gets decently bright, and the battery reliably lasts a full day with heavy use. The triple camera system is the highlight—it’s a rarity on a flip phone and includes a 2X optical zoom. The results aren’t going to blow you away but are more than satisfactory.

    Nubia Flip 5G for $499 (£500): This supercute flip foldable has a stylish circular screen on the front. The Nubia Flip 5G (6/10 WIRED Review) is the most affordable foldable we have seen, outside of discounts for other models. Sadly, the front screen is not very practical, and this is a distinctly average performer with limited processing power and battery life. The software is also dated, and we have concerns about Nubia’s update policy. But for folks keen to try a foldable on a limited budget, the Flip 5G is a way to do it.

    Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 for $1,199: It’s only available in China, but this Xiaomi phone (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is like the OnePlus in that you get a very normal front screen and a large inner screen, all in a svelte package. The cameras are great, battery life is long-lasting, and there’s wireless charging support. Too bad the software is clunky, and there’s no IP rating at all for water or dust resistance.

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    Julian Chokkattu

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  • Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold Could Stand to Feel More ‘Pro’

    Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold Could Stand to Feel More ‘Pro’

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    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    There are some strange omissions on this device compared to the Pixel 9 Pro. The exterior screen (the one you’ll use the most), does not feature LTPO technology, which allows the display to dynamically ratchet from 1 to 120 Hz. This is a more battery-efficient process, but instead, the Fold will only go from 60 to 120 Hz. This is nitpicky, but again, you’re spending $1,800 only to find this flagship feature is not available. (It is available on the inner screen.)

    On other Pixel phones, you can top up other devices—like your earbuds’ charging case—wirelessly with a feature called Battery Share. I have never felt the need to use this feature, but it’s not available on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Also, some camera features don’t exist, like Cinematic Blur, which adds a portrait mode effect to your videos. Oh, and don’t forget this device is rated IPX8, so it’s fine to submerge it in a pool, but be careful with dust (avoid the beach!).

    The most annoying flub is wireless charging. It’s supported on this device, but it doesn’t work with Google’s very own Pixel Stand Gen 2 wireless charger because the coils do not align. (Google says the Pixel Stand is discontinued but … it’s still selling the charger on its storefront.) Curiously enough, I tried to see if wireless charging worked on a few other charging stands I had lying around and the answer was no. Well, sort of. It works on some if you put the phone in landscape orientation, but not if you place it in portrait on a stand. You’ll be better off using a charging pad that sits flat.

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Pixel 9 Pro Fold, 5X optical zoom with Night Sight.

    Overall, the camera system is similar but not identical to the Pixel 9 Pro, and while the results are generally great, I have noticed images from the ultrawide and telephoto cameras are noticeably not as sharp in low-light conditions compared to the cheaper sibling. I also don’t like the fact that the selfie camera on this phone doesn’t feature autofocus. It’s nice that you can take selfies with the superior rear cameras, but sometimes you don’t want to unfold the whole thing, and then your photo isn’t as sharp as what you get with the Pixel 9 Pro.

    It’s these types of little things that add up to make the Pixel 9 Pro Fold feel a bit … weird. It does its job well if a mini tablet is what you want—I prefer using it over the Galaxy Z Fold 6—but Google needs to work on its feature parity so that you don’t feel like you’re missing out on the latest and greatest when you have the company’s most expensive piece of hardware in your hands.

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    Julian Chokkattu

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  • The Time Is Right for a Folding iPhone

    The Time Is Right for a Folding iPhone

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    The Android world has enjoyed folding smartphones for six years, but Apple stans may soon be able to take part—a folding iPhone might arrive in 2026, according to a report from The Information.

    The project, codenamed V68, is in early development and there’s no guarantee it will come to fruition, but the report says it has moved past the conceptual stage and suppliers are involved. This would be Apple’s first major design change to its flagship product since the iPhone X in 2017. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report of a folding iPhone.

    Apple’s move comes at a time when the popularity of folding smartphones is soaring across the world. Analytics firm Counterpoint Research reports that the folding phone market grew by 49 percent year over year in the first quarter of 2024, its highest rate of increase in six quarters. Shipments of iPhones were down 13 percent in the first quarter year over year, so a folding iPhone just might be what Apple needs to boost sales.

    But foldables aren’t just more popular—they’re more mature too. The latest models are far more refined and more durable than the clumsy early attempts. Samsung has spent the past six years publicly tweaking its folding smartphones—every year has brought small changes to the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series, improving the durability of the screen and the reliability of the hinge. These were the biggest failings of the form factor in the early days of foldables, but advances in glass technology and hinge engineering have brought 2024’s folding devices ever closer to a level of quality that matches what’s expected of a traditional smartphone. Samsung’s latest models have IP48 water- and dust-resistance ratings, and while it’s still not as dust-resistant as its nonfolding counterparts, it’s one step bringing it closer.

    Samsung may have the longest track record, but competition is at the heels, with Huawei and Motorola lobbing off large chunks of Samsung’s market share, and new devices from OnePlus and Google vying for consumer’s attention. That means there’s more manufacturing capability to craft these folding phones, though they remain expensive—while Motorola offers a $700 folding flip phone, Samsung just raised the price of its handsets.

    All this action in the market makes it the perfect time for Apple to join the folding fray.

    Apple has reportedly tested products in two sizes, but this greenlit project is for a folding flip phone, much like the Razr from Motorola or Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip6. These kinds of flip phones allow you to enjoy a full-size smartphone, and then fold it in half to stuff it in a pocket or bag. You get the same smartphone experience but in a tiny package. There’s usually an external “cover screen,” and you can imagine Apple will likely create a way to access notifications, widgets, and even Siri (with its upcoming AI-infused improvements) there.

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    Julian Chokkattu

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  • Everything Samsung Announced at Galaxy Unpacked in Paris

    Everything Samsung Announced at Galaxy Unpacked in Paris

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    It’s IP68 and 10 ATM water resistant, so you can use it while in the shower or doing the dishes. It pairs with any Android phone through the Samsung Health app, but it won’t work with iPhones. You do not need a subscription to access the full suite of features; all of the available features are included with the purchase. It also works with Samsung Find, so you can easily locate it if it’s misplaced. It has a charging case that works exactly like the case for your wireless earbuds. Samsung claims the Galaxy Ring can last seven days on a single charge, matching the battery life of the Oura Ring.

    The ring covers many health-tracking features you’d expect from a smartwatch, including sleep tracking, cycle tracking, high or low heart rate alerts, and auto-workout detection. Samsung has talked up its use of artificial intelligence on the Ring, using smart algorithms to monitor sleep patterns, snoring, and heart and respiratory rate to help you get more robust information about your sleep.

    More important is a feature called Energy Score, also available in the new Galaxy Watches. Much like Fitbit’s Daily Readiness or Garmin’s Body Battery, it looks at your data and then recommends how ready you are to take on the day based on factors like sleep quality and your recent activity levels. You’ll also get “wellness tips” throughout the day to keep you on your health goals. If you use both the Galaxy Ring and the new Galaxy Watch series simultaneously, some sensors may turn off in the watch to conserve its battery life, which is something I haven’t seen before.

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    The Ring does not provide haptic feedback, but you can perform some rudimentary gesture controls with your fingers for a few tasks, like dismissing an alarm or starting a video recording on your phone. These “Double Pinch Gestures” are also available on the Galaxy Watch7 series.

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    Julian Chokkattu

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  • The Iconic Hot Pink Razr Is Back—Now With AI

    The Iconic Hot Pink Razr Is Back—Now With AI

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    Cameras have never been a strong suit for Motorola, but it’s giving special emphasis to the new “Photo Enhancement Engine” that’s exclusive to the Razr+. The company says it “uses AI” to produce finer image details, better dynamic range, improved bokeh, and more advanced noise reduction, all on the uncompressed raw image data. The Razr+ also gets a few extra camera features, such as Adaptive Stabilization for smoother videos, Action Shot for when you capture moving subjects, Long Exposure to create light trails, and Super Zoom, which enhances your zoomed-in photos. I’m not sure how much “AI” has to do with some of these.

    There are two generative AI features, too: Style Sync and Image Canvas. The former lets you snap a picture of your outfit (or any kind of special texture), and it’ll generate four images using that pattern that you can then use as a wallpaper. Magic Canvas lets you generate images via a text prompt. These two features are available on both Razrs.

    Later in the fall, Motorola will launch “Moto AI,” which it says is powered by both in-house and Google’s large language models. This will include features like “Catch me up,” which will summarize your clutter of notifications so you can focus on what’s important. A “Pay attention” feature will enable the phone to start recording instantly and transcribe and summarize the recording automatically. Then there’s “Remember this,” which can save onscreen information that you can ask the device for later.

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Unfortunately, all this AI power doesn’t help Motorola improve its software update policy. These new Razr smartphones will only get three Android OS updates (they launch with Android 14), and four years of security updates.

    For comparison, Google and Samsung offer seven years of software updates on their flagship phones. Longer software support means more features down the road, bug fixes, and security patches.

    Accompanying these new phones is the Moto Tag, a small AirTags-like accessory that supports Bluetooth LE and ultra-wideband tech to help locate lost devices. It uses Google’s Find My Device network and will work with any Android phone. However, if you use it with a Moto smartphone, you can press the multifunction button on the Tag to remotely capture a photo.

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    Julian Chokkattu

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  • Nubia’s $500 Foldable Is Cheap but Flawed

    Nubia’s $500 Foldable Is Cheap but Flawed

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    Instead of zoom levels, Nubia lists focal length (the distance where lens and sensor converge) measured in millimeters, and smaller numbers mean a wider field of view and depth of field. The Flip 5G camera gives you an option of 50 mm or 26 mm. There is no telephoto lens, so zooming tends to wash out details. The processing is often heavy-handed, sometimes taking a second or two and resulting in an oil painting effect.

    Most optional modes, including portrait, are poor, and the resulting photos never look natural, but you can achieve a reasonable bokeh effect with the regular camera. Rely on the automatic settings and you will be disappointed regularly. It works better if you turn off the AI and best if you are prepared to tinker with Pro mode, but there’s a lot of gimmicky fluff in the camera app. There isn’t much call to use the 16-megapixel front-facing camera outside of video calls, but it’s passable.

    Software Worries

    The Nubia Flip 5G gets off to a bad start on the software front, with the already outdated MyOS 13 on top of Android 13. It is fairly close to stock Android, but there’s some bloatware and pointless shortcuts to download apps and games you almost certainly do not want.

    It’s important to note that the cover screen does not support third-party apps. It can display notifications, music controls, weather, your calendar, a pedometer, a stopwatch, or a voice recorder, and it enables you to take selfies with the main camera, but that’s about it. The “interactive” pets are super cute (my daughter loved the cat), but they aren’t really interactive; they are just animated wallpapers.

    Nubia has a poor track record for updates. When I asked the company for clarity, it could not provide a definite timeline for Android 14 or subsequent updates. Based on past phones, you will be lucky to get three years, and that’s woeful when you consider Google is offering seven years for the similarly priced Pixel 8A.

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    The closest competitor is the Motorola Razr (2023) and, sadly, Motorola is also bad at software updates. There isn’t much to separate the two beyond the different designs. I prefer the look of the Nubia Flip 5G. It charges faster and comes with more storage. But the Razr supports wireless charging and scores an IP52 rating. One final consideration that might swing it for Motorola is network compatibility. The Flip 5G should be mostly OK on T-Mobile or AT&T in the States, but cross-check supported bands with your carrier before you buy.

    If you can live without the fold, pick something better from the best cheap phones. If you are set on a folding flip phone, try to find an extra $200 or so for something like the Motorola Razr+ (7/10, WIRED Recommends) or Samsung Z Flip5, which both offer a more useful cover screen. Ultimately, I enjoyed using the Nubia Flip 5G, and it is cute enough that my 11-year-old daughter asked to trade it for her Pixel 6.

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    Simon Hill

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