1 World Solutions Technology News & Info

Best Flip Phone of 2023 – CNET

Posted on September 1, 2023

Best Flip Phone of 2023 - CNET

$1,000 at Samsung

img-9767.jpg
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Best flip phone

$1,000 at Motorola

The new Motorola Razr Plus being shown against a brick will
Motorola Razr Plus
Best compact flip phone

$1,209 at Amazon

The phone in half flip Oppo Find N2 Flip.
Oppo Find N2 Flip
Best flip phone with a vertical cover screen

CNET logo white on red background
NEW! CNET Shopping Extension
Get the lowest price on everything
Add CNET Shopping

Flip phones are making a comeback in a big way. Samsung, Motorola and Oppo have all been attempting to revive the flip phone in recent years, and those devices took a step forward in 2023. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr Plus gained larger screens than their predecessors, making them more useful when closed. Oppo’s recently announced Find N3 Flip has an additional camera among other improvements, although we haven’t had the chance to test it yet.

While expensive and generally more fragile than standard phones, flip phones provide some benefits you can’t get with regular devices. They fit more easily in your pocket and are more manageable to use with one hand when closed. You can also prop them up by folding them halfway, which makes it possible to take a photo or view the screen without having to hold the device. They also have a distinct design that makes them stand out from other smartphones.

However, if you don’t care about those factors, you should consider one of the cheaper, nonfoldable devices listed in our best phones guide. If you’re considering buying a flip phone in 2023, here are your best options. We’ll update this list as we test new flip phones, such as the upcoming 2023 Motorola Razr and Oppo Find N Flip 3.

What is the best flip phone for most people?

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is CNET’s top flip phone pick for 2023. It was a close call between Samsung’s new flip phone and the similarly priced Motorola Razr Plus. But Samsung’s design feels more sturdy, the camera takes more colorful photos and the company provides Android version updates for a longer period of time compared to Motorola, making it our favorite choice. Samsung also has a history of rolling out new features to its phones over time through updates to its One UI software, giving it another advantage.

Best flip phones of 2023

<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicle" data-location="LIST" data-position="1" edition="us" superlative="Best flip phone" imagegroup="{"alt":"Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 5","caption":"

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5

","credits":"Amy Kim/CNET","imageData":{"id":"0568e1e5-b52d-4748-bd87-2b97b8dc77a6","title":"Galaxy Z Flip 5","filename":"img-9767.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/hub/2023/08/04/0568e1e5-b52d-4748-bd87-2b97b8dc77a6/img-9767.jpg","caption":"

","size":3193384,"width":3520,"height":1980,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-08-04 17:39:24","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-08-04 17:41:36","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Amy Kim/CNET","alt":"img-9767.jpg","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":["Galaxy Z Flip 5","Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5"],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"0568e1e5-b52d-4748-bd87-2b97b8dc77a6","imageAltText":"Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5","imageCaption":"

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5

","imageCredit":"Amy Kim/CNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"img-9767.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023/08/04","imageWidth":3520,"imageHeight":1980,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5

” overridecredit=”Amy Kim/CNET” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cross_content_listicle__2d58f706-97c6-40e1-90dd-7a3c3cecdaa4″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>

img-9767.jpg

Amy Kim/CNET

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

Best flip phone

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the biggest leap forward Samsug’s flip phone has seen in years. Samsung has significantly expanded the size of the cover screen located on the outside of the device, meaning you can look up directions, take photos and send messages without opening the phone. It’s this, combined with the Z Flip’s solid battery life and sturdy design, that makes it a top pick.

$1,000 at Samsung

<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicle" data-location="LIST" data-position="2" edition="us" superlative="Best compact flip phone" imagegroup="{"alt":"The new Motorola Razr Plus being shown against a brick will","caption":"

The new Motorola Razr Plus

","credits":"Lisa Eadicicco/CNET","imageData":{"id":"1529a458-84f8-4c2b-8add-b9ac288b2bcd","title":"new-razr-plus-12","filename":"new-razr-plus-12.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/hub/2023/06/20/1529a458-84f8-4c2b-8add-b9ac288b2bcd/new-razr-plus-12.jpg","caption":"

The new Motorola Razr Plus

","size":3547585,"width":3686,"height":2073,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-06-20 18:56:13","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-06-20 19:01:48","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Lisa Eadicicco/CNET","alt":"The new Motorola Razr Plus being shown against a brick will","restricted":true,"startDate":{"date":"2023-06-22 13:00:00","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"1529a458-84f8-4c2b-8add-b9ac288b2bcd","imageAltText":"The new Motorola Razr Plus being shown against a brick will","imageCaption":"

The new Motorola Razr Plus

","imageCredit":"Lisa Eadicicco/CNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"new-razr-plus-12.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023/06/20","imageWidth":3686,"imageHeight":2073,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”

The new Motorola Razr Plus

” overridecredit=”Lisa Eadicicco/CNET” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cross_content_listicle__7d93461a-5991-4a81-8d5e-216c736dc2f1″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>

The new Motorola Razr Plus being shown against a brick will

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Motorola Razr Plus

Best compact flip phone

The Motorola Razr Plus raised the bar for what a flip phone should be in 2023. Its 3.6-inch cover screen allows you to use almost any app without opening the phone, plus battery life is long enough to get you through a busy day. It’s also thinner than the Galaxy Z Flip 5, which could make it the ideal choice for those who prioritize portability in a phone.

$1,000 at Motorola

<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicle" data-location="LIST" data-position="3" edition="us" superlative="Best flip phone with a vertical cover screen" imagegroup="{"alt":"The phone in half flip Oppo Find N2 Flip.","caption":"

","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"9bfa8acb-7706-4e24-8a01-ed28f6da7d4e","title":"The phone in half flip Oppo Find N2 Flip.","filename":"img-2649.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/hub/2023/02/15/9bfa8acb-7706-4e24-8a01-ed28f6da7d4e/img-2649.jpg","caption":"

","size":1530089,"width":4032,"height":3024,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-02-15 11:09:07","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-02-16 21:30:26","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":null,"alt":"The phone in half flip Oppo Find N2 Flip.","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"9bfa8acb-7706-4e24-8a01-ed28f6da7d4e","imageAltText":"The phone in half flip Oppo Find N2 Flip.","imageCaption":"

","imageCredit":"","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"img-2649.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023/02/15","imageWidth":4032,"imageHeight":3024,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”

” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cross_content_listicle__4e1c657e-e631-40a9-9e1a-11247422b711″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>

The phone in half flip Oppo Find N2 Flip.

Oppo Find N2 Flip

Best flip phone with a vertical cover screen

The Oppo Find N2 Flip’s standout feature is its vertical outer display, which at 3.26 inches, sets it apart from the Galaxy Z Flip 4 or Moto Razr. For some, this orientation might feel more natural when scrolling or checking notifications since it matches the internal main screen.

$1,209 at Amazon

How to buy a new phone

Know what you care about most: Is it screen size? Camera quality? Battery life? This will help narrow down your choices. If you’re interested in a foldable phone, design and screen size should be more important to you than camera quality 

Don’t discount the midrange: Features of last year’s flagships always trickle down to this year’s midrange handsets.You can get a great phone that does almost everything that a premium phone can do for a fraction of the price. Google’s Pixel 7 Pro packs a great zoom camera, but the base Pixel 7 has most of the same key specs and comes at a more reasonable price. But if you’re trying to save a few bucks, you shouldn’t be considering a flip phone. Devices like the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr Plus are priced like high-end premium phones, although Motorola plans to release a cheaper Razr this year. 

Shop the sales: Look for deep discounts and promo deals around major holidays, especially Amazon’s Prime Day and Black Friday. And find out what your grace period is in case you need a quick return or exchange.

Last year’s phones: They can often be a great deal, too. Wait for this year’s launch to get last year’s phone for less, when stores and carriers may be trying to offload their existing stock. However, keep in mind you’ll miss out on the spacious cover screens found on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Razr Plus by going for last year’s models.

Hold the phone in hand at a store first: You may love or hate the way it looks and feels in person. This is especially important for flip phones and other foldable devices, particularly if it’s your first time using one. 

Check if you’re already invested: Have you already bought a lot of iPhone apps and iTunes movies? Stick with an iPhone if you still want access to them. Likewise, if you’ve invested in loads of Android apps, you’ll want to stay on that side of the fence. Otherwise, it’s simple enough to switch platforms. However, those interested in flip phones only have Android devices to choose from for now.

Buy a case and screen protector: You’ll protect your phone from costly damage, and will increase the phone’s resale or trade-in value for when you’re ready to move on.

How we test phones

The Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr Plus on a wooden table

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 (left), Galaxy Z Flip 5 (center) and Motorola Razr Plus (right)

Numi Prasarn/CNET

We test every phone in real-world scenarios, focusing on its features, design, performance, cameras, battery life and overall value. We document our findings in an initial review that is periodically updated when there are new software updates, or to compare it against new phones from competitors such as Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus. Below is our methodology for testing smartphones in general, which also applies to flip phones. 

Photography

Photography is a major focus for most phones these days, so we take pictures and videos of various subjects in a variety of settings and lighting scenarios. We try out any new camera modes, such as Action mode that debuted with the iPhone 14 line, or the Unblur photo tool that launched with the Google Pixel 7 series.

A woman holding up the Galaxy Z Flip 5 to take a photo.

Taking a photo with the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Amy Kim/CNET

Battery life

Battery testing is conducted in a variety of ways. We assess how long a phone lasts during a typical day of use and note how it performs during more focused sessions of video calls, media streaming and gaming. We also conduct a video playback test, as a simple, replicable measure of pure battery life, which isn’t always included in the initial review but sometimes added later in an update.

Performance measuring

We use benchmarking apps to measure each phone’s performance, alongside our own anecdotal experiences using the phone for our review. Of note are how graphics and animations look. Are they smooth? Or do they lag or stutter? We also look at how quickly the phone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations, and how fast the camera app opens and is ready to take a photo.

We perform processor-heavy tasks like editing photos, exporting videos and playing games. We evaluate whether a newer version of a particular phone includes enough features to make it worth upgrading from older models.

Read more: How we test phones

Flip phone FAQs

Does anyone make a 5G flip phone?

Yes, new foldable flip phones from Samsung, Motorola and Oppo support 5G networks. Samsung began offering 5G on its flip phone back in 2020 with the second edition of the Galaxy Z Flip, which launched in August that year.

Are foldable phones good?

Yes, but there are important compromises to consider. Foldable phones offer benefits you can’t get with a regular phone, such as a larger screen that fits in your pocket more easily, and the ability to take hands-free photos without a tripod. But these phones are also more fragile than your average smartphone since they have hinges, which enable them to fold, and aren’t rated for dust resistance. They also have noticeable creases running across their internal displays. You can also usually find better cameras on nonfoldable phones.

What makes a good phone camera?

All of today’s phones pack some kind of camera setup on the back, with most packing multiple ones like ultrawides or telephoto zooms. More expensive phones, like the iPhone 14 Pro, use larger image sensors, better-quality lenses and image stabilization that let in more light, capturing detailed images with beautiful colors — in daylight and at night. Typically, the more you pay, the better quality you’ll get, with the most advanced features being reserved for the most expensive flagships.

How long should a phone battery last?

Most smartphones — even those at the top end — should be able to deliver a full day of mixed use on a single charge. That means you should have a bit of juice left at the end of your day, but you should expect to give it a full charge when you plug it in next to your bed at night.

How much storage should my phone have?

Most phones tend to come with a minimum of 128GB of storage, which is a good amount for apps, games and locally stored music. But it’s important to think about what you’ll be doing with your phone. If you want to download and play a lot of games, then consider opting for a higher-capacity version.

Leave a Reply