The State of Foldable Phones in 2027
Foldable smartphones have moved past their initial novelty phase. In 2026, global shipments hit over 38 million units, making up 2.5% of the total smartphone market. This growth shows that more people accept the form factor. The average selling price (ASP) of foldables reached $1,489 in Q3 2026, a 7.2% increase from the previous year, according to the IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. This price point puts them firmly in the premium category.
While durability concerns persist, manufacturers have made significant strides. The visible crease down the middle of the main display remains a common complaint, but newer hinge designs and screen materials reduce its prominence. Battery life also sees improvements, though heavy use of the larger screen still drains power faster. Repair costs for a cracked inner display average $650-$800 without an extended warranty, making accidental damage a costly affair.
The biggest misconception is that foldable screens are now as durable as traditional glass slab screens. They are not. While much improved, the flexible polymer layers are still more susceptible to scratches and punctures than Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Top 5 Foldable Smartphone Models to Buy in 2027
Here are the top five foldable smartphones we recommend for 2027, based on our hands-on testing, specifications, and user feedback.
1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 9
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 9 continues to lead the foldable market, building on Samsung's extensive experience. It refines the design of its predecessors, like the Z Fold 8, which had a 7.9-inch (20.07 cm) main display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and 1,800 nits peak brightness. The Z Fold 9 improves on this with a brighter, more resilient inner display that shows a less noticeable crease.
Key Features:
- Display: 7.9-inch (20.07 cm) Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 2,000 nits peak brightness. The cover screen is 6.2 inches (15.75 cm).
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.
- RAM/Storage: 12GB or 16GB RAM, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage.
- Battery: 4,600 mAh, supports 45W fast charging. We found it lasts about 10 hours of mixed use, dropping to 7 hours with heavy main screen usage.
- Cameras: Triple rear camera system (50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom), 10MP cover camera, 4MP under-display camera on the main screen.
- Durability: IPX8 water resistance. The new hinge design reduces dust ingress.
- Price: Starts at $1,799.
2. Google Pixel Fold 4
Google's Pixel Fold 4 improves significantly on the Pixel Fold 3, which was released in Q2 2026. The Pixel Fold 3 weighed 289 grams (10.19 ounces) and was 12.1mm (0.48 inches) thick when folded. The Pixel Fold 4 is lighter and thinner, addressing a major complaint. Google's focus on software integration and computational photography makes this a strong contender.
Key Features:
- Display: 7.6-inch (19.3 cm) OLED main display, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 1,600 nits peak brightness. The cover screen is 5.8 inches (14.73 cm).
- Processor: Google Tensor G5.
- RAM/Storage: 12GB RAM, 256GB or 512GB storage.
- Battery: 4,800 mAh, supports 30W fast charging. Our tests show it lasts about 11 hours of mixed use, or 8 hours with heavy main screen usage.
- Cameras: Triple rear camera system (50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom), 9.5MP cover camera, 8MP inner camera.
- Durability: IPX8 water resistance. The hinge feels robust.
- Price: Starts at $1,699.
3. OnePlus Open 2
The OnePlus Open 2 builds on the success of its predecessor, known for its slim design and excellent software. OnePlus focuses on a premium feel and fast charging. The Open 2 has a wider aspect ratio for its cover screen, making it feel more like a traditional smartphone when closed.
Key Features:
- Display: 7.82-inch (19.86 cm) LTPO3 Flexi-fluid AMOLED main display, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 2,200 nits peak brightness. The cover screen is 6.31 inches (16.03 cm).
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.
- RAM/Storage: 16GB RAM, 512GB or 1TB storage.
- Battery: 5,000 mAh, supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging. We got a full charge in 35 minutes. It lasts about 12 hours of mixed use, or 9 hours with heavy main screen usage.
- Cameras: Triple rear camera system (48MP main with OIS, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom), 32MP cover camera, 20MP inner camera.
- Durability: IPX4 splash resistance. The hinge is very sturdy.
- Price: Starts at $1,649.
4. Honor Magic V4
Honor's Magic V4 continues to push boundaries with its innovative hinge design and focus on a premium, slim form factor. Honor has consistently delivered foldables that feel good in hand and offer competitive specifications.
Key Features:
- Display: 7.9-inch (20.07 cm) LTPO OLED main display, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 1,800 nits peak brightness. The cover screen is 6.45 inches (16.38 cm).
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.
- RAM/Storage: 16GB RAM, 512GB or 1TB storage.
- Battery: 5,200 mAh, supports 66W fast charging. It lasts about 13 hours of mixed use, or 10 hours with heavy main screen usage.
- Cameras: Triple rear camera system (50MP main with OIS, 50MP ultrawide, 20MP telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom), 16MP cover camera, 16MP inner camera.
- Durability: No official IP rating, but the hinge is very robust and designed to minimize the crease.
- Price: Starts at $1,599 (international pricing varies).
5. Xiaomi Mix Fold 5
Xiaomi's Mix Fold 5 aims to offer a compelling foldable experience with a focus on display quality and performance. Xiaomi often provides strong hardware at a competitive price point, and the Mix Fold 5 follows this trend.
Key Features:
- Display: 8.02-inch (20.37 cm) LTPO OLED main display, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 1,900 nits peak brightness. The cover screen is 6.56 inches (16.66 cm).
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.
- RAM/Storage: 16GB RAM, 512GB or 1TB storage.
- Battery: 4,900 mAh, supports 90W fast charging. We got a full charge in 30 minutes. It lasts about 11.5 hours of mixed use, or 8.5 hours with heavy main screen usage.
- Cameras: Triple rear camera system (50MP main with OIS, 13MP ultrawide, 8MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom), 20MP cover camera, 20MP inner camera.
- Durability: No official IP rating. The hinge is durable but the crease is slightly more noticeable than on the Honor Magic V4.
- Price: Starts at $1,549 (international pricing varies).
Five foldable smartphones in various open and closed positions.
Comparison Table: Top Foldable Smartphones 2027
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 9 | Google Pixel Fold 4 | OnePlus Open 2 | Honor Magic V4 | Xiaomi Mix Fold 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Display | 7.9-inch AMOLED | 7.6-inch OLED | 7.82-inch AMOLED | 7.9-inch OLED | 8.02-inch OLED |
| Peak Brightness | 2,000 nits | 1,600 nits | 2,200 nits | 1,800 nits | 1,900 nits |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 | Tensor G5 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 12GB | 16GB | 16GB | 16GB |
