Considering a flip phone instead of a one-screen device? Then you'll want to read this breakdown of the best flip phones of 2023.
If you’re a fan of old-school flip phone form looking for smartphonefunctionality, there’s good news. Many top phone manufacturers are now creating smart flip phones and fold phones for people just like you. While you can buy them at stores like Amazon and Best Buy, you can also get flip phones directly from manufacturers like Samsung and Google or wireless carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
Today’s flip phones have ultra-high definition screens, excellent connectivity, and all the specs you would expect from another type of cell phone. In fact, many of these foldable phones are just as capable of running on 4G LTE and 5G networks as other smartphones. They also have standard compatibility with accessories like Bluetooth earbuds.
So, here’s the question: is a flip phone right for you, and if so, which one? Let’s take a closer look.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is perhaps the most well-known foldablesmartphone on the market. The cover screen is a spacious 3.4 inches, while the main screen is 6.7 inches. The refresh rate is adjustable, and it's all powered with eight GB of RAM and goes up to one TB of storage.
This flip phone has a large battery and fast charging abilities, plus excellent performance thanks to its chipset. The cameras are a step above its predecessor, the Z Flip4 — a set of dual 12-megapixel rear cameras and a 10-megapixel front camera that takes clear photos even in low-light. You can also turn one half of the main screen into a trackpad for ease of use and extra intuitive fun.
Choose this phone if you want a powerful Androidflip phone offering the joys of flip phones and the ability to physically hang up. It’s also fairly water-resistant, durable, and has Wi-Ficonnectivity.
Find the Best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Deal
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
Released in August 2023, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is packed with excellent interior components, like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 2 chipset — 12 GB of RAM and up to one TB of storage make this a powerful handset in its own right.
As far as flip phones go, this is also an excellent choice as it has a 7.6-inch main screen that makes it somewhat more like a tablet than a traditional phone. When folded, the cover screen is 6.2 inches. It also comes with S Pen support, for those who enjoy using a stylus. Samsung accessories work well with this smartphone enabling you to transform it into what amounts to a small computer.
Think of it as more of a tiny pocket computer than a phone optimized for calls. The well-stocked camera set includes a 50-megapixel wide-angle lens, a 12-megapixelultra-wide lens, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens. Plus, the 2176 x 1812p main display makes it a joy to use and look at whether you’re watching media, playing games, or just surfing the web.
Find the Best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Deal
Motorola Razr Plus
The 2023 iteration of the Motorola Razr Plus also deserves special mention for its excellent aesthetic style. It’s a great-looking flip phone with a huge cover screen that's durable and useful in equal measure.
The external display is big enough to easily type on the keyboard, so you don't always have to flip open the phone to check notifications or respond to a message. When the phone is shut, you can still access key apps like the map, mirror, and cameras.
However, the Motorola Razr Plus cameras don’t compare to the competition. Battery life could also be a bit better. That said, the Motorola Razr Plus flip phone is a good option for smartphone fans who want a sleek flip phone design at an affordable price and are willing to sacrifice on photo quality.
Find the Best Motorola Razr Plus Deal
Alcatel Go Flip 4
Maybe you’re in the market for something truly affordable. In that case, the Alcatel Go Flip 4 may be perfect for you — especially if you’re looking for an old-school look and feel. This flip phone is incredibly well-priced compared to other flip phones on the market today. It features great battery life, partially thanks to its lithium-ion 1850mAh battery — powering your phone for up to 12 hours of talk time and 18 days of standby time.
The Alcatel Go Flip 4 only has 512 MB of RAM and four GB of storage, but it’s powered by a QM215 Snapdragon 215 chipset, and it wil get the job done when you just need to call your friends and family members or send a simple text. This just may be the best flip phone for seniors or would-be luddites seeking a dependable device without added bells and whistles.
Find the Best Alcatel Go Flip 4 Deal
LG Classic Flip Phone
You also can't go wrong with the LG Classic Flip Phone, a streamlined device with real throwback vibes. It features physical buttons, a bright screen, eight GB of storage, and a two-megapixel rear-facing camera.
Even though its design takes a lot of inspiration from older flip phones, it still has some modern functionalities, like charging capabilities via micro-USB cord. It also has a timeless dark gray metallic exterior and a basic battery life indicator at the top of the screen. The modern front panel shows you basic information without cluttering the display.
Aside from that, there’s an SOS key on the back panel for quickly summoning the authorities when needed. Choose this if you want a true original flip phone with a bit of extra power.
Find the Best LG Classic Flip Phone Deal
Oppo Find N2 Flip
The Oppo Find N2 Flip runs on Android 13 and is a smaller-than-average flip phone with a unique design. The cover screen is 3.26 inches, and the main screen is 6.8 inches. The phone runs on eight gigabytes of RAM with a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus CPU.
This clamshellfoldable has a zero-gap folding design that gives the Oppo Find N2 Flipdurability. This flip phone is equipped with a very large, fast-charging battery. The set of rear-facing cameras and 50-megapixel wide-angel are decent enough for candid photos and selfies, though they won't reinvent the industry anytime soon.
While it doesn’t offer wireless charging, it’s still an excellent and more affordable smart flip phone — 256 GB of storage round out its features, making this one of the best flip phones for budget-minded shoppers.
Find the Best Oppo Find N2 Flip Deal
Google Pixel Fold
The Google Pixel Fold is one of the more recent smart flip phones to enter the market. Thanks to its solid construction, the Google Pixel Fold’s durability is superior to many other flip phones. Plus, it's packed with many of the stellar cameras we've come to expect from this manufacturer, like a 48-megapixel primary camera and a 10.8-megapixel telephoto lens.
On the downside, the Pixel Fold does have a large bezel around the main screen, which may take some getting used to. Fortunately, the Fold's screens are expansive — 5.8 inches when folded and 7.6 inches when unfolded.
With the Android 13 operating system, you'll get five years of security updates. Overall, choose this if you are willing to splurge for a pricey yet highly effective smart flip phone from one of the best-known brands in the world.
Find the Best Google Pixel Fold Deal
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re shopping for a basic entry-level flip phone, a smart flip phone or any other cell phone, Navi’s Phone Finder can help. It’s free, unbiased and designed to help you find the best phone deals based on your unique needs.
Sources:
What is RAM (Random Access Memory)? - Definition from SearchStorage | Tech Target
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform | Qualcomm
