Flip phones are officially fun again. Not the plastic clamshells that survived four days on one charge and stored approximately seven blurry photos, but modern foldable smartphones with brilliant OLED displays, capable cameras, 5G connectivity, and enough processing power to replace a conventional flagship.
The best flip phones of 2025 combine a compact folded design with a full-size Android experience. Close one and it slips into a small pocket. Open it and you have a bright display suitable for gaming, navigation, video calls, photography, and the deeply important task of watching cooking videos while ordering takeout.
After comparing specifications, independent reviews, battery tests, software policies, camera performance, durability improvements, and everyday usability, three models rise above the increasingly crowded field: the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025, Motorola Razr 2025, and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6.
The Best Flip Phones of 2025 at a Glance
| Flip Phone | Best For | Main Display | Battery | Original U.S. Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 | Best overall | 7-inch pOLED, up to 165Hz | 4,700mAh | $1,299 |
| Motorola Razr 2025 | Best value | 6.9-inch pOLED, up to 120Hz | 4,500mAh | $699 |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 | Best for long-term support | 6.7-inch AMOLED, up to 120Hz | 4,000mAh | $1,099 |
Pricing note: These are original U.S. launch prices. Retail prices, trade-in promotions, carrier offers, and availability can change considerably.
How We Chose the Best Flip Phones
A flip phone cannot earn a recommendation merely by folding in half. That trick is impressive at a party, but less impressive when the battery dies before dinner or the outer display is useful only for checking the time.
Our evaluation focused on six areas: overall performance, display quality, cover-screen usefulness, battery endurance, camera consistency, and software support. We also considered charging speed, hinge construction, water and dust protection, storage, ergonomics, and the inevitable price premium attached to putting a hinge in the middle of a smartphone.
All three recommendations run Android, support 5G, provide wireless charging, and carry an IP48 rating. That rating offers meaningful protection against water and larger particles, but it does not make these devices completely dustproof. Beaches, workshops, and pockets filled with mysterious crumbs still require caution.
1. Motorola Razr Ultra 2025: Best Flip Phone Overall
Why It Stands Out
The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 is the rare foldable that performs like a genuine flagship rather than a stylish phone with several apologetic footnotes. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 16GB of RAM, large displays, quick charging, and 4,700mAh battery put it much closer to premium conventional smartphones than previous clamshell foldables.
The 7-inch internal pOLED display is enormous by flip-phone standards. Its high resolution and refresh rate of up to 165Hz make scrolling, gaming, video playback, and everyday navigation feel exceptionally fluid. The crease remains detectable, particularly when viewed from an angle or touched directly, but it fades into the background during normal use.
The 4-inch external display is just as important. Motorola allows users to run many complete Android apps without opening the phone. You can answer messages, manage music, check maps, approve authentication requests, view notifications, or complete other short tasks from the cover screen. It turns the folded phone into a practical miniature smartphone instead of an expensive notification window.
Performance and Battery Life
The Snapdragon 8 Elite gives the Razr Ultra enough power for demanding games, photo editing, rapid multitasking, and AI-assisted tools. Most flip phones ask buyers to accept somewhat weaker performance in exchange for the compact design. The Ultra largely removes that compromise.
Its 4,700mAh battery is unusually large for a clamshell foldable. Real-world testing from several technology publications found that it could comfortably survive a full day of mixed use, even with regular camera activity, messaging, navigation, and cover-screen interaction.
Charging is another advantage. The phone supports 68W wired charging, 30W wireless charging, and limited reverse charging. The fastest speeds require compatible accessories, and a high-powered charger may not be included, but the phone can recover quickly when its battery is low.
Cameras
Motorola equips the Razr Ultra with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 50-megapixel internal selfie camera. Photos are generally detailed and colorful, while the folding design makes group pictures and hands-free video easier. The phone can sit partially folded on a table, eliminating the need to balance it against a coffee mug like an amateur structural engineer.
Camera quality is strong for a flip phone, although similarly priced slab-style flagships may deliver better zoom, more consistent low-light results, and additional lenses. Buyers paying $1,299 should understand that part of the price funds the folding engineering, not simply photographic superiority.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Flagship-level performance, excellent external display, strong battery life, fast charging, premium materials, and large internal screen.
Cons: Expensive, no dedicated telephoto camera, limited dust protection, and a shorter Android upgrade commitment than Samsung offers.
Who Should Buy It?
Choose the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 when you want the most complete flip-phone experience and are prepared to pay for it. It is particularly appealing to heavy multitaskers, mobile gamers, design-conscious buyers, and anyone who wants to use the outer display for more than checking notifications.
2. Motorola Razr 2025: Best Value Flip Phone
Why It Is the Smartest Deal
The standard Motorola Razr 2025 brings the pleasures of a modern foldable down to a comparatively approachable $699 launch price. That is still a meaningful amount of money, but it places the phone closer to mainstream premium handsets than four-figure foldables.
It includes a 6.9-inch internal pOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a 3.6-inch external display capable of running useful apps. The screens are not as advanced as those on the Razr Ultra, but they remain bright, smooth, and more than adequate for everyday entertainment and communication.
The external screen is one of the strongest reasons to choose Motorola. It can handle messaging, music, weather, navigation, timers, camera previews, and numerous full applications. Completing small tasks without opening the phone makes the Razr faster to use and may reduce the temptation to fall into an accidental 45-minute social-media expedition.
Everyday Performance
The MediaTek Dimensity 7400X processor and 8GB of RAM are designed for mainstream use rather than maximum benchmark scores. Calls, messages, social apps, web browsing, photography, streaming, and casual gaming run smoothly. More demanding games and intensive editing may expose the difference between this model and the Ultra, but most users will not encounter serious performance problems.
Storage is fixed at 256GB on the primary U.S. configuration, with no microSD card slot. That capacity is generous for typical use, although prolific video shooters should monitor their available space.
Battery and Charging
A 4,500mAh battery gives the Razr 2025 better endurance than many earlier flip phones. Independent tests generally found it capable of lasting through a normal day, and some lighter users may finish with a comfortable reserve.
The phone supports 30W wired and 15W wireless charging. Those figures are slower than the Ultra’s capabilities but perfectly respectable for the price category. As with all battery claims, actual endurance changes with display brightness, mobile signal quality, gaming, navigation, camera use, and whether your group chat has chosen violence that day.
Camera Quality
The camera system consists of a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 32-megapixel selfie camera. Daylight photos offer pleasing detail and color, while the outer display allows subjects to preview their pose before a picture is taken.
Low-light results and motion capture are less dependable than those of leading camera phones. The Razr is suitable for social posts, vacations, pets that occasionally remain still, and daily memories. Buyers seeking the absolute best night photography should consider a conventional Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy S, or iPhone instead.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Competitive price, genuinely useful cover screen, attractive design, large battery, wireless charging, and improved IP48 protection.
Cons: Midrange processor, inconsistent low-light photography, slower charging than the Ultra, and only three major Android version upgrades promised.
Who Should Buy It?
The Motorola Razr 2025 is the best flip phone for first-time foldable buyers. It delivers the compact design and external-screen convenience people actually want without demanding flagship-level spending. For most shoppers, it is the value sweet spot of the 2025 flip-phone market.
3. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6: Best for Software Support
Why It Remains a Strong Choice
Although introduced in 2024, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 remained one of the strongest flip-phone purchases during much of 2025. Its refined construction, dependable performance, improved camera, broad accessory selection, and unusually long software policy make it especially attractive to buyers who keep phones for several years.
Samsung committed to seven generations of Android operating-system upgrades and seven years of security updates from launch. That dramatically exceeds Motorola’s operating-system commitment and gives the Z Flip6 a major long-term ownership advantage.
Display and Design
The main display is a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. It is sharp, vibrant, and bright enough for outdoor use. The 3.4-inch FlexWindow is smaller than Motorola’s cover screens and is more dependent on widgets and Samsung’s customization tools.
The outer display can still handle notifications, quick replies, calendar information, weather, music, alarms, camera previews, and selected apps. However, Motorola’s interface feels more open and intuitive when running complete applications on the cover screen.
The Z Flip6 is compact, polished, and easy to hold. It folds into a neat square that fits comfortably into small pockets and bags. Its flatter sides and solid hinge create a precise, mature feel, although opening any modern flip phone with one hand is less effortless than old television commercials promised.
Performance and Battery
A Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor and 12GB of RAM provide fast, reliable performance. The phone handles gaming, multitasking, photography, video calls, and Samsung’s Galaxy AI tools without feeling underpowered.
The 4,000mAh battery improved on the previous generation, but endurance is merely satisfactory beside the 2025 Razr models. Moderate users can usually reach bedtime, while heavy camera, navigation, gaming, or 5G use may require an evening recharge.
Charging is limited to 25W wired and 15W wireless speeds. That is adequate but noticeably behind Motorola’s Ultra model. Samsung appears convinced that patience builds character.
Cameras and Galaxy AI
The 50-megapixel main camera represents a substantial improvement over older Galaxy Z Flip cameras. It captures attractive portraits, good daylight detail, and Samsung’s familiar vivid colors. A 12-megapixel ultrawide camera expands framing options, while the folding design supports hands-free shots and high-quality selfies using the main camera.
Galaxy AI features include translation tools, transcription, suggested replies, image editing, and other productivity functions. Some are genuinely helpful; others may become features you demonstrate once to a relative and then forget exist.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Seven-year update policy, fast flagship processor, dependable cameras, refined build quality, strong ecosystem integration, and wide accessory availability.
Cons: Small cover display, slower charging, average battery life, and a design that feels more practical than adventurous.
Who Should Buy It?
The Galaxy Z Flip6 is best for buyers who prioritize software longevity, Samsung ecosystem features, stable performance, and established customer support. It is also a logical choice for Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Buds, Samsung TV, and SmartThings users.
Flip Phone Buying Guide
Cover-Screen Functionality
A large external display is not automatically useful. Check which apps can run while the phone is closed, how easily they can be added, and whether common tasks require opening the device. Motorola offers the most flexible cover-screen experience among these three models.
Durability and Repairs
Foldable screens are softer and more complicated than conventional glass displays. Avoid removing the factory-installed internal screen protector, pressing hard on the crease, or allowing grit to enter the hinge. A protective case and extended coverage may be worthwhile, especially on the $1,299 Razr Ultra.
Battery Life
Flip phones have less internal room for batteries because the hinge occupies valuable space. The Razr Ultra and standard Razr compensate with relatively large cells. The Galaxy Z Flip6 can last a normal day, but frequent travelers and power users may prefer Motorola’s endurance and faster charging.
Camera Expectations
Modern flip phones take good photos, but they rarely provide the complete camera systems found on similarly priced flagship slabs. Telephoto lenses remain uncommon. The folding design does provide unique advantages, including hands-free shooting, rear-camera selfies, and live previews on the cover display.
Software Support
Long support matters because foldables are expensive. Samsung is the clear winner here. Motorola’s shorter upgrade promise may be acceptable to people who replace phones every two or three years, but it is harder to defend for buyers planning to keep a device deep into the decade.
Real-World Experience: What Living With a Modern Flip Phone Feels Like
The first noticeable benefit is not the futuristic screen. It is the size of the phone when closed. A conventional 6.7-inch smartphone can feel like a glass serving tray in a pocket. A clamshell foldable carries the same large-screen experience in a shorter package that is easier to store in jeans, purses, running belts, and crowded travel bags.
The second benefit is behavioral. A useful external display lets you check a message, pause music, view directions, confirm the weather, or dismiss an alarm without opening the phone. That small amount of friction can change how often you become absorbed in the device. Opening the phone feels more intentional, almost like deciding that a task deserves the full screen.
Motorola’s cover screens are particularly effective in this role. A navigation route, playlist, voice recording, calculator, or messaging app can remain accessible on the outside. You can accomplish something quickly and put the phone away. Of course, you can also watch videos on the tiny display, because human ingenuity always finds a path to nonsense.
Photography is another area where the form factor becomes more than a gimmick. Place the phone half-open on a table and it becomes its own tripod. Group photos no longer require recruiting a stranger who may accidentally take 14 pictures of the sidewalk. Video calls feel more natural, time-lapse clips are easier to frame, and the rear cameras can capture better selfies while the external screen provides a preview.
The hinge also creates small inconveniences. Opening the phone is an extra step whenever you need the main display. One-handed operation can be awkward, especially with a tight new hinge. The crease is visible under reflections and can be felt when a finger travels across the center. Most owners adapt quickly, but anyone expecting a perfectly flat sheet of invisible magic will be disappointed.
Cleaning requires additional attention. Dust tends to gather near the edges of the internal screen and around the hinge. The IP48 rating helps with water and particles larger than one millimeter, yet fine sand remains a concern. A flip phone is perfectly suitable for normal daily use, rain, commuting, and travel, but taking it directly into blowing beach sand is an excellent way to turn relaxation into a warranty discussion.
Battery anxiety varies by model. The Razr Ultra feels closest to a conventional flagship, typically delivering enough endurance for a busy day. The standard Razr also performs well considering its price. The Galaxy Z Flip6 is dependable under moderate use but encourages more strategic charging during long days involving navigation, photography, and 5G.
Long-term ownership brings another consideration: repairs. A folding display contains more moving and flexible components than an ordinary screen, and out-of-warranty damage can be costly. Owners tend to become slightly more protectiveusing a case, keeping the phone away from loose debris, and avoiding the urge to snap it shut dramatically after every call.
That last temptation is difficult to resist. Ending a conversation by closing a flip phone remains deeply satisfying. Tapping a red icon on a glass rectangle cannot compete. It is the smartphone equivalent of gently closing a book after finishing an excellent chapter, except the book has 16GB of RAM and keeps asking whether you would like an AI-generated summary.
Ultimately, the experience suits people who value compactness, visual personality, hands-free photography, and a more deliberate relationship with their screen. A flip phone does not automatically reduce digital distraction, but it can make quick interactions quicker and full-screen sessions more intentional. It also makes phones feel interesting again, which is refreshing after years of nearly identical black rectangles.
Final Verdict
The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 is the best flip phone overall. It offers the strongest combination of flagship performance, display quality, battery endurance, charging speed, premium design, and external-screen usefulness.
The Motorola Razr 2025 is the better purchase for most people. It preserves the features that make a modern flip phone enjoyable while keeping the price significantly below premium alternatives.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is the safest long-term choice. Its seven-year support policy, polished software, dependable camera, and mature ecosystem compensate for its smaller cover display and slower charging.
Whichever model you choose, the modern flip phone is no longer merely a nostalgic experiment. It is a capable smartphone form factor with genuine practical advantagesand the ability to end calls with dramatically more authority.