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The best flip phones of 2026: I compared Samsung and Motorola's top models, and here's who wins 57%
By Kerry Wan0% Prakhar Khanna54%
12/9/2025, 8:22:00 AM
BS Summary: This article contains 27 faulty reasoning types, including Halo Effect, Biased Writer Voice, and Overconfidence Bias, with Ambiguity (Equivocation) as the most egregious example at 22.7% saturation with 142 hits. Analysis detected 1,287 faulty-reasoning hits from 625 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 53.8% and a BS Rank of 57% (9,568 of 21,887 articles). This article is worse (more manipulative) than 56.30% of the article peer group.
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Flip phones today are not exactly the same as they were a decade or two ago.
Following their resurgence with the 2019 Motorola Razr refresh, they have continued to improve over the years.
The best flip phones today not only have a large cover display and a sturdy hinge but also intuitive software to utilize their unique designs.
Some can even stop dust and water intrusion.
Also: The best Android phones to buy
The 2025 Motorola Razr Ultra, for example, features an AMOLED foldable display, a user interface with numerous enhancements, and a comfortable in-hand feel, alongside various AI capabilities.
Then there's the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, which was designed with content creators and small-phone enthusiasts in mind.
What is the best flip phone right now?
Samsung and Motorola are the top two brands currently producing flip phones.
Of all the flip phones we've tested and reviewed so far, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is our pick for the best flip phone of 2026.
The South Korean tech giant brought its A-game at Unpacked in July 2025 and added much-awaited features to its foldables.
The Motorola Razr Ultra is a worthy runner-up, as it features the latest AI capabilities alongside a powerful flagship chipset.
The most significant update features a new titanium-reinforced hinge plate.
It is said to be four times stronger than surgical-grade stainless steel and can withstand up to 35% more folds than last year's models.
It's a tight race between the two flip phones.
While the Galaxy Z Flip 7 offers a sturdier build and premium feel, the Razr Ultra edges out with a more usable outer display software -- which is one of the main appeals of a modern-day flip phone -- as well as faster charging.
Best flip phones in 2026
Latest news on flip phones
While there's less news surrounding flip phones to end the year, one story remains at the top of phone enthusiasts' minds: Samsung's tri-foldable phone.
It's unlike the traditional flip phone (or any phone, in general), as the upcoming device features three screens that fold into one.
The phone is set to release in South Korea in December, with an expected release date during Q1 2026.
Why is this important?
If the tech is as promising as it seems, the potential of a smaller tri-foldable phone that's akin to modern-day flip phones would be a kind of tech innovation we've always dreamed of.
Here's to hoping.
Latest updates
In our December 2025 update, we removed mentions of Black Friday and included official release information for the new Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold.
In our November 2025 update, we finalized our top picks of the year, which include the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Motorola Razr Ultra.
The news section has also been updated to mention Samsung's upcoming tri-fold phone.
The introduction has also been updated to mention Black Friday and the pending sales.
In our August 2025 update, we added the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 as our top pick and the Motorola Razr Plus 2025 as our best mid-range flip phone pick.
We replaced the Razr (2023) with Razr (2025) as the best cheap foldable to buy.
In our May 2025 update, we added the Motorola Ultra Razr as our top pick, as well as replacing the Motorola Razr (2024) with the latest Razr from 2025.
Other flip phones we've tested
For more on getting the most out of your flip phone or an old phone, check out how to make your old phone fast and 10 settings you should change on a Samsung phone.
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