Folding Phones Maturity Showcased by Latest Releases from Samsung, Google, and More
The market for folding phones has matured significantly since its inception nearly a decade ago. From being brittle and janky oddities to useful, albeit expensive, hybrid handsets, these devices have come a long way.
Four options were chosen from the 2026 crop: the Razr, Samsung's Fold8, Google's Pixel Pro Fold, and Honor's latest model. Each device runs on Android, has a flexible front-back-inside camera layout, promises seven years of software updates, and features that characteristic crease in the middle of their folding screens.
The Razr brand has adopted the larger book-style format for the first time, benefiting from Lenovo's refinement of its non-folding Motorola phones. The device boasts bigger, brighter, and faster screens than its competitors, making it ideal for watching HDR videos and scrolling through content feeds.
Samsung's Fold8 takes a different approach with its squat, square-ish design when closed, resembling an iPad. When open, the screen is wide but not quite TV-wide, providing a larger widescreen experience. The device features bright and sharp screens, multitasking software, and plenty of power, making it a fun device to use.
The Pixel Pro Fold, on the other hand, has a phenomenal camera setup with full pro controls and AI-assisted features. It also supports magnetic Qi2 charging, which is a big convenience for users. However, some features feel half-baked, such as the light that glows to indicate what Gemini is doing while conversing with the AI assistant.
Honor's latest model is considered by some to be the best big book-style folding device on the market, being the thinnest and lightest of its competitors. It also has the most complete water and dust protection rating.