There are many reasons to consider buying one of the best flip phones or foldable models when you’re looking to buy a new handset in 2020. Some of the newest models are very small and ideal to slip into your pocket when not in use.
The flip phone with standard features can be a good choice if you already have the best camera smartphone as your main gadget. But wanting something minimalistic to help you avoid distractions, or using this smartphone for business is an attractive thing.
It’s also a good idea to invest in a secondary phone over one of the best smartphones if you travel a lot and don’t want to be seen putting out a high-end flagship in public or just to have a phone that is small and easy to use for various activities.
Here I have selected the 5 best flip smartphones that you can buy right now to meet your needs.
1. Motorola Razr
- Release date: January 2020
- Camera: 16MP rear
- Front 5MP
- Operating system: Android Pie
- The folds are very small
- Smooth 21: 9 screen
- Not the best camera phone
- Expensive
The Motorola Razr 2019 is the successor to the hugely popular Razr V3, and combines the classic design of old Smartphones with advanced technology. The main selling point of the new Razr is its display, which flips to give you an extra-wide 21: 9 display. Unlike the Galaxy Fold, at the bottom there are no visible seams on the screen where the edges are bent, and the screen is bright and sharp.
When you’re done, fold the lid and you have a palm-sized block that fits easily into a pocket. The hinges are slightly larger, but the folding mechanism feels nice, and it’s almost as satisfying as the old V3’s shot.
It’s not a smartphone that you would buy with its camera power (check out our guide to the best camera phones of 2020 if you’re into mobile photography), but the Razr’s 8MP rear camera is sufficient for capturing basic images and videos. The Motorola Razr 2019 is not out yet, but you can register your interest on the Motorola website.
2. Samsung Galaxy Fold
- Release date: September 2019
- Camera: 10MP cover
- front 10MP + 8MP, 16MP + 12MP + 12MP (rear)
- Operating system: Android Pie
- Large 7.5 ”screen
- 5 amazing cameras
- Fragile screen
- Very expensive
Even though it is not advertised as such, I would like to think of the Samsung Galaxy Fold as a flip smartphone that hangs on a vertical rather than a horizontal axis. The design has a lot in common with the new Motorola Razr, but instead of expanding to give you an ultra-wide display, the Fold opens to reveal a 7.5-inch mini tablet that’s ideal for sketching with the Samsung S-Pen.
In its compressed form, the Galaxy Fold looks and functions the same as any ‘candybar’ smartphone (although it is incredibly thick). The cover features a 4.6-inch screen that’s ideal for messaging and calls, and its narrow body means it’s easier to fit into a pocket than the Samsung Galaxy Note (for example).
Unfortunately, Fold is not without its problems. The hinged screen is fragile, and even though Samsung has made a lot of improvements since its really bad initial launch, when reviewers (many of them accidentally exposed the vital protective coating they thought was a piece of packaging).
3. Nokia 2720 Flip
- Release date: September 2019
- Camera: 2MP
- Operating system: KaiOS
- Clean design, not cluttered
- Tiny when closed
- Low resolution camera
- Limited application options
Looking for a simple secondary phone for traveling? Nokia 2720 Flip could be the right choice. Its sleek and minimalist design matches Nokia’s classic flip design, and is much lighter and smaller than more feature-packed devices like the Samsung and Razor.
The Nokia 2720 Flip uses Nokia’s proprietary KaiOS operating system, which severely limits your choice of apps, but that’s not a bad thing if you’re looking for a minimalist flip phone that will help you avoid distractions while you work.
But why choose the 2720 when other, older models are available cheaper? The answer is simple: 4G LTE. You can pick up a five year old flip phone for a really cheap price, and that might help you, but the lack of 4G support will get you into trouble with slow data speeds, which can be really annoying if you want to stream videos or send large files. This flip phone gives you the best for sleek retro design options with modern hardware.
4.Samsung Galaxy Folder 2
- Release date: September 2016
- Camera: 8MP
- Operating system: Android Marshmallow
- Holds dual SIM cards
- Strong design
- Older Android version
- Only one camera
Before Flip, there were Folders. The Samsung Galaxy Folder 2 is a bit more upscale in design than the Nokia 2720 above, and the fact that it runs the full version of Android means it can function as either a primary or secondary phone. Again, it’s a great option if your design work takes you all over the world, especially since it’s capable of holding two SIM cards plus a microSD memory card.
With no flexible screen to worry about (the bottom of the phone contains a set of physical buttons), it’s more likely to last longer for everyday use than the Fold, and without the screen on its outer shell, it’s less likely to scratch.
5. LG Exalt VN220
- Release date: June 2017
- Camera: 5MP
- Operating system: Exclusive Android Fork
- Strong design
- Big and clear buttons
- No camera flash
- Doesn’t run stock Android
If you like the look of the Samsung Galaxy Folder 2, the LG Exalt VN220 can be another alternative. The clamshell design ensures the screen is always protected, and its durable hinge will last for years of use.
The 5MP camera is very outdated and it’s a shame it doesn’t have a flash, but it’s worth the price of a cheap Flip Smartphone, and enough for basic tasks. However, you get 8GB of storage for your photos, documents and videos.
With hearing aid, text-to-speech and large, clear buttons, the LG Exalt VN220 is also a solid choice if you find modern touch screen smartphones difficult to use, or buy a handset for an older member of your family such as your mom or dad.
