Folding Phones Get Practical: Wired's 2026 Top Picks
Wired's latest roundup evaluates the leading folding smartphones of 2026, covering both book-style and flip designs. The guide highlights the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8's refined proportions and reduced crease, along with the Motorola Razr Ultra and Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold as strong alternatives. It notes that folding phones have evolved from gimmicks to genuinely useful devices, with a possible folding iPhone on the horizon.
The 2026 folding phone market now spans distinct form factors, with book-style devices like the Galaxy Z Fold8 offering multitasking through split-screen app layouts, while flip designs such as the Motorola Razr models appeal to those seeking compactness. Samsung's latest entry incorporates silicon-carbon battery technology, a notable shift from traditional lithium-ion cells, and its redesigned chassis is both lighter and shorter than predecessors, making the hinge mechanism feel more integrated.
Pricing remains a defining factor, ranging from $800 for the budget Motorola Razr to $1,900 for the premium Fold8, with the camera-equipped Ultra variant commanding a $200 premium. The article also hints at an impending folding iPhone, which could significantly reshape consumer expectations for the category.
Folding phones could gradually shift consumer habits as durability and practicality improve, potentially making large-screen multitasking a standard expectation rather than a luxury. Mainstream adoption may accelerate if Apple enters the market, normalizing the form factor for everyday users. However, high price points could limit early access, meaning the technology's benefits may initially reach only affluent buyers, while broader societal impact depends on future price drops and software optimization.