Samsung’s top Galaxy Z Fold pitted against rivals from Google Pixel, OnePlus, and Honor to determine the superior foldable device
Is it a phone? Is it a tablet? A new lineup of folding devices competes for consumers desiring a blend of both, featuring a phone-like screen on the exterior and an expansive display that unfolds like a book. Each excels in different aspects, but which emerges as the ultimate choice? I subject the most promising devices to a round-by-round competition to determine the champion of folding phones.
The contenders
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – Setting the standard in its fifth generation.
Google Pixel Fold – Android-maker’s inaugural venture into folding phones.
OnePlus Open – Brand’s first, utilizing third-gen tech from parent company Oppo.
Honor Magic V2 – Third-gen foldable set to debut in Europe from late January.
Outside screen
The size of the external screen significantly impacts how phone-like these foldables can be, representing a key point of divergence among the devices.
The Z Fold 5 features a lengthy and narrow external screen, resulting in cramped typing. The Pixel Fold is short and stout, providing a full-width keyboard but rendering apps somewhat short and robust. In contrast, the Open and Magic V2 offer a more phone-like experience, enhancing usability when folded.
Winner: Honor Magic V2 – delivering the thinnest and most phone-like experience.
Inside screen
The dimensions and configuration of the internal screen exhibit greater consistency across brands. The OnePlus and Honor unfold to a more square shape, while others are slightly elongated on one side, akin to an iPad display.
All screens boast high refresh rates, sharpness, and brightness. Variances lie in their ability to repel fingerprints and minimize glare from overhead lights. Some, like Samsung, support stylus input.
The notable distinctions lie in the tactile experience of the screen and the visibility of the crease at its center. The Z Fold 5 offers the firmest-feeling screen, but the Open boasts the least visible crease, surpassing all others.
Winner: OnePlus Open – featuring the least visible and smoothest-feeling crease.
Hinge
The hinge design and functionality play a crucial role in determining the usability of a folding device. The Magic V2 boasts the slimmest hinge, making it less obtrusive when used as a phone, but it has limitations in holding the screen open at a wide range of angles. The Open and Pixel Fold are slightly thicker, with the latter having a stiffer opening and requiring an extra push to lie completely flat. The Z Fold 5 features the largest, stiffest, and most robust feeling hinge in the group, providing a more secure hold at various angles.
Winner: OnePlus Open – striking the best balance between thickness and opening action.
Weight and thickness
The ease of using a folding device as a phone or tablet in one hand is influenced by its thickness and weight. The Pixel Fold stands out as the heaviest among the contenders, weighing 283g, followed by the Z Fold 5 at 253g. The Open and Magic V2 are notably lighter, weighing 239g and 237g, respectively.
The contenders also differ in thickness when folded, affecting their overall bulkiness in the hand and pocket. The Z Fold 5 is the thickest at 13.4mm, with the Pixel Fold and Open following at 12.1mm and 11.7mm, respectively.
Winner: Honor Magic V2 – at just 10.1mm, it is comparable to a regular phone in a case.
Durability, repair and sustainability
Folding phones are inherently more delicate than traditional ones due to the softer materials required for the display to bend. However, they vary in water and dust resistance, repair options, and construction materials. Samsung and Google stand out with IPX8 water resistance, equivalent to regular phones. The Open has only IPX4 splash resistance, and the Magic V2 lacks any rating for water resistance.
All manufacturers provide repair services for broken devices, whether in or out of warranty. Samsung boasts an extensive network of repairers, and Google offers direct and third-party services. OnePlus and Honor also have their repair services. Samsung and Google go a step further by providing parts and instructions for at-home repairs. The Pixel Fold and Z Fold 5 incorporate recycled materials like aluminum, glass, and plastic.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – leading in water resistance, use of recycled materials, and an extensive repair network.
Battery life
Battery life for most tablet-sized folding phones is comparable to standard phones. The Pixel Fold has the shortest battery life, lasting approximately 32 hours between charges. The Open comes in second with a robust 46 hours, just behind the Z Fold 5, which lasts for 48 hours. The Magic V2 is expected to have a similar battery life, but proper testing can only be done upon the release of the European version.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – it offers a longer-lasting battery.
Processing power
Three of the folding phones employ the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, while the Pixel Fold utilizes Google’s Tensor G2 chip. All four devices exhibit fast and responsive performance, but the Pixel Fold lags behind in raw performance, being slightly slower and warmer during operation.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – its customized Qualcomm chip is slightly faster.
Software and apps
All four folding phones operate on Android, but their software approaches to managing multiple screens, multitasking, and advanced features differ.
The Pixel Fold receives Android updates first but has limited multitasking, accommodating only two apps on screen simultaneously without the ability to force app resizing.
The OnePlus Open employs OxygenOS, featuring a virtual “canvas” larger than the physical screen, allowing apps to stay full size and move into view when needed. The Honor Magic V2 boasts a powerful multitasking system, supporting multiple small windowed apps and a split-screen setup, although it is less intuitive.
Samsung’s OneUI stands out, resizing apps, supporting up to eight on-screen apps simultaneously, offering multiple layouts, and remembering them for future use. Samsung’s tools, such as Flex mode, enhance usability when the phone is partially open or closed, and Dex mode transforms the Z Fold 5 into an Android desktop computer when connected to a screen and keyboard.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 – features the most powerful and customizable software for the folding form.
Camera
Foldable phones, while not reaching the heights of the best cameraphones, exhibit varying degrees of photographic capabilities. The Honor Magic V2 offers the most restricted zoom, limited to 2.5x magnification. The Z Fold 5 features a 3x optical zoom and a reliable main camera. The OnePlus Open enhances the zoom further with a proficient 3x/6x capability and an excellent main camera. However, Google’s Pixel Fold, with its 5x optical zoom and superior camera, emerges as the winner, approaching the standards set by top-tier smartphones.
Price
Despite growing competition, foldable phones remain highly expensive. The Z Fold 5 and Pixel Fold are the most expensive, priced at £1,749 ($1,799.99), with the Open being slightly more affordable at £1,599 ($1,700). The expected cost of the Honor Magic V2 aligns with these figures. While trade-in options may provide some cost relief, none of these foldable devices can be considered budget-friendly.
Winner: OnePlus Open – it offers a slightly lower price point.
Even with substantial competition in the foldable phone-tablet market, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 emerges as the winner in four distinct categories, securing its top position.
Noteworthy alternatives exist for those seeking options beyond Samsung, with the OnePlus Open providing strong competition and winning in three categories. Google’s Pixel Fold excels in the crucial camera section, while Honor’s Magic V2 offers a preview of the evolving trends in devices for the year: thinner and less cumbersome.
