Budget foldable smartphones are worth buying if you want the foldable experience at a lower cost and accept some trade-offs in performance, features, and durability. You still get the flexible screen design that can switch between a compact and large display, which is the main reason people choose foldables.
However, budget models often use mid-range processors, less advanced cameras, and displays with lower brightness or refresh rates compared to flagship foldables.
The best available budget foldable smartphones (with the highest overall score) are as follows:
- Motorola Razr 60 Ultra (16GB + 512GB) Overall score: 8.27 points
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 (12GB + 512GB) Overall score: 8.02 points
- Motorola Razr 50 Ultra (12GB + 512GB) Overall score: 8 points
Who should buy a budget foldable phone?
You should buy a budget foldable phone if you want the foldable experience without paying flagship prices and can accept some compromises in performance and features. These devices still give you the main appeal of a foldable — a screen that switches between compact and tablet-like formats — but they use mid-range processors, simpler camera setups, and displays with lower brightness or refresh rates compared to top models.
A budget foldable is a good choice if you mainly use your phone for browsing, social media, streaming, and light multitasking. You get the flexibility of a larger display for videos and multitasking while keeping a pocket-friendly size when folded. However, if you expect flagship-level gaming performance, advanced photography, or the best build materials, you should look at higher-end foldables instead.
