Are foldable phones worth it in 2026? Our honest take
With the iPhone Duo, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 on sale, foldables are mainstream. Who should buy one, who shouldn't, and what they really cost in Australia today.
In this guide
For years our answer to "should I buy a foldable?" was "not yet". In 2026 it's changed to "maybe". Apple's arrival with the iPhone Duo, Samsung's three new Galaxy Z models and strong options from Google and Motorola mean foldables are now a normal choice, not an experiment. But they're still not for everyone.
What they cost today
The cheapest price at the Australian stores we check, this morning:
- 1
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip65 stores · cheapest at The Good Guysfrom$894 - 2
Motorola Razr 50 Ultra2 stores · cheapest at Harvey Normanfrom$999 - 3
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip75 stores · cheapest at Mobilecitifrom$1,449 - 4
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE4 stores · cheapest at digiDirectfrom$1,497 - 5
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold4 stores · cheapest at Harvey Normanfrom$1,897 - 6
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip87 stores · cheapest at Harvey Normanfrom$1,949 - 7
Motorola Razr 70 Ultra3 stores · cheapest at Harvey Normanfrom$1,999 - 8
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold63 stores · cheapest at digiDirectfrom$2,188.78 - 9
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold3 stores · cheapest at JB Hi-Fifrom$2,297 - 10
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold87 stores · cheapest at Harvey Normanfrom$2,699
For comparison, a Galaxy S26 is $1,147 and an iPhone 17 is $1,497. A flip phone costs about the same as a flagship; a book foldable costs much more.
Why we've changed our minds
- They're tough now. Early foldables were fragile. Today's flagships have water resistance and hinges built to last years of opening and closing.
- The creases are smaller. You still see it in some light, but you stop noticing it within a day.
- The outer screens are useful. Samsung's new Fold8 and Apple's Duo both have a normal-shaped outer screen, so you don't have to open the phone for everything.
- Apple's in. When Apple builds iOS around a foldable, app makers follow, and the whole category gets better apps.
Who should buy one
- Flip phones suit people who want a smaller phone in their pocket and a full-size screen in their hand. If you've ever wished phones were still small, try one.
- Book foldables suit people who read, work or watch video on the go, and who'd otherwise carry a tablet. If that's you, a Fold or the Duo can replace two devices.
Who shouldn't
- If the camera matters most. Most foldables have a weaker camera than a flagship at the same price. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is the exception.
- If you keep phones for four years or more. A folding screen is still the most expensive part of any phone to repair.
- If you're on a budget. The money spent on a fold buys a lot of flagship phone instead.
Our picks
- Best flip: Galaxy Z Flip8.
- Best book foldable: Galaxy Z Fold8.
- Best for iPhone users: iPhone Duo, if you can get it at RRP. Read our take on the iPhone Duo.
The full list, with every store's price, is in the best foldable phones in Australia.
