Samsung finally sees serious competition in the foldable phone world.
Foldable phones have seen continuous improvements and refinements over the years, and the newly launched OnePlus Open definitely makes that apparent. Still, it is not the only option out there, and the already dependable Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 has shown itself to be quite capable in our tests. So, which phone wins the title of best foldable? Let’s break it down and find out.
The OnePlus Open launched on October 19, 2023, and is available for preorder from OnePlus, Amazon, and Best Buy. There is only one model available with 512GB of storage. Color options include Emerald Dusk and Voyager Black. It retails for $1700. If you preorder directly from OnePlus before October 26, you can get $200 off and up to $1000 off with an eligible trade-in. Additionally, you’ll receive a pair of OnePlus Buds Pro 2 earbuds. After October 26, you can receive up to $200 off with any trade-in, and certain eligible trade-ins may net you up to $1000 off.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is available from Samsung, Bets Buy, Amazon, and mobile providers. It starts at $1800 for the 256GB model, $1920 for the 512GB model, and $2,009 for the 1TB model. Color options include Cream, Phantom Black, and Icy Blue from every retailer, while you can only buy Blue and Gray from Samsung. With an eligible trade-in and offers, you can get $1030 off as well.
At first glance, both of these foldable phones have the same overall form, but they differ in many nuanced ways where it counts.
The OnePlus Open actually differs in a few ways from itself, depending on which model you buy. The Voyager Black (vegan leather back panel version) comes in at 239g while the Emerald Dusk (matte frosted glass version) is 245g. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the same across its configurations and weighs 253g.
The Galaxy Fold 5 is 0.53-inches (13.5mm) thick when closed, which is rather bulky. It’s IPX8 rated, and overall, we found it to be a sturdy, well-built device. In comparison, the OnePlus Open is 0.
