Top Flip Phone Brands: A Modern-Day Nostalgia Trip!

In today's rapidly evolving world of smartphones, the classic flip phone is making a noteworthy comeback. Known for their simplicity, durability, and practicality, these devices appeal to those seeking a reprieve from the constant connectivity of modern smartphones. Brands like Samsung, with its Galaxy Z series, Motorola with its iconic Razr, and the timeless Nokia are leading the way, blending nostalgia with state-of-the-art technology. For a comprehensive look at the best flip phones available on the market, continue reading below.

Illustration of flip phone

Best brands of flip phone in 2025

Samsung

Samsung remains a dominant force in the foldable smartphone market, having maintained a significant market share despite increasing competition. As of 2024, Samsung still holds around 50% of the foldable phone market, although this is a decline from its 80% share in 2022. The company has shipped 12.5 million foldable units, leading the market with its Galaxy Z series, including the recent Galaxy Z Fold5. Global shipments of foldable smartphones are expected to reach 17.8 million units in 2024, with Samsung's innovations driving this growth. Despite challenges, Samsung's brand loyalty and technological advancements continue to attract consumers to its foldable devices. You can read more about Samsung's position in the foldable phone market.

Nokia

Nokia, once the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer, regained its dominance in the early 2000s by recovering to a 35% global market share by 2006, after a dip in 2004. This resurgence was partly due to its successful strategy in the low-end segment, particularly with the 1100 series, and its strong brand presence in emerging markets. In 2002, Nokia achieved its highest ever market share of 35.8%, selling over 151 million units. The company's ability to adapt and introduce feature-packed folding models helped it maintain a significant market presence. Nokia's highest market share in a single quarter was 36.9% in the fourth quarter of 2001. For further insights about Nokia's market share resurgence, follow this link.

Motorola

Motorola has emerged as a significant player in the foldable smartphone market, particularly with its Razr series. In 2024, Motorola captured the highest foldable market share in both North America and Latin America, with the LATAM foldable market surging 458% year-over-year driven by the strong performance of the Razr 40 Series. Motorola's Razr 40 and Razr 40 Ultra models are priced competitively between CNY 3,999 to 5,699, helping the company to exceed 1 million units in sales and achieve a 6% market share. This success is attributed to Motorola's diverse regional coverage and attractive device subsidies. The company's foldable phones have seen triple-digit year-over-year growth in global shipments in Q2 2024. For more in-depth statistics and insights, visit the complete foldable phones statistics.

LG

LG, although not currently a leading brand in the foldable smartphone market, has a significant history in the mobile phone industry. However, the current landscape of foldable phones is dominated by Samsung and Huawei, with Samsung holding a 60.4% market share in 2024 and Huawei at 19.8%. LG's market presence in recent years has been more notable in other segments, such as traditional smartphones, where they held a 3.3% market share in 2012 and 3.8% in 2013. For flip phones, the market is largely driven by Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series, which has a significant market share, particularly with the Z Flip 5 holding a 22% share by the end of 2023. For more details on their offerings, visit LG's mobile phone website.

Alcatel

Alcatel is a notable producer of flip phones, offering models like the Alcatel GO FLIP 3, which combines modern features with the classic flip design. This phone includes a 2.8-inch internal display, a 1.44-inch external display, and is powered by a quad-core processor with up to 32GB of expandable memory. It also features Google Assistant, VoLTE call quality, and Wi-Fi Calling, making it a versatile and accessible option. In terms of market presence, Alcatel has sold significant numbers of mobile phones, though their market share has varied over the years, such as 2,631,000 units in 2015 and 6,967,000 units in 2016. The Alcatel GO FLIP 3 is particularly praised for its accessibility features, including large tactile keys and hearing aid compatibility.

Kyocera

Kyocera, though no longer in the consumer smartphone market as of May 2023, has a notable history in producing rugged and durable mobile devices, including flip phones. The company, which started in the mobile phone industry in 1991, has launched over 100 waterproof and rugged mobile devices globally. Kyocera's DuraXV Extreme, for instance, is a 'washable' flip phone that can be cleaned with mild dish cleaner and disinfected with alcohol. Despite exiting the consumer market, Kyocera continues to sell its rugged devices to business customers. Their cumulative global shipments of rugged handsets exceeded 10 million units as of March 2023. For more information, visit their official website.

CAT

There is no data or information available in the provided sources that suggests CAT is a producer of flip phones or foldable smartphones. The dominant players in the foldable smartphone market are Samsung and Huawei, with Samsung leading the market and Huawei gaining ground. In 2023, Samsung shipped over 12.5 million units of foldable smartphones, holding a market share of around 66.4%. For more insights on the foldable phone market, visit Coolest Gadgets.

Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson was a notable player in the mobile phone market, particularly known for its innovative flip phones and other mobile devices. In 2002, Sony Ericsson held a 5.5% market share, selling 23.1129 million units, and by 2007, this figure increased to 8.8% with 101.3584 million units sold. Their products were popular for their design and functionality, contributing to the brand's significant presence in the early 2000s mobile market. However, the brand's market share and sales declined over the years as the market shifted towards smartphones. Despite this, Sony Ericsson remains remembered for its contributions to the evolution of mobile phones. For more insights into the era's popular devices, check this list of best-selling mobile phones.

TCL

TCL, although not a leading brand in the foldable smartphone market, has been a significant player in the broader mobile phone industry. In 2012, TCL Communication held a 2.1% market share, selling 37.1766 million units, and by 2014, this number increased to 64.026 million units with a 3.4% market share. However, in the foldable smartphone segment, TCL is not among the top producers. The dominant players in the foldable market are Samsung, Huawei, and to a lesser extent, Oppo and Xiaomi. As of 2023, Samsung led the foldable smartphone market with a 66.4% share, followed by Huawei with 11.9%. For more details on TCL's mobile offerings, visit their official website.

Razr

The Motorola Razr brand has established itself as one of the top producers of flip phones, particularly with the success of models like the Razr 40 Ultra and the latest Razr 50 Ultra. These devices have made significant impacts in the market, with the Razr 40 Ultra expected to surpass 1 million unit sales and secure a 6% market share. The Razr 50 Ultra builds on this success, featuring a larger 4.0-inch external display and improved software, making it a strong competitor to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series. Despite challenges in the foldable phone market, Motorola's innovations have helped the brand maintain a notable presence, especially with the Razr 50 Ultra available in various colors and priced at $1,699. This model is praised for its design, functionality, and user-friendly software. For more insights on the Razr 50 Ultra, check out this detailed review.