Here are the best budget foldable smartphones you can consider in the U.S. (short, practical picks with why they’re good and what to watch for):

Top budget picks (price ranges reflect typical US launch or street prices in 2024–2025)

• Motorola Razr (2025) — around $599–$699

  • Why buy: the best-value clamshell (flip) foldable — large, bright internal display, very usable outer cover screen, long battery life for a flip, and modern hinge build for the price. Excellent “budget foldable” pick if you want a compact flip with solid everyday performance. (tomsguide.com)
  • Watch for: midrange MediaTek chipset (good for daily use but not flagship-level benchmarks) and typically ~3 years of major OS updates. (androidcentral.com)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip (last-gen / discounted models — Flip5 / Flip6 on sale) — ~$599–$899 on deals

  • Why buy: compact, well-polished software (Flex Mode), strong ecosystem support; older Flip models (Flip5) frequently drop in price and become very competitive with Razr. Good balance of polish and value when on sale. (tomsguide.com)
  • Watch for: brand-new Flip flagship models often carry flagship prices; seek last-year’s model or carrier/promotional deals for “budget” pricing.

• TECNO Phantom V Flip (and other lesser-known brands’ flip models) — often ~$499–$699 depending on availability

  • Why buy: manufacturers such as TECNO offer lower-priced flip foldables with surprisingly good specs (large main OLED, solid charging). Good if you want the lowest price and are willing to accept a less-known brand and more limited US distribution/support. (SmartTechShopping.com)
  • Watch for: availability, warranty/service and cellular band support in the U.S.

Notes and buying tips

• Form factor matters: “flip” (clamshell) foldables (Razr, Galaxy Z Flip, TECNO) are cheaper than book-style foldables (Fold-type) which remain premium. If price is the priority, choose a flip-style foldable. (tomsguide.com)
• Performance vs. value: many budget foldables use midrange SoCs (MediaTek or Snapdragon 7-series). That’s fine for everyday tasks, multitasking and media, but heavy gaming or intensive photo editing will be slower than flagship foldables. (androidcentral.com)
• Software updates and support: budget foldables often come with shorter OS-update promises (e.g., ~3 years). If long-term updates matter, weigh that into your choice. (androidcentral.com)
• Deals matter: foldables drop into “budget” territory most often via sales, carrier promos, or buying last-year models. Check major retailers, carrier trade-in deals, and manufacturer promos. (LaptopMag.com)

Quick recommendation by use-case

• Want the best value and compact flip experience: Motorola Razr (2025). (androidcentral.com)
• Want the most polished tap-and-fold ecosystem and service options (if you can catch a sale): Samsung Galaxy Z Flip (previous model on sale). (SmartTechShopping.com)
• Want the absolute lowest price and are OK with limited US support: TECNO or other regional brands’ flip models. (SmartTechShopping.com)

If you want, I can:

• Check current US prices/warehouse stock and highlight the best deals right now (I’ll look across Amazon, Best Buy, Verizon, and carrier promos), or
• Compare any two specific models you’re considering (battery, cameras, software updates, U.S. carrier compatibility).