ZDNET’s key findings
- He Motorola Razr (2024) is now available for $699.
- It’s a revamped version of the entry-level Moto foldable launched last year, with an even larger cover display, better performance, and all-day battery life.
- The camera remains the device’s weakest point, and it will only get three major Android updates.
So, you’re in the market for a foldable phone. Whether it’s your first, second, or third, if you refuse to go back to “regular” phones that don’t fold and are looking to save some money, there’s no better foldable phone on the market today than the Motorola Razr.
Also: I had the chance to try out Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 and it’s basically a high-tech fidget spinner.
The latest version of Motorola’s foldable phone includes all sorts of improvements over last year’s model: a larger external display, faster performance, better water resistance, and higher brightness — all for the same $699 price. Are there any downsides? Sure, but anyone looking for a mid-range foldable phone shouldn’t look any further.
It all starts with the cover display, which has improved significantly from the previous generation. The screen has grown from 1.5 inches to 3.6 inches, the same size as the Razr Plus 2023’s outer display. This means you can run apps, play games, and use well-detailed widgets to quickly glance at important information.
Also: I had the chance to try out Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 and it’s basically a high-tech fidget spinner.
For context, none of these features were available on the old Razr. Sure, it had a few widgets and panels to look at on its tiny 1.5-inch display, but there’s no denying that it got cluttered pretty quickly. The new Razr avoids that problem with a much larger screen, and it’s the upgrade I’ve appreciated the most.
Speaking of which, the main display looks great, too. It shares many of the same specs as the old Razr’s screen, such as the size, P-OLED panel, and Full HD+ resolution. The refresh rate is slightly lower at 120Hz versus 144Hz, but the difference is negligible. What matters most is the increase in brightness; the new Razr can go up to 3,000 nits, making the display much easier to see in direct sunlight, especially through sunglasses.
Of course, the crease is still there, but Motorola has slimmed it down compared to the previous Razr. It doesn’t look as pronounced in person, but you can definitely see it. The hinge itself has also been improved with added strength, which is important for long-term use.
Also: The best Android phones you can buy: tested by experts
Motorola has also certified the Razr and Razr Plus to IPX8, meaning you can dunk either of them in five feet of water for up to 30 minutes. You might be wondering why there’s an “X” where you’d normally find a “5” or “6” in that rating, and that’s because Moto hasn’t tested for protection against dirt and dust. However, the company did tell me there’s a level of protection for small debris, so there’s that.
The design also includes some premium materials on the exterior. The Koala Gray version I have comes with a vegan suede material, while the Beach Sand and Spritz Orange (aka the best color) both have vegan leather. The suede on the gray model feels soft and grippy, and I haven’t noticed any excessive dirt buildup. Of course, over time, it’s unclear how well the material will hold up, but it seems to be performing well in my early testing.
Also: I tried Motorola’s new Razr Plus (2024) and it left the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip looking dated
Motorola’s Hello UX experience includes a few AI improvements, like a new Moto Assistant that can reference images, remember what someone said, and manage notifications. Sadly, it’s not available yet. Instead, the only “new” AI feature I was able to try out was Google Gemini, which is built into both the foldable and case displays. You can completely replace the Google Assistant with Gemini and use the same “Hey Google” command to ask questions or get directions.
I also really liked the Razr’s battery life. Motorola equipped it with a 4200mAh cell and it can deliver all-day battery life with 20-25 percent left in the tank after a full 16-hour day. It recharges at 30W, which I admit is slow by today’s standards, but it’s fine for an overnight charge. It also has 15W wireless charging, which is a nice convenience, but there’s no reverse wireless charging.
The biggest downside of the new Razr, however, is the camera. The 50MP f/1.7 main camera is very disappointing. Photos come out decent in bright daylight, but quickly fall apart in most other situations.
A sample of the 50MP main camera of the Motorola Razr (2024)
Max Buondonno/ZDNET
The 13MP ultra-wide camera is simply unreliable. Quality drops off wildly between the two sensors, with the ultra-wide failing to capture the same amount of light and detail as the main. Video quality on both feels choppy and over-processed, and portrait mode is just okay. I appreciate the fact that you can use the outer screen as a viewfinder for your subject, but with such disappointing cameras, it’s just a nice-to-have for the few times you take photos.
Also: Get our favorite foldable phone for $599, down from $1,100. Here’s how
Video quality is also disappointing, as are selfies taken with the 32MP front camera. Overall, unless you tend to apply a lot of filters to your photos, you’ll be disappointed.
I’m also not a fan of the software support Motorola has promised. It only guarantees three years of major Android updates and four years of security patches, while other manufacturers offer five to seven years of updates. Maybe you’ll use your phone for more than three years, maybe not, but it would be nice if Motorola gave you the option to use the phone for more than three years with updates.
One more side note: the Razr tends to get pretty warm under normal use. Maybe it’s just the extra summer heat or the fact that I was taking more photos than I normally would outside of a testing period, but I noticed that it gets hot pretty often and doesn’t cool down as quickly as other phones. My guess? It’s a matter of physics involving the specs, the battery, and the fact that this device is pretty thin.
ZDNET’s buying advice
He Motorola Razr (2024) This is a great entry-level phone for those curious about the flip-style form factor. While the camera isn’t the best, the rest of the Razr is incredibly solid, especially for the $699 price point. Sure, you’ll find more high-end flip phones on the market, but if you want to save some money (or perhaps buy it as a secondary phone), this is the one to buy.