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When Motorola relaunched its legendary Razr line as a foldable phone in 2019, it felt like a very natural evolution. Unfortunately, it hasn’t gotten a ton of updates since, with the exception of his 5G version, which got a gradual upgrade in 2020, and a China-only version late last year. But today things have changed as Motorola announced not just one of his but two new members of the Razr family, the Razr and Razr+. And after getting the chance to check them both out, it felt like each had some interesting features not found in competing devices.
In terms of general design, both Razr and Razr+ share the same chassis and internal flexible display. The main difference is that the Razr+ has a 3.6 inch 144Hz pOLED screen on the front. Motorola claims it’s the largest foldable display currently available, but the standard Razr’s external panel is a much smaller 1.5 inches. The Razr+ also boasts faster performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip. This allows the phone to achieve a 165Hz refresh rate on the main screen, while the Razr uses a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip that can only support 144Hz. Both have 30 watts of wired charging and wireless Qi charging, though the latter is limited to a slow 5 watts.
Both have side-mounted fingerprint sensors, 8GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of storage (256GB on the Razr+). It has the same 32-megapixel hole-punch selfie camera under the hood, while the Razr+ has a 12-megapixel main rear camera and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide/macro setup, but with the usual Razr’s sensor. are 64 megapixels and 8 megapixels. respectively – MP. And while both Razrs are reasonably water resistant for everyday durability, the IP52 rating isn’t great for protecting against anything more than light splashes and light rain.
That aside, let’s focus on Razr+ here. Because Razr+ is more interesting. Unlike the previous folding Razrs of 2019 and 2020, the new model doesn’t have the line’s iconic chin, which is a little sad. But in return, compared to rivals such as Samsung’s Z Flip 4, the screen is much larger and easier to use. Also better is how the display wraps around the phone’s two main cameras.
Photo Credit: Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Additionally, Motorola has optimized the exterior display so you can access your most important apps, notifications, and more without feeling cramped. Heh, there are also some simpler games specifically tailored for outdoor display. This means you can see maps, reply to text messages, and check your calendar without even opening your phone. This gives you some of the adaptability of larger folding devices like the Z Fold 4 in a more compact device.
Then open the Razr+ to reveal a beautiful 6.9-inch flexible OLED display with excellent brightness (up to 1,100 nits). Technically speaking, if you run your finger over the center of the screen, you can feel the crease, but it’s barely detectable visually. This is a really nice achievement, and when you combine that with a chassis that folds completely flat and measures just 15.1mm when closed, it’s a testament to the many subtle design nuances Moto did to get here. Makes adjustments really understandable. The front and back have Gorilla Glass Victus for extra durability (except for the Viva Magenta model, which has a vegan leather material on the back).
Gallery: Hands-on Photos of the 2023 Moto Razr and Razr+ | 11 photos
Gallery: Hands-on Photos of the 2023 Moto Razr and Razr+ | 11 photos
In many ways, the Razr+’s body feels like a sleeker, more functional version of the Z Flip 4’s template. The outer screen is large and easy to use, and the inner flexible display has no distracting grooves or wrinkles. The Moto also came with a slightly larger 3,800 mAh battery. This is great because the lifespan of a flip style foldable phone has never been better. The Moto was also able to incorporate some nifty camera modes, thanks to a new hinge that holds it in place when half-opened, so you can hold your phone like an old-school camcorder and You can use the outer screen to preview your subject. Take a shot or raise your hand to trigger the new Photobooth mode.
As for the standard Razr, the advantage of the smaller outer screen is a slightly larger 4,200 mAh battery, as well as leaving room for a larger sensor in the main camera. There’s no Gorilla Glass Victus on the exterior, but vegan leather underneath seems like a great choice for both style and durability.
Photo Credit: Sam Rutherford/Engadget
But what I love about the 2023 Razr family is that by extending the line to two devices, it feels like Motorola is making foldable phones more approachable. The $1,000 Razr+ nearly bridges the gap between modern foldable phones and larger foldable devices, making it ideal for those looking for a compact device that doesn’t sacrifice too much in terms of usability. could be.
My only concern at the moment is moto timing. The Razr+ is currently available for pre-order starting June 16th, ahead of his June 23rd official launch. That’s usually around the time Samsung launches new foldable products in late summer. That means the Razr+ could only be on the market for a month or two before a new opponent (likely with faster silicon) emerges.
Photo Credit: Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Meanwhile, for those interested in foldable phones, there’s the standard Razr. Admittedly, the chip on board is slow, and its outer screen serves no purpose beyond checking notifications. One problem is that, at least for now, there’s no official information about an expected price or release date. But Motorola executives say it’s “significantly” cheaper than the Razr+, and could be a great entry-level foldable device, especially if Moto can drop the price below about $750.
But if you’re like me and waited for more foldable phones to hit stores between Moto’s two new Razrs and Google’s upcoming Pixel Fold, then this summer is really early. It’s getting even more exciting.