GBM Insights

• Motorola unveils the Razr Plus, also known as the Razr 40 Ultra internationally, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage.
• The smartphone boasts a 12-megapixel f/1.5 stabilized main camera, 5W wireless charging, and a 3.6-inch OLED external display with a 144Hz refresh rate, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus.
• The phone is set to release on June 23^rd

Don’t Count Motorola Out Just Yet

Foldable phones are already the next best thing. Whether you are a fan of foldable phones or not, you cannot help but admire the level of technology that goes into making these phones. What initially started out as a fad painted quite a different picture. Foldable phones are here to stay, and just like how every flagship phone gets a new makeover year after year, the technology that goes into foldable phones has also been steadily becoming better, but not quite the pace at which regular flagship phones are improving. At least until now.

Motorola just announced its newest addition to the foldable phone segment, the Motorola Razr and Razr Plus. The company has recently unveiled its latest offerings, the Razr Plus and Razr (2023), with the former boasting an expansive cover screen that occupies the majority of the device’s front surface. The Razr Plus is scheduled to be released on June 23rd at a price of £1,000, with pre-orders beginning on June 16th. On the other hand, the standard Razr (2023) is set to launch later this year at an undisclosed cost, which is noteworthy considering that most foldable phones have been priced at or above £1,000. In European and select markets, these phones are marketed as the Razr 40 Ultra and Razr 40, respectively, with the Razr 40 Ultra available for immediate purchase in Europe for €1,200.

While most of the internal specifications of the Razr Plus phone are not quite flagship level, it still has some very impressive specs. The Razr Plus (known as the Razr 40 Ultra internationally) features the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, a flagship Qualcomm chip from the previous year, along with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a 12-megapixel f/1.5 stabilized primary camera, and 5W wireless charging. Its external display boasts a 3.6-inch OLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. On the inside, the OLED unfolds into a 6.9-inch 1080p panel, offering a smooth 165Hz refresh rate.

Because Two Screens Are Better Than One

The New Motorola Razr Plus with its secondary 3.6” display. Picture Courtesy: CNET

The Razr Plus, unlike the other vertical folding phones has a 3.6” display which is definitely the highlight of the phone. The screen, unlike the previous generations folding phones, or even unlike the regular Motorola Razr, actually serves a lot of functions. Firstly, it is completely customisable, which means, that it can display exactly what you want it to display. Motorola has launched something called panels, which are basically different widgets that take up more less the entire length of the 3.6” screen.

As compared to other vertical foldable phones, the Motorola Razr’s 3.6” display gives it a massive advantage.

The Razr 2023 (Left) and Razr Plus 2023 (Right)

Apart from just acting as a notification screen, the Razr Plus’s extra screen space allows users to use the phone without ever happening to open it up. Most apps are designed in such a way that you can enjoy the same features and viewing experience on the smaller screen. From replying to texts, to changing songs on your Spotify account; that’s right, Motorola and Spotify teamed up to ensure the Spotify Panel works just as well when the phone is folded; to even playing games, the Motorola Razr can seem to do it all.

Another really interesting feature about the Razr Plus is the continuity factor. You can tell that Motorola put a lot of thought into it while designing the phone. The continuity factor basically means that an app that is active on the main screen will resume from the exact same place when the screen is closed. So for example, if you are in the middle of texting someone but the full sized phone feels too bulky, you can close the screen only to have your conversation be at the exact same spot on the smaller primary display. With a full sized keypad too, you can immediately start texting but this goes for every app on the PlayStore too. You can continue binge watching your TikTok or Instagram Reels without the need to open your phone at all. And while this is an added advantage, it can become mildly annoying to customers who are trying to reduce their screen time.

One thing that does remain from the previous generation is the phone’s ability to act like an old school camcorder. The screen can be turned at an angle to small camcorder when folded halfway and held sideways. Additionally, its outer screen can be used as a preview screen for capturing photos. This feature allows the subject to see themselves as the picture is taken, ensuring that everyone is satisfied with the result.

Picture credits: MKBHD

Motorola states that the device is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on both the front and back surfaces, boasting an IP52 durability rating that renders it water repellent within specific parameters according to the International Electrotechnical Commission. While other flagship phones usually boast a higher IP67 rating, the Galaxy Z Flip 4, the main competitor to the Razr Plus, holds an IPX8 rating, allowing for submersion in water but lacking dust resistance. The new Razr also features a seamless hinge design that enables complete closure, reminiscent of the Google Pixel Fold.

Razr vs Razr Plus

Comparing the regular Razr to the Razr Plus, there are notable distinctions. The cover screen of the regular Razr measures 1.5 inches, significantly smaller than the Plus’ 3.6 inches. It operates on the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, tailored to bring premium features to more affordable devices. Additionally, the regular Razr boasts a 64-megapixel main camera, whereas the Razr Plus offers a 12-megapixel main shooter, although Motorola claims the Plus performs better in low-light conditions due to its aperture. Other camera features include a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 32-megapixel selfie camera.

Both Razr models support 30-watt wired charging and 5W wireless charging, with the regular Razr housing a larger 4,200-mAh battery compared to the 3,800-mAh battery in the Razr Plus. Furthermore, both Razrs come with a three-year guarantee of operating system upgrades, aligning with Google’s offering but falling short of Samsung’s four-generation promise.

Ultimately, the regular Razr sets itself apart with its sub-$1,000 price point. Motorola seems to follow a trend observed in other midrange phones, prioritizing camera and battery size in its more affordable device while making concessions in areas traditionally aimed at productivity and gaming, such as the screen and processor.

Conclusion

While both phones are interesting and amazing in their own way, the Razr Plus has been the centre of attention. It will be interesting to see how this will affect the future of foldable smartphones, because if its one thing competitors dislike in an overly saturated market is the being one upped.  And while the new Razr Plus might not be the best or even most powerful phone to come out this year, it is definitely one of the most unique ones.