Flip phones used to be about style, then they became about nostalgia, and now? Honestly, they’re just becoming the better choice for a lot of people.
The motorola razr foldable smartphone has had a wild ride over the last few years. If you remember the 2019 reboot, it was... well, it was a mess. It was expensive, the screen felt like plastic wrap, and the battery barely lasted until lunch. But fast forward to 2026, and the landscape has shifted so much that Motorola is actually the one making Samsung look a bit stagnant.
Between the new "Razr Fold" book-style device that just dropped at CES 2026 and the reliable 2024 and 2025 clamshells, Moto has figured out something their competitors haven't: making the outer screen actually useful.
What most people get wrong about the Razr cover screen
Most people think the small screen on the front of a flip phone is just for checking the time or maybe seeing a notification from your mom. On a Galaxy Z Flip, that’s mostly true—you have to jump through hoops like "Good Lock" just to run a basic app.
Motorola took a different path.
On the 2025 Razr and the higher-end Razr Ultra, that 3.6-inch (or 4-inch on the Ultra) pOLED cover display is basically a tiny phone. You can open Spotify, reply to a WhatsApp message with a full keyboard, or even navigate on Google Maps without ever unfolding the device. It sounds like a small thing. It isn't. When you’re walking down a busy street, being able to check a map on a square screen that fits in the palm of your hand—without exposing a fragile 7-inch inner display—is a game changer.
There’s a common misconception that these screens are just "vibe" accessories. But if you look at the specs for the 2025 models, you're getting 1,700 to 3,000 nits of peak brightness on the outside. That is brighter than most flagship "slab" phones from three years ago.
The durability elephant in the room
Let’s talk about the "pop."
If you spend any time on Reddit, you've seen the horror stories. Someone closes their phone, hears a mechanical snap, and suddenly they have a $1,000 paperweight with a black line down the middle.
Is it still an issue? Kind of.
The 2026 models, including the new motorola razr foldable smartphone variants like the FIFA World Cup 26™ Edition, have moved to a titanium-reinforced hinge and an IP48 rating. This is a massive leap from the IPX8 of previous years. The "4" in IP48 means it finally has protection against solid particles (dust) larger than 1mm. Older foldables were basically vacuum cleaners for pocket lint, which is what usually killed the hinges.
Still, the internal screen is made of Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) covered by a permanent plastic protector. You cannot peel that protector off. If it bubbles—which often happens after about 12 months of heavy folding—you have to send it to Motorola.
Pro Tip: If you see a tiny bubble forming at the crease, don't press on it. That’s the beginning of the end for the adhesive, and localized pressure can actually crack the glass underneath.
The 2026 "Razr Fold" shift
For years, the Razr name only meant "flip phone." That changed this year. Motorola finally launched the Razr Fold, a book-style device that competes with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
It’s a beast.
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- External Display: 6.6-inch (feels like a normal phone).
- Internal Canvas: 8.1-inch 2K LTPO screen.
- The Hinge: It supports the Moto Pen Ultra, a stylus that actually gives the S-Pen a run for its money because it uses the USI standard.
What’s interesting here is that Motorola isn't just copying the "workhorse" vibe. They kept the vegan leather backs. They kept the bold Pantone colors like "Midnight Blue" and "Lily White." It feels less like a sterile piece of lab equipment and more like a high-end wallet or a piece of stationary.
The software update problem (and the 2026 fix)
Historically, buying a Motorola was a death sentence for software updates. You’d get maybe one or two years of Android OS jumps if you were lucky.
In a surprising pivot for 2026, Moto announced that their "Signature" line and the new Razr Fold will receive seven years of guaranteed updates. This finally matches Google and Samsung. However, if you are holding a 2024 Razr or the standard 2025 model, you’re still likely stuck on the "3 OS upgrades" plan. It’s a frustrating divide, and it means the resale value of the cheaper models drops way faster than the Ultra or Fold versions.
Why the "Cheaper" Razr is often the better buy
The standard 2025 Razr usually retails around $699, while the Ultra and Fold models climb into the $1,000–$1,500 range.
Here is the secret: the "cheap" one often has better battery life.
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The 2025 base model uses a MediaTek Dimensity 7400X. It’s not a world-beating gaming chip, but it is incredibly power-efficient. When you pair that with a 4,500mAh battery, it actually outlasts the "Ultra" model which uses a more power-hungry Snapdragon 8 Elite.
If you aren't playing Genshin Impact at 60fps, you probably won't notice the processor difference, but you will notice your phone still having 30% charge at 10 PM.
Real-world frustrations to watch out for
No phone is perfect, and foldables have specific "quirks" that reviewers often gloss over:
- The Aspect Ratio: The internal 6.9-inch screen is very tall and narrow (22:9). Watching 16:9 YouTube videos results in massive black bars on the sides.
- The "Hollow" Sound: Because the phone is two halves connected by a hinge, the speakers can sometimes sound a bit tinny compared to a solid iPhone or Pixel.
- Camera Lag: Even on the 2025 models, the camera app can "stutter" for a second when you first open it. It’s a software optimization issue that Moto still hasn't quite nailed.
- The Screen Protector Creak: After a few months, you might hear a faint "crunch" or "crackle" when opening the phone. Usually, it’s just the plastic screen protector slightly shifting against the frame. It’s annoying, but usually doesn't mean the screen is breaking.
Actionable insights for buyers
If you’re looking to pick up a motorola razr foldable smartphone, don't just walk into a store and pay full price.
Wait for the "Moto Sales." Motorola is aggressive with pricing. The Razr Plus/Ultra models almost always go on sale for $200–$300 off within three months of launch. By the time the next model is teased, you can often find the current gen for nearly half price.
Check the Hinge Before Buying Used. If you’re buying a used 2024 or 2025 model, open the phone slowly and hold it up to a light. Look for "micro-cracks" in the middle of the crease. They look like tiny spiderwebs under the surface. If you see them, walk away. That screen will fail within weeks.
Use the "Tent Mode" for Video Calls. One of the best features of the Razr is folding it halfway and sitting it on a table. The "Camcorder Mode" is great for nostalgia, but the real value is hands-free Zoom calls or using the main high-res cameras for a selfie while using the cover screen as a mirror.
The foldable market isn't a gimmick anymore. It’s just a different way of using a phone. Motorola has finally moved past the "cool factor" and started building tools that actually work for people who are tired of giant, unyielding glass bricks in their pockets.