2023 is finally the year that Samsung faces true competition in the foldable segment thanks to Oppo's Find N2 Flip, Google's Pixel Fold, and Motorola's brand new Razr 40 +/Ultra which packs in the biggest external display seen on a clamshell foldable. Bursting on to the market with a $999/£1,049, the Razr+/40 Ultra could be the the alternative to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series that you've been waiting for, especially in the US. Also launched today is the vanilla Razr 40 which offers a trimmed down hardware list but comes in at just £799.
Razr+/40 Ultra
Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, the Razr+ (as it will be called for the duration of this article) also packs in 8/12GB of LPPDR5 RAM and 256/512GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
The 3.6-inch pOLED 10-bit display features 1066 x 1056 resolution and supports HDR10+, and boasts an impressive 144Hz refresh rate plus 360Hz touch sampling rate. In layman's terms, it's going to be a slick experience. Plus, with a 1100 nits peak brightness, it should be perfectly usable outdoors.
The cover screen specifications are great, but its what you can do with it that makes it the standout feature when compared to its rivals. Besides being able to be used as a viewfinder for selfies and videos, the external display has the following features at launch:
- Panels: Custom panels allow users to prioritise what matters most. Swipe left or right to easily access games, Google News, weather, contacts, Spotify, and view notifications at a glance. Plus, an Apps panel gives you access to almost any app, like Google Maps or Google Wallet, right from the external display.
- Customisation: Users can choose from an assortment of colourful live wallpaper designs and a range of Moto clock styles. The panels on the Home screen can also be dragged and dropped so they’re arranged to fit the needs of every unique razr user.
- Game: Choose from a number of highly engaging games from Motorola and GameSnacks that work perfectly on the external display. Play through mysterious lands in Golf Adventures, help a feline friend escape to freedom in Tiger Run, or have fun playing Marble Mayhem.
- Dedicated Spotify Panel: Spotify users can control playback from the device’s external display. Without unfolding the device, users can tap to continue listening where they left off or start playing something brand new. Or if they are not feeling the current mood – users can tap to switch to a new personalised recommendation.
And, when you use an app in either display, once you unfold or close the phone the app will switch to the appropriate screen being used.
With a 165Hz refresh rate and 360Hz touch sampling, the 6.9-inch pOLED internal display with LTPO technology also sports FHD+ resolution (2640 x 1080), and has a 1400 nit peak brightness. We've got the phone in for review and we can tell you that the crease is much, much improved on what you might experience with the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Both displays are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus.
The rear cameras are housed in a pair of cutouts on the cover screen, and consist of a 12MP main sensor with OIS and a f/1.5 aperture plus a 13MP sensor that takes care of both macro and ultra-wide functions.
With the external display, users are still able to access the main camera for selfies, or use the external display to preview the content. . Users can also flip open the razr 40 ultra and use the 32MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls, or keep their hands free by folding the phone into the ideal view for the perfect selfie. Rounding out the cameras is a 13MP ultrawide + macro vision lens that allows for wide angle shots that fit 3X more into the frame than a standard lens.
Keeping the lights on is a 3,800mAh battert which, at first glance, appears a little light when compared to the Oppo Find N2 Flip. It does support 30W TurboPower charging although that isn't included in the box for US buyers. 5W wireless charging is also present, which could be convenient for those users with easy access to wireless chargers.
Just in case you were wondering, it is Motorola after all, NFC connectivity is present, as is a physical nano-SIM tray and eSIM support.
The Razr+ launches running Android 13 out of the box plus Motorola software features such as Moto Secure, ThinkShield, and Moto KeySafe. In terms of protection from the elements, the Razr+ is rated at IP52.
So, besides the frankly stunning Glacier Blue, the Razr+ is also available in Infinite Black and the eye-catching Viva Magenta colorways.
In the US, the Razr+ will go on sale on June 22nd for $999, while in the UK the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra will be on sale across Europe with a starting MSRP of £1,049.99 as of today. For consumers in the UK, the Razr 40 Ultra can be purchased at Amazon, Carphone Warehouse, Currys, EE, John Lewis and Vodaphone.
What do you think of Motorola's Razr+/40 Ultra?
Razr 40
It may not sport the same huge cover display but the Razr 40 at £799 still offers a lot, especially when you consider the price.
Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset, the Razr 40 offers what Motorola call the “essential experience”. The internal display is the same as on its more expensive sibling other than making do with a 144Hz refresh rate while its 60Hz cover display is more reminiscent of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 due to its 194 x 368 resolution.
There's a 16/64MP (region dependant) main rear camera with OIS which is accompanied by a 13MP sensor which takes care of macro and ultrawide duties. The front-facing camera is also a 32MP sensor.
Where the Razr 40 improves up its sibling is in the battery department thanks to its 4,200mAh capacity. 33W fast charging is supposrted, as is 5W wireless charging.
The Razr 40 is also rated at IP52 protection, and comes in Sage Green, Vanilla Cream, and Summer Lilac colorways.
The motorola razr 40 will be on sale across Europe with a starting MSRP of £799.99 in the coming weeks. For consumers in the UK, the razr 40 can be purchased at Amazon, Carphone Warehouse, Currys, EE, John Lewis and Three and O2.
We'll update the article when US pricing and availability are revealed for the Razr 40.
