The Motorola Razr Plus and Razr are again in 2024 with tons of updates and thrilling options. The Chicago-based firm (owned by Lenovo) on Tuesday introduced new foldable telephones with new colours, finishes, upgraded cameras, bigger covers, Moto AI and Google Gemini. I received to see and use the brand new Motorola Razr Plus and Razr for about half-hour at a press occasion in Brooklyn, and what struck me was how a lot enjoyable is packed into these new flip telephones.
I really feel this was a very powerful a part of Motorola’s announcement: these Razrs are designed to strike a steadiness between trend, enjoyable and innovation. In a world of lifeless titanium, black and grey telephones, each Razr is available in a rainbow of coloration choices which can be as enjoyable to have a look at as they’re to carry. The massive information on that entrance is that the Razr Plus now is available in pink, a direct nod to the unique Razr V3 flip telephone from 2004, which was out there in pink — you recognize, the one Paris Hilton had !
However are fancy telephones sufficient to entice clients to buy their first foldable telephone? At a time when foldable telephones make up a tiny fraction of all telephones bought, Motorola appears to have hit the bottom operating by providing the premium Razr Plus for $1,000 and the extra reasonably priced Razr for $700, as the corporate did final yr. No different telephone maker has taken this method.
Based on analysis agency Counterpoint, Motorola shipped 1,473% extra Razrs within the first three months of 2024 than in the identical interval in 2023. One thing about Motorola’s technique is clearly working, even when it is beating a reasonably low base. So it is sensible for the corporate to construct on that momentum by releasing two new variations of the Razr on the similar value as final yr, with important upgrades.
It stays to be seen whether or not Motorola has discovered the right combination of leisure, trend and expertise to get folks to take the chance of shopping for a foldable telephone in 2024. However I am trying ahead to reviewing and testing each Razrs quickly.
Watch this: First Look: The 2024 Motorola Razr and Razr Plus include colourful upgrades
Motorola Razr and Razr Plus design
The Razr and Razr Plus share a whole lot of similarities. The telephones ditch the glass backs we have come to anticipate on different units and have the identical vegan leather-based backs we noticed final yr, however this time with totally different fake leather-based textures and even fake suede. Within the brief time I’ve had every telephone, they have been a pleasure to carry. Each Razrs really feel like they’re outfitted with a smooth and plush case that is constructed proper into the telephone. And the fake leather-based strip on the again of the two-tone, midnight blue Razr Plus actually caught my consideration.
Motorola promotes this fashionable look, however the design can be modern. Each telephones have a brand new hinge that’s 30% smaller than final yr’s fashions. The smaller hinge has fewer transferring components, which is nice for long-term sturdiness. A smaller hinge additionally means there are fewer locations for mud to get into. Apparently, final yr’s Razrs had a modest water-resistance score, however they had been the one foldable units to obtain a dust-resistance score.
The 2024 Razr and Razr Plus have an IPX8 water resistance score, which implies they’ll survive being submerged beneath water for half-hour – which places them on par with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip. “X” within the score signifies that there isn’t a official mud score this yr.
One other benefit of the smaller hinge is that creases within the display screen are decreased. Oh, it is nonetheless there, however a lot much less seen. I additionally observed that the telephone is simpler to open and shut than earlier fashions.
The inner display screen on each telephones is brighter (as much as 3,000 nits), which ought to be helpful whenever you’re out and about. Each the internal display screen and the duvet display screen of each telephones now characteristic Motorola’s new water contact expertise, which permits the telephone to answer faucets, touches and swipes, even when the telephone is used within the rain – identical to we noticed on the OnePlus 12.
Motorola’s new Razr and Razr Plus look merely attractive in vegan leather-based
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One space the place the variations between the 2 telephones begin to present is the refresh fee of the primary 6.9-inch show. The Razr Plus’ inner display screen has a refresh fee of as much as 165Hz, whereas the common Razr’s show can go as much as 120Hz, which continues to be spectacular. Within the half hour I used the telephones, it was exhausting to inform any noticeable adjustments in refresh fee from one telephone to the opposite. However I do know gamer buddies who might be pleased to get the additional 45Hz that the Razr Plus presents.
Maybe the largest change in each telephone is the display screen covers. The Razr Plus has a brand new 4-inch cowl display screen. It is the identical dimension because the Honor Magic V Flip case that was launched in China earlier this month.
The common Razr inherits the three.6-inch display screen of the 2023 Razr Plus. On the briefing I attended, it was exhausting to inform the distinction between the 2 telephones simply by the duvet, however one clue is that the common Razr has a tiny strip of vegan leather-based on the high of the duvet.
Cowl software program and interface up to date. It will possibly open any Android app and has improved software program panels which can be simpler to navigate, together with a brand new “all panels view” that you simply launch by pinching and swiping out.
Motorola Razr and Razr Plus cameras
Motorola Razr and Razr Plus in circumstances with straps. Each telephones have two exterior cameras constructed into the duvet display screen.
Each telephones have two exterior cameras constructed into the duvet display screen. I actually like the best way it appears, it’s totally efficient. The primary digicam on every telephone has a brand new, bigger 50-megapixel sensor with optical picture stabilization. The common Razr retains the identical 13-megapixel ultra-wide digicam from final yr.
However the Razr Plus replaces final yr’s ultra-wide digicam with a brand new 50-megapixel 2x telephoto digicam. Motorola instructed me that the explanation for the change was that the corporate discovered that its customers had been taking extra zoomed-in images than ultra-wide ones. Personally, I like each telephoto and ultra-wide lenses, and it will be exhausting for me to decide on one over the opposite. However I might in all probability lean in the direction of having a telephoto lens.
Motorola Razr and Razr Plus battery and processor
Rounding out every system, the Razr Plus is powered by a Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 chip and packs a 4,000mAh battery that helps 45W wired charging, 15W wi-fi charging, and 5W reverse wi-fi charging. Against this, the common Razr is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300x chip, packs a 4,200mAh battery, and helps 30W wired charging and 15W wi-fi charging. These numbers alone imply little; we’ll see how their battery performs in our checks.
Moto AI on the Razr Plus
The 4 totally different colours of the Motorola Razr Plus are (from left to proper) Spring Inexperienced, Midnight Blue, Scorching Pink, and Peach Fluff.
It would not be a telephone launch in 2024 with out a point out of synthetic intelligence. The Razr Plus is powered by Moto AI, which works each on-device and within the cloud, and presents digicam options comparable to improved portraits, autofocus in movies and lengthy publicity photographs. I am excited to check out the brand new Razr Plus cameras to see how and if the brand new {hardware}, Snapdragon chip, and Moto AI enhance.
There may also be options like Pay Consideration, the place the Razr Plus will file and transcribe a dialog on demand, and a characteristic known as Type Sync, which creates an unique wallpaper on your telephone that matches or enhances the garments you are carrying that merely appears amusing – that phrase once more.
The Razr Plus will include Google Gemini built-in and may be accessed by means of the duvet if wanted. You may additionally get three free months of Gemini Superior whenever you purchase the Razr Plus.
Moto AI is not going to seem in older fashions and is proscribed to the Razr Plus solely. Motorola says extra Moto AI options might be added within the coming months and years.
This can be a good time to say that each the Motorola Razr and Razr Plus run Android 14, and that the corporate is promising core software program help for the OS for 3 years and bimonthly safety updates for 4 years. That is an honest dedication from Motorola, however falls wanting Samsung’s 4 years of main Android software program updates and 5 years of safety updates for the Galaxy Z Flip 5.
Moto Tag gasped
Moto Tag is an ultra-broadband enabled bluetooth tracker that works with Android telephones, not simply Motorola units.
Maybe one of many strangest issues Motorola has introduced is the Moto Tag, which truly drew an audible gasp from a number of reporters throughout my briefing. It really works on the Google Discover My Machine community, helps ultra-broadband entry and is suitable with all Bluetooth-enabled Android telephones.
The Moto Tag may be discovered with any Android telephone that pairs with it, nevertheless it additionally has a built-in button that you simply press to search out your telephone. However the identical button can be utilized as a distant shutter button to take images – one other cool characteristic. The Moto Tag is available in two colours, inexperienced and blue, and might be out there within the US on August 2 for $30.
Motorola Razr and Razr Plus pricing and launch
Motorola Razr 2024 in Seaside Sand (left), Orange (proper) and Razr Plus in Midnight Blue.
The brand new Motorola Razr Plus might be out there for pre-order from T-Cellular, AT&T, the Motorola web site, Amazon and Finest Purchase on July 10 for $1,000. The common Motorola Razr is on the market for pre-order from T-Cellular additionally on July 10 for $700, and might be out there unlocked on July 24 at Amazon, Finest Purchase, and Motorola.
I’ve handy it to Motorola, the corporate positively made a splash by including and bettering the Razr and Razr Plus. I am trying ahead to testing every of them within the close to future to see how these new additions and options truly carry out and if Motorola can high final yr’s wonderful Motorola Razr Plus. However one thing tells me I will have a whole lot of enjoyable within the course of.