Motorola keeps churning out phones across all price brackets, from flagships in the Edge series to clamshell foldables in the Razr lineup. But barely any have managed to stand out against established rivals like Samsung.
Contents
- The most complete foldable design
- A secondary screen that’s actually useful
- These specs mean business
- Clean software, longer update policy
- The Razr Ultra is checking all the right boxes
In 2023, that just might change with the upcoming Razr 40 Ultra/Razr Ultra, a flip folding phone that looks astonishingly good, functionally ahead of the competition, and with impressive hardware inside. This phone looks like Motorola finally decided to go all out and give the best foldable that it can.
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In the past few days, everything from detailed specifications and renders to full-fledged marketing videos has been dumped online. And from what I’ve seen so far, I am not inclined to own any other phone than the Razr 40 Ultra this year. Here are some of the reasons that I am hopeful for it.
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The most complete foldable design
Foldable phones and fragility go hand in hand. Leaked materials (via @evleaks) suggest the Razr Ultra will come with a respectable (by foldable standards) IP52 rating. More importantly, Motorola has solved at least one crucial engineering challenge here, and that’s the gap between the two halves of the screen when the phone is folded.
So far, every clamshell foldable phone out there has a wedge, leaving the doors open for liquid and dust particles to creep in. Not many moons ago, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold phones had a problem with solid particles getting underneath the foldable screen, leading to expensive damage.
Recently, smartphone makers have adopted a new mechanism where the screen forms a droplet shape when the phone is shut closed, while the hinge parts adjust on either side. This allows both halves of the side frame to shut closed, while a larger curvature allows the foldable panel to evade crease-related damage.
In the leaked renders above, you can clearly see the screen forming a droplet outline in the hinge area. Google adopted a similar trick for the Pixel Fold and says it has laminated the hinge parts underneath so that water droplets entering the frame simply flow out without causing any damage.
Plus, it appears that Motorola will be offering plenty of design choices to buyers. The black trim appears to rock a beautiful sandstone crystal finish reminiscent of OnePlus phones, while the peppy magenta shade has a leather texture to it.
A secondary screen that’s actually useful
Over the years, Samsung has increased the size of the secondary screen on its clamshell foldables, and Oppo and Motorola have followed suit, too. But this time around, Motorola is turning the entire upper half into a display that even surrounded the camera lenses.
It definitely looks good, and leaked marketing videos suggest you can actually run apps in all their functional glory. From streaming videos and playing games to being able to send messages with a full-fledged QWERTY keyboard — and even running Google apps — this secondary display on the Razr 40 Ultra means business.
Of course, you can park it at 90 degrees and use it as a camcorder or simply deploy it as a viewfinder to capture high-resolution selfies and videos using the rear cameras. You can even place app shortcuts, interact with notification banners, and make payments using the wallet app without having to flip open the phone.
This is the most functionally rewarding implementation of the secondary screen that I’ve seen on a foldable phone in this segment, and I can’t wait to push it to its limits.
These specs mean business
As per Winfuture, the Motorola Razr Ultra will come armed with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. It’s not the latest chip out there, but the performance gulf between this one and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 isn’t really anything to worry about. Nothing is following in the same footsteps with the Nothing Phone 2, so there’s that precedent, as well.
The inner foldable panel is a 6.9-inch (2400 x 1080 pixels) OLED screen with an extremely high 165Hz refresh rate, the highest we’ve ever seen on a foldable screen so far. Over at the back is a 3.6-inch (1056 x 1066 pixels) display with a similarly high refresh rate and adequate pixel density.
Motorola has reportedly paired the Qualcomm chip inside with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of onboard storage, and a dual-SIM connectivity kit. The selfie camera is said to be a hefty 32-megapixel unit, while the rear face offers a 12MP optically stabilized primary camera and a 13MP sensor for ultrawide photography.
Battery capacity is reportedly 3,800mAh, which is not the biggest out there, but at least there’s support for 33W charging to juice it up quickly. 5G support is part of the package, and so is the convenience of wireless charging. Overall, the Razr 40 Ultra looks like a foldable that looks great and can also deliver the raw firepower of a modern top-tier phone. And that’s no small feat.
Clean software, longer update policy
Not too long ago, I was apprehensive about suggesting a Motorola phone because the best that the company could do was promise two OS upgrades — and that was for high-end smartphones. For comparison, Samsung and OnePlus are promising four generations of Android updates and security updates for five years.
But things have improved over the past few quarters. This year, Motorola has assured three years of Android OS upgrades and security updates for four years for its Motorola Edge Plus (2023) flagship. Given the Razr 40 Ultra’s status as a premium phone, Motorola will most likely give it the same treatment – or even better – at software updates.
Another advantage in Motorola’s favor is the brand’s love for a near-stock Android experience that is as close to the Google Pixel phones as it gets, saved for some Pixel-exclusive tricks. Bloatware is an issue that plagues phones by Samsung and other Chinese brands, but Motorola’s track record has been quite clean in this department.
The Razr Ultra is checking all the right boxes
With a larger secondary screen that can run apps in full form and clean software to boot, Motorola already appears to have won the race for Android enthusiasts, including me. Pair that with the most stunning foldable phone hardware we have seen to date and solid internals, and my eyes are fixated on Motorola more than ever.
I’m hoping that the Razr 40 Ultra doesn’t jump into the ultra-luxe price tier, where the price tag becomes a deterrent for even diehard enthusiasts. According to WinFuture, we are looking at a price between $1,250 and $1,300, which isn’t too shabby by market standards.
If Motorola can really deliver on everything we’re seeing here at that price, it’s already got me as an excited customer.
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FAQs
What phones is Motorola releasing in 2023? ›
- Motorola Edge 40 Pro.
- Motorola Edge 40.
- Motorola Razr 40 Ultra.
- Moto G53.
- Moto G53s.
- Moto G23.
Motorola announced the original Razr flip phone back in 2019, with the folding device quickly followed by a 5G version in 2020. We then didn't see the third generation until October 2022, though, it did see a China release in August 2022 so we knew about it before it became more widely available.
What is the SAR rating for Motorola RAZR 5G? ›| Regulatory Approval | |
|---|---|
| Date approved: | Mar 08, 2021 |
| FCC ID value: | IHDT56ZB2 |
| Measured SAR: | |
| Head: | 0.38 W/kg |
The company has launched its two new foldable flip phones - the Razr 40 and 40 Ultra (also called the Razr +) - at aggressive price points, alongside a new trade-in policy to battle the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Which Android phone is best in 2023? ›- Google Pixel 7. Best Software Experience. ...
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Best for Artists and Photographers. ...
- Samsung Galaxy S23+ Best Android Flagship for Most People. ...
- Google Pixel 7 Pro. Best High-End Pixel Phone. ...
- Google Pixel 6a. Best Affordable Pixel Phone. ...
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. ...
- OnePlus 11 5G. ...
- OnePlus Nord N300.
The Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 will be Samsung's "regular" flagships for the first half of 2024, which will take the reins from the Galaxy S23 series as the main heavy-hitters in the giant's portfolio.
What is the most popular phone in the world? ›The latest statistics on the smartphone market share worldwide show that as of April 2023, US phone maker Apple leads the pack, with a market share of 30.44%. This means that more than three in 10 smartphone users worldwide use an Apple phone. Second on the list of the most popular smartphone manufacturers is Samsung.
Are Motorola phones being discontinued? ›The storied Motorola name will be wiped off phones this year. Lenovo, which bought Motorola Mobility from Google in 2014, is unifying its two phone businesses under the Lenovo name. It's going to use Motorola's Moto brand for high-end products and its homegrown Vibe brand for budget devices.
Will there be another Motorola Razr? ›The initial Motorola Razr was announced in November 2019, the second-gen Razr 5G followed up fairly quickly in September 2020 and then we saw the third-gen Razr (2022) launch in August 2022 – in China, anyway.
Which phones have high SAR value? ›- Motorola Droid Maxx and Motorola Droid Ultra at 1.54.
- Huawei Honor 8 at 1.5.
- Alcatel One Touch Evolve and Huawei Vitria at 1.49.
- Kyocera Hyrdro XTRM at 1.44.
- Huawei P9 at 1.43.
- Nokia Lumia 925 and Nokia Lumia 928 at 1.4.
- Apple iPhone 7 at 1.38.
- Apple iPhone 7 Plus at 1.24.
What is the safest SAR value for phones? ›
SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) for Mobile Phones
DoT has approved the permissible SAR value limits for Mobile Phones to 1.6 W/Kg measured over 1 gm tissue.
Motorola products are very secure. Motorola phones are only discoverable by another device when first turned on or when the user makes them discoverable. Even then, Motorola phones only remain discoverable for 60 seconds, severely limiting the time for an intruder to gain access.
What year was the Motorola Razr popular? ›A new version the Motorola Razr is coming this year, the CEO of Lenovo told CNBC. The Motorola Razr became one of the most iconic mobile phones when it was released in 2004. Take a look at the evolution of Motorola phones, from the brick phone to the modernized 2020 Razr.
How popular was the Motorola Razr? ›It swiftly became an icon with its premium materials, super-slim form and great quality. Motorola sold 130 million Razrs, making it one of the best-selling phones of all time.
Is a Motorola Razr an android? ›The third-gen Moto Razr launched with Android 12 in China, which makes a lot of sense.
How many years should an Android phone last? ›In general, the average lifespan of a smartphone is 2 to 4 years.
How many years does an Android phone last? ›Some devices can even last upwards of five years if treated gently. However, you might start noticing a decline at around the three-year mark. It's usually at this point that your hardware becomes outdated, with no new operating system updates from developers.
Can I use an Android phone for 5 years? ›Another reason to upgrade is that your phone no longer gets software updates from the manufacturer. iPhones get five to six years of support, but Android phones are limited to three years with the only exception being Samsung phones that get four years of updates.
What phones will be obsolete soon? ›Some tracfones, flip phones, Jitterbugs and even older-style smartphones will no longer be able to make calls once the networks are taken down. Most of these phones, which are sometimes called “third generation” phones were launched nearly 20 years ago and will no longer work with most of the carriers in 2022.
Will 4G phones be obsolete in 2023? ›Is it OK to buy a 4G phone in 2023? 4G phones still work on 4G LTE networks for now, but eventually they will become obsolete. Consider how long you plan to keep your phone; if you plan to keep your phone for longer than a year or so, it might be a good idea to get a phone that is 5G compatible.
What year will phones be obsolete? ›
As the world enters the age of 6G, where connectivity is more consistent and powerful, smartphones will be obsolete within 10 years and the human body as an interface will become much more prevalent in our everyday lives.
What is the best selling smartphone in the US? ›As of January 2023, Apple's iPhone 14 Pro Max was the most popular smartphone model sold in the United States, accounting for 17 percent of total smartphone sales.
Which is the top 1 smartphone? ›| Name of the Model | Market Share for Quarter 4 2022 |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi | 11% |
| Oppo | 10% |
| Realme | 9% |
| OnePlus | 8.7% |
- Google Pixel 7. ...
- Samsung Galaxy A54. ...
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max. ...
- Apple iPhone SE (2022) ...
- Motorola Edge Plus (2023) ...
- Samsung Galaxy S23. Best small Android phone. ...
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. Best foldable phone. ...
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. Best flip phone.
Motorola's problem was that it was a hardware technology company, but from the mid-2000s it was software driving the mobile phone business. Here Motorola was weak – their phone's interface was seen as clunky compared to its rivals, and their smartphones dithered between Linux and Windows-based operating systems.
Why are Motorola phones not popular? ›One of the reasons behind the failure of the Moto phones is poor marketing. Aside from this, Motorola had to compete with some big brands in a bid to increase its phone sales. A great flagship shouldn't compromise in any aspect. However, the Moto phones came with an unimpressive camera setup and poor battery life.
How long will Motorola be supported? ›Generally speaking, Motorola's flagship phones receive two years of Android updates with two to three years of security patches. The Motorola Edge (2022) will be the recipient of three years of Android updates which will take that model from Android 12 to Android 15 before it loses support.
What carriers will have the Motorola Razr? ›All major US carriers will offer the Razr+, with the exception of Verizon. If you want to use it on Verizon, you'll need to buy the unlocked version directly from Motorola.
Is the Razr coming back? ›The Razr is one of the brand's most iconic mobile phones and was first launched by Motorola in 2004. It became one of the most popular flip phones of the 2000s. Motorola revived the Razr brand in a new foldable form in 2020, becoming one of the first smartphone makers to launch a device with a bendable screen.
What is the lowest radiation phone? ›- The best low radiation cellphones: our top picks.
- Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus.
- Samsung Galaxy A20s (SM-A207F/DS)
- LG V60 ThinQ 5G.
- Makes and Models of the Best Low Radiation Phones.
- The Apple iPhones with the lowest radiation (SAR) score.
How do I check my phone for radiation? ›
As per the rules, the SAR level of any device should not exceed 1.6 W per Kg. You can also check the SAR level by dialling a number. The number is *#07#.
What is the most common cell phone damage? ›1. Screen Replacement. Broken phone screens are the most frequent form of damage to mobile devices. Repairing a cracked screen can be fairly easy for an expert repair shop.
How far away is SAR radiation? ›Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) measures the amount of RF energy absorbed by a human or animal body. SAR testing must be done on all wireless devices that have radiating parts closer than 20 cm to the human body or head.
Which brand has lowest SAR value? ›The current lowest radiation smartphone (by SAR rating) is the Verykool Vortex RS90 with a SAR rating of . 18 w/kg.
What is the highest SAR value? ›The Motorola Edge has the highest radiation emission with a SAR value of 1.79 watts of radiation per kilogram.
What is the safest most secure phone? ›Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Your Note 20 Ultra has multi-layered security created by this security platform. You will get security improvements designed expressly for the Android OS, encryption, and TrustZone architecture to safeguard critical data.
Android phones do not usually need antivirus apps. The built-in Google Play Protect software is sufficient.
Can a Motorola phone be tracked? ›If your Android device is lost or stolen, you can locate it in multiple ways: Find My Device - Get this app on Google Play. Web - Visit android.com/find. Google - Visit google.com sign in and search "find my device"
How much was the original RAZR? ›The RAZR had an astronomically high initial price - $500 - and was anticipated to sell no more than 800,000 units worldwide. (Supposedly the team actually thought they'd sell 300,000, but 800,000 was deemed a more palatable minimum.)
Did Motorola Razr have GPS? ›motorola razr - Turn GPS Location On / Off
From a Home screen, swipe up to access all apps. If preferred, the GPS mode can be customized.
Which is better Galaxy Z Flip or Motorola Razr? ›
Motorola Razr 2022 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 battery life and charging speed. The most important upgrade of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 over the Z Flip 3 is its larger 3700 mAh battery, but the Razr 2022 is not far behind with a 3500 mAh unit. The battery life test returned mixed results.
Is Motorola getting popular? ›Sales of Motorola smartphones registered 131 percent year over year (YoY) growth in 2021. Motorola became the third-largest smartphone brand in the US in 2021 by capturing around 10 percent of the total market, as per a report by a market research firm.
What is the oldest Motorola phone? ›A DynaTAC 8000X; the first commercially available mobile phone from 1983. Martin Cooper of Motorola made the first publicized handheld mobile phone call on a prototype DynaTAC model on April 3, 1973.
Is the Motorola Razr discontinued? ›The Motorola Razr (styled RAZR, pronounced /ˈreɪzər/ like "razor"; codenamed Siliqua) is a discontinued series of flip phones that is part of the 4LTR line and was manufactured by Motorola Mobility (previously Motorola) until 2007, in favor of the Motorola Razr2.
What was the first flip phone? ›The First Flip Phone (1996)
The StarTAC, created by Motorola in 1996, was the phone that started the whole revolution of flip phones. Most people college age or older probably had some sort of flip phone in their life before the iPhone was introduced.
The new Motorola Razr (2023) has been officially announced, but we don't have pricing or a specific sale date for that phone. The premium Motorola Razr Plus (2023) will go on sale first for $999.99 / £1,049.99 / AU$1,499. You can start placing orders on June 16, and the phone should be on store shelves by June 23.
Is Motorola getting out of phones? ›The storied Motorola name will be wiped off phones this year. Lenovo, which bought Motorola Mobility from Google in 2014, is unifying its two phone businesses under the Lenovo name. It's going to use Motorola's Moto brand for high-end products and its homegrown Vibe brand for budget devices.
Which is the latest Motorola? ›- Motorola Edge 30 Ultra: The best Motorola phone. ...
- Motorola Moto G62 5G: The best value G series Motorola. ...
- Motorola Razr 2022: The best Motorola flip phone. ...
- Motorola Edge 30 Fusion: The best mid-range Motorola phone. ...
- Motorola Moto G31: The best budget G series Moto.
All the rumors about the iPhone 15, expected in 2023.
The 2023 iPhone 15 models are expected to feature USB-C instead of Lightning, faster modem chips, upgraded camera technology, and more.
OnePlus 11 Series
The OnePlus 11 Series is expected to be released in early 2023. The upcoming OnePlus 2023 Series will use Snapdragon 8 Generation 2 chipset. According to the rumors, the OnePlus 11 Series would have 6.7 inches display with AMOLED display. The RAM can be 16 GB, along with a 5000mAh battery.
What year was the Motorola RAZR popular? ›
A new version the Motorola Razr is coming this year, the CEO of Lenovo told CNBC. The Motorola Razr became one of the most iconic mobile phones when it was released in 2004. Take a look at the evolution of Motorola phones, from the brick phone to the modernized 2020 Razr.
What carriers will have the Motorola RAZR? ›All major US carriers will offer the Razr+, with the exception of Verizon. If you want to use it on Verizon, you'll need to buy the unlocked version directly from Motorola.
Why is Motorola a struggling company? ›Motorola's problem was that it was a hardware technology company, but from the mid-2000s it was software driving the mobile phone business. Here Motorola was weak – their phone's interface was seen as clunky compared to its rivals, and their smartphones dithered between Linux and Windows-based operating systems.
Does Motorola slow down old phones? ›HTC and Motorola don't slow down phones with old batteries like Apple does. Two of the biggest Android phone manufacturers - HTC and Motorola - have explicitly confirmed that they do not slow down the processor in their phones when the battery of the device gets old.
How safe are Motorola phones? ›Motorola products are very secure. Motorola phones are only discoverable by another device when first turned on or when the user makes them discoverable. Even then, Motorola phones only remain discoverable for 60 seconds, severely limiting the time for an intruder to gain access.
Which Motorola phone is best for seniors? ›Motorola Moto G Power Smartphone for Seniors
The Moto G Power offers an excellent battery life (up to 72 hours from one full charge), which can be helpful in the case of a grandparent or elderly loved one who forgets to charge their phone on a regular basis.
1. MOTOROLA G60. The Motorola G60 is a powerful smartphone with plenty of features to meet your needs. This Motorola mobile phone has 6 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM, 6.78 inches Full HD+ display, 108 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP and 32 MP front camera, 6000 mAh battery, Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G processor, and 120 Hz refresh rate.
Do Motorola phones last longer? ›Moto phones are the most durable phones out there. I have been using Moto X play (2015 model) for the past two years it is still the same and it is good to go for another 2 years. The hardware quality is pretty good.
What iPhone will stop working in 2023? ›Apple is said to drop software support for three iPhones in 2023. The iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X may not get iOS 17 update. Three old iPads will also reportedly lose software support from Apple.
Which iPhone is worth buying in 2023? ›Apple iPhone 13
If you're buying an iPhone in early 2023, the smartest choice might just be 2021's iPhone 13. This is especially true if you're paying some or all of the cost out of pocket and not getting an “iPhone on us” carrier deal.
Will there be a small iPhone in 2023? ›
Since March 2022, there have been two iPhone options for small phone fans: the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone SE 2. Now, in April 2023 there are... still two options: the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone SE 2. If you really want a small iPhone, they're both viable choices despite being outclassed by the latest generation.