Motorola Razr Review: A Retro Foldable With Modern Touch
The Motorola Razr has long been a name synonymous with iconic design, and its latest iteration as a foldable smartphone brings that nostalgic charm into the modern era. With a sleek clamshell design, cutting-edge technology, and a nod to its early-2000s roots, the Motorola Razr (2025) aims to blend retro aesthetics with contemporary functionality. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into this review to explore what makes the Razr stand out in the crowded foldable market.
Design: Nostalgia Meets Innovation
The Motorola Razr’s design is its biggest selling point. The foldable clamshell form factor immediately evokes memories of the original Razr V3, with its satisfying snap when closing. Available in vibrant colors like Midnight Blue, Sage Green, and a bold Coral Pink, the Razr feels both premium and playful. The vegan leather back adds a tactile, grippy texture, while the aluminum frame ensures durability.
When folded, the Razr is compact, easily slipping into pockets or small bags. Unfolded, it reveals a 6.9-inch pOLED display with a 2640x1080 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The crease in the middle, a common concern with foldables, is noticeable but less pronounced than in earlier models. Motorola’s improved hinge mechanism feels sturdy, allowing the phone to stay open at various angles for flexible use cases like video calls or content consumption.
The 3.6-inch external Quick View display is one of the Razr’s standout features. It’s large enough to handle notifications, quick replies, and even full apps without unfolding the phone. This makes it incredibly practical for on-the-go use, though some may find the small screen tricky for typing.
Performance: Solid but Not a Powerhouse
Under the hood, the Motorola Razr is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. While this setup handles everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and multitasking with ease, it’s not quite on par with flagship devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or premium non-foldables. For casual users, the performance is snappy, but heavy gamers or those running resource-intensive apps might notice occasional lag.
The software experience, running Android 14 with Motorola’s MyUX skin, is clean and intuitive. Motorola keeps bloatware to a minimum, and the inclusion of foldable-specific features—like app continuity between screens and customizable Quick View widgets—enhances usability. The device is slated to receive three years of OS updates and four years of security patches, which is decent but falls short of competitors like Samsung or Google.
Camera: Good Enough for Most
The Razr’s camera system is a mixed bag. The dual-camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 13MP ultrawide lens. In good lighting, photos are vibrant with accurate colors and solid dynamic range. The ultrawide lens is great for landscapes or group shots, though it struggles in low light, producing noisier images.
The foldable design enables unique photography tricks, like using the phone as its own tripod for hands-free selfies or group shots. The 32MP front camera delivers sharp selfies, and the ability to use the main camera for selfies via the external display is a nice touch. However, video recording tops out at 4K 30fps, which feels limiting compared to competitors offering 60fps or 8K options.
Battery Life and Charging
The 4,200mAh battery is impressive for a foldable, offering all-day usage for most users. With moderate use—think social media, light gaming, and streaming—you’ll likely end the day with 20-30% charge remaining. The 30W fast charging gets you from 0 to 50% in about 25 minutes, though the lack of wireless charging is a notable omission in 2025’s premium smartphone landscape.
The Foldable Experience: Practical or Gimmicky?
Foldables are still a niche category, and the Razr makes a strong case for their practicality. The ability to fold the phone in half reduces its footprint, making it ideal for those who value portability without sacrificing screen real estate. The Quick View display adds versatility, letting you handle quick tasks without fully engaging with the device. However, the premium price tag—starting at around $699—puts it in direct competition with more powerful non-foldable phones, which might make some buyers hesitate.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Iconic, nostalgic design with premium build quality
- Vibrant, smooth 6.9-inch pOLED display
- Functional 3.6-inch Quick View external display
- Decent battery life with fast charging
- Clean, user-friendly software
Cons:
- Performance lags behind flagship competitors
- Camera struggles in low light
- No wireless charging
- Software update commitment could be longer
The Motorola Razr (2025) is a love letter to fans of the original while embracing the possibilities of foldable technology. Its retro-inspired design, combined with modern features like the external display and flexible hinge, makes it a compelling choice for those seeking something different. However, its mid-tier performance and camera limitations mean it’s not the best choice for power users or photography enthusiasts.
If you’re drawn to the idea of a foldable phone that balances style, portability, and functionality—and you don’t need the absolute best specs—the Motorola Razr is a fantastic option. It’s a bold step forward for Motorola, proving that foldables can be both practical and fun.
