As expected, Motorola is launching a new version of the Motorola Razr smartphone with a foldable OLED display. And as expected, the new model brings a faster processor, 5G support, and upgraded memory, storage, battery, and cameras.
What’s a little surprising is that the new Motorola Razr is also cheaper than the previous model… although not a lot cheaper.
The 2nd-gen Motorola Razr will be available this fall for $1400, which makes it $100 cheaper… but still very expensive for a phone that has a mid-range processor.
That said, it’s not the chipset that makes the Razr series stand out. The original Razr was an incredibly thin flip phone released before smartphones took off. Motorola revived the brand this year by adopting a similar design, but using foldable display technology to give you a big-screen phone that you can fold in half and slip into your pocket.
There’s also a smaller cover screen that allows you to view notifications and some other details without opening the phone.
While the first modern Razr smartphone had pretty modest specs, the new version features upgrades in nearly every area. The two screens haven’t changed, but Motorola has upgraded just about everything else:
Motorola Razr (2nd-gen) | Motorola Razr | |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 |
RAM | 8GB | 6GB |
Storage | 256GB | 128GB |
Camera (primary) | 48MP | 12MP |
Camera (front) | 20MP | 5MP |
Battery | 2,845 mAh | 2,510 mAh |
Ports | USB 3.1 Type-C | USB 3.0 Type-C |
Dimensions | 169.2mm x 72.6mm x 7.9mm | 172mm x 72mm x 6.9mm |
Weight | 192 grams | 205 grams |
Bother versions of the phone feature a 6.2 inch, 2142 x 876 pixel pOLED primary display and a 2.7 inch, 800 x 600 pixel gOLED display and:
- 15 watt fast charging
- NFC
- WiFi 5
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Mono speaker
- 4 mics
They both also have fingerprint readers, although on the new model it’s on the back of the phone rather than on the front chin area.
Neither phone has an IP rating, but Motorola says both have a “water repellent” design for protection from minor splashes.
Motorola says the second-gen Razr smartphone will be available from Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, and the Motorola website this fall. AT&T and T-Mobile will also offer the phone.
Who would buy one of these things? it looks like foldable displays are going to go nowhere because nobody can make them affordable.
Neat concept. It looks like a Razr should look, pretty sharp. $1,400? Yeah, not interested. I predict they will be available on ebay for $300 in less than 12 months.
At $1400 it’s gonna be a… flip flop
badumm tsss
“While the first modern Razr smartphone had pretty modest specs, the new version is nearly every area” seems like an incomplete sentence 😀
Does the usb-c support displayport alt mode ? If it does, is there a native support for desktop mode or do you have to help it a little ? 😀
Cool device. Although I only pay ~$400 for a smartphone nowadays. I wonder if/when low/mid-range foldables will come down to that price target.
Honestly, $1400 is simply to cheap.
I don’t want to buy a phone for that low price.
Make it an even $2000 and I’ll take it.
Most high end phones seem to increase in price each generation so if it had cost the same it would have been a (small) win. Lowering the price and going with a higher end chipset (while adding 5g) is a welcome move. It gives us hope that foldables might actually become part of the (upper/top) mainstream segment and not just the luxury one.
I think it needs to be at least a durable as the Galaxy Z Flip.
Samsung will probably undercut it on price, while having hire specs again.
Still, the Razr has more personality.
Style should count for something.