Unfortunately, the camera is the perennial compromise with foldable phones, and none moreso than on this Razr.
What those phones, and any other phone in this price lacks is the cool factor of the Razr.
you’re free to snap it shut to hang up on a phone call.
Motorola Razr in front, Razr Plus in the back
Heck, you’re free to hang up on TikTok or Snapchat the same way.
The Motorola Razr dares you to put away your phone.
you’re free to take photos without the distraction of a big screen.
you’re free to check messages with a quick glance.
you might snap it shut and show off the look instead of looking at the show.
Being hundreds cheaper than other clamshell phones?
Maybe the coolest part of all.
Except Motorola hasnt changed the price, its just kept the phone on sale for months.
Not one sale, either, but different sales that tend to run concurrently.
As I write this there is a Spring Break sale offering $200 off.
Dont worry about that sale expiration date, but dont buy this phone if its not on sale.
Outside of the US, this phone ships with 256GB of storage, but Americans only get 128GB.
Its hard to compare specs directly, because the Motorola Razr 40 bends in half.
If size and style are meaningful, thats worth a lot more than a little spec bump.
Where is the ugly chin that defines the Razr look?
Where are the sharp cut edges and keys?
I quickly got over it.
The vegan leather finish is excellent, very grippy and matte so it doesnt pick up fingerprints.
Inside, you get a humongous display.
Sadly, where the Moto Razr lags behind competition likeSamsungGalaxy Z Flip 5 is in durability.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is IPX8 water resistant.
The Razr has a water resistant coating, but no promises.
If you get it wet, it might die.
Its a small view, but it works.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Motorola Razr 2023 review: cameras
The Motorola Razr has a serious camera conundrum.
On the one hand, its very fun to use as a camera.
Unfortunately, all that fun is deflated by terrible image quality.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Sadly, thats not the case.
The camera is just bad.
Reduce the light at all, and youre left with a noisy mess.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Photos look like watercolor paintings as the colors run together.
There arent too many extra menus or widgets or pop-up buttons that distract from the task at hand.
Even better, Motorola has a few unique gesture commands that are actually quite useful and memorable.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
If you hold the phone and make a chopping motion, the flashlight turns on.
If you twist your wrist back and forth a couple of times, the camera turns on.
The Razr is even smart enough that these gestures work when the phone is closed.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
The cover display cant do much, but what it can manage are useful tasks.
The phone ran smoothly through the Motorola software and interface with never a stutter or lag.
More casual games ran smoothly, but intense game players should find a faster phone.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Running Waze maps withYouTubecauses lag, for instance.
It makes a difference.
That was never the case with the Motorola Razr.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
The battery lasted a full day throughout my review, no matter what I was doing.
No matter, it still helped, and the cheaper Razr lasts longer, for better and for worse.
The phone even has wireless charging, at a creeping 5W pace.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
in the iPhone 14 Pro, thoughApplemanages power slightly better.
Should you buy the Motorola Razr Plus?
Its astounding that you’re able to get a great clamshell foldable for this bargain price.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
It can be a big relief.
The Razr cameras are a big step backwards, and photos dont look good.
I used the Razr in every way I imagined a typical user would want to use it.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
I took photos, played games, and used it for all of my social networking and communication needs.
I used productivity apps and tools, mindfulness and health apps, and fitness apps on the phone.
I also used the Razr with wearable devices, including the Pixel Buds Pro earbuds and myPixel Watch.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
I used it with an Xbox gaming controller, my Honda and Kia cars, and numerous Bluetooth accessories.
I used GFX Benchmark, PhoneTester Pro, and Geekbench, among other testing apps.
Read more about how we test
First reviewed March, 2024
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
