Motorola razr 5G Updates Exterior UI, Connectivity, Camera, and, Most Importantly, Distribution

Summary/Quick Take

After a limited launch, Motorola is back with an updated razr, doubling down on its key feature differentiation, the exterior display. The razr 5G also adds 5G and broadens distribution. While Samsung took an early lead in the vertical folding phone market, the razr is doing exactly what Motorola needs it to do: expanding consumer awareness and driving carrier wins.

Analysis:

Motorola’s folding razr smartphone suffered from strong competition and its launch was badly impacted by Coronavirus retail store closures, but the company still considers the device a success as a halo product. The razr boosted Motorola’s online brand, repositioning it in consumers’ minds as more than just the maker of budget E and G series phones (which continue to sell extremely well in North and South America, and are growing rapidly in Europe and Asia). More critically, the razr gained Motorola new carrier partners outside the U.S. who want to offer the razr, and are now expected to carry other portions of Motorola’s line as well.

Distribution of the razr 5G is expanding in the U.S., as well. While the the razr was a Verizon exclusive, the new razr 5G will be at AT&T and T-Mobile. The razr 5G will also be sold unlocked for all U.S. carriers at Best Buy, B&H Photo, Amazon.com and Motorola.com for $1,399.99.

The razr 5G looks mostly the same. It retains a zero-gap hinge rated for 200,000 flips. The main visual difference in the new model is a smaller chin, as the fingerprint sensor has been moved to the back for better one-handed use. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 SoC not only powers sub-6 5G, but its smaller size leaves more room for a better 48 MP camera and larger battery.

Motorola certainly has competition: Samsung’s Galazy Z Flip has an ultra-thin glass display, faster silicon, and a better camera than the razr. While Motorola now has an updated razr with improved imaging and 5G, Samsung also further improved the processor and added 5G to the Galaxy Z Flip 5G. Both are attractive, though the razr 5G retains its distinctively nostalgic retro design, while the Galaxy Z Flip looks more like a square makeup compact. The razr’s biggest area of differentiation is its large front QuickView display, which dwarfs the Galaxy Z Flip 5G’s tiny Cover Display, which is little more than a scrolling notification window. For the razr 5G, Motorola has improved the QuickView interface, focusing on music, maps, and messaging with gesture-based navigation and even a keyboard. Motorola has pre-selected 8 apps that work particularly well in the limited space, but users can try their own.

Techsponential looks forward to getting in a review unit and will update this report with hands-on impressions and analysis at that time.

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