Motorola Razr Plus Flip Phone Review: Is This the Foldable You’ve Been Waiting For?

Thinking about jumping into the world of flip phones, and the Motorola Razr Plus has caught your eye? You’re in for a treat with this one, especially if you’re looking for a phone that’s both stylish and seriously functional. To truly understand if the Motorola Razr Plus is right for you, let’s break down everything that makes this foldable stand out, from its sleek design to its surprisingly robust performance and that incredible outer screen. While it might not have the absolute best camera in every single situation or the longest software support, its unique charm and user experience often make it a more enjoyable daily driver than some pricier, more traditional flagships. Stick around, because by the end of this, you’ll know exactly what to expect and whether this fun, pocketable device should be your next smartphone.

When it comes to foldable phones, the Motorola Razr Plus especially the 2024 model has definitely carved out its own space. It’s a device that really tries to nail that blend of nostalgia and modern tech, aiming to be a phone that’s not just a gadget, but a statement piece. And it largely succeeds. Motorola really put in the work to refine the design and user experience, which you’ll notice right away when you hold it. If you’re tired of the same old slab phones and want something that feels fresh and exciting, the Razr Plus brings that “wow” factor back to your pocket. You can find some great deals and accessories for it on Amazon.

First Impressions: Design That Turns Heads

When I first picked up the Motorola Razr Plus we’re mostly talking about the 2024 model here, which is the latest and greatest, I was immediately struck by how premium it felt in my hand. This isn’t just another phone. it’s a fashion statement. Motorola has really dialled in the aesthetics, offering some stunning colors and finishes, like that cool vegan leather or suede texture on the back. It’s such a welcome change from the usual glass and metal slabs, and it feels much more secure to hold, too.

The whole point of a flip phone is its compact size, right? And the Razr Plus absolutely nails this. When it’s folded shut, it’s this wonderfully small, square device that slips into any pocket or purse with ease. Seriously, carrying this around is a breeze, whether you’re heading out for a run or just want a phone that doesn’t feel like a brick in your shorts.

One of the biggest improvements Motorola made with the 2024 Razr Plus is the hinge. Last year’s model had some folks worried about a bit of wobble, but this new one feels solid and refined. They’ve really worked to almost eliminate that crease you usually see on foldable screens, which is a huge plus when you open it up. It folds completely flat too, which is something even some other popular foldables can’t always claim.

Durability is always a big question mark for foldables, but the 2024 Razr Plus comes with an IPX8 water resistance rating. This means it can handle being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for about 30 minutes. Now, I wouldn’t recommend taking it swimming, but it’s great peace of mind knowing it can survive an accidental dunk. While the earlier 2023 model had an IP52 rating for dust and splash resistance, the newer model’s full water immersion rating is a significant upgrade.

However, even with these improvements, it’s still wise to treat any foldable with care. Some durability tests on the 2023 model showed the external screen could be fragile when bent outwards due to a lack of support behind it. So, maybe don’t keep it in your back pocket with a bunch of keys! A good Motorola Razr Plus case is always a smart investment to keep your device safe from everyday bumps and drops.

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The Star of the Show: That Jaw-Dropping Cover Screen

Let’s talk about what truly sets the Motorola Razr Plus apart: its massive, fully functional cover screen. For the 2024 model, it’s a gorgeous 4-inch display, which is one of the biggest you’ll find on a clamshell foldable. The previous 2023 model also had an impressive 3.6-inch outer screen. And this isn’t just for checking the time. it’s practically a mini-smartphone on its own!

Motorola has done an amazing job of making this external display incredibly useful. You can run almost any app you want on it, from YouTube and Instagram to Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp. Need to fire off a quick message? Just tap on the notification, and a full-fledged keyboard pops up on the cover screen, letting you type out your reply without even opening the phone. This functionality is a must, letting you handle so many tasks without needing to unfold the device, which definitely helps save battery life.

Beyond full apps, you get a ton of customization options and useful “panels” think widgets for things like your contacts, calendar, weather, games, Spotify, Google Fit, and Google News. The 2024 model’s cover screen is also incredibly bright, hitting up to 2,400 nits, and boasts a blazing-fast 165Hz refresh rate, making everything feel super smooth. Even the 2023 model’s 144Hz cover screen was impressive.

One of my favorite features is using the cover screen for photography. You can take selfies with the much better main cameras while seeing yourself on the external display. There are even fun modes, like displaying cartoon faces to get kids to smile for a picture. The Nike x Hyperice Hyperboot Review: Is This $900 Recovery Tech Worth It?

Now, it’s not entirely perfect. The camera lenses on the cover screen can sometimes get in the way or obscure parts of an app’s interface. And while you can do a lot on this screen, it’s still not a complete replacement for the main internal display for every single task. But honestly, the sheer versatility and enjoyment you get from this cover screen are unmatched in the flip phone world. It’s truly a testament to Motorola’s thoughtful design.

Unfolding the Experience: The Main Display

When you do decide to unfold the Motorola Razr Plus, you’re greeted by a spacious 6.9-inch internal display. This is a gorgeous LTPO OLED panel that supports newer HDR standards and Dolby Vision in the 2024 model, meaning colors look vibrant and blacks are deep.

Like the cover screen, the internal display on the 2024 Razr Plus also boasts an impressive 165Hz refresh rate. This makes scrolling, gaming, and just about everything else feel incredibly fluid and responsive. Whether you’re watching videos or just navigating through your apps, the experience is buttery smooth. The peak brightness on this main screen can go up to a staggering 3,000 nits, which is exceptionally bright and makes it easy to see even in direct sunlight.

The almost invisible crease is another highlight. Motorola’s reworked hinge design for the 2024 model has done wonders to minimize that fold line, making the main display feel much more seamless than previous foldables. It really makes for an immersive viewing experience, whether you’re catching up on your favorite shows or doing some serious work.

Power and Performance: Daily Driving a Foldable

Under the hood, the Motorola Razr Plus packs some solid power that’s more than capable for everyday use. The 2024 model features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, paired with a generous 12GB of RAM and fast UFS 4.0 storage. While some tech enthusiasts might point out that it’s not the absolute bleeding-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in some other flagships, in real-world use, this chip is incredibly snappy. The Anker PowerPort III Nano Review: Your Tiny Powerhouse Charger!

Scrolling through social media, multitasking between apps, and browsing the web are all super smooth. Even for gaming, the Razr Plus holds its own. You can play demanding games like Genshin Impact, though you might notice it getting a bit warm after extended sessions. It might not be a dedicated gaming phone, but it handles most mobile games admirably.

For those looking at the 2023 model, it came with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and 8GB of RAM. This was also a very capable chip at the time and still delivers a great experience for most users. So, no matter which generation you’re considering, you’re getting a phone that won’t feel slow or sluggish for your daily tasks.

Motorola’s software experience, often referred to as “Hello UX,” is another strong point. It’s a very clean, near-stock Android experience with helpful additions like Moto gestures e.g., twisting your wrist to launch the camera instantly, or chopping twice for the flashlight. These gestures become second nature and really enhance the user experience. You can also explore various Android phones and compare their software experiences.

Camera Talk: Good, But Not the Best

Let’s be honest, camera performance is a big deal for most of us, and this is an area where foldable phones often face a tougher challenge compared to their slab counterparts. The 2024 Motorola Razr Plus comes with upgraded cameras, featuring dual 50MP sensors on the exterior: one wide-angle with optical image stabilization OIS and a 2x telephoto lens. Inside, you get a 13MP selfie camera. Insta360 X5 360 Action Camera Review: Is This the Ultimate Pocket Powerhouse?

Interestingly, Motorola made a bold choice by ditching the ultrawide lens in favor of the telephoto for the 2024 Razr Plus. Their reasoning was that users take more zoomed-in photos than ultrawide ones. While a 2x telephoto can be great for portraits, it means you’ll miss out on those expansive shots that an ultrawide provides. If you’re someone who loves ultrawide photos, this might be a point to consider. The base Razr 2024 actually retains an ultrawide if that’s crucial for you.

In terms of photo quality, reviews are a bit mixed. While the 2024 Razr Plus cameras are definitely an improvement over previous generations and benefit from Moto AI processing, they still generally lag behind the best cameras found on traditional flagship phones. Daylight photos are usually quite good, capturing decent detail and light. However, some users have noted issues with highlights being blown out in HDR photos, and overall consistency could be better.

Where the Razr Plus camera really shines is its fun factor and versatility, especially with the flip form factor. You can use the main external cameras for incredibly high-quality selfies, making traditional internal selfie cameras almost redundant. The “camcorder mode,” where you bend the phone halfway to record video, is also a clever and unique way to capture content. If you’re a vlogger or just love experimenting with unique angles, you’ll really appreciate this. For serious photographers, you might still want to carry a dedicated digital camera or a top-tier slab phone.

For the 2023 Razr Plus, the cameras were considered “decent” but some found them “pretty lousy for regular photos,” though selfies benefited from using the main lens. So, the 2024 model is definitely a step up here. Oneplus 13 powerful stylish smartphone review

Battery Life and Charging: Keeping You Powered Up

Battery life is another crucial aspect for any smartphone, and it’s an area where foldables have historically faced challenges due to their compact designs. Thankfully, the Motorola Razr Plus, especially the 2024 model, has made some good strides.

The 2024 Razr Plus comes with a 4,000mAh battery. This is a respectable size for a flip phone and, coupled with the power-efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip, it translates to “good battery life” for most users. Many reviewers report it can easily get you through a full day on a single charge. In some tests, the 2024 Razr Plus delivered almost 50% more battery life than its competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, in web browsing tests, lasting around 17 hours.

One interesting dynamic with flip phones is how much you use the cover screen. If you find yourself doing a lot of quick tasks on the external display without unfolding the phone, you’ll likely see even better battery longevity. This is because the smaller, external screen generally consumes less power.

When it’s time to juice up, the 2024 Razr Plus supports faster 45W TurboPower wired charging. This means you can get a significant charge in a relatively short amount of time – around 70% in 30 minutes, with a full charge taking about 52 minutes. It also supports 15W wireless charging and even 5W reverse wireless charging, which is handy for topping up accessories. However, a small point to note is that the phone doesn’t come with a wall charger in the box, so you’ll need to purchase one separately or use an existing one. If you need a fast charger, you can check out 45W USB-C PD chargers.

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The 2023 Razr Plus had a 3,800mAh battery, which was still considered good for a day’s use, and supported 30W wired and 15W wireless charging. So, while the 2024 model offers an upgrade, its predecessor wasn’t slouching either.

Software, Updates, and the Moto Experience

Motorola has always leaned towards a clean, near-stock Android experience, and the Razr Plus continues this tradition. Running on Android 14 for the 2024 model, Motorola’s “Hello UX” interface is generally bloatware-free and intuitive. It’s responsive, easy to navigate, and avoids many of the heavy customizations found on other Android phones, which a lot of people appreciate.

Beyond the core Android, Motorola adds its useful suite of Moto gestures and features. We talked about the quick camera launch and flashlight earlier, but there are other smart additions that enhance daily use without getting in the way. The cover screen software is particularly well-integrated, allowing for extensive customization and app functionality that goes beyond what many competitors offer.

However, one area where Motorola sometimes falls behind its main competitors, like Samsung and Google, is its software update policy. For the 2024 Razr Plus, Motorola typically offers 3 years of operating system updates and 4 years of security updates. While 3 years of OS updates is often sufficient for most users who don’t keep their phones for an extremely long time, it’s still less than the 7 years offered by Google for its Pixel phones or Samsung’s longer support. Motorola also tends to be a bit slower with rolling out these updates. If getting the absolute latest Android version the moment it drops is your top priority for many years, this is something to keep in mind.

Despite that, the core experience is so solid and enjoyable that for many, the trade-off in update longevity might be acceptable, especially if you upgrade your phone every few years anyway. The phone’s functionality and design are often what draw people in, and Motorola delivers a smooth, engaging software experience right out of the box. Lg ultragear gx9 bendable 5k2k gaming monitor review

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 durable?

Yes, the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 is designed to be more durable than its predecessors. It features a reworked hinge that nearly eliminates the screen crease and comes with an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. However, like all foldable phones, it’s still advisable to treat it with care and consider a screen protector for added protection.

How good is the camera on the Motorola Razr Plus 2024?

The Motorola Razr Plus 2024 features upgraded cameras with dual 50MP sensors on the exterior wide with OIS and 2x telephoto and a 13MP internal selfie camera. While it’s a significant improvement over previous Razr models and offers fun, versatile shooting options especially using the main cameras for selfies with the cover screen, it generally doesn’t match the top-tier camera performance of traditional flagship slab phones. It notably replaced the ultrawide lens with a telephoto.

What can you do with the Motorola Razr Plus’s cover screen?

The cover screen on the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 is a large, fully functional 4-inch display. You can run almost any Android app on it, reply to messages with a full keyboard, control podcast, check the weather, view your calendar, play games, and even use it as a high-quality viewfinder for the main cameras. It’s incredibly versatile and allows you to do many tasks without ever needing to unfold the phone.

What is the battery life like on the Motorola Razr Plus 2024?

The 2024 Motorola Razr Plus has a 4,000mAh battery and offers good all-day battery life for most users. With its power-efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor and the ability to handle many tasks on the smaller, less power-intensive cover screen, it can often last longer than some competitors. It supports fast 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. Xduoo TA-30 Tube Headphone Amplifier DAC Review: Your Desktop Powerhouse?

Does the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 have a visible crease?

Motorola has significantly refined the hinge design in the 2024 Razr Plus, resulting in a nearly eliminated crease on the internal display. While it’s technically still there if you look very closely, it’s far less noticeable than on many other foldable phones and provides a much more seamless viewing experience.

How long does Motorola support the Razr Plus 2024 with software updates?

Motorola typically provides 3 years of Android operating system updates and 4 years of security updates for the Razr Plus 2024. While this is generally sufficient for many users, it’s a shorter support period compared to some competitors like Samsung or Google Pixel phones.

Is the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 good for gaming?

Yes, the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 is quite capable for gaming. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and 12GB of RAM allow it to run most modern mobile games smoothly. However, for very graphically intensive games played for extended periods, it might get a bit warm, and its performance might not match the absolute highest-end gaming phones.

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