Motorola Razr 40 Review Motorola’s cheapest folding phone
The Motorola Razr is one of the most iconic mobile phones in history. Its original version, the Motorola RAZR V3, was released in 2004 and quickly became a symbol of the early 2000s due to its ultra-thin design, metallic construction, and distinctive “clamshell” form factor. At a time when many mobile phones were bulky and nondescript, the Razr stood out with its sleek design and quickly became a cultural icon.
The Razr brand has had multiple iterations and models over the years, but the V3 remains the most iconic of the bunch. The phone featured a 2.2-inch main display, a VGA camera, quad-band GSM support, and Bluetooth, among other features. Its unique design and build quality made it a desirable gadget during its prime.
Fast forward to the era of smartphones, Motorola revived the Razr brand with a modern twist. In 2019, Motorola introduced a new Motorola Razr that maintained the classic clamshell design but replaced the traditional keypad with a foldable OLED screen, effectively merging the nostalgic design of the original Razr with modern smartphone technology. This modern version sought to capture the essence of the original while catering to the needs of contemporary users.
The new Motorola Razr faced stiff competition in the market from other foldable phones, but it held a unique position thanks to its nostalgic design and brand legacy. The modern Razr aimed to offer users the compactness of the original while providing the functionalities expected of a smartphone in the 21st century.
In summary, the Motorola Razr, both in its original and revived forms, represents a blend of design, innovation, and nostalgia. From its initial release as a groundbreaking design icon to its modern iteration as a foldable smartphone, the Razr has a rich history that resonates with many who have witnessed its evolution.
Motorola Razr (2023)
MSRP $700.00
“The Motorola Razr (2023) is one of the best folding phone deals available today.”
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Camera is great for social media
- Fast battery charging
- Cute Moo character brightens up the cover screen
- Dust and water resistance
Cons
- No always-on screen
- Slow wireless charging
- Can get warm when pushed hard
Compact folding smartphones are becoming more complicated as cover screens get bigger and they gain the ability to run full apps, but the Motorola Razr (2023) — also known as the Razr 40 in other parts of the world — bucks that trend and keeps the simple formula that has propelled these small folding phones into the mainstream.
Don’t for one minute think this is a bad thing — because Motorola’s cheaper folding phone still has everything you need. I’ve really enjoyed using the Motorola Razr (2023), and this is why.
About our Motorola Razr (2023) review
Our Motorola Razr (2023) review was initially published in July 2023, with the phone referenced by the “Razr 40” name (more on that below). The review was updated in October to add U.S price information and update the phone’s name to “Razr (2023)” on account of the phone launching in the U.S.
Razr (2023) or Razr 40?
Before I get into the review, let’s clear up some confusion about what this phone is actually called.
It’s all Motorola’s fault, as it seems to relish in making things awkward. In the U.K., Europe, and other regions, this is the Motorola Razr 40. However, in the U.S., it’s called the Motorola Razr (2023), and it’s sold here alongside the Motorola Razr Plus. In the U.K., the Motorola Razr Plus is called the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra.
It’s all very silly, as the only differences between the phones are the name and where they are sold. The specifications, design, and everything else are identical. So while this is technically a review of the Motorola Razr (2023), it’s also a review of the Motorola Razr 40. Hopefully, that’s cleared up the confusion over the names.
Motorola Razr (2023): design
The last Motorola foldable I used was the Motorola Razr (2022), and the Razr (2023) is miles ahead of it in terms of build quality, materials, and design. Ditching the played-out nods to the past it seemed intent on endlessly embracing has given Motorola freedom, and this has lent the Razr (2023) its own identity. The metal chassis is surrounded by a soft, durable, tactile vegan leather that doesn’t attract fingerprints or stains — and can even be given a quick scrub to get rid of any marks. My review model is in the Sage Green color, and it looks superb next to the gunmetal gray aluminum of the frame.
It folds without a gap, the hinge is free of the rattles and floppiness of the Razr (2022), and it feels much more like the precise and expertly dampened Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. It has the right degree of resistance, so it holds itself open at various angles and feels satisfyingly expensive when you open and close it. There are some creaks and mechanical-type sounds when the hinge is operating, but nothing that causes concern. It all feels very well-engineered and made to last.
The lower third of the front contains a raised glass module with a small cover screen and camera array inside it. There’s a small power key with an integrated fingerprint sensor on the side, along with two small volume buttons. Yes, it’s all a bit on the small side, but the controls are easy to locate and press, although anyone with big fingers may find it requires getting used to. I have also found I accidentally press the power key and put the display to sleep when I’m using the phone due to its placement on the chassis.
It’s incredibly freeing to use a phone that folds up to half its size when it’s not in use.
I want to highlight the durability. The Razr (2023) has an IP52 rating, which at first glance is “worse” than the IPX8 found on some other folding phones. However, this isn’t totally accurate. While the water resistance isn’t as comprehensive, it is safe to use in the rain and should be OK with a splash.
But more interestingly, the rating shows the Motorola Razr (2023) has dust resistance. This is very welcome and very unusual in foldables, as dust can kill a folding smartphone pretty quickly — just ask Samsung. A “5” in the IP rating is one step down from the top level and means it has been engineered to avoid harmful dust deposits entering the phone.
Beyond how good the phone looks and feels, the pull for me is the Razr (2023)’s convenient size and weight. It fits in any pocket, including my shirt pocket, and doesn’t weigh them down excessively. I love the way I can hold it — folded up in the palm of my hand — and how it doesn’t slip and slide about on tables.
It’s just 188 grams, which is light for a modern phone, 7.5mm thick when unfolded, and although it’s 15.8mm thick folded up, the small, square shape masks it really well. It’s incredibly freeing to use a phone that folds up to half its size when it’s not in use, and refreshing to see Motorola give its new range of folding phones a real design identity of their own.
Motorola Razr (2023): screens and performance
The 6.9-inch, 144Hz refresh rate inner screen is very smooth and looks fantastic, but it is quite reflective, something that I find is an issue with all folding smartphones and assume it’s down to the ultrathin glass used to protect them. But with a peak brightness of 1,400 nits, it’s no problem outside, even in strong sunlight. I haven’t noticed the crease at all. The 1.5-inch OLED cover screen is very small and displays a selection of widgets that can be swiped through, or you can swipe up to view your notifications. Outside of seeing them, you’ll have to open the phone to do anything meaningful.
It’s obviously too small to run apps, but what boggles my mind, and something I can no longer give Motorola a pass for, is that it’s not an always-on screen. The company argues that this saves battery life, but how much battery can the tiny screen really use up to show a clock and a notification alert? Samsung manages on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, as does every other non-folding phone apart from a Motorola. It ruins any usefulness the cover screen may have because if you’re going to tap the screen, swipe up to see notifications, and then tap once again to see more detail, you may as well open the phone.
On the positive side, special mention needs to go to Motorola’s character wallpaper which lives on the cover screen. You can see it in our photos, and its name is Moo. Throughout the day, Moo’s animated activities on the screen match what you may be doing — brushing your teeth, working, commuting, or eating — and with a tap, adds in another action like drinking coffee or offering you a bite to eat. Rarely do these features catch my eye, but Moo is incredibly cute and fun. I’m going to miss Moo when I switch to another phone.
I’m going to miss Moo when I switch to another phone.
Unlike the Razr Plus, the Razr (2023) doesn’t use a flagship processor. Instead, it’s a midrange Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, and this is the first phone I’ve used it in. Despite its non-flagship status, it has performed well, happily coping with messaging, calls, apps, and multitasking. The Razr (2023) can display one floating window over another or two apps in split-screen mode. Unfortunately, there’s no dedicated media control view like Samsung’s Flex Mode when you watch YouTube videos with the phone half-folded.
Andy Boxall /
I reviewed the Razr (2023) after the Nothing Phone 2, which has a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and I have not noticed any real performance difference between them for daily tasks. However, it can get quite warm when playing games (even simple ones like Pocket City), shooting video, and when really pushing the phone with multiple apps. It’s not all of the time, though, suggesting the heat buildup may have to do with software optimization, so updates may improve it in the future. It’s never hot, just noticeably warm, so don’t let it put you off.
Motorola Razr (2023): camera
There are two cameras inside the main module on the Motorola Razr (2023): a 64-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and laser autofocus, along with a 13MP wide-angle camera with a 120-degree field of view that also takes macro shots. It can shoot video at up to UHD resolution at 60 frames per second (fps) and take slow-motion videos too. The 32MP selfie camera sits at the top center of the screen when the phone is unfolded.
However, it’s better to use the main cameras for selfies. When the phone is closed, a double press of the power key turns the cover screen into a preview of the viewfinder, and while it’s too small to help with composition, it’s enough to see yourself and take advantage of the better cameras for your selfies. When the phone is open, it can be activated when you take photos too, but it only shows a weird cartoon face that doesn’t seem to perform any function at all.
The main camera is definitely one of Motorola’s better ones. Photos are colorful and lively, with lots of detail and just the right amount of saturation and HDR. They are suited to sharing online without much editing. However, they can be a little soft, and the camera can wash some colors out, resulting in an unnatural look, but this doesn’t happen to every photo.
There’s not always much consistency of exposure between the main and wide-angle camera, but I like the more dramatic tone of the Razr (2023)’s wide-angle, and the inconsistency is no worse than many other phone cameras at this price. Even the macro camera can take good photos, but the lack of autofocus makes it hit-or-miss if you capture one. Video is fine in good light, but it’s choppy in poor light, and when recording, the viewfinder stutters unnervingly.
The Motorola Razr (2023)’s camera isn’t quite as good as the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s great camera, but I’ve enjoyed using it. It’s not designed to take on the camera champs like the one on the Google Pixel 8 Pro, and it’s a shame the cover screen is a little underutilized, but overall there’s enough ability to keep you happy and entertained.
Motorola Razr (2023): software, calls, and connectivity
The Motorola Razr (2023) comes with Android 13 installed, presumably with an update to Android 14 coming in the not-too-distant future. The amount of changes to the familiar Android design on Motorola’s side is minimal, and the software is mostly fuss-free. The cover screen doesn’t run full apps but has a choice of Panels — including the weather, a timer, access to your calendar and contacts, plus a media player and volume control. The screen is responsive and fast.
I’ve had no problem with app compatibility when using the open phone, and the speed is there to switch between them as you want. There’s a shortcut panel that slides in from the side of the screen, and it’s easy to activate split-screen multitasking. The camera app is not only quick, but it also has my favorite shortcut — a double press of the power key. Videos look good on the screen, and the speakers are loud without entirely sacrificing clarity.
According to Motorola, the Razr (2023) is going to get some decent ongoing update support. It’s promising three years of major OS updates and four years of security updates. This is shorter than what Samsung and OnePlus offer, but it matches Google’s support (sans the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro) and is reasonable for an upper midrange phone. The Razr (2023) has happily pulled in 4G and 5G signals, calls sound clear, and I’ve successfully linked the Bluetooth to wireless earbuds and a Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 smartwatch.
The effortlessness of the software and friction-free user experience match the convenience of the shape and design of the Razr (2023), and it is such a pleasure to use.
Motorola Razr (2023): battery and charging
It’s a 4,200mAh battery inside the Motorola Razr (2023), making it larger than the one fitted to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, and its more expensive Moto folding sibling, the Razr Plus. My varied use extends to around three or four hours of screen time per day, primarily on Wi-Fi, and this takes around half of the standby time from the battery. However, it’s usually below 50% by the end of the day, making two full days of careful use unlikely.
That said, I’ve not had any concerns the battery wouldn’t last me a full day, even if it involved playing games and watching videos. Use the phone hard, and it definitely won’t last two full days. A 5G connection appears to tax it quite a lot, and you should expect to only get three to four hours of screen time from a single charge when using it.
The Motorola Razr (2023) supports 30-watt charging, and using the included Turbo Power charger block and USB cable, it took 30 minutes to reach around 70% — and on to fully charged in approximately 50 minutes. This is practically half the time it takes to recharge the Galaxy Z Flip 4, and even faster than the Oppo Find N2 Flip. However, phones like the OnePlus 11 charge much faster.
It also has wireless charging, but at just 5W, it’s not going to break any speed records, making it only suitable to keep the battery topped up when a charger is available. Battery life is often a sticking point on small foldables, which don’t have much space inside for massive cells, but the Razr (2023) is one of the better examples available, with at least a full day’s use and less than an hour to recharge.
Motorola Razr (2023): price and availability
The Motorola Razr (2023) is available for purchase in the U.S. at a retail price of $700 — the same price as the Google Pixel 8. At the time of publication, Motorola is offering a promotional discount of $100 off, knocking the Razr (2023) all the way down to just $600. This $100 discount will eventually go away, but knowing Motorola, it’ll almost certainly bring the sale back even if you miss it the first time around.
For comparison’s sake, the Motorola Razr Plus retails for $1,000 and is occasionally discounted to $800. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 also has a $1,000 MSRP, though it too can be found on sale regularly. Regardless of all that, it’s safe to say the Motorola Razr (2023) is the cheapest folding phone you can buy today — and by a significant margin, too.
Motorola Razr (2023): verdict
I love the Motorola Razr (2023). There’s very little fuss or pretentiousness to it, and it’s so much better for it. The compact flip design is its big feature, and Motorola has done the right thing by not overcomplicating everything else — and keeping the price down. This is a pick-up-and-use-every-day smartphone, with no need to learn dozens of features you’ll probably never use. And you also won’t be bothered by crushingly short battery life or be upset by a rubbish camera. It’s reliable, good-looking, and fun.
Using the Razr (2023) for the last few weeks has been great, as it’s so convenient to carry around and use. On the negative side, I am frustrated by the decision not to make the cover screen show the time and notification alerts all the time. The wireless charging is a bit of a token effort, and the processor doesn’t seem to enjoy being pushed hard. Outside of this, it’s a fantastic buy and currently about the cheapest way to get into foldable smartphones. Motorola’s on a roll in 2023, and I recommend taking advantage of it.
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