8.5 Motorola Razr Plus Like
Large, helpful cowl display screen
Crease is barely seen
Thin design
Good battery life
Fun pictures options like photograph previews
Don’t like
Not as many Android updates as Samsung
Flex View feels restricted
Front display screen gathers fingerprint smudges simply
$1,000 continues to be costly
For roughly 4 years, phone-makers have tried to ascertain what the subsequent iteration of the smartphone needs to be. They arrived at two solutions: the revival of the flip telephone, and tablets that fold in half to slot in your pocket. I’m normally a fan of the latter. But after per week of utilizing the brand new Razr Plus, Motorola has modified my thoughts. Starting at $1,000 and launching on June 23, the Razr Plus has one easy distinction that makes it vastly extra helpful than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4: a large cowl display screen. While you will nonetheless open the Razr Plus for many duties, the spacious outer show provides the telephone way more versatility, enabling it to adapt to the scenario. The Razr Plus can flip right into a miniature sensible show, a viewfinder for taking selfies and much more. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETThe manner we use our telephones has modified rather a lot over the previous decade, so it is sensible that the form of our units ought to evolve to match. That’s the premise behind the brand new Razr and different foldables, and Motorola’s execution is among the many finest I’ve seen. But at $1,000, it is nonetheless costly. Motorola is betting that customers are keen to pay prime greenback for a tool that is nonetheless new and largely unfamiliar. As is the case with most foldable telephones, you have to be ready to make some sacrifices in change for that versatile design, resembling a much less succesful digital camera in comparison with equally priced nonfolding telephones in addition to a delicate — however nonetheless noticeable — crease.The Razr Plus’ huge display screen makes an enormous distinction I preferred utilizing the Razr Plus’ entrance display screen to rapidly ship a textual content or examine the climate. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETThe Razr Plus has a 3.6-inch cowl display screen, making it roughly the identical dimension because the show on outdated smartphones just like the iPhone 4. It’s additionally considerably bigger than the 1.9-inch display screen on the entrance of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4. Having a big cowl display screen won’t sound like an enormous deal, however it makes an enormous distinction when you attempt it. There’s a stage of comfort that comes with with the ability to discreetly reply to a textual content message (on a full keyboard!) or examine the climate rapidly with out unfolding the telephone. The cowl display screen additionally made the telephone extra helpful when doing easy issues like listening to music or taking photographs. However, it does collect fingerprint smudges, so you should definitely wipe it usually.The Razr Plus’ massive cowl display screen can even really feel like a miniature sensible show. I partially opened the Razr and propped it up like a tent whereas listening to Spotify in order that the entrance display screen was going through out, making it straightforward to look at which tune was taking part in and skip to the subsequent monitor with out lifting my telephone. I additionally propped it up on my desk at work in order that I might see the climate and incoming notifications simply by peeking over on the display screen. It jogs my memory of the brand new StandBy mode coming to the iPhone in iOS 17. The Razr Plus nearly appears like a miniature sensible show when propped up like a tent. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETBut maybe the digital camera is the perfect showcase of how that cowl display screen will be put to make use of. It gives a big canvas for previewing selfies taken with the rear cameras, giving you extra space to see your self and your background in comparison with the Galaxy Z Flip 4. There’s additionally a mirror mode, full with shortcuts for zooming in and brightening the display screen to extra simply see particulars.My associates acquired a kick out of the truth that they might see themselves on the entrance display screen as I used to be taking a photograph of them. There’s much more you are able to do with the entrance display screen, however these are a few of my favourite options.The Razr Plus’ cowl show has additional screens you possibly can scroll by means of, which Motorola calls “panels,” that accompany the principle clock face. There’s a panel for app shortcuts, contacts, upcoming calendar appointments, climate forecasts, Google News, Google Fit, your Spotify participant and video games. You can cycle by means of them by swiping left or proper, whereas the principle dwelling display screen has shortcut buttons that allow you to soar immediately to every one. Long-pressing the house display screen helps you to edit and rearrange your panels. The Razr Plus can match a full keyboard on its cowl display screen. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETFor probably the most half, these panels mirror the duties most of us would seemingly be doing on the quilt display screen, like rapidly checking the climate or firing off a textual content to a good friend. Gaming might sound like a shocking use case for such a tiny display screen, however taking part in titles like Solitaire and Astro Odyssey was truly extra amusing than I anticipated. At a time when smartphones can really feel unwieldy to make use of with one hand, I recognize with the ability to scroll by means of information headlines on a tool that matches within the palm of my hand. If you are utilizing an app on the telephone’s predominant inside display screen, there is a useful button to select up the place you left off when closing the telephone. Apps routinely alter to the 3.6-inch cowl display screen with ease; I used to be stunned to see that almost each app I used conformed to the entrance show straight away.But oddly sufficient, many apps weren’t allowed on the quilt display screen by default in my expertise. I had to enter the settings menu and provides most apps permission individually to take action. While I recognize this stage of customization and the privateness precaution, going by means of my app listing to decide on which of them I needed to make use of on the entrance display screen was time consuming. The new Razr Plus has a large entrance display screen. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETThe overwhelming majority of apps labored simply tremendous, however the Google Assistant app does not appear to be supported on the exterior show on the time of writing. Whenever I used Google’s voice-enabled helper, I’d see a immediate on the quilt display screen encouraging me to open the telephone. And that is a disgrace as a result of, I might see the Google Assistant being particularly useful when utilizing that cowl display screen as a miniature sensible show. I additionally want I might extra simply entry your entire app drawer from the exterior show. You can flick through your apps when selecting which of them to pin to the apps panel, however I could not discover a solution to summon my app catalog in any other case. Motorola is not the primary to place a big cowl display screen on a foldable flip telephone, however it’s uncommon. The Oppo Find N2 additionally has a fairly sized outer show that measures 3.26 inches, which is smaller than the Razr Plus’ however seemingly massive sufficient to really feel helpful. I have not used that telephone, and it may be troublesome to search out within the US. But my colleague Sareena Dayaram stated she discovered it to be handy for checking the climate and viewing notifications. However, Motorola might have extra competitors quickly sufficient. Samsung’s subsequent Galaxy Z Flip, which might debut on the firm’s Unpacked occasion subsequent month, can be anticipated to realize a extra spacious exterior display screen. A giant internal display screen with a delicate crease The new Razr Plus has a 6.9-inch internal display screen. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETThe crease is actually current on the Razr Plus, though it is barely noticeable in most conditions. It’s seen when utilizing apps or wallpapers with darkish backgrounds and when the telephone is tilted at a sure angle, however it’s way more delicate to the look and contact in contrast with the Z Flip 4. It sounds just like the crease on Oppo’s Find N2 Flip primarily based on my colleague’s expertise. The Razr’s 6.9-inch predominant display screen is significantly massive, topping even the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 6.8-inch display screen when it comes to sheer dimension. However, the Razr Plus’ display screen is narrower than that of your common telephone, very like the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s. But this did not affect the expertise, and it truly works to the Razr’s benefit, making it really feel skinny and transportable for a telephone of its dimension. Watch this: Motorola Razr Plus Review: It Made Me Excited About Flip Phones Again
07:40 The predominant display screen’s refresh price can attain as much as 165Hz for smoother scrolling and animations. That stated, it did not really feel a lot completely different from the 120Hz refresh charges I sometimes expertise on Samsung’s Galaxy S23 lineup and the Pixel 7 Pro. Coming from the Galaxy Z Flip 4, the Razr Plus feels exceptionally skinny. There’s additionally no hole when the telephone is closed, making it really feel extra compact than Samsung’s model. However, Samsung can be anticipated to implement a brand new hinge that would permit for a gapless design with the rumored Galaxy Z Flip 5. The Razr Plus feels skinny and compact when closed. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETThere’s Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on each the back and front of the telephone to guard it from drops. But the magenta model I’ve been utilizing has vegan leather-based on the again as a substitute of glass, giving it a particular really feel that appears trendy and in addition does not collect fingerprints. The Razr Plus additionally has an IP52 sturdiness score, which ought to make it water repellent. I briefly used it within the rain and did not discover any points, though I wasn’t courageous sufficient to make use of it extensively till the climate cleared up. Simple software program that ought to do extra The new Motorola Razr Plus Lisa Eadicicco/CNETMotorola’s software program actually shines when the Razr Plus is both open or closed. I solely want it had extra to supply in between. The Razr Plus has a function referred to as Flex View, which is basically Motorola’s model of Samsung’s Flex Mode. When the telephone is opened midway, this function shifts sure apps to the highest portion of the display screen so that they are simpler to make use of. However, in my expertise, this solely labored with a small variety of apps just like the digital camera and YouTube. It sadly did not work in Google Meet, regardless that that app is optimized for Flex View, which is disappointing contemplating the Razr Plus would in any other case be supreme for video calls. While I really like how versatile and helpful the Razr Plus feels because of its big entrance display screen, I’d like to see Motorola experiment extra with attention-grabbing methods to make use of the telephone when opened midway. Otherwise, the Razr Plus runs on a comparatively clear model of Android 13 that has just a few Motorola apps. You’ll get three years of Android working system upgrades with the Razr Plus, which is on par with Google’s replace timeline for its Pixel telephones however is not so long as Samsung’s four-generation pledge. I hope Motorola and others finally observe in Samsung’s footsteps. Enabling telephones to last more is essential in making the provision chain extra sustainable and serving to customers get probably the most out of their units. The Razr Plus’ cameras are for informal photographs and selfies The Razr Plus’ Flex View helps you to take photographs when the telephone is half open. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETThe Razr Plus has a 12-megapixel predominant digital camera and a 13-megapixel secondary digital camera that takes ultrawide and macro pictures. Photos appeared crisp and clear in most situations. But there have been instances when photos both appeared too washed out or not almost as colourful as these taken with the Galaxy Z Flip 4 or Pixel 7 Pro, the latter of which is $100 cheaper than the Razr however does not fold in half.The photograph beneath of an ice cream scoop is one instance of this. The shade within the Razr Plus’ shot appears just a little bland in contrast with the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s and Pixel 7 Pro’s, though Motorola’s image is sharper than Samsung’s.Motorola Razr Plus A photograph of a scoop of ice cream taken on the Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGoogle Pixel 7 Pro A photograph of a scoop of ice cream taken on the Pixel 7 Pro. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 A photograph of a scoop of ice cream taken on the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETHere’s an instance of the Razr Plus’ photograph trying manner too washed out. The sky fully lacks shade in contrast with the Pixel 7 Pro’s picture.Motorola Razr Plus A photograph of the fountain at Central Park taken on the Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGoogle Pixel 7 Pro A photograph of a fountain in Central Park taken on the Pixel 7 Pro. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETI additionally seen the colour temperature modifications a bit when switching between the extensive and ultrawide lenses on the Razr Plus, as proven beneath. Razr Plus (extensive) A photograph taken at Prospect Park on the Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETRazr Plus (ultrawide) A photograph taken on the Razr Plus at Prospect Park Lisa Eadicicco/CNETThat stated, there have been loads of different situations during which photographs appeared daring and vibrant, as proven beneath. A photograph of a espresso cart taken on the Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNET A photograph of a bouquet of flowers taken on the Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNET A photograph of the bridge within the distance from Astoria park taken on the Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETSelfies taken on the Razr Plus’ 32-megapixel entrance digital camera look nice. That’s necessary for the social media-forward viewers that Motorola is pitching this telephone to. My pores and skin tone and hair shade look punchier in Motorola’s photograph in comparison with Google’s. I additionally most well-liked it over Samsung’s selfie for the reason that shade and shadowing in Motorola’s photograph appeared richer.Motorola Razr Plus (entrance digital camera) A selfie taken on the Razr Plus with the entrance digital camera. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGoogle Pixel 7 Pro A selfie taken on the Pixel 7 Pro. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 A selfie taken with the Galaxy. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETThe good thing about utilizing a telephone just like the Razr is you can additionally snap selfies with the rear cameras whereas utilizing the outer show as a viewfinder. The selfie taken with the Razr Plus’ predominant rear digital camera actually has extra element, which you’ll particularly discover when my hair. That stated, I most well-liked taking selfies with the inside digital camera as a result of it felt extra pure and was simpler to place at a flattering angle. I usually discovered myself holding the telephone the other way up when taking selfies with the entrance display screen whereas the telephone was closed, which felt awkward at first. Low mild efficiency can be good, with the Razr focusing extra sharply and producing brighter pictures than Samsung in some circumstances. But the Pixel 7 Pro lit pictures extra evenly and had higher shade in my expertise.Motorola Razr Plus A photograph of my cat taking a nap, taken in a really darkish room on the Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGoogle Pixel 7 A photograph of my cat taking a nap, shot on the Pixel 7 Pro. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Oscar taking a nap, shot with the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETOverall, the Razr Plus’ digital camera high quality is simply tremendous for somebody who primarily desires to snap photographs of meals, journey and pets for social media. It’s just like what you’d get with the Galaxy Z Flip 4. But do not anticipate to get the extent of digital camera prowess you’d discover on a premium, nonfolding telephone just like the Pixel 7 Pro. In addition to offering higher shade and element than the Razr Plus in some situations, the Pixel 7 Pro’s zoom is way more succesful given it has a devoted 48-megapixel telephoto digital camera. Motorola Razr Plus A zoomed-in photograph taken with the Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETGoogle Pixel 7 A zoomed-in photograph taken with the Pixel 7 Pro. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 A zoomed-in photograph taken with the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETBut just like the Galaxy Z Flip 4, the Razr Plus’ attraction as a digital camera is about versatility above all else. Unlike a nonfolding telephone, the Razr Plus has a built-in tripod, since it could possibly stand upright when folded midway. That allowed me to get this shot of myself petting my good friend’s canine within the park (though it could not assist me persuade Curly to face the digital camera, alas). A photograph of me and my good friend’s canine Curly on the park taken on the Motorola Razr Plus. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETThere are another enjoyable options that make the most of Razr’s design too. For instance, there is a photograph sales space mode that is meant to imitate the bodily photograph cubicles you usually see at weddings and different particular occasions. Just choose Photo Booth with the telephone opened midway, and the Razr Plus will seize 4 photographs in a row, with a three-second countdown timer earlier than every photograph.It’s a neat trick, however I additionally really feel like Motorola might have finished much more with it. Why not add extra particular results and filters to make it really feel much more like a real-life photograph sales space? You can select a filter beforehand for all 4 photographs however not individually for every image. It would even be attention-grabbing to see Motorola apply a movie strip-esque aesthetic that teams all 4 photographs collectively in a photograph booth-like manner. Right now, these pictures simply seem in your digital camera roll like some other photograph. But Motorola says these photographs will seem stitched collectively in Google Photos in a future software program replace. Razr Plus efficiency and battery life John Kim/CNETThe Razr Plus’ 3,800-mAh battery has greater than sufficient juice to final a full day. I all the time had some battery life left at bedtime, even with the excessive refresh price and adaptive brightness settings turned on. On sooner or later, the telephone had 60% of its battery left after roughly 14 hours of use, and 24% after 17 hours of use. But it is necessary to keep in mind that battery life will all the time range relying on the way you’re utilizing the telephone. Cranking the show brightness up excessive and streaming media for lengthy intervals of time, for instance, will seemingly drain the battery quicker. Motorola’s new telephone additionally carried out significantly effectively throughout CNET’s battery endurance check, throughout which I made a brief video name, performed video games, browsed social media and streamed video over the course of 45 minutes to see how a lot these duties drain the battery. The Razr Plus’ battery dropped to 93% from 100%, which is on par with the Google Pixel 7A and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The Razr Plus affords 30-watt wired charging with a suitable energy adapter and five-watt wi-fi charging. That’s just like the wired charging velocity you will get on Samsung units just like the Z Flip 4 and S23, which assist 25-watt charging with the correct charger, though the Galaxy S23 Plus and Ultra go as much as 45 watts. But like most trendy telephones, the Razr Plus does not include an influence adapter within the field. The Razr Plus charged from 20% to 65% in 30 minutes, which is barely quicker however roughly the identical because the Galaxy Z Flip 4, which went from 38% to 83% over the identical interval. The Razr Plus’ five-watt quick charging is way slower, solely replenishing the battery from 67% to 72% after 30 minutes, making it extra supreme for in a single day charging. Performance was typically quick and clean, all powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, the identical chip discovered contained in the Galaxy Z Flip 4. It’s not Qualcomm’s latest chip for flagship telephones, however it gives sufficient energy for lots of the duties you will seemingly be utilizing the Razr for. The digital camera launches rapidly, video games run easily, apps open straight away and switching between portrait and panorama orientations occurs nearly immediately. This is all to be anticipated of a $1,000 telephone just like the Razr Plus.The Razr Plus carried out effectively in Geekbench 6, a benchmark check meant to guage normal computing efficiency for on a regular basis duties like checking electronic mail, taking photographs and multitasking. Its outcomes had been higher than the Pixel 7A’s and about on par with the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy S23 Ultra. But in a separate check referred to as 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, which exams graphics efficiency, the Razr Plus had decrease outcomes than many different telephones we have examined.Motorola Razr Plus benchmark comparability Geekbench 6 Single Core 1,756 1,592 1,439 1,892Geekbench 6 Multicore 4,318 4,331 3,560 5,0093Dmark Wild Life Extreme 1,687 2669 1,855 3,802
Motorola Razr Plus
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Google Pixel 7A
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Note: Higher scores point out higher efficiency.
Motorola’s Razr Plus made me enthusiastic about flip telephones Lisa Eadicicco/CNETComing roughly three years after Motorola’s first Razr revival, it lastly appears like the corporate has efficiently pulled off the trendy flip telephone. The Razr Plus’ big display screen makes it really feel way more helpful, including a shocking quantity of utility. It proves that flip telephones have extra to supply than simply portability. The Razr Plus does not get all the pieces proper; I’d prefer to see longer Android model assist and extra apps and options that work when the telephone is folded midway. But it is compelling sufficient to get me inquisitive about flip telephones and see the promise of foldable units. Barring any obvious points that come up after prolonged use, the Motorola Razr Plus could also be the perfect foldable telephone I’ve used to date. But that “so far” caveat is necessary, contemplating Samsung is anticipated to launch a brand new model of the Z Flip with an equally huge cowl display screen quickly sufficient.How we check phonesEvery telephone examined by CNET’s critiques staff was truly utilized in the true world. We check a telephone’s options, play video games and take photographs. We study the show to see if it is brilliant, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and construct to see how it’s to carry and whether or not it has an IP-rating for water resistance. We push the processor’s efficiency to the extremes utilizing each standardized benchmark instruments like GeekBench and 3DMark, together with our personal anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution movies and taking part in graphically intense video games at excessive refresh charges.All the cameras are examined in a wide range of circumstances from brilliant daylight to darkish indoor scenes. We check out particular options like evening mode and portrait mode and evaluate our findings towards equally priced competing telephones. We additionally try the battery life by utilizing it day by day in addition to operating a collection of battery drain exams.We take into consideration further options like assist for 5G, satellite tv for pc connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus assist, quick charging speeds and foldable shows amongst others that may be helpful. And we steadiness all of this towards the value to provide the verdict on whether or not that telephone, no matter its worth is, truly represents good worth.Motorola Razr Plus Specs vs. Motorola Razr (2023), Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, Oppo Find N2 Flip Motorola Razr PlusMotorola Razr 2023Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Oppo Find N2 Flip Display dimension, tech, decision, refresh price, brightness Cover: 3.6-inch OLED (1,066×1,056 pixels); Internal: 6.9-inch FHD+ (2,640×1,080)Cover: 1.5-inch OLED (194×368 pixels); Internal: 6.9-inch FHD+ (2,640×1,080)Cover: 1.9-inch (260×512 pixels); Internal: 6.7-inch FHD Plus (2,640×1,080; 22:9)Cover: 3.26-inch AMOLED (720×382 pixels); Internal: 6.8-inch AMOLED (2,520×1,080) Pixel density External: 413 ppi Internal: 413ppiExternal: 282 ppi Internal: 413ppiInternal: 426 ppiExternal: 250 ppi Internal: 403 ppiDimensions (inches) Open: 2.91 x 6.73 x 0.28 in.; Closed: 2.91 x 3.48 x 0.59 in.Open: 2.91 x 6.73 x 0.29 in.; Closed: 2.91 x 3.47 x 0.62 in.Open: 2.83 x6.5 x 0.27 in.; Closed: 2.83 x 3.3 x 0.67 in.Open: 6.54 × 2.96 × 0.29 in.; Closed: 3.36 × 2.96 × 0.63 in.Dimensions (millimeters) Open: 73.95 x 170.83 x 6.99 mm; Closed: 73.95 x 88.42 x 15.1 mmOpen: 73.95 x 170.82 x 7.35 mm; Closed: 73.95 x 88.24 x 15.8 mmOpen: 71.9 x 165.2 x 6.9 mm; Closed: 71.9 x 84.9 x 17.1 mmOpen: 166 × 75 × 7.5mm; Closed: 86 × 75 × 16mmWeight (grams, ounces) 188.5, 6.64 oz.188.6 g, 6.65 oz.187g, 6.59 oz.191g, 6.74 oz.Mobile software program Android 13Android 13Android 12/13Coloration OS 13 (Android 13)Camera 12-megapixel (predominant), 13-megapixel (extensive)64-megapixel (predominant), 13-megapixel (extensive)12-megapixel (predominant), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)50-megapixel (predominant), 8-megapixel (ultrawide)Front-facing digital camera 32-megapixel32-megapixel10-megapixel 32-megapixelVideo seize 4K4K4K4KProcessor Snapdragon 8 Gen 1Snapdragon 7 Gen 1Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1Mediatek Dimensity 9000+RAM/storage 8GB + 256GB8GB + 128GB8GB + 128GB/ 256GB/ 512GB8GB RAM + 128GB; 12GB RAM + 256GBExpandable storage NoneNoneNoneNoneBattery/charging speeds 3,800 mAh4,200 mAh3,700 mAh4,300 mAh (44W)Fingerprint sensor SideSideSideSideConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneNoNoneSpecial options IP52, 5G enabled, foldable show, 30W wired charging, wi-fi chargingIP52, 5G enabled, foldable show, 30W wired charging, 5W wi-fi chargingIPX67, 5G enabled, foldable show, wi-fi charging, 25W quick charging5G, twin SIM, bundled charger, 44W chargerUS worth off-contract $1,000TBD$999Converts to $1,015