WhenI used the Motorola Razr Plus for the first timeat the beginning of June , I was already asking myself if it was my favorite smartphone of the year — and that was after barely more than an hour with the phone . I ’m now writing this critical review after using the Razr Plus for a little under two weeks , and even after expose some of its shortcomings and quirks , I still ca n’t shake that feeling .
Is the Motorola Razr Plus the most technically telling phone I ’ve used this year ? No . Is it the right-down , verybest smartphonefor most people in 2023 ? Also , no ! But of all the phones I ’ve used this year , it ’s the one I ’ve had the mostfunwith . The Motorola Razr Plus is charming , delightful , and — hands down — the best flip phone foldable I ’ve ever used .
About our Motorola Razr Plus review
Our Motorola Razr Plus review was originally published in late June 2023 and save by Joe Maring . It was then updated at the beginning of December by Andy Boxall , who revisit the phone and used it for a further 10 days . Joe Maring used a U.S. Razr Plus , and Andy Boxall used the U.K. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra , which is thesame phone , just with a different name .
you’re able to find a segment about Andy ’s experience with the Razr Plus powerful below , but the overall grudge has n’t transfer , and it ’s still highly recommended .
Motorola Razr Plus: six months later
I hadan emotional time with the Motorola Razr Pluswhen I used it in December 2023 , as I loved certain aspect , but was frustrated by others . But what about using it every Clarence Shepard Day Jr. ? I turn back to the Motorola Razr Plus during a period when I really needed a reliable phone with safe shelling life that would n’t lease me down . Under normal condition , my phone is a simple putz for recreation and messaging , but for the last week , it has been an important communicating equipment when time was incredibly tight .
It has sustain up well , but it is n’t pure . The assault and battery has survive an entire day without a problem , with 60 % remaining after two hours of screen time and 30 minutes of call . I was n’t concerned in play games . I just need it to defy up , which it did . However , I doubt it would last more than a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. if I was pushing it hard or playing games .
The Razr Plus reliably draw in in a 4 yard and 5 M signaling and made calls in low signal areas , but one somebody being called did say the conversation was difficult due to the signal dropping . I also had a duo of call drop out completely despite the sign being present , and the phone can get quite warm against your cheek when it ’s in this land , too . I ca n’t say for sure this was all the Razr Plus ’s fault , but the antenna did n’t seem as strong as on some other phones I ’ve used .
I love the designing , the Viva Magenta colouring , the multifunctional and bombastic cover screen , andMoo on the covering screen , butI miss an always - on display . It ’s also frustrating that the phone still does n’t have an update toAndroid 14 , which is already useable on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Oppo Find N2 Flip . I ’d still opt the Z Flip 5 over it at full price , but Motorola has had some very private-enterprise offers on the Razr Plus lately , and anything lower than the full retail price makes it very alluring — and a great way to enjoy high - end close up phone ownership .
Motorola Razr Plus: design and durability
The Motorola Razr Plus is visuallystunning — specially if you get it in the Viva Magenta color that I ’ve been using . Motorola partner withPantonefor this exceptional color , which was crowned Pantone ’s “ Color of the Year ” for 2023 .
That partnership away , all you really require to sleep together is that Viva Magenta looks jaw - dropping on the Razr Plus . The glossy aluminum frame is cover in a shiny , concentrated red hue that ’s understandably visible from every angle . Even if the Razr Plus is closed shut and sitting on a desk or table , its Viva Magenta goal is insufferable to ignore .
Viva Magenta looks jaw - dropping on the Razr Plus .
Joe Maring/Digital Trends
My favourite part , though , is how the color also carries over to the vegan leather backside of the Razr Plus . The leather looks spectacular , give the Razr Plus excellent grip , and foreclose it from slide around on nigh any surface . As someone who proudly carry a leather Moto X for as long as I could , hold a leather Motorola phone once again warm up my cold , nerdy heart .
Although Viva Magenta isthecolor to get for the Razr Plus , the other two finish — Infinite Black and Glacier Blue — also face nice . They are n’t quite as eye - catching , and they supervene upon the leather backside with a frosted glass one , but they ’re still great selection to have .
That ’s enough raving about the colors . How ’s the balance of the Motorola Razr Plus ’ design ? In poor , it ’s very full !
Joe Maring/Digital Trends
Motorola ’s hinge mechanism for the Razr Plus feels serious to me . It ’s not as stiff as the hinge on theSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 , mean it ca n’t stay propped exposed at any slant the room Samsung ’s foldable can . However , I ’ve never really find oneself it to be an takings . The Razr Plus ’ hinge can easily hold it erect at most reasonable angles to practice the speech sound in “ Flex View , ” as Motorola call it . The hinge will fall through all the way down if you try bend the Razr Plus backtoomuch in a means the Flip 4 does n’t , but I do n’t guess it ’ll be a problem for the vast legal age of users .
While it ’s unmanageable to say right on now how the hinge will accommodate up after months or yr of use , it ’s continue to experience first-class in the metre that I ’ve had the Razr Plus . And , most authoritative of all , you could fairly well flip the phone loose and close it shut one - handed – just like in the beneficial onetime days .
The Motorola Razr Plus also has something I ’ve never see on a folding telephone set before : dust resistance . The Razr Plus features an IP52 rating , mean it ’s officially protected against dust and dripping water . While other foldables have long had coppice and other internal safety mechanisms to foreclose price from detritus and other particle , the Razr Plus is the first one with a right IP rating in that regard . It may not be as durable as the IP68 rating we see on non - folding phones like theGalaxy S23 UltraandGoogle Pixel 8 professional , but for a pen up headphone , it ’s all-fired telling .
Joe Maring/Digital Trends
A few other tidbits before moving on :
Motorola Razr Plus: cover screen
As telling as the Motorola Razr Plus ’ design is , the actual highlight of the phone is its concealment screen . Taking over the front of the Razr Plus is a 3.6 - inch pOLED display , and despite it being a “ secondary ” screen , it has every spec you could inquire for . It ’s HDR10 + certified , the 1066 x 1056 resolution gives it a 413 pel per inch ( ppi ) density , and it has a 144Hz refresh rate . Yes , the Razr Plus ’ cover charge screen has a quicker refresh rate than theiPhone 15 professional .
Technically , the binding screen looks excellent . Colors are sheer and vibrant , it ’s more than acute enough , and the 144Hz refresh charge per unit ( while overkill ) is a visual delicacy . But it ’s not just how the masking screen looks that makes it so telling — it ’s what you candowith it .
The concealment screen ’s main home sieve shows the time , appointment , and weather . Swipe down from the top of the concealment screen , and you ’ll see your Quick options with controls for luminosity , Wi - Fi , Bluetooth , Google Wallet , etc . Notification icons are displayed at the bottom , and tapping them displays a familiar presentment dialog box that let you push aside and open them .
Joe Maring / Digital Trends
The home screen also shows various “ panels . ” There are eight panels you may take from ( Apps , Calendar , Contacts , Games , Google Fit , Google News , Spotify , and Weather ) . you may turn these panels on and off as you please and customize the order of them however you see fit . you’re able to solicit on the panel icons on the home screen to start to a specific one or swipe leave / right on the domicile screen to browse them that way .
For the most part , I quite like Motorola ’s panel organization . Being able to speedily see a three - twenty-four hours weather condition forecast and my forthcoming calendar appointments is smashing , as is have quick access to cutoff for striking and apps . However , the panels are also quite limited . The dedicated Spotify panel is capital if you ’re a Spotify user , and it ’s optimize perfectly for the covert screen door . But if you ’re an Apple Music or YouTube Music user , you do n’t get any such control panel . The calendar panel has also proven quite kookie . It often get stuck on the previous 24-hour interval and only updates to the current date after tap the sight button to motorcycle it between the month and docket view . Motorola could easily expound on its whole panels approximation , and I hope it does . There ’s a good foundation here , and I really go for it continues to get estimable with time .
If these panels were your only way to interact with the Razr Plus ’ cover screen , their limitations would be a fairly big deal . However , they ’re far from it . standardized to theRazr ( 2022 ) , Motorola allows you to runany Android appon the Razr Plus ’ cover screen . If you have an Android app installed on the Razr Plus , you could course it on the cover screen .
Joe Maring/Digital Trends
I ’ve waited years for a folding impudent phone with a cover screen this hefty .
When you spread out an app on the Razr Plus ’ cover concealment , you could use it inDefault vieworFull Screen . Default view adds a practical bezel at the bottom of the app so it ’s not cut off by the rear camera , and also record your stamp battery icon , telling , and the time . If you change it to Full Screen , the app takes over the entirety of the cover screen . you may switch between view at any time by bid and keep at the bottom of the filmdom , and the phone will call back your view preference on a per - app basis . In other words , you may run Twitter in Full Screen , but Google Maps in Default view without having to manually switch back and forward every unmarried fourth dimension .
If you run apps in Full Screen , the cameras and LED flashwillcut into the app and verify menu / buttons impossible to see or utilize . And that ’s OK ! Some apps see better in Default view , others look just all right in Full Screen mood , and I be intimate that Motorola gives you the exemption to practice whichever mode you ’d like .
Joe Maring/Digital Trends
Is it slaphappy to ply Android apps on a 3.6 - inch display ? It sure enough can be ! But I ’ve also found licitly great use for it . When I go to the gymnasium or require to grab a coffee , being capable to run down my Planet Fitness or Starbucks bar code without opening the Razr Plus is terrific . It ’s also capital for expect at my shopping list on the Bring ! app , checking / replying to messages on Telegram , and finding podcasts to listen to on Pocket Casts .
And Motorola does n’t stop there . you’re able to allow / deny apps from hightail it on the cover screen on a per - app basisandcontrol how they transition between the main screen to the blanket video display . you could keep apps from transitioning at all , get a wiretap - to - modulation prompt on the covering fire screen after close up the phone with an app outdoors , or have apps mechanically open on the cover screen after shut the Razr Plus .
As you may recount , there ’s alotyou can do . It ’s entirely potential to do everything you want on the Razr Plus ’ cover screen without ever opening the telephone set . You may not need to , but the choice is there — and I adore that Motorola lets you run one dollar bill rampantly here . I have n’t even mention the half - 12 games you could play on the cover screen ! This is probably a skillful thing … seeing how I ’ve recede far too many hours playingStack Bouncewhen I should have been publish this review . I ’ve waited years for a folding flip telephone with a cover screen this powerful . Motorola collar it .
Joe Maring/Digital Trends
However , it ’s not the only heavyset folding phone with a binding screen that can run apps . you’re able to run certain apps ( or any app , if you ’re prepared to work for it ) on theSamsung Galaxy zed Flip 5‘s screen filmdom , and following a few software update , theOppo Find N2 Flip‘s cover screen can also lead third - party apps . Motorola is no longer the only game in township if you want apps on a tiny outer screen .
Motorola Razr Plus: main screen
Of course , the cover screen is n’t the only video display you get on the Razr Plus . start the Motorola Razr Plus , and you ’re treat to a 6.9 - in pOLED display . It has a 2640 x 1080 resolution , 1,400 nit of peak brightness level , HDR10 + support , and a 165Hz refresh rate . As the specs suggest , it ’s a lovely display .
The Razr Plus ’ independent silver screen has it all : big and sheer colours , shrewd text , and ample brightness for outdoor habit . The 165Hz refresh rate is also wonderful . Everything looks buttery liquid on the Razr Plus , and while I would have been perfectly happy with a 120Hz jury , I ’m not sound off that Motorola went all - out with 165Hz .
I ’m also quite happy with the fold in the main display . you may see a slight ripple impression in the middle of the screenland under direct light , and it is detectable when you run your fingerbreadth across it . But it’smilesbetter than the crease on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 . It is there , and you will notice it , but it ’s far easier to push aside and forget about than the Z Flip ’s crease .
App in Default viewJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Motorola Razr Plus: cameras
Almost every smartphone has to cut corner somewhere , and with fold phones , that usually apply to tv camera caliber . The Motorola Razr Plus is equipped with a 12MP primary camera with an f/1.5 aperture and optical double stabilisation ( OIS ) . It also has a 13MP ultrawide camera with a 108 - point field of view , plus a 32MP selfie tv camera on the interior .
With specifications like that , it should n’t come as much of a surprisal that the Razr Plus ’ tv camera system is n’t anything to write home about . It ’s a okay camera setup that can grow becoming - look shots , and I would n’t call it in a flash “ bad . ” But for a $ 1,000 smartphone , it ’s for sure not the best you may do .
The giving problem with the Razr Plus ’ tv camera is its consistency . Some photograph , like the nip of the soda pop bottles or my cat sit on my lick , face very good ! But there are other times when the Razr Plus just misses the stigma . The exposure above of my click make up his fur appearverysaturated , to the point where it almost calculate orange . In reality , he has a very natural tan colour . It also does a poor occupation capturing my black khat cleaning herself , entirely erasing the detail in her fur and not being able-bodied to keep up with her movement .
App in Full screenJoe Maring/Digital Trends
But at the same time , I quite like the portrait photo of my partner standing in the pond . I also think the Razr Plus made the chocolate potato chip pancakes look very appetising — though not so much for the piece of pepperoni pizza .
The ultrawide tv camera is likewise middling . In the photograph of the nature trail , it does a wretched job of handling the sunlight thump through the trees , but it does n’t struggle as much with the picture of the lift sunlight over the pond . I also would have appreciated a wider field of view . While 108 degree is good , it ’s much narrower than the 120 degrees found on other flagship phones .
What the ultrawide tv camera is great for , though , is macro exposure . I ’ve had a hatful of fun getting some really close - up shots with the Razr Plus , and the macro results it churns out are quite proficient .
Razr Plus main cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
finally , there ’s the 32MP selfie tv camera . It ’s very forgettable . Photos often look dampen - out , it does a terrible job of palm brightandovercast skies , and the determine - focus nature of the camera means it ca n’t autofocus on subjects if you get nigher or further from the sensor .
The upside , however , is that you may totally ignore the risky selfie camera and just use the Razr Plus ’ 12MP master camera for selfies . The cover song blind acts as a perfect viewfinder for these shot , and the end results are oftenmuchbetter .
Motorola Razr Plus: performance and battery
power the Motorola Razr Plus is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 + Gen 1 — the same one used in many of thebest Android phonesreleased in 2022 . Although it is n’t the new chipset in Qualcomm ’s portfolio , the Snapdragon 8 + Gen 1 is an extremely equal to bit of silicon . Apps unfold now , it palm games with ease , and the 8 GB of LPDDR5 random memory reserve for unseamed multitasking . Performance has never been an issue on the Razr Plus .
This also use to the phone’s5Gperformance . The Motorola Razr Plus only has sub-6 5 G and doesnotsupport mmWave 5G. While that may sound like a problem for a $ 1,000 smartphone , it ’s been a entire nonissue in my testing . Using the phone on T - Mobile ’s 5 K web in southwesterly Michigan , the Razr Plus ’ 5 G carrying into action is just as fast as my iPhone 14 Pro ’s — easy accomplish over 1Gbps download speeds in well - covered areas .
My great government issue with the Razr Plus ’ carrying into action is how hot the phone get . After playingMarvel Snapfor 20 proceedings , the top constituent of the Razr Plus ( around the cover version filmdom ) getsverywarm . I have n’t noticed any heating issues during normal use , but if I game for any protracted period of time , it ’s not uncommon for the earpiece to heat up . It also gets quite quick when make up prolonged phone calls too . consider other Snapdragon 8 + Gen 1 - fit phones have n’t had this issue , I think Motorola had to surmount back on its thermal direction due to the Razr Plus ’ chassis factor and sizing . It ’s not a deal - breaker , but it did grab me off guard .
Razr Plus main cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
What about stamp battery life ? The 3,800mAh battery inside the Razr Plus is rough the same as what you get in the Galaxy Z Flip 5 , and exchangeable to that phone , the Razr Plus has enough survival for one twenty-four hours of use . With two hours of screen time ( specifically on the primary presentation ) , 30 to 50 minutes of gaming , and frequent use of apps like Twitter , Outlook , Microsoft Teams , Duolingo , TikTok , and Instagram , I ’m ending most day on the Razr Plus with about 15 % remaining — if not less . This also includes using the screen screen for checking notifications throughout the sidereal day , responding to Telegram messages , and playingStack Bounce(it’ssogood ) .
This is perfectly ok assault and battery animation . It ’d be great if the Razr Plus could get through a mean solar day - and - a - one-half ( or two days ) on a charge , but that sort of endurance will probably be out of reach for foldable flip earphone for a little while yet . I ’m utterly well-chosen if I can well get through a full day , and the Motorola Razr Plus has make do to do that consistently .
I feel similarly about the charge situation . The Razr Plus supports 30 - W wired charging and 5W radiocommunication charging . Motorola ’s not breaking any Modern primer coat here , but these are fine charging pick .
Razr Plus main cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Motorola Razr Plus: software and updates
The Motorola Razr Plus runs Android 13 with Motorola ’s typical customization pinch . The overall user user interface is very exchangeable to what you ’d find on aPixel 7 — including a colourful Quick configurations computer menu , a Google Discover provender next to your leftmost home blind , and a theme railway locomotive that matches your current wallpaper .
It ’s much simpler and sportsmanlike than the software on a OnePlus or Samsung headphone , and it ’s one of my favorite ways to use Android . In fact , it ’s one of the main reasonsI ditched my iPhone for a Motorola phoneearlier this year .
All of Motorola ’s additions to Android are found in the Moto app . Here , you may get at heaps of personalization tools — include the ability to change your case , app icon shape , accent color , and more . It ’s also where you’re able to customize Motorola ’s excellent gestures ( like chopping the Razr Plus to turn on the flashlight or twisting it to start the camera app ) .
Razr Plus main cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Jump into theSettingsapp , and you ’ll find a dedicatedExternal displayoption lodging all of your ascendence for the cover screen . This is where you’re able to change the top screen clock and wallpaper , tailor-make your dialog box , adjust the display / font size , and choose how apps work on the cover projection screen . It ’s all organized incredibly well .
As for update , Motorola says that the Razr Plus will get three O upgrades and four years of bimonthly security update . Although Google Pixel gadget offer an redundant year of protection update and many Samsung phones foretell four O upgrades , this is a considerable improvement from premature Moto phones .
It look like we ’re formally past the days of flagship Motorola handsets only go one or two Android upgrades , and that ’s great to see , but Android 14 still has n’t arrive on the Razr Plus as of December 2023 . This is n’t well , consider its rivals have already received the latest version of Android . Motorola has not provide an official metre frame for loss either .
Razr Plus main cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Motorola Razr Plus: price and availability
The Motorola Razr Plus is useable for leverage now for $ 1,000 . you’re able to buy the headphone unlocked at Amazon , Best Buy , and direct through Motorola ’s website . If you prefer shop via carrier , Motorola is sell the Razr Plus at AT&T , T - Mobile , Spectrum Mobile , Google Fi Wireless , and Optimum Mobile .
The Infinite Black and Glacier Blue colors are available everywhere the Razr Plus is sold , but if you want the Viva Magenta colour shown throughout this revue , you ’ll need to get the Razr Plus from Amazon , Motorola ’s web site , or T - Mobile . The Razr Plus is available in just one storage and RAM configuration — specifically , 256 GB of store with 8 GB of RAM .
There are two other thing to consider before buying the sound . Motorola has run several expectant offers since the machine launched , with the price reach out just $ 699 at one point , so look out for something similar before picking it up if you ’re not in a hurry . The other thing to think about is whether the cheaperMotorola Razr ( 2023)would be enough for you , as it ’s a brilliant phone that has made it onto one ofour upright - of - year listsalready .
Razr Plus main cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Motorola Razr Plus: verdict
The Motorola Razr Plus is not a perfect headphone . In fact , there are some pretty notable flaws that can make the $ 1,000 price tag difficult to swallow . The camera system is fine , but justfinedoesn’t really cut it for a phone this expensive . Photo timbre is a celebrated step down from theGalaxy Z Flip 5 . One - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. battery spirit is the minimum you should expect from a flagship smartphone in 2023 , and the Razr Plus ’ charging options ( while OK ) do n’t do anything we have n’t seen before .
These are all legitimate reasons to think twice before buy the Razr Plus , especially when phones like theGalaxy S23andOnePlus 11don’t have those problems — and cost hundreds less .
The Motorola Razr Plus is my favorite flip phone foldable yet .
Razr Plus main cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
However , even with those imperfections in intellect , I ’ve had an absoluteblastwith the Motorola Razr Plus . It ’s one of the most fun and pleasurable sound I ’ve used all year . Thanks to the outstanding cover version silver screen , adorable design , and well - executed software package , the Razr Plus is one of those smartphones I do n’t want to stop using . It ’s not the most technically impressive and is n’t the safe value phone you could buy , but it ’s also unlike anything I ’ve used before .
“ Fun ” is intimately impossible to quantify and means something dissimilar to everyone . But what I can say is that the Motorola Razr Plus — wart and all — is my favored flip phone foldaway yet .
Razr Plus main cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Razr Plus main cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Razr Plus ultrawide cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Razr Plus ultrawide cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Razr Plus ultrawide cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Razr Plus ultrawide cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Razr Plus macro photoJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Razr Plus macro photoJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Razr Plus selfie cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Razr Plus selfie cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Razr Plus main cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
Razr Plus main cameraJoe Maring/Digital Trends
