Motorola Razr+ 2024 Review: A Modern Take on Nostalgia

The flip phone is back, but not in the way you remember. The satisfying snap of closing a phone to end a call is a feeling many of us left behind in the mid-2000s. Motorola, the brand that once defined the peak of flip phone fashion with the original Razr, has resurrected this iconic form factor for the smartphone era. The Motorola Razr+ 2024 is the latest and most refined attempt yet, blending a wave of nostalgia with the cutting-edge technology we expect from a flagship device.

This isn’t just a gimmick. Motorola has made significant strides, turning the Razr+ into a genuine contender in the growing foldable market. With an expansive external display, a more powerful processor, and a sleeker design, the 2024 model aims to prove that a flip phone can be both fun and functional. But in a field with tough competition like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series, does the Razr+ have what it takes to win over hearts and pockets? We’ve spent weeks with this device to find out.

Design: Polished, Practical, and Pocketable

From the moment you pick it up, the Razr+ 2024 feels premium. Motorola has subtly refined the design from last year’s model, softening the contours of the aluminum frame for a smoother, more comfortable feel in the hand. The back is now adorned with a grippy and stylish vegan leather, available in several striking colors like Hot Pink, Midnight Blue, and Spring Green. It’s a thoughtful touch that not only looks good but also makes the phone less slippery.

When closed, the device is impressively compact. It measures just over half an inch thick and fits easily into pockets where larger slab phones would awkwardly protrude. The redesigned hinge mechanism is a highlight; it’s stronger, smoother, and engineered to better resist dust and debris. Opening and closing the phone one-handed is effortless and produces that deeply gratifying snap that is core to the Razr experience.

A major upgrade for this year is the IPX8 water-resistance rating. This means the Razr+ can survive being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. It’s a huge leap from the mere splash protection of its predecessor and brings it in line with competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, providing much-needed peace of mind.

The button layout is logical, with two volume keys and a power button that doubles as a quick, reliable fingerprint scanner on the right edge. The only minor ergonomic quirk is that the buttons’ positions are inverted depending on whether the phone is open or closed, which can take some getting used to.

The Tale of Two Displays

The dual-screen setup is where the Razr+ truly shines, particularly with its external display. Motorola has expanded the outer pOLED screen to a massive 4.0 inches. It’s no longer just a notification ticker; this is a fully functional display. With a sharp 1272 x 1080 resolution, a super-smooth 165Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 2,400 nits, it’s bright, responsive, and perfectly usable even in direct sunlight.

You can run almost any Android app on this outer screen. Replying to messages, checking Google Maps, or controlling your music without ever opening the phone is a game-changer. It not only saves time but also helps conserve battery and reduces wear on the main folding screen. This is one area where the Razr+ has a clear advantage over the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, offering a more versatile and immersive external experience.

Flipping the phone open reveals the main 6.9-inch pOLED display. With a tall 22:9 aspect ratio and a 2640 x 1080 resolution, it’s a fantastic canvas for watching videos and browsing content. Like the outer screen, it boasts a 165Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and animations, and its peak brightness of 3,000 nits is exceptional. Colors are vibrant, and blacks are deep, making for a truly enjoyable viewing experience.

Of course, the elephant in the room with any foldable is the crease. While it’s still visible on the Razr+ if you look for it, especially when the screen is off, Motorola’s waterdrop hinge design does an excellent job of minimizing its appearance. When the display is on, the crease practically vanishes, and you’ll rarely notice it during everyday use.

Performance: A Much-Needed Power Boost

One of the biggest criticisms of previous Razr models was their middling performance. Motorola has addressed this head-on by equipping the 2024 Razr+ with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, paired with a generous 12GB of RAM and 256GB of fast UFS 4.0 storage.

The “s” in 8s Gen 3 indicates that this is a slightly toned-down version of the full-fledged Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in some other flagships. While it may not top every benchmark chart, the performance leap is substantial. In day-to-day use, the phone feels incredibly fast and responsive. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is a breeze, and navigating the interface is buttery smooth.

For most users, including those who enjoy mobile gaming, the Razr+ offers more than enough power. It handles graphically intensive titles like Genshin Impact and Asphalt with ease, maintaining stable frame rates without significant lag. While its sustained performance under heavy load might not match dedicated gaming phones, it’s a massive improvement and puts it on firm footing against its foldable rivals.

The battery has also received a bump, now up to a 4,000mAh capacity. In our testing, the Razr+ consistently lasted a full day of moderate to heavy use, often with juice to spare. It comfortably outperforms the Galaxy Z Flip 5 in longevity, lasting over 14 hours in continuous video streaming tests. When you do need to top up, the phone supports 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, which is respectable for a foldable.

Cameras: Fun and Flexible, but Flawed

The camera system on the Razr+ 2024 sees a strategic shift. Motorola has swapped last year’s ultra-wide lens for a 50MP 2x telephoto camera, pairing it with a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS). The internal selfie camera is a 32MP shooter. Motorola’s reasoning is that users prefer the ability to zoom, and in many ways, it’s a welcome change.

In good lighting, the main 50MP camera performs admirably. It captures sharp, detailed images with natural-looking colors and good dynamic range. The exposures are generally well-balanced, even in tricky scenes with bright highlights and deep shadows.

However, the telephoto lens is a step down in quality. Images are noticeably darker and noisier compared to the main sensor, and fine details can appear soft. The 2x optical zoom is useful for framing shots, but you’ll get the best results by sticking to the primary camera.

The 32MP internal selfie camera is adequate but unimpressive, producing images that can lack sharpness and have muted colors. But this is where the Razr+’s form factor becomes its biggest photographic asset. You can use the main 50MP camera and the large external display as a viewfinder to capture stunning, high-quality selfies and group shots. This flexibility is a huge advantage over traditional slab phones.

The folding design also doubles as a built-in tripod. You can set the phone down on any flat surface, half-folded, to take stable long-exposure shots, time-lapses, or group photos without needing extra gear. While the image quality might not rival the likes of the Google Pixel or high-end iPhones, the sheer creative fun and versatility of the Razr+’s camera experience are hard to beat.

Software: Clean Android with Clever AI Twists

The Razr+ runs on a nearly stock version of Android 14, a refreshing change from the heavily skinned interfaces of many other manufacturers. Motorola’s “Hello UX” is light and intuitive, with a few genuinely useful additions. Moto Gestures, like the double-chop to toggle the flashlight or the twist to launch the camera, are still here and as handy as ever.

Motorola has also made a stronger commitment to software support, promising three years of major OS upgrades and four years of security patches. While this still falls short of the seven-year promises from Google and Samsung, it’s a significant improvement and provides better long-term value.

This year, Motorola is dipping its toes into AI. Google’s Gemini is preinstalled, offering enhanced search capabilities. The phone also includes generative AI tools for creating custom wallpapers, and more features are promised in future updates, such as an automatic voice recorder and summarizer. The software for the external screen is particularly well-thought-out, allowing you to customize panels with widgets, app shortcuts, and even games, making it a powerful hub for quick interactions.

The Verdict: Is the Razr+ 2024 the Flip Phone to Get?

The Motorola Razr+ 2024 is a phenomenal flip phone that successfully marries nostalgic charm with modern innovation. It’s a stylish, powerful, and genuinely fun device to use. The large, functional external display is a standout feature that sets it apart from the competition, and the significant performance upgrade makes it a true flagship contender.

However, it’s not without its trade-offs. The camera system, while versatile, doesn’t quite measure up to the best in the market, and its software support policy, while improved, still lags behind the industry leaders.

At a starting price of $999.99, the Razr+ positions itself directly against the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6. It outshines the Samsung in battery life and the utility of its external screen but may fall slightly behind in raw processing power and camera consistency. For those on a tighter budget, Motorola also offers the standard Razr for $699.99, which shares the same great design but makes cuts in performance and display quality.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to priorities. If you value a clean software experience, superior battery life, and the most capable external display on a flip phone, the Motorola Razr+ 2024 is an excellent choice. It’s a device that doesn’t just fold; it delivers a complete and compelling smartphone experience that is sure to make you smile every time you snap it shut.