Hot on the heels of the iconic RAZR V3’s 20th anniversary, Motorola is once again pushing the boundaries of flip phone technology with its latest razr lineup. The new motorola razr 50 ultra (aka razr+) and motorola razr 50 are set to hit the market, bringing a perfect blend of nostalgia and cutting-edge tech that’s sure to turn heads.
Let’s cut to the chase – these aren’t your grandma’s flip phones. The star of the show is undoubtedly the external display on the razr+. The razr+ now boasts a whopping 4.0-inch screen, the largest in its class. Not to be outdone, the razr 50 brings a respectable 3.6-inch display to the party, which is a significant increase over the 2023 razr’s 1.5-inch external display. But size isn’t everything – it’s what you do with it that counts.
Motorola has packed these external displays with some serious smarts. For the first time, razr users can access Google’s Gemini AI directly from the cover screen. Need a quick workout routine or a road trip itinerary? Just long-press the power button, and Gemini’s got your back. Motorola is throwing in 3 months of Gemini Advanced and 2TB of cloud storage with every purchase.
But wait, there’s more! The external display now plays nice with Google Photos, letting you manage your snapshots without flipping the phone open. And for the music lovers out there, dedicated Spotify and Bose panels make controlling your tunes a breeze.
Now, let’s talk design. Motorola is bringing sexy back with vegan leather finishes and new eye-catching colors. The razr+ comes in Midnight Blue, Spring Green, and the Pantone Color of the Year 2024, Peach Fuzz. But the real showstopper? The return of Hot Pink. It’s like Y2K all over again, and I’m here for it.
Now, let’s talk about that hinge – because Motorola’s been busy in the engineering department. The new razr devices feature a revamped hinge that’s not just a pretty face. It’s been simplified for better dust protection. But the real magic? This new hinge makes it easier than ever to flick open or snap shut the device with just one hand. It’s perfect for those dramatic hang-ups we all secretly love, or for quickly accessing the massive 6.9″ pOLED internal display.
But the hinge improvements don’t stop there. The new design allows for a wide range of Flex View positions. Want to snap a hands-free selfie or record a shake-free video for your social media while holding it like a retro camcorder? The razr’s got you covered.
Camera-wise, the razr 50 ultra has been greatly improved—at least on paper. We’re talking about a 50MP main camera with all sorts of AI wizardry. From the Photo Enhancement Engine to Adaptive Stabilization, Motorola is aiming for the razr+ to be a pocket-sized photo studio. The razr 50 keeps things simpler with a 50MP main shooter and a 13MP ultra-wide lens.
Under the hood, the razr 50 ultra is rocking the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip, while the razr 50 opts for a MediaTek Dimensity 7300X. Both flips come with beefier batteries this time around. In particular, the razr+ comes with a bigger 4,000 mAH battery, 30W TurboPower charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging support, while the razr comes with a 4,200 mAH battery, 30W TurboPower charging, and 15W wireless charging, so you can flip and fold to your heart’s content.
But Motorola isn’t stopping at phones. They’re expanding their ecosystem with the new moto tag, a Bluetooth tracker that works with Google’s Find My Device network. Lost keys? Not on moto tag’s watch.
The razr 50 ultra (razr+) will be available for pre-order starting July 10th, and will hit U.S. shores on July 24th, with a price tag of $999.99. The razr 50 follows suit at a more wallet-friendly $699.99.
Our biggest concern for the 2024 Motorola Razr family is its camera quality, which was the most disappointing aspect of the 2023 razr. But on paper, both flip phones offer a significantly improved camera experience. Stay tuned for our full review, where we’ll put these fashionable flippers through their paces!
Ultimately, in a world of same-same slabs, Motorola is bringing some much-needed flair to the smartphone game. With their blend of nostalgia, cutting-edge tech, and a dash of AI magic, these new razr phones are shaping up to be the must-have gadgets of the summer. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to dig out my old RAZR V3 and reminisce about simpler times.