2024 Motorola Razr+ with enhanced cover display
One year after rejuvenating Motorola’s most iconic phone, the company has unveiled the Razr+ – the 2024 edition. This flip-style foldable excels in nearly every aspect while maintaining one of the best foldable price points in 2024.
Motorola’s 2024 flip phone lineup includes two models: the Razr+ and the Razr. Unlike the previous year's lineup, the 2024 series offers significantly enhanced features and improvements.
Redesigned Hardware That Delivers
A Display Duo Like No Other
One of the standout features of the Motorola Razr+ in 2023 was its front panel display, which allowed the use of regular Android apps. Motorola has taken this concept further in 2024, equipping the Razr+ with an even bigger and better display.
The outer display of the 2024 Razr+ is a marvel of engineering. With a resolution of 1272 x 1080, the LTPO AMOLED screen boasts a refresh rate of 165Hz, which is exceptional for a 4-inch display. This design ensures that the cover display performs as well as an internal display when the phone is folded.
The internal display has also seen significant improvements. It retains the 6.9-inch size but now features a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Like the outer display, it maintains a 165Hz refresh rate and offers excellent color accuracy thanks to the AMOLED panel. The resolution remains unchanged from 2023, but the display quality is top-notch.
A notable surprise is the minimal visibility of the crease on the internal display. Motorola has made significant strides in reducing the crease, outperforming competitors like Samsung and OnePlus. The crease is barely noticeable indoors, enhancing the overall user experience and suggesting improved display durability.
Seamless User Experience
The enhanced cover panel, featuring HDR10+ and Dolby Vision certification, allows the outer display to function almost as well as the inner display. Over two weeks of use, the outer display has proven capable of handling various apps, from Google Messages and Discord to YouTube and Disney+, without any compromise in functionality.
Motorola’s integration of its minimal Android version with the front display size is seamless. The cover display offers a customizable home screen, app drawer, calendar, widgets, and a dedicated game page. These windows can be rearranged and configured, providing a highly personalized experience.
The cover display also supports the Android gesture bar, allowing quick navigation to the home screen and full-screen content view in any app. This feature makes third-party apps easily usable on the front display without camera interference.
A significant improvement is the addition of always-on display functionality for the cover display, a feature absent in the 2023 model. The always-on display offers various clock styles and themes, enhancing the Razr+ 2024’s customization options.
Motorola's handling of notifications on the Razr+ is also commendable. A small tray to the left of the camera lenses displays notification icons, expandable with a single tap for easy access.
Enhanced Design and Build Quality
Superior Feel and Finish
The 2024 Razr+ addresses the hinge issues of its predecessor. Motorola has redesigned the hinge, making it 30% smaller and more reliable. This new hinge provides a sturdier and more confident folding experience.
The phone's back panel features a textured finish, varying with color options. The Midnight Blue variant has a racing stripe, while the Spring Green version offers a faux leather texture. These design choices showcase Motorola’s attention to aesthetics and functionality.
Reliable but Not Perfect Software Experience
Minimalist Android Skin
The Motorola Razr+ runs an excellent version of Android 14. Motorola’s minimal tweaks, like the personalization menu and Quick Settings panel, enhance usability without complicating the experience. The phone's performance is smooth and efficient, powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, despite not being the latest chip.
However, Motorola's track record with software updates is a concern. While the Razr+ launches with Android 14, the timing of future updates, such as Android 15, remains uncertain. Motorola promises three years of updates, but their punctuality cannot be guaranteed.
Impressive Camera and Battery Performance
Camera Enhancements
The Razr+ 2024 features a 50MP main sensor and a 2x telephoto lens. Motorola’s AI integration significantly enhances image quality, producing crisp, clear, and vibrant photos comparable to those from Google Pixel devices. The camera app’s simple UI and features like the camcorder mode add to the overall user experience.
Battery Life
The 2024 Razr+ includes a 4,000mAh battery, offering noticeable improvements over the 2023 model. Despite the larger front display and always-on functionality, the battery easily lasts a full day, even under heavy usage.
Final Thoughts
The Motorola Razr+ 2024 is a compelling and highly recommendable device. It features a superior build, enhanced displays, a better camera, and a robust battery. At $999, it maintains its position as the best flip phone on the market, offering excellent value for its price. Pre-orders start on July 10, coinciding with Samsung’s launch of its flip competitor, with full availability on July 28.
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