Motorola Razr Fold Challenges Samsung’s Fold7: A First Look at the Next Contender in Foldable Phones
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The foldable phone market is poised for disruption as Motorola enters the large-screen arena with the Razr Fold, aiming to challenge Samsung’s dominance with a device boasting a larger display and stylus support. While many specifications remain under wraps, the Razr Fold, unveiled at CES 2025, is already generating excitement as a potential third major player alongside the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
The Foldable Landscape: A Two-Horse Race No More
For years, the North American market for large foldable phones has been largely defined by Samsung and Google. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold have stood as the premier options, with the OnePlus Open briefly offering an alternative before being discontinued. Now, Motorola, after a successful reinvention in the clamshell foldable space, is stepping into the ring with its first big-screen foldable, the Razr Fold.
Design and Display: A Stylish New Challenger
Motorola revealed the design of the Razr Fold at CES 2025, showcasing an attractive smartphone that resembles a typical Motorola phone when folded. The device features a two-tone aesthetic with a distinctive “squircle” camera platform housing a triple-camera system. Polished aluminum rails accent the back panel, which will be available in unique materials developed in collaboration with PANTONE, including vegan leather options in Blackened Blue and Lily White.
The Razr Fold’s form factor is defined by its screen sizes: a 6.6-inch cover screen and an expansive 8.1-inch main screen. This makes it slightly larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 8.0-inch internal display. While exact dimensions are still unknown, the Razr Fold aims to compete with Samsung’s industry-leading thinness, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 measuring just 8.9mm when folded and weighing a mere 215 grams. The Razr Fold’s main display will utilize LTPO technology for variable refresh rates and boast a 2K resolution.
Hardware and Specs: What We Know (and Don’t)
Details surrounding the Razr Fold’s internal hardware remain largely unconfirmed. However, industry speculation suggests the phone could feature the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. A key differentiator could be the inclusion of stylus support, a feature Samsung dropped from the Z Fold 7 to streamline the display assembly.
A comparison table highlights the known and expected specifications:
| Category | Motorola Razr Fold | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Hello UI/Android 16 (unconfirmed) | One UI 8/Android 16 |
| Display (internal) | 8.1-inch, 2K, LTPO | 8.0-inch, 2184 x 1968, 120Hz Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Display (external) | 6.6-inch | 6.5-inch, 2520 x 1080, 120Hz Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (unconfirmed) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| RAM | 16GB (unconfirmed) | 12GB/16GB |
| Storage | 512GB or 1TB, UFS 4.1 (unconfirmed) | 256GB/512GB/1TB UFS 4.0 |
| Rear Camera 1 | 150MP Sony LYTIA sensor | 200MP, Wide-angle, f/1.7, PDAF, OIS |
| Rear Camera 2 | 250MP ultrawide/macro | 10MP, Telephoto, f/2.4, PSAF, OIS, 3x Optical Zoom |
| Rear Camera 3 | 350MP 3x periscope telephoto | 12MP, Ultrawide, f/2.2, PDAF, 120-degree Field of View |
| Selfie Camera (internal) | 20MP | 10MP, f/2.2, 24mm |
| Selfie Camera (external) | 32MP | 10MP, f2.2, 18mm |
| Audio | Dual stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, Snapdragon Sound (unconfirmed) | USB-C, 32-bit/384kHz, Stereo Sound, Tuned by AKG |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, NFC, UWB (unconfirmed) | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, UWB |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face unlock (unconfirmed) | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner |
| Protection | IP48 (unconfirmed) | IP48 water and dust resistance |
| Battery & charging | — | 4,400mAh, 25W wired charging, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless, Qi2.1 |
| Dimensions (open) | — | 158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2mm |
| Dimensions (closed) | — | 158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9mm |
| Weight | — | 215 grams |
| Colors | Pantone Blackened Blue, Pantone Lily White | Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow, Jetblack, Mint |
Camera Capabilities: A Potential Edge for Motorola?
While the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 boasts a high-resolution 200MP main sensor, Motorola appears poised to deliver a more versatile camera array. The Razr Fold will feature a 50MP ultrawide lens and a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, surpassing the Z Fold 7’s 10MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto. Motorola also aims to excel in selfie quality with a 20MP internal and 32MP external camera, though the ability to utilize the rear cameras for selfies on foldable devices mitigates the importance of traditional front-facing sensors.
The Verdict: A Promising Contender, But Samsung Remains King (For Now)
Motorola is keeping many key specifications of the Razr Fold close to the vest, including pricing and battery life. However, the company has revealed enough to generate significant interest, particularly the promise of the largest inner screen in the U.S. market and the return of stylus support.
Despite this potential, Motorola faces a formidable challenge. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a refined and powerful device, setting the standard for foldable thinness, performance, and durability. Furthermore, the timing of the Razr Fold’s launch – potentially coinciding with the release of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 – adds to the pressure.
As one analyst noted, Motorola’s first foray into the large foldable market could mirror Google’s initial experience, with subsequent iterations rapidly closing the gap. For consumers seeking a premium foldable experience today, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 remains the clear choice. However, for those willing to wait and embrace the potential of stylus support and a larger display, the Motorola Razr Fold presents a compelling alternative.
