Motorola wants to steal some thunder from Samsung’s upcoming foldable flip phone by selling the Razr first.
Angela Lang/CNET
Days after the Motorola Razr preorder sales began, new orders for the foldable phone were pushed back until mid-February. If you don’t want to wait until then, buying the phone in person on Feb. 6 — its official sale date — may be your best bet. You’ll be able to buy the Razr in person from Verizon and select Walmart stores starting Thursday.
The Razr is preparing for battle against Samsung, the world’s largest smartphone brand. Motorola’s modern take on the flip phone will face off against Samsung’s second foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Flip. Samsung’s phone will get its official introduction on Feb. 11 at the 2020 Samsung Unpacked event.
Selling for $1,499, the Motorola Razr is the most affordable phone from a major brand, compared to the $1,980 Galaxy Fold and the roughly $2,300 Huawei Mate X. But Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip is rumored to sell for $1,400. A different rumor also suggests that Samsung’s design could be the first foldable phone to use a glass screen.
Motorola’s Razr comes at an important moment for foldable phones. It was the first proof of concept for a folding phone whose screen bends in half vertically to maximize screen real estate while saving physical space. It also reinvents the original Motorola Razr from 2004, drawing on that iconic flip phone to feed this new Razr’s initial popularity. If Motorola can transform that wave of nostalgia into purchases, it can help secure a bit of a comeback for a brand that plans to return to the premium phone race.
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Motorola Razr is futuristic and familiar
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The Motorola Razr has a 6.2-inch internal screen and a 2.7-inch outer display, a 16-megapixel main camera fingerprint reader and 128GB of onboard storage. Unlike Samsung’s Galaxy Fold, the Razr claims to be splash-proof, with a stronger screen.
Keep reading for sale information, and catch up on what the Motorola Razr is like to use.
When can I buy the Razr?
The Motorola Razr was originally supposed to go on sale Dec. 26 but was delayed. Preorders began Jan. 26 at Verizon, Walmart and Motorola.com. Thursday, Feb. 6, is the Razr’s official release date in stores. (Again, be aware that preordered units may ship after Feb. 6.)
Cost
There’s only one model of the Razr, and it’ll cost you $1,499 for 128GB of storage. Scroll to the end for all the phone’s specs.
Here’s what the Razr looks like all folded up.
James Martin/CNET
Where you can buy the Razr
Motorola Razr is a Verizon Wireless exclusive in the US
Once preorders open, there’s only one wireless carrier where you can buy and use the Razr: Verizon. You can sign up for Verizon’s payment plan of $63 per month for 24 months, or pay full price for the foldable phone.
Order it from Motorola
You’ll also be able to order the new Razr directly from Motorola, through its website. Note that you’ll still need to get a Verizon SIM card to use mobile data or any of cellular features.
Select Walmart stores will carry it
There’s no word on exactly which Walmart stores will keep the new Razr in stock, but Motorola has said that “select Walmart locations” will stock the device. We recommend you call your local store about inventory before jumping in the car.
Outside the US
In the UK, EE will be the Motorola Razr’s exclusive carrier seller. The network has a registration page if you want to keep up to date on the sale date and price.
We also know that Motorola will sell the Razr in Canada, and in select European markets across Latin America, Asia and Australia.
Motorola Razr specs
| Motorola Razr | |
|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | Internal: 6.2-inch, foldable pOLED; 2,142x876p pixels (21:9) / External: 2.7-inch glass OLED, 800×600-pixels (4:3) |
| Pixel density | 373ppi (internal screen) |
| Dimensions (inches) | Unfolded: 6.8 x 2.8 x 0.28 in. / Folded: 3.7 x 2.8 x 0.55 in. |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | Unfolded: 172 x 7 2 x 6.9mm / Folded: 94 x 72 x 14mm |
| Weight (ounces, grams) | 7.2 oz.; 205g |
| Mobile software | Android 9 Pie |
| Camera | 16-megapixel external (f/1.7, dual pixel AF), 5-megapixel internal |
| Front-facing camera | Same as main 16-megapixel external |
| Video capture | 4K |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 (2.2GHz, octa-core) |
| Storage | 128GB |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Expandable storage | None |
| Battery | 2,510 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Below screen |
| Connector | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None |
| Special features | Foldable display, eSIM, Motorola gestures, splashproof |
| Price off-contract (USD) | $1,499 |
| Price (GBP) | Converts to £1,170 |
| Price (AUD) | Converts to AU$2,185 |
Originally published late last year. Updated with new sale information.