ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Motorola Razr (2025) is on sale for $700 and is available in 4 distinct colours
- Its OLED touchscreen, sturdy digicam system, and versatile design mix to create one among my favourite smartphone experiences in 2025
- Nonetheless, the efficiency from the MediaTek chipset is relatively lackluster
extra shopping for decisions
The Motorola Razr collection has undergone a radical change over time. As soon as a flip telephone with an iconic ultrathin design, it has remodeled to grow to be the corporate’s premier foldable telephone line. I just lately had the chance to check out the Motorola Razr (2025). After my testing, I am beginning to contemplate ditching my single-panel telephone for this foldable.
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Motorola caught very intently to the design of the 2024 Razer Plus. This new mannequin has the very same dimensions because the older telephone, measuring 73.99 x 88.08 x 15.85 mm and weighing about 188g.
The primary main design change is the brand new set of Pantone-validated colours. These hues give the telephone a trendy and daring look. 4 choices can be found. My evaluate unit was in Spring Bud, a shade of inexperienced that jogs my memory of mint ice cream. Across the again of the machine is a “nylon-inspired end” that is so gentle I really thought it was fabric.
The second important design change is extra delicate: a titanium-reinforced hinge, which supplies the foldable a noticeably sturdy really feel. The higher half of the telephone does not flop round, and shutting it produces an audible (and satisfying) thump.
Going again to similarities, the Razr (2025) has the identical sort of panels because the Razr Plus. It sports activities a 6.9-inch pOLED touchscreen that runs at Full HD+ decision (2,640 x 1,080 pixels) and a refresh fee of as much as 120Hz. The exterior show is a 3.6-inch pOLED display screen operating at a decision of 1,056 x 1,056 pixels and a most refresh fee of 90Hz.
A display screen like this enables the foldable to ship wonderful visible output. For testing, I watched Ozarks on Netflix to see how effectively the inside panel shows content material. The very first thing I seen is that the display screen is actually good at capturing delicate lighting and the intricate particulars in scenes. It provides rather a lot to the immersion. Furthermore, I can not neglect the Dolby Atmos audio system, which output spectacular audio.
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I even have to present Motorola kudos for the hardly noticeable crease in the midst of the principle show. You may’t see it until you maintain the telephone at a sure angle.
The exterior display screen has a variety of makes use of, from easy features like checking notifications to extra advanced actions like watching YouTube movies and enjoying a online game. The latter is finished by immediately including shortcuts to the Apps part. Nonetheless, because the show solely measures 3.6 inches diagonally, it isn’t a really immersive expertise. At the least, the novelty is enjoyable.
By far, my favourite side of the Motorola Razr is its digicam system. Across the again, there’s a 50MP fundamental lens, a 13MP ultrawide plus macro imaginative and prescient digicam, and a 32MP selfie lens. A setup like this is not something extraordinary; I’ve seen loads of different smartphones with an analogous digicam array.
However two options propel it to excellence: the Photograph Enhancing Engine and Adaptive Stabilization. The previous makes use of Moto AI to boost the standard of images whereas the latter ensures photos and movies look clean — for essentially the most half. Movies can look a little bit uneven. I imagine the efficiency downside is a aspect impact of the stabilization software program
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Under is a picture I took of an area seaside with none tweaks to the settings. I feel it appears nice for a non-flagship telephone. Colours are vibrant and barely saturated. Photos are extremely detailed with little noise, no less than in most well-lit environments.
The Razr’s versatile type issue additionally permits for participating photograph ops. You may fold the telephone barely and use the underside half as a pseudo-stand. In case you maintain that half-closed state and switch it 45 levels, you activate Camcorder Mode.
The second it is flipped, the smartphone routinely begins recording a video. On the left is the digicam’s view. On the best are touchpad controls. For instance, swiping up and down permits you to zoom in or out. To pause, all it’s a must to do is faucet the secondary display screen. It is an easy-to-use characteristic. I had quite a lot of enjoyable making an attempt out Camcorder Mode; it was undoubtedly a spotlight of my expertise.
Inside Motorola’s Razr is a MediaTek Dimensity 7400X paired with 8GB of RAM. The chipset is ok for essentially the most half, and you may take pleasure in a strong looking expertise. Nonetheless, the {hardware} stumbles once you start to push it. Taking part in Honkai Star Rail causes stuttering, and activating Camcorder Mode makes the telephone overheat a little bit.
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I ran Geekbench 6 to see the way it ranks alongside different smartphones. It acquired a high rating of two,992. In accordance with Geekbench’s Android benchmarks web page, this locations the Razr under the OnePlus 9R, a tool from 4 years in the past. I did see different Razrs attain greater scores on Geekbench’s charts, though it isn’t a giant leap.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Motorola Razr (2025) is at present on sale for $700 on the corporate’s official web site. Along with Spring Bud, different colours embody PANTONE Gibraltar Sea (blue), Parfait Pink, and Lightest Sky (silver). It’s a nice different to high-end foldables like Galaxy Z Flip 6, delivering an enticing person expertise with out breaking the financial institution.
Nonetheless, if you would like a high-end telephone, the corporate additionally launched the Motorola Razr Extremely. It is just like the bottom Razr, albeit with higher {hardware}, from the digicam to the fashionable colours.
The latest US tariffs on imports from international locations like China, Vietnam, and India purpose to spice up home manufacturing however are prone to drive up costs on client electronics. Merchandise like smartphones, laptops, and TVs might grow to be costlier as corporations rethink international provide chains and weigh the price of shifting manufacturing.
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Smartphones are among the many most affected by the brand new US tariffs, with units imported from China and Vietnam going through steep duties that would increase retail costs by 20% or extra. Manufacturers like Apple and Google, which rely closely on Asian manufacturing, might both move these prices on to shoppers or soak up them on the expense of revenue margins.
The tariffs may additionally result in delays in product launches or shifts in the place and the way telephones are made, forcing corporations to diversify manufacturing to international locations with extra favorable commerce circumstances.