While Samsung remains the established leader of foldable phones (you know, the ones that go from being a regular candy bar-style phone to a tablet-sized screen when you open them), the category has become increasingly crowded.
In the US, it’s mainly been a battle between Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line and Google’s Pixel Fold, but internationally there have been many more contenders. Now, Motorola is ready to seriously enter that space with the Razr Fold.
First shown at CES 2026 in January, Motorola’s first book-style foldable is finally about to launch. The Razr Fold will be available for pre-order on May 14, 2026, and will begin shipping on May 21 for $1,899.99 / £1,799.99 unlocked (we’re awaiting confirmation of the phone’s availability in Australia).
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It’s still a lot of money, but it’s actually lower than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which starts at $1,999 / £1,799 / AU$2,899, for $100 in the US. It’s also a bit higher than the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold at $1,799 / £1,749 / AU$2,699, making it clear that Motorola isn’t treating this device as an experiment: He wants to compete at the top.
Under the hood, the Razr Fold is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, combined with flagship-level performance designed for multitasking, gaming, and everything you’d expect from a modern foldable device.
A more serious view of the Razr identity
You can also choose between Pantone Blackened Blue and Pantone Lily White, the latter offering a textured satin finish that feels especially premium. There are no fun Pantone shades like we’ve seen on Motorola’s Razr foldable phones, but the overall design looks much more serious, clearly aimed at buyers considering a Galaxy Z Fold or Pixel Fold. I won’t lie, though: I miss some of his flip-phone brothers’ personality.
After spending a brief hands-on time with the Razr Fold at Motorola’s Hollywood Hills villa, the biggest takeaway was how slim and ergonomic it feels in an undeniably premium package.
Foldables can sometimes feel heavy or poorly balanced, but Motorola seems to have gotten the weight distribution right here. Whether closed or fully open, the Razr Fold never felt too heavy on either side. It measures just 4.55mm when folded (the Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 4.2mm when open) and 9.98mm when closed. It also weighs 243g.
The 6.6-inch external display is large enough to handle most everyday tasks without needing to unfold the device, while the internal 8.1-inch 2K LTPO display feels really huge for viewing content, multitasking, or even using the rear cameras as a high-end selfie setup with the outer display acting as a viewfinder.
Both screens were impressively bright, even in direct sunlight, and opening and closing the device was smooth and easy. More importantly, the crease was minimal. It’s still there, of course, but it wasn’t immediately focused during use, which is exactly what you want from a premium foldable at this price.
One thing that stood out, however, is that the Razr Fold doesn’t feel like a first attempt but rather a calculated next step. Motorola has spent the last few years perfecting its Razr foldable phones, and that work clearly plays into this. Those devices showed that there is a real demand for a stylish and compact foldable device that feels normal to use on a daily basis, not experimental or fragile.
The Razr Fold feels like Motorola took those lessons and expanded on them, while also learning from the competition. The same design approach is here: thinness, balance and a more polished version of the foldable hardware, but now expanded to a full-size productivity-focused device that should sit alongside Samsung and Google at the top of the market.
That’s where things get interesting. Because while foldable phones proved that Motorola can make foldable devices that people actually want to live with, the Razr Fold raises a bigger question: Does that same formula still work when everything gets bigger, heavier, and significantly more expensive?
The battery could also end up being one of the Razr Fold’s biggest differentiators in the US market. Motorola is using a silicon-carbon battery here, allowing for a large 6000mAh cell while keeping the phone impressively thin. It also supports fast charging up to 80W (with the right charger), which should make recharging noticeably faster than many rivals. Motorola promises all-day battery life and this new battery technology is a big part of that pitch.
The Moto Pen Ultra is another notable addition. Stylus support has long been a favorite feature of Galaxy Fold users that disappeared with the last generation, the Fold 7, and the fact that Motorola is offering the same flexibility helps position the Razr Fold as a true productivity-first device. Writing with it felt smooth and natural; However, like Samsung’s stylus, it is still an additional purchase and is not included in the box.
The cameras, however, will likely be Motorola’s biggest test.
This is where Samsung and Google have earned a solid reputation, and Motorola still has something to prove. On paper, the setup looks promising: a 50MP Sony LYTIA main sensor, a 50MP macro and ultra-wide-angle combo lens, and a 50MP 3x periscopic telephoto lens. There’s also a Super Zoom mode that zooms in at 100x with backend processing to add clarity, and in my brief testing, shots were captured quickly and looked impressive.
Motorola is also adding some really useful features beyond the basic specs. FrameMatch, which is also available on the upcoming Razr Ultra, Razr Plus, and Razr, stood out as one of the smartest camera tools, especially for solo travelers. A reference photo of the background is taken first, which creates an overlay guide for the next person taking the photo and helps them match the frame almost perfectly. It’s simple, but exactly the kind of practical feature that seems more useful than flashy AI for AI’s sake.
And yes, of course, there’s AI here too, because there has to be in 2026, with deep integrations from Google alongside Motorola’s own Moto AI suite. But the software will probably be the second important test after the cameras. Good hardware is one thing; Long-term support and truly useful features are what will determine whether people actually switch from Samsung or Google.
Still, after a first look, the Razr Fold looks like Motorola’s most serious attempt at a truly premium foldable, and a solid showing for a first-generation device. The hardware is absolutely there: it’s slim, polished, powerful and packed with flagship-level specs.
Now, Motorola just has to prove that the cameras (and software) can keep up. We’ll put it to the test soon and offer our full verdict on how it stacks up against the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and other foldable devices.
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