My Deep Dive Into Motorola’s First Book-Style Foldable
Foldable phones are not new anymore, but every once in a while, a device shows up that actually makes me pause and think, okay, this one is different. That’s exactly how I felt when I started digging into the Motorola Razr Fold.
Motorola has been in the foldable game for a while, but only in the flip-style category. This is the first time they’re stepping into the book-style foldable space, and honestly, it feels like they’ve been watching the market closely before making this move. After going through hands-on impressions, launch coverage, and early looks, I feel like the Razr Fold could be one of the most important foldable phones of 2026.
Let me walk you through my thoughts, impressions, and observations, just like I’d explain it to a friend who’s curious about upgrading to a foldable.
First Impressions – Motorola Is Playing a Serious Game Now
The moment I saw the Razr Fold, my first thought was that Motorola isn’t experimenting anymore. This feels intentional, polished, and confident.
This isn’t a flip phone trying to stretch itself into something bigger. This is a proper book-style foldable, clearly designed to compete directly with devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series and Google’s Pixel Fold line. What surprised me most is that Motorola didn’t just copy what others are doing. Instead, they looked at what people miss and what competitors removed, and then built the Razr Fold around that gap.
The biggest example of that is stylus support, but I’ll get to that later because it deserves its own section.
Overall, my first impression is simple: this doesn’t feel like Motorola’s “first attempt.” It feels like a well-planned entry.
Design and Build – Familiar, Yet Refreshingly Different
Motorola has a long history with the Razr name, and that design DNA is still there, even in this larger foldable form.
When folded, the Razr Fold looks wider than some book-style foldables, but not awkwardly wide. From what I’ve seen, it lands in a really comfortable middle ground. It’s wider than Samsung’s Z Fold outer display, but not as wide as some other options that start to feel like mini tablets even when closed. Personally, I think this is the sweet spot.
When opened, the phone becomes a large, immersive device. One thing that stood out to me is the crease. From hands-on looks and close-up footage, the crease appears very minimal. It’s still there, of course, but it doesn’t scream at you every time light hits the screen. That’s something I always notice immediately with foldables, and here, it seems well-controlled.
Thickness-wise, it looks competitive. It’s not the absolute thinnest, but it doesn’t look bulky either. In real-world use, I don’t think most people would complain about how it feels in the hand.
Pantone Colors and Materials – This Is Where Motorola Shines
One thing Motorola consistently does better than many brands is color, and the Razr Fold continues that trend.
The Pantone color options immediately make the phone feel more premium. These aren’t random shades. They look carefully selected, consistent, and refined. The white version, in particular, appears to have a vegan leather finish on the back, which gives it a softer, more luxurious feel compared to plain glass.
I also like the idea of having different textures depending on the color you choose. It adds personality to the device instead of making every version feel identical. And honestly, Motorola’s use of vegan leather has always felt surprisingly premium in the hand.
To me, this is one of those details that makes the Razr Fold stand out without shouting about it.
Display Experience – Big, Wide, and Made for Content
The displays are where this phone really starts to show its strengths.
On the outside, you’re getting a cover screen that feels usable. It’s not a narrow strip that forces you to open the phone for everything. The width makes a difference, especially for typing, scrolling, and quick replies.
Open the phone, and you’re greeted by a massive 8.1-inch inner display. This is where the Razr Fold truly feels like a productivity and entertainment device. The size is generous, and from what I’ve seen, the aspect ratio seems slightly wider than some competitors. That might sound minor, but it actually matters a lot when watching videos or multitasking.
Both displays support a high refresh rate, which should make scrolling and animations feel smooth. And visually, this might already be one of my favorite foldable displays simply because of how balanced it looks.
Stylus Support – The Feature That Changes Everything
This is the part that really made me sit up.
Motorola added full stylus support with the Moto Pen Ultra, and this is huge. Especially because Samsung removed S Pen support from its latest Fold model. Motorola clearly saw that decision and thought, we can do better.
The Moto Pen Ultra isn’t just a basic stylus. It supports pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, and palm rejection. What I really like is that it has its own battery and comes with a charging case. That means it’s not just something you tap on the screen occasionally. It’s meant to be used regularly for writing, sketching, and note-taking.
For anyone who uses their foldable for work, planning, or creative tasks, this alone could be a deal-maker.
Camera Setup – Surprisingly Competitive on Paper
Foldables usually compromise on cameras, but the Razr Fold doesn’t look like it’s cutting corners here.
The triple-camera setup includes a main camera, an ultra-wide with macro capability, and a telephoto lens with optical zoom. What stood out to me is that all three cameras are high resolution, which is not something you see often on foldables.
Even the selfie cameras, both inside and outside, seem well thought out. While megapixels aren’t everything, the overall setup looks balanced and capable, especially compared to some competitors that still rely on much lower-resolution sensors.
Based on what’s been shared so far, I’d expect solid all-around camera performance without feeling like you’re using a “secondary” camera system.
Performance Expectations – Built for Flagship-Level Use
Although final details weren’t officially confirmed at the time of early impressions, everything points toward flagship-level performance.
From what’s been discussed, the Razr Fold is expected to be paired with a high-end chipset, plenty of RAM, and generous storage options. Compared to what some competitors are using, this should put Motorola in a very strong position performance-wise.
For multitasking, gaming, and productivity, I don’t see this phone struggling at all, especially considering the large display and stylus integration.
Battery and Charging – Encouraging Signs
Battery life is always a concern with foldables, but early information suggests that Motorola is taking this seriously.
The battery capacity looks larger than what we’ve seen on some competitors, and fast charging support appears significantly better as well. If this holds true in real-world usage, it could solve one of the biggest pain points people have with foldable phones.
Fast charging especially matters on a device like this, because people tend to use foldables more heavily throughout the day.
Software Experience – Near Stock, With Some Concerns
One thing I personally appreciate is Motorola’s near-stock Android approach. It’s clean, simple, and easy to understand, especially for people who don’t like heavily customized interfaces.
From what I’ve seen, the Razr Fold should follow this same philosophy. That’s a big plus for me.
However, there is one concern that keeps coming up, and that’s long-term software support. Motorola has historically been inconsistent here. There is hope that this will change, especially since Motorola has recently announced longer support timelines for some of its premium devices.
For a phone at this level, software updates really matter. This is something I’ll be watching closely.
Pricing and Value – This Could Be the Biggest Surprise
Here’s where things get interesting.
Early indications suggest that the Razr Fold may be priced significantly lower than its direct competitors. If Motorola manages to deliver everything we’ve talked about at that price point, it could completely change the foldable market.
Motorola has a history of aggressive pricing, and if that strategy continues here, the Razr Fold could become the most accessible high-end book-style foldable available in many regions.
Who This Phone Is Really For
From everything I’ve seen, the Razr Fold feels perfect for:
- People who want a foldable with stylus support
- Users frustrated by missing features in other foldables
- Anyone who values a clean Android experience
- Productivity-focused users who take notes or multitask
- Buyers who want flagship features without the highest price tag
Final Thoughts – A Seriously Exciting Foldable
After going through all the details, impressions, and early hands-on experiences, I can confidently say that the Motorola Razr Fold is one of the most exciting foldables heading into 2026.
It feels like Motorola didn’t rush this. They waited, observed, and then delivered something that directly addresses what many people wanted but couldn’t find in other foldables.
If Motorola gets the software support right and sticks to aggressive pricing, this could easily be the foldable phone that shifts the market.
I’m genuinely excited to see how this performs once it’s officially released, and I can’t wait to spend real time using it.
