Moto Razr Plus and Razr 40 specs, price, release date and news
2023 Moto Razr series (image credit - PhoneArena)
Remember the Motorola Razr V3, the thin flip phone that took the mid-2000s by storm ? This wasn't just a phone; it was the fashion accessory of the era. This sexy beast was so chic, it made everyone around you stare and gasp in awe.
Renowned for its sleek design and thin profile, the Razr V3 quickly became a status symbol and one of the most popular mobile phones of the early 2000s. It featured a clamshell design with an aluminum body, a large internal color screen, and a secondary external screen that displayed notifications and caller information. The Razr V3 included a keypad with a distinctive flat design, a VGA camera, and basic internet capabilities. Despite its limited functionality compared to modern smartphones, the Razr V3's design and aesthetic appeal left a lasting impact on mobile phone design and culture.
Fast-forward to 2024, and Motorola is still making some great phones that can flip. It's somewhat sad that they're not as popular as the Razr V3, but hey, that one is a true legend!
So far we have seen no less than three iterations of this formula: the original Moto Razr (2019), the 5G Moto Razr 2020 (released less than a year later), and then, the Moto Razr 2022.
The Moto Razr 40 and Moto Razr+ (Moto Razr 40 Ultra in Europe) are more than just a nice addition to the clamshell line. Motorola's 2023 foldable phones carry many an intriguing design point and tech specs records with them, too, so check out all their details!
Jump to section:
Latest News
Release Date
The Moto Razr 40 and Moto Razr+ (Razr 40 Ultra) were both unveiled on June 1st 2023 with a June 23 release date of the latter in the US as the Motorola Razr Plus. The Razr foldable lineup has followed a rather haphazard release cycle, as you can see from the table below.
| Model | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Moto Razr 2019 (1st Gen) | February 6, 2020 |
| Moto Razr 2020 (2nd Gen) | September 15, 2020 |
| Moto Razr 2022 (3rd Gen) | August 18, 2022 |
| Moto Razr+ | June 23, 2023 |
Price
Price is always a tricky subject when it comes to foldables. While the first iteration of the Moto Razr was wildly expensive, subsequent generations have gradually chipped away at its price, with the trend continues.
The Razr Plus price is pegged at $999 in the US when it launches on June 23, while the 40 Ultra's availability in Europe comes at a price of €1100, a very decent price point for a modern clamshell foldable, yet still higher than the Z Flip 4.
| Model | Price at Launch |
|---|---|
| Moto Razr (1st Gen) | $1499 (Base Configuration, 6GB+128GB) |
| Moto Razr (2nd Gen) | $1399 (Base Configuration, 8GB+256GB) |
| Moto Razr+/Razr 40 Ultra | $999/€1199 (Base Configuration, 8GB+256GB) |
Camera
The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra specs include a primary 12MP Sony IMX563 shooter, a secondary 13MP SK Hynix Hi1336 ultrawide angle camera, and a 32MP selfie camera. Historically, the camera has never been the strong suit of the Moto Razr lineup, so it will be interesting to review if Motorola has stepped up its game in that department, given that the competition like Oppo Find N2 Flip now carry quality 50MP cameras for less.
As for the camera found on the vanilla Moto Razr 40, it includes a 64MP primary sensor, but with much smaller 0.7μm pixels, and the same 13MP ultrawide camera. The main camera still includes Quad Pixel AF, OIS, laser autofocus, and an ambient light sensor, while the ultrawide cam can go up to 120 degrees field of view.
Storage
Over the last couple of generations, the Moto Razr lineup has conformed to the industry standards when it comes to RAM and internal storage, and the company didn't break the pattern in 2023. The Moto Razr Plus caps out at 12GB of RAM and 512 GB of internal storage, with the starting price giving you 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.
The vanilla Moto Razr 40 has only one memory version with 8GB RAM but two storage models of 128GB and 256GB, respectively, but then again it is much cheaper than its Ultra sibling.
Design
The design is probably one of the most interesting parts about any smartphone, the Moto Razr being no exception. This year, Motorola presented two foldable designs, both of which carry the clamshell form factor. In fact, the main visual difference between the standard Moto Razr 40 and the Moto Razr+ is the size and the layout of the cover screen.
Moto Razr 40 and Razr Plus colors
- Moto Razr+ colors: Infinite Black, Glacier Blue, Viva Magenta
- Moto Razr 40 colors: Sage Green, Vanilla Cream, Summer Lilac
Displays
The Moto Razr series has consistently flaunted some of the most cutting-edge (pun intended) displays on the market. This continues with the Moto Razr Plus, which boasts a 6.7-inch P-OLED display with a record 165Hz refresh rate.
The cover screen is a giant 3.6-inch display which is also a record for clamshell foldables and takes all the space of the top half with only the dual camera set lenses sticking out there. Not only that, but it also features 144Hz refresh and HDR10 support with peak 1100 nits brightness, some of the most advanced technology on the market.
The biggest difference between the Plus and non-Plus (Ultra) model is precisely the cover screen, as the main foldable displays are the same. The Moto Razr 40 comes with a much smaller, 1.5-inch, and inferior in terms of specs panel, as it only has 60 Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits of peak brightness.
Battery
Foldables have come a long way in terms of battery life, but there is still much to be desired. This is why Motorola has steadily tried to improve the battery life of the Razr across generations.
The Moto Razr 40 definitely has the upper hand here with its 4,200 mAh non-removable pack, while the giant cover screen on the Razr 40+ didn't leave much space for a big battery, and it only comes with a 3,800 mAh pack. Both batteries can be charged with Moto's 30W TurboPower speeds.
Should you buy the Moto Razr 40 and the Moto Razr Plus?
The Moto Razr 40 and the Moto Razr+ are both very intriguing foldables at their respective price points. Needless to say, the Razr+ (40 Ultra) is the one that piques the most interest with its record cover screen size and 165 Hz main display refresh rate.
Granted, the 2023 Razrs aren't powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but a Plus version of its predecessor is not too shabby, either, and it allowed Motorola to keep the price point low. If you are in the market for a clamshell foldable, you can't do much better than the Razr Plus or the Razr 40, and not only from Razr phone nostalgia.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless