With its unrivaled cover screen, impressive hardware, and impressive specifications, the Motorola Razr Plus surpasses all other flip phone foldables I’ve experienced. There are countless reasons to admire this device.”

Pros:

• The Viva Magenta color offers an incredible appearance.
• It possesses water and dust resistance capabilities.
• The cover screen is a game-changer.
• The display crease is barely noticeable, maintaining a super-minimal appearance.
• It delivers excellent performance.
• The software experience is delightful.

Cons:

• The camera performance is mediocre.
• The battery life lasts only for a day.
• Wired charging is limited to 30W.

While the Motorola Razr Plus may not be the most technically impressive phone I’ve used this year, nor the absolute best smartphone for most people in 2023, it has been the most enjoyable device in my hands among all the phones I’ve experienced. With its charming and delightful nature, the Motorola Razr Plus unquestionably stands out as the finest flip phone foldable I’ve ever had the pleasure of using.

Design and Durability of the Motorola Razr Plus

The visual appeal of the Motorola Razr Plus is truly remarkable, particularly when opting for the vibrant Viva Magenta color that I’ve been enjoying. Motorola collaborated with Pantone to create this specific color, which was bestowed the prestigious title of Pantone’s “Color of the Year” for 2023.

Putting the partnership aside, the essential thing to note is that Viva Magenta is absolutely breathtaking on the Razr Plus. The glossy aluminum frame is enveloped in a vibrant and saturated red shade that catches the eye from any perspective. Whether the Razr Plus is closed and resting on a desk or table, its striking Viva Magenta finish cannot be overlooked.

The Razr Plus in Viva Magenta showcases a stunning visual impact.

One aspect I particularly adore is how the Viva Magenta color extends to the vegan leather back of the Razr Plus. The leather not only enhances the phone’s appearance but also provides an exceptional grip, ensuring it remains secure on almost any surface. As someone who cherished my leather Moto X for as long as possible, having a leather Motorola phone once again brings a sense of joy and nostalgia to my geeky heart.

While Viva Magenta stands out as the must-have color for the Razr Plus, the alternative finishes, Infinite Black and Glacier Blue, also offer an appealing aesthetic. Though they may not be as attention-grabbing, these options replace the leather backside with a frosted glass one, providing a distinct charm of their own. Overall, they serve as excellent alternatives to consider.

Motorola’s hinge mechanism on the Razr Plus provides a satisfying experience for me. Unlike the stiffness of the hinge on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, it lacks the ability to remain open at various angles. However, I haven’t personally found this to be problematic. The Razr Plus’ hinge effortlessly holds the phone upright at most reasonable angles, allowing for comfortable usage in what Motorola refers to as “Flex View.” It’s worth noting that the hinge may collapse entirely if one attempts to bend the Razr Plus too far back, which is not the case with the Flip 4. Nevertheless, I believe this won’t pose an issue for the vast majority of users.

While it’s challenging to predict the long-term durability of the hinge after months or years of usage, I must say that it has consistently provided an excellent experience during my time with the Razr Plus. Moreover, one-handed flipping of the phone open and shut, reminiscent of the good old days, can be done quite comfortably.

What sets the Motorola Razr Plus apart is its inclusion of a feature I’ve never seen on a folding phone before: dust resistance. With an IP52 rating, the Razr Plus is officially safeguarded against dust and dripping water. While other foldable devices have employed internal safety mechanisms to prevent damage from dust and particles, the Razr Plus takes it a step further by having a proper IP rating in this regard. Although it may not offer the same level of durability as non-folding phones like the Galaxy S23 Ultra or Google Pixel 7 Pro with their IP68 ratings, it’s undeniably impressive for a folding phone.

Before moving on, here are a few additional details to consider.

The fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button is exceptional, offering both speed and reliability.

The volume buttons, for the most part, are pleasing to use with their tactile clickiness and ease of pressing. However, they do exhibit a slight wobbliness that could be improved.

Regarding the vibration motor, it provides a satisfactory experience for the most part, but there is an audible buzzing sound that personally doesn’t appeal to me.

Remarkably, even after accidentally dropping my Razr Plus twice on hardwood floors within my apartment, it emerged completely unharmed.

Exploring the Cover Screen of the Motorola Razr Plus

While the design of the Motorola Razr Plus is undeniably impressive, the true standout feature of the phone lies in its cover screen. Dominating the front of the Razr Plus is a 3.6-inch pOLED display, which, despite being considered a “secondary” screen, boasts an impressive array of specifications. It is HDR10+ certified, offers a resolution of 1066 x 1056, resulting in a pixel density of 413 pixels per inch (ppi), and boasts a remarkable 144Hz refresh rate. Interestingly, the Razr Plus’ cover screen even surpasses the refresh rate of the iPhone 14 Pro.

From a technical standpoint, the cover screen is visually stunning. The colors are vivid and vibrant, the sharpness is more than adequate, and the 144Hz refresh rate, while perhaps excessive, provides a delightful visual experience. However, it’s not just the visual appeal of the cover screen that makes it impressive; it’s also the versatility it offers in terms of functionality and usability.

On the main home screen of the cover screen, essential information such as the time, date, and weather is prominently displayed. By swiping down from the top, you can access the Quick Settings panel, which includes controls for adjusting brightness, managing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, accessing Google Wallet, and more. At the bottom of the cover screen, notification icons are shown, and tapping on them reveals a familiar notification panel where you can dismiss or open notifications.

The home screen of the cover screen also features various customizable “panels.” There are eight panels available, including Apps, Calendar, Contacts, Games, Google Fit, Google News, Spotify, and Weather. You have the flexibility to enable or disable these panels according to your preference and arrange them in any order you desire. To access a specific panel, you can tap on its corresponding icon on the home screen, or alternatively, swipe left or right to browse through them.

Overall, I find Motorola’s panel system quite appealing. It offers convenient access to a three-day weather forecast and upcoming calendar appointments, along with handy shortcuts for contacts and apps. However, I must admit that the panels have their limitations. The dedicated Spotify panel, while perfectly optimized for the cover screen, caters primarily to Spotify users, leaving out those who prefer Apple Music or YouTube Music. Additionally, the calendar panel has proven to be somewhat buggy, often getting stuck on the previous day and only updating to the current date after tapping the view button to switch between the month and agenda view. Motorola has the opportunity to expand and improve upon its panel concept, building upon the solid foundation that exists. I remain hopeful that with time, these limitations will be addressed, and the panel system will continue to evolve for the better.