From now on, you don't have to flip your Razr open to use it. That could sum up the revamped approach in Motorola's design for its new flagship foldable phone, the Razr 40 Ultra (or "razr," all lowercase, as the brand spells it).

Motorola is following the trend: we've seen external displays grow in flip phones lately, with Samsung Z Flip's screen growing bigger from the 2020 original, while Oppo’s first “flip phone” launched with the largest external display seen in such a device - that was just a few months ago, and now it looks even small...

Going back in time, the first Razr for a new era, a smartphone reinvention of the Motorola classic, was unveiled in pre-Covid times (2019), with cyberpunk shapes - we miss that a bit - and a really small external screen, mostly suitable for displaying basic notifications. The new Razr 40 Ultra has a 3.6-inch pOLED external display.

So the screen has grown. It got as big as it could get. And you can use the Razr 40 Ultra as a kind of mini smartphone when it is closed. That includes texting, checking the weather or accessing apps like Google Maps or Wallet through a system of customizable panels. The external display can also be used to play games (in partnership with GameSnacks) or control Spotify playback on the go. You can also watch YouTube or a Netflix show. And there's enough room to use a full-size keyboard to take notes.

The larger external display also doubles as a small mirror and preview panel when you're taking a picture of someone (with the phone flipped open) or taking a selfie. For the latter, Motorola introduces a new “photobooth” mode.

The razr 40 launch campaign features an image of a model using the phone in a way that's reminiscent of handheld camcorders from the turn of the century. It's a crossroads of the zeitgeist, mixing the nostalgia of the Y2K aesthetic with scenarios made possible by a new, flexible design.

Motorola says that “the motorola razr bridged the gap between fashion and technology when it was one of the first handheld devices to be launched,” and that this new device is directly inspired by the original Razr V3. Motorola sponsors fashion weeks around the world and various sporting events. “Design” is a strong value for the brand, Motorola says. The device is aimed at “change-makers, trendsetters and influencers”, the company continues, noting that the device's philosophy is not about specific “generations” (Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X), but about the attitude of “using technology as a tool”.

On the back, the phone features a combination of glass frame with matte finish or vegan leather. Motorola has an ongoing collaboration with Pantone and Viva Magenta, the color of the year 2023, is among the color options. Other colors include Infinite Black and Glacier Blue.

The new razr 40 ultra features a redesigned teardrop hinge and is the thinnest folding device on the market when closed. Flex View technology allows the phone to be held open at different angles, expanding the range of possible uses - video chatting or watching video on the 6.9-inch foldable display, or even using the phone itself as a tripod for taking selfies.

The phone features a dual camera system (main 12MP f/1.5+ ultra wide&macro 13MP) and an internal selfie camera, Dolby Atmos audio experience, supports wireless and ultra fast 30W charging, and is powered by Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1. Prices in Europe start at 1.190 euros.

The outlook for the foldable market is bright, with an expected 5.6x unit growth in 5 years. Razr is no longer just a model in Motorola's portfolio, but a product family. In fact, there's also a more essential and relatively cheaper model, simply called the Razr 40, which comes with a smaller external display but retains the features of a high-end smartphone, with a 64-megapixel stabilized camera, a wide range of colors in partnership with Pantone and premium vegan leather finishing. It was made “for trendsetters and tastemakers who want to stand out from the crowd,” Motorola says.

All pictures courtesy Motorola