Motorola Makes a Bold CES Debut with the Razr Fold
The tech world gathered at CES to witness Motorola’s calculated push into the foldable smartphone arena. In a move designed to challenge Samsung and Google, Motorola unveiled its first side-foldable device—the Razr Fold—marking a strategic shift from its traditional clamshell heritage to a more expansive, multitasking-capable foldable philosophy.
Boasting a unique form factor, the Razr Fold features a compact external screen and a generous 8.1-inch flexible main display when opened. The device’s design language nods to Motorola’s iconic Razr lineage while embracing modern foldable aesthetics—soft curves, a polished chassis, and a hinge tuned for durability and smooth action. The company’s timing aligns with a growing CES 2026 spotlight on foldables, a category rapidly becoming a mainstream option for power users.
Key Specifications and What They Mean for Consumers
On the outside, the Razr Fold presents a 6.6-inch external screen that remains usable for quick checks, messaging, and media consumption without unfolding. When fully opened, the 8.1-inch internal display offers ample room for productivity tasks, split-screen multitasking, and immersive video. Motorola emphasizes a refined crease, aiming to minimize visible lines and maximize durability—a persistent concern for foldables as they roll out to a broader audience.
Though Motorola has not yet released every specification, early chatter suggests a high-refresh-rate main panel, robust processing power, and improved battery efficiency to sustain longer sessions on the larger display. The Razr Fold is positioned to compete against the Galaxy Z Fold 7 from Samsung and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold, both of which have set high benchmarks for multitasking and productivity on folding screens.
Camera, Software, and the User Experience
Camera performance remains a critical differentiator in the foldable segment. Motorola’s Razr Fold is expected to feature a versatile camera stack that balances day-to-day photography with the demands of a large, open-screen experience. In line with Motorola’s software updates, the device should offer a refined Android experience with split-screen enhancements, improved gesture navigation, and optimized app continuity between the external and internal displays.
Software integration will be crucial for a smooth user experience. Motorola is likely to ship with tailored multitasking modes, app pairings, and quick-launch features designed to take advantage of the external display for quick actions while the main display enables in-depth work or media viewing. As competitors push for seamless productivity, Motorola’s challenge will be to deliver reliable performance, long battery life, and a convincing app ecosystem that supports the foldable form factor.
Pricing, Availability, and Market Impact
Pricing rumors around the Razr Fold suggest a premium tier, aligning with the expectations for foldables in the current market. Availability is anticipated later in the year, with carrier partnerships and global launch plans that mirror the cadence of Galaxy Z Fold and Pixel Fold launches. If priced competitively and backed by a solid software experience, Motorola could capture a niche of users who want a large-screen foldable without sacrificing the familiar Razr design cues they’ve valued for years.
Analysts will be watching to see whether Motorola’s entry accelerates the competition and drives broader consumer adoption of foldable devices. The CES spotlight provides a proving ground for battery management, hinge durability, display longevity, and the overall real-world value of the Razr Fold in daily tasks, gaming, and media consumption.
What This Means for the Foldable Landscape
The Razr Fold’s arrival signals that foldables are moving beyond a niche to become a staple in flagship lineups. With Samsung and Google already pushing the envelope, Motorola’s side-foldable approach adds diversity to the category, offering consumers another path to larger screens without fully abandoning portability. As software ecosystems mature and manufacturing costs improve, more brands may enter this space, sparking faster innovation and more compelling price-to-performance options for shoppers.
In the weeks ahead, we’ll learn more about the Razr Fold’s official specs, camera capabilities, battery life, and how Motorola plans to differentiate it beyond the hinge design. For enthusiasts watching the CES floor, this marks a pivotal moment: foldables are evolving from novelty to a practical choice for productivity and entertainment on the go.
