Motorola is set to release its first book-style foldable phone, the Razr Fold, later this year, focusing on a premium design to stand out in the market. The company aims to appeal to consumers seeking lifestyle technology through unique materials and finishes. Foldable phone sales are projected to rise 30% in 2026 compared to 2025.
Motorola unveiled details about its Razr Fold at CES earlier this year, featuring a performance by Gwen Stefani to highlight the launch. This marks the brand's entry into book-style foldables, following the success of its flip-phone Razr models that debuted in early 2020. Current offerings include the $700 Razr (2025), $1,000 Razr Plus (2025), and $1,300 Razr Ultra, which have helped Motorola capture a niche in the growing foldable market.
According to IDC, foldable phone sales are expected to increase by 30% in 2026 from 2025 levels, though Razr holds a small share of the overall smartphone sector. Competitors like Samsung, with its seventh-generation Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Google, with the third-generation Pixel 10 Pro Fold, have established lines in this category. Motorola differentiates the Razr Fold through a luxury-oriented design, building on its use of varied finishes and fabrics in existing Razr models, including a wood back option.
Rudi Kalil, president of Motorola North America, explained the strategy: "We are positioning ourselves more and more now after we introduced the Razrs as a lifestyle tech. So it resonates with this being not purely tech, but also something that you can express."
The phone features a "silk" textured back, evoking a high-end wristwatch rather than minimalist designs common in the industry. Motorola adopts a design-first approach, prioritizing aesthetics in elements like the camera array, which integrates seamlessly into the back. Mago Martin, Motorola's marketing director for North America, noted: "The intent is to always blend in the camera so it doesn't protrude very highly. It is part of the back."
The Razr Fold will support stylus input on both screens, allowing seamless transitions between them, unlike some competitors that restrict it to the main display. Kalil hinted at further innovations in 2026, continuing to incorporate colors and materials valued by consumers.
