Motorola is predicted to launch a collection of recent Razr clamshell foldables on Wednesday, in addition to its first book-style folding cellphone. The merely named Motorola Razr Fold will go up in opposition to different, comparable gadgets just like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, however it might solely get just a few months within the highlight — later this yr, Apple’s long-awaited iPhone Fold might debut and steal Motorola’s thunder.
Whereas Motorola has been competing with Samsung on annual clamshell foldables for years, it is stayed out of competing within the book-style folding cellphone area of interest till now. That makes the Motorola Razr Fold a novel new entry for the phone-maker, and CNET senior know-how reporter Abrar Al-Heeti discovered it to be a eager rival to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 from her time with it at MWC 2026.
“The Fold is a vital machine for Motorola. After rising considerably within the foldable market virtually solely by means of clamshell flip telephones, Motorola is now making its first transfer into book-style foldables, which is the format that Apple is predicted to enter later this yr,” mentioned Francisco Jeronimo, vice chairman of consumer gadgets analysis on the Worldwide Information Company.
The Razr Fold’s essential display screen is 8.1 inches.
With standout specs, it might assist Motorola proceed rising its share of the North American foldables market, which rose to 44% in 2025, in line with Counterpoint Analysis (up from 30% the yr earlier than). In line with IDC information, Jeronimo mentioned. Motorola holds round 50% of the US foldable market, roughly 55% in Latin America, and has grown its world share from about 6% to almost 14%.
With new Razrs and the debut of the Fold, it must be Motorola’s yr to tackle Samsung. However as typically occurs within the cell market, all eyes flip to what Apple’s doing. Whereas rumors have swirled for years {that a} foldable iPhone was within the works, extra proof than ever suggests one will debut later in 2026 (presumably within the September launch window alongside different iPhones).
Motorola and Apple have a curious causal relationship: Motorola claims that 25% of individuals shopping for its Razr clamshell foldables are former iPhone customers. When the Motorola Razr Fold is revealed, it might convert extra of us too bored with ready for Apple’s folding cellphone. That’s, if they do not wait just a bit longer to see if their long-awaited iOS-running foldable will launch ultimately in September. Just a few sizable iPhone Fold rumors might persuade fence-sitters to carry on.
A CAD render of the supposed iPhone Fold.
In the mean time, we nonetheless do not know a lot in regards to the iPhone Fold — beginning with its title, which rumors have additionally urged may very well be known as the iPhone Extremely or iPhone Flip. The latter title was extra rumored when Apple was supposedly angling to launch a clamshell foldable first, however the newest leaks are closely favoring a book-style folding machine just like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Motorola Razr Fold. The remainder of the main points are murky, with latest CAD design file leaks suggesting will probably be a wide-format foldable like the unique Google Pixel Fold that launched in 2023.
In distinction, the Motorola Razr Fold is a identified amount. CNET’s Al-Heeti has held it, discovering the foldable to be barely bigger than the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google Pixel 10 Professional Fold (6.6-inch exterior show, 8.1-inch inner display screen) and someplace between the 2 in weight (243 grams). It packs a triple 50-megapixel rear digicam system, 32-megapixel selfie digicam on the quilt and 20-megapixel selfie shooter inside. It has an enormous 6,000-mAh battery, 80-watt wired charging and a powerful 50-watt wi-fi charging. It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor and has an IP48 and IP49 score for prime water and middling mud resistance.
“Each screens are brighter than any rival foldable, and the 6,000-mAh battery outclasses the competitors, whereas stylus help by way of the Moto Pen Extremely fills a niche that Samsung itself left open by dropping S Pen help from the Galaxy Z Fold 7,” Jeronimo mentioned.
That makes the Motorola Razr Fold a safer wager, although not fully secure, as will probably be a first-generation machine. I keep in mind making an attempt out the unique Motorola Razr in late 2019 and seeing its proto-folding show go away a niche between the display screen and the cellphone when closing or opening it. The cellphone trade has come a good distance in growing folding screens since then, and Motorola particularly has continued refining its personal tech — I do not anticipate air gaps within the Motorola Fold, particularly with that IP resistance score.
Even when the Motorola Razr Fold’s highlight will get stolen by rumors of the iPhone Fold, Apple’s first-generation foldable will probably be a much more unknown amount. Motorola, Samsung, and even Google have refined sturdiness and design through the years. How shut the iPhone Fold involves its rivals has but to be seen, nevertheless it might want to dwell as much as Apple’s well-known dedication to design excellence. As some rumors have urged, Apple has delayed manufacturing of the iPhone Fold whereas it sought to get rid of the display screen crease over the foldable’s hinge, and Samsung show ideas proven off at CES 2026 counsel that design wrinkle could have been ironed out. (Apple is reportedly tapping Samsung for the screens on its foldable.)
So Motorola could have its time within the solar. It stays to be seen whether or not Apple’s foldable will arrive, and if it does, what form will probably be in. The final word winner will probably be all of the folding cellphone followers and the foldable-curious who’ve been ready for the best machine to make the leap — and this yr, there’s extra of them than ever to persuade flat cellphone house owners to get flexible.