Motorola Razor review

The Motorola Razr is one of a handful of foldable phones you can actually buy, which include the Samsung Galaxy Fold, Royole FlexPai and Huawei Mate X. But it's the first to bridge a modern Android phone and the familiar clamshell design of the past. Before the current dynasty of glass slab smartphones, Motorola defined what a mobile phone was. And this new Razr could help redefine how we use our phones.

After a week of using the Razr as my daily driver, I have strong feelings for it and a few questions. At $1,499, it doesn't have the fastest processor, the biggest battery or the best cameras. 

If this phone didn't fold in half, it would be a solid midtier Android phone. But the Razr has something most phones lack: personality. And as Jules says in Pulp Fiction, "Personality goes a long way." The Razr feels more personal than any phone I've used. Every time I flip it open or closed, I see its value rise. That said, most people shouldn't buy the Razr, myself included. 

The true test of its design will take place over the coming months inside the pockets of those who do buy it. This doesn't mean Motorola is on the wrong track: The Razr is an enormous accomplishment that sets the stage for an improved second version.

The outside display, called the Quick View display, is perhaps one of the biggest innovations on the phone. I found myself using it quite a bit to cycle through notifications, use Google Pay, trigger the camera and even dismiss emails. It was another way my normal phone behavior changed. The 2.7-inch display sits under a piece of Gorilla Glass 3. When it's not covered in fingerprint smudges, it looks absolutely premium. 

It works in two ways. When the phone is locked, it becomes a Peek Display and lets you view notifications. When you unlock the screen, you get additional access to a mini control panel (brightness, flashlight, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and selfies) and you can interact with notifications. Tap and hold an icon for a quick peek at messages and notifications. It's wonderfully discreet.