It may seem like only yesterday, but the classic Motorola Razr brand relaunched in a modern foldable form factor over three years ago. After a 2021 hiatus, a third-generation Motorola Razr foldable is finally on the horizon, that much we know. But the exact release date and form of the phone we’ll dub the Razr 3 remains a bit of a mystery, for now.
We’re anticipating updated modern processing power, a tweaked user interface, and a slight change to the phone’s aesthetic design. You’ve already told us what you’d like to see from the Motorola Razr 3, so here’s our wishlist for the third-generation Motorola foldable.
A more powerful package in every sense
A fair bit changed under the hood between the Razr and Razr 5G. The latter offered a more powerful Snapdragon 765G processor, 5G networking, slightly larger battery, and a new camera package. Despite these improvements, the Razr 5G didn’t quite tick many flagship boxes you’d expect from such a premium handset.
We’d certainly like to see another bump in processing power. Even if the Razr 3 doesn’t end up using the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, something older from Qualcomm’s 8 series or even the Snapdragon 778G would do the trick, ensuring the phone has enough power to keep pace for years to come.
Likewise, some futureproofing in the charging department wouldn’t go amiss. Although 15W is still quite typical in the foldable space, it’s painfully slow by modern standards. On the other hand, Motorola’s 36W TurboPower might be overkill for what is sure to be a moderate battery size, probably below 3,000mAh. But power in the range of 20-25W would certainly be appreciated by power users who might need to top the phone up during the day.
A few extra flagship features
The Razr series commands a high price point, but many a traditional flagship feature has been absent so far.
For instance, there’s no IP rating or wireless charging on previous models, and we’d certainly appreciate some extra protection with the Razr 3. Granted, Motorola already offers a splash-proof nano-coating and we’re not expecting a full-on IP68 for a foldable handset. But even an IP52 rating, as seen on the Motorola Edge (2021), or IPX8 rating like we saw on the rival Galaxy Z Flip 3 would instill confidence that the phone can handle a little wear and tear.
Similarly, wireless charging capabilities are a firm staple of the flagship market, even in the foldable phone space. Samsung has shown it’s possible to fit all the necessary wireless charging technology into a clamshell form factor with the aforementioned Galaxy Z Flip 3, and the new Razr will, hopefully, follow suit.
An IP rating, improved camera, and wireless charging would tick a lot of flagship boxes.
Of course, camera packages also sell smartphones and the Razr 3 could use an update here too. A newer main sensor seems like a given after two years, and a second rear lens would also add much sought-after flexibility to the package.
We don’t necessarily need the very best of everything here. Making everything fit in the clamshell form factor is the most important thing, after all. But a better processor and fancier flagship features would certainly ensure the Razr 3 stays in focus in what’s bound to be a fiercely competitive 2022 marketplace.
Embrace the 120Hz display revolution
OK, so the above might be more wishful thinking rather than strictly necessary improvements. But the Motorola Razr 3 must embrace the latest and greatest flexible display technology around. After all, the display is the core aspect of the clamshell smartphone design.
Check out: Display specs and terms explained
Modern 120Hz LTPO displays, which you’ll find on many top-tier phones, not only look great for the inner display but their adaptive refresh rate is also a boon for battery life. Particularly handy when you have to squeeze a small battery into a foldable phone. This display technology is robust and flexible too — it’s found in Samsung’s latest foldable lineup as well as the Oppo Find N. We don’t want to see a repeat of those broken and creased Razr displays that popped up with the first-gen model.
Ultra-impressive specs are less important for the smaller 2.7-inch “quick view” display, which we imagine will stick around. But a slightly larger, more practical screen size that’s useful for more than just notifications would be a nice touch too.
More competitive pricing
Foldables don’t have to be expensive, as Samsung showed us in 2021 with the comparatively inexpensive Galaxy Z Flip 3. Priced at $999, the Z Flip 3 costs about as much as your typical flagship smartphone, making it a realistic choice for consumers outside of the ultra-enthusiast crowd.
Historically, modern Razr handsets have been much more expensive. 2019’s Motorola Razr cost a rather hefty $1,500 and 2020’s Razr 5G follow-up launched at an equally eyewatering $1,400. That price tag won’t cut it against the competition in 2022. If you were lucky, the Razr 5G could occasionally be found for $999 over the past twelve months, and that certainly feels closer to where the Razr 3 should launch.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 review — Worth taking the chance
Granted, the modern Razr is all about that luxury look and feel, so we’re certainly not expecting a turn for the affordable — especially not with our hardware wishlist in mind. But something closer to the $1,000 – $1,200 mark feels like a must if the Razr 3 is to stand a chance of competing with the Z Flip 3.
Of course, there are a few more things we’d love to see from the Razr 3 and Motorola in general. An improved update promise also rates highly on our wishlist. A bigger battery also ranked highly on your list of Razr 3 requests.
Motorola is expected to announce its third-generation Razr in the coming months, although a Chinese launch appears to be on the cards first. If there’s anything we’ve missed off our wishlist, let us know in the comments below.
