The next Motorola Razr could pose a real threat to the Galaxy Z Flip
Update, Jan 11 (12:15 p.m. ET): More Morotola Razr 3 details emerge
What you need to know
- Motorola is reportedly developing the Razr 3 to be a true flagship foldable.
- The device will allegedly feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and 120Hz display.
- It could feature up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.
Motorola is hard at work on its Razr successor, and while we've heard some bits and pieces here and there, we may know more about the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 3 competitor.
XDA-Developers has caught wind of some information of the device, tentatively dubbed the "Motorola Razr 3," thanks to their sources, who have indicated that it will be a true flagship. In contrast to the Razr 5G, which features a midrange Snapdragon 765 chipset, the Razr 3 will be powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
Other specs include up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, NFC (which isn't always a given with Motorola phones), and possibly Ultra-Wideband (UWB) support. It will likely launch with Android 12.
While XDA couldn't confirm much information about the displays, they indicate that the main display will likely be a Full HD AMOLED with a 120Hz refresh rate. Motorola may also ditch the notch in favor of a hole-punch selfie camera. It's not known what changes will come to the external display.
Details about the external camera setup are also unknown. Given that the current model only features one camera, we can hope Motorola will equip the phone with a more versatile setup featuring at least an ultrawide sensor. However, an additional telephoto camera would give it a leg up over the Galaxy Z Flip 3.
So far, XDA's information lines up with one Lenovo executive's claims that the next-generation Razr will feature an upgraded processor and design. It sounds exactly like what Motorola needs to compete with one of Samsung's best foldable phones, even ahead of its successor, which will likely feature the same chipset.
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Of course, Motorola still has to address a few things to make the phone truly competitive, including software support, battery life, charging speed, and price. That said, we will hopefully learn more soon as we're expecting the Razr 3 to launch sometime this year.
Update, Jan 11 (12:15 p.m. ET) ― Motorola Razr 3 display and cameras detailed
More details have emerged for the Motorola Razr 3, courtesy of Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC). The phone will apparently feature a 6.7-inch display, which is quite a bit larger than the 6.2-inch panel on the Motorola Razr 5G. That's also in line with the display size on the Galaxy Z Flip 3.
Additionally, the Razr 3 will reportedly sport a more versatile camera array. According to Nils Ahrensmeier of TechnikNews, the phone will come with a 50MP primary sensor, a number that's becoming increasingly popular among the best Android phones. Additionally, it will have a 13MP ultrawide sensor and a 32MP selfie camera.
Sources inform TechnikNews that the Razr 3 is expected to launch in June this year, meaning it could arrive ahead of the next-generation Galaxy Z Flip and hopefully gain some much-needed mindshare.
Derrek is the managing editor of Android Central, helping to guide the site's editorial content and direction to reach and resonate with readers, old and new, who are just as passionate about tech as we are. He's been obsessed with mobile technology since he was 12, when he discovered the Nokia N90, and his love of flip phones and new form factors continues to this day. As a fitness enthusiast, he has always been curious about the intersection of tech and fitness. When he's not working, he's probably working out.