Don't fix it if it ain't broke
The Motorola Razr Plus 2026 keeps the familiar Razr design language, including that gorgeous and incredibly useful front display, but improves durability with a new titanium hinge, camera upgrades (including an ultrawide camera), a notably larger battery, and one additional year of security updates.
Pros
- Same good performance as last year
- Even better build quality
- Improved 10-bit displays
- Five years of promised software updates
- Ultrawide camera and improved main sensor
- 500mAh larger battery
Cons
- Mid-range processor at a premium price
- Only one color choice
- Higher price
Last year, but not last gear
The Motorola Razr Plus 2025 features the same processor, RAM, storage, and overall design as the 2026 model, all for a lot less than this year's tech costs. You'll have to forego the ultrawide camera and will have one year fewer updates, but it's hard to argue with saving hundreds of dollars.
Pros
- Much lower price (especially with a deal)
- Good everyday performance
- Great selection of colors
- Cover display is the best in the business
- Solid camera quality
- Good battery life and very fast charging speed
Cons
- Mid-range processor at a premium price
- No ultrawide camera
- Only three years of software updates left
But before you make a hasty decision, let's check out all the main differences between the Razr Plus 2025 and the Razr Plus 2026 to see which is most worth your money.
The design stays mostly the same
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Holding both the Razr Plus 2026 and 2025 models side by side reveals no obvious differences. They both have the same exquisitely curved edges that feel great to hold, make the phone easy to unfold, and while the 2025 model sports shiny sides, the 2026 model swaps those out for a smudge-free matte finish. Both the cover and inner displays are identical in size, and even the camera modules look the same, despite sporting different hardware under the hood.
Even the dimensions are identical, something that's particularly awesome for existing Razr Plus owners, as you don't even need to swap out the case. Both phones even have the same weight, but that's actually an impressive feat of engineering on Motorola's part.
That's because the Razr Plus 2026 includes a 12.5% larger battery compared to the Razr Plus 2025, which would usually make the phone weigh a bit more, but Motorola swapped out the aluminum hinge with a titanium one for 2026. Not only does titanium lower the weight, but it also improves the overall durability of the phone over the long haul, making this a doubly great improvement.
Motorola Razr Plus 2026 vs. Razr Plus 2025: Specs
Category | Motorola Razr Plus 2026 | Motorola Razr Plus 2025 |
|---|---|---|
OS | Android 16 (Hello UX) | Android 16 (Hello UX) |
Display (internal) | 6.9-inch, Extreme AMOLED, 1080 x 2620, LTPO 165Hz, 10-bit, Dolby Vision, 3,000 nits peak brightness | 6.9-inch, pOLED, FHD+, 2640x1080, 413ppi, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, LTPO 165Hz, 3,000 nits peak brightness |
Display (external) | 4.0-inch, Extreme AMOLED, 1272 x 1080 LTPO 165Hz, 10-bit, Dolby Vision, 2,400 nits peak brightness | 4-inch, pOLED, 1272 x 1080 LTPO 165Hz, Dolby Vision, 2,400 nits peak brightness |
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 |
RAM | 12GB LPDDR5X | 12GB LPDDR5X |
Storage | 256GB | 256GB |
Rear Camera 1 | 50MP (1.6μm Quad Pixel), OIS, f/1.8 | 50MP (1.6μm Quad Pixel), OIS, f/1.7 |
Rear Camera 2 | 50MP ultrawide (1.28μm Quad Pixel), f/2.0, 122-degree FoV, Autofocus with macro support | 50MP telephoto lens (1.28μm Quad Pixel), 2x optical zoom, f/2.0 |
Selfie Camera | 32MP(1.4μm Quad Pixel), f/2.4 | 32MP(1.4μm Quad Pixel), f/2.4 |
Audio | 3 mics, dual stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos | 3 mics, dual stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos |
Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, NFC | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, NFC |
Security | Fingerprint sensor, Face unlock | Fingerprint sensor, Face unlock |
Protection | IP48, MIL-STD 810H titanium hinge, Gorilla Glass Victus | IP48, Gorilla Glass Victus |
Battery | 4,500mAh, 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, 5W reverse charging | 4,000mAh, 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, 5W reverse charging |
Dimensions (open) | 73.99 x 171.42 x 7.09mm | 73.99 x 171.42 x 7.09mm |
Dimensions (closed) | 73.99 x 88.09x 15.32mm | 73.99 x 88.09x 15.32mm |
Weight | 189g | 189g |
Colors | PANTONE Mountain View | Pantone Mocha Mousse, Midnight Blue, Hot Pink |
While much of the Razr Plus 2026's spec sheet looks identical to the Razr Plus 2025, including the same processor, RAM, and storage, a few other major components were swapped out with something better. Starting with the display, this year's model features true 10-bit displays, while prior years had 8-bit displays. That should reduce flickering caused by temporal dithering and make the 2026 models more comfortable.
Second, there is the camera array on the outer display. The main camera got a new sensor with an Ultra HDR mode that's capable of up to 5x wider dynamic range than older Razr models. The fairly useless 2x telephoto lens from the Razr Plus 2024 and 2025 was swapped out for an ultrawide camera on the 2026 models, which might actually be my favorite change year-over-year.
That means Razr Plus 2026 users will be able to use Horizon Lock video stabilization, all with great quality, thanks to the dual 50MP sensor array. Motorola is also introducing a few new photo tricks, and while some of these will likely come to the Razr Plus 2025, the company is launching them all with the Razr Plus 2026.
If you're a big Instagram user, the Razr Plus 2026 can take Ultra HDR shots straight from the Instagram app, meaning you don't need to juggle between apps just to post your moments on social.
And a new feature called Frame Match lets you first take a picture of a scene you want to be in, then pass the camera to someone else so you can be in the shot. It's an awesome use of AI, and a simple on-screen guide will make sure they get the shot right.
Lastly, that 500mAh larger battery inside the Razr Plus 2026 model will give you even more play time on your phone without worrying about battery life.
Motorola Razr Plus 2026 vs. Razr Plus 2025: Software
Over the years, Motorola has improved its update policy to ensure that you can keep your phone for longer without worrying about it being out of date. The Razr Plus 2026 is getting an extra year of support versus what's offered on the Razr Plus 2025, which means you can keep the Razr Plus 2026 for two additional years if you were choosing between them right now. Here's how it breaks down:
Motorola Razr Plus 2025: 3 OS updates (up to Android 18), 4 years of security updates (through 2028)
Motorola Razr Plus 2026: 3 OS updates (up to Android 19), 5 years of security updates (through 2030).
Hard to argue with that math, even given the price increase year-over-year. Unfortunately, like every other tech company in existence, Motorola had to raise the price of its products because of the global component shortage. Buying last year's phone is always going to save you money, but that's doubly true this year because of all the price increases.
Motorola Razr Plus 2026 vs. Razr Plus 2025: Which should you buy?
To boil it down, here's the crux of the decision: If you choose the Razr Plus 2025, you'll save a few hundred bucks in the process and have slightly better camera zoom detail (since it has a 2x telephoto lens), but you'll miss out on an ultrawide camera, Ultra HDR photos, better battery life, better drop resistance and long-term durability, displays that are potentially more comfortable everyday, and only get software updates until 2029.
In many cases, these are reasonable tradeoffs to save so much money, but there's also serious peace of mind to know that you can hold on to the phone and still get important security updates until 2031, especially with the volatile state of tech prices these days. The Razr Plus 2026 isn't a massive upgrade by any means, but it is better, it'll last longer, and is a better long-term investment if you keep it in good shape with a great case.
