The Motorola Razr Plus (2024), known globally as the Razr 50 Ultra, represents the pinnacle of foldable maturity. By expanding the external display to 4.0 inches and refining the hinge, Motorola has moved beyond the "gimmick" phase of foldables. It features a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, a unique 50MP telephoto lens in place of the traditional ultrawide, and a sophisticated AI suite. This device is designed for users who want to minimize distractions while maintaining a premium, tactile smartphone experience.

When you first pick up the Motorola Razr Plus, the immediate sensation is one of texture and grip. In an era of slippery glass slabs, Motorola's commitment to high-quality vegan leather (silicone-based) across the entire lineup is a masterstroke. It feels warm, premium, and remarkably secure in the hand. The hinge mechanism has been further miniaturized, allowing for a larger 4.0-inch cover screen that bleeds into the edges of the device. This "end-to-end" look makes its primary competitor, the Samsung Flip 6, look somewhat dated with its folder-shaped folder-tab cutout. The "Hot Pink" and "Peach Fuzz" colorways are bold, but the "Midnight Blue" provides a sophisticated alternative for those who want a more understated look. The snap of the hinge is firm and authoritative; it stays open at various angles for "Flex View" use without feeling loose. Most importantly, the addition of IPX8 water resistance finally puts Motorola on par with the industry leaders regarding structural reliability.

Powering the device is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. While the "s" suffix indicates a slightly lower clock speed than the flagship 8 Gen 3 found in the S24 Ultra, in real-world use, the difference is negligible for 95% of users. The phone feels lightning-fast, aided by the 165Hz refresh rate on both the inner and outer displays. Where you notice the hardware tuning is in efficiency. The phone manages heat better than the previous generation, though it can still get warm during extended 4K video recording. The RAM management is aggressive, keeping several apps open in the background, which is crucial because you'll often find yourself switching between the external and internal screens. One controversial move was replacing the ultrawide camera with a 50MP 2x telephoto lens. For portrait lovers, this is a win—the bokeh and compression are excellent. However, for those who love "0.5x" group shots, the absence is felt. The main 50MP sensor performs admirably in daylight, with Motorola's color processing leaning toward natural tones rather than over-saturation.

The Razr Plus remains the king of "ease of use" in the foldable space primarily because of its software philosophy. While other manufacturers restrict what you can do on the outer screen, Motorola lets you run virtually any app. You can respond to emails on a full QWERTY keyboard, watch YouTube videos, or navigate via Google Maps without ever unfolding the device. This "mini-phone" experience is the core value proposition. Motorola’s classic gestures—the "chop-chop" for the flashlight and the "twist" for the camera—are present and remain the most intuitive shortcuts in the mobile world. The "Hello UI" skin is clean and doesn't get in your way, offering a stock-plus experience that is refreshing compared to heavier overlays. Setting up the cover screen panels is intuitive, allowing you to swipe through weather, calendar, and Spotify controls with ease.

Reliability has historically been the Achilles' heel of flip phones, but the 2024 Razr Plus shows significant progress. The screen protector on the internal display feels more like glass than plastic this time around, and it doesn't attract fingerprints as aggressively as previous iterations. The hinge is rated for hundreds of thousands of folds, and after a month of heavy testing, there is no noticeable "creak" or loss of tension. However, the long-term reliability of the 4-inch external glass remains a concern. Because the glass extends so far, it is more exposed to corner impacts. Users are strongly encouraged to use the included case or a third-party bumper. On the software side, the phone is stable, with very few bugs reported in the latest firmware, though Motorola's history of slow security patches is a point of consideration for the security-conscious.

The Razr Plus excels in three specific scenarios

use the cover screen for 90% of your day to avoid the "doom-scrolling" that usually starts when you open a large smartphone

the ability to use the main 50MP camera while using the 4-inch cover screen as a viewfinder makes this the best vlogging tool on the market

the phone is a conversation starter and a fashion piece that fits into small pockets and bags where larger phones fail. It's also an excellent travel companion; having Google Maps and boarding passes on the outer screen while keeping one hand free for luggage is a genuine quality-of-life improvement.

Community feedback from Reddit and X highlights a growing "Razr cult" that appreciates the brand's willingness to take risks. Long-term owners of the previous generation noted that the battery health held up well over a year, and early adopters of the 2024 model are reporting that the 4000mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day, provided you utilize the cover screen for quick tasks. The most common "complaint" from long-term users isn't about the hardware, but about the desire for more frequent software feature updates. Owners who switched from Samsung often mention they miss "Dex" mode but prefer the Razr's ergonomics and outer screen utility. Ultimately, the Razr Plus is a phone that rewards users who are willing to change their habits and embrace a more compact way of interacting with their digital lives. It is no longer just a "cool" phone; it is a mature, reliable tool.