Motorola Razr 70: Few Changes but Good Ones! But Does It Make Sense? The Review

The market for foldable smartphones, or "foldable" to use a term that has now entered the common lexicon of technology enthusiasts, has undergone a rapid and at times turbulent evolution. Since we first started handling delicate prototypes several years ago, the industry has made giant strides.

Motorola, with its historic legacy linked to one of the most iconic clamshell designs ever, has managed to carve out a leading role in this segment. As you may have seen, just a few weeks ago, Lenovo's brand launched the new Foldable Razr 70 series, composed of Razr 70, Razr 70 Plus (a new addition), and the more powerful Razr 70 Ultra. Today, we will talk about the most "popular" model, namely the Motorola Razr 70 "base". We can tell you right away, do not expect a drastic change; in fact, compared to the previous Razr 60, the changes on paper are very few, but quite targeted.

Having spent the last few weeks with this device as our only companion, we can say Motorola's goal with this model is to provide a user experience that does not make you miss a traditional smartphone in any way, thus eliminating those frictions that historically accompanied foldable devices, such as perceived fragility, limited battery life, or compromises in the camera department.

But did they achieve their goal? Let's find out in our full review.

Design and Build

When you hold the Motorola Razr 70 for the first time, the immediate feeling is that you are dealing with a well-built object, carefully detailed. The dimensions have been meticulously optimized: when the device is open, it measures 171.30 x 73.99 x 7.25 mm. When closed, its dimensions reduce to 88.08 x 73.99 x 15.85 mm, creating a compact "square" that literally disappears into your pants pockets or smaller bags, without causing any discomfort. The weight is at 188 grams: an excellent value that provides solidity without tiring the hand during long usage sessions.

For the construction, Motorola has introduced a reinforced titanium hinge that transmits better sturdiness compared to previous versions. Opening and closing gives a satisfying tactile and sound feedback, a "clack" that reassures you about the longevity of the mechanism. The company claims that the device was built with durability and longevity in mind, and we can only confirm this impression.

From an aesthetic point of view, the impact is remarkable thanks to the renewed partnership with Pantone. We were able to handle the different colors, and we can assure you that the attention to finishes is manic. The device is available in PANTONE Hematite, which features a finish inspired by woven fabric, in PANTONE Sporting Green (our review version), characterized by a vegan leather finish, and finally in the refined PANTONE Bright White color, made of Acetate for a sophisticated and elegant look. The choice of materials, in addition to aesthetics, also contributes to grip; in particular, the faux-leather versions and the woven texture of the Hematite version offer excellent hold, avoiding the "soap bar" effect typical of phones with smooth glass.

But the real revolution in terms of durability is the introduction of the IP48 certification. In the past, foldables have been terrified by dust and liquids. The IP48 certification ensures that the Razr 70 is protected against the ingress of solid objects larger than 1 millimeter and, most importantly, that it is water resistant, able to withstand immersion.

The external display is also protected by the tough Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, an additional layer of safety against scratches and accidental impacts. Additionally, the sales package includes a hard plastic case that offers extra protection for the phone. A pleasant surprise.

Display

The focal point of the foldable experience inevitably lies in its screens. Motorola, with the Razr 70, has decided to equip the device with two panels that have nothing to envy to the best traditional flagships on the market.

Let's start with the element that immediately catches the eye: the external display. We have a 3.63-inch panel with Extreme AMOLED technology at 10 bits, HDR10+ support, a 90Hz refresh rate, and a resolution of 1056 x 1066 pixels. This screen encompasses the main camera sensors, creating an enveloping and modern aesthetic. The outdoor readability is excellent, thanks to the 1700 nits of peak brightness declared by the company. In short, even under the midday sun, we had no problems.

Now let's move on to the main display, the internal one. We are talking about a 6.90-inch Extreme AMOLED unit. The first thing we looked for was the fold. Thanks to the work done on the drop hinge and the use of Ultra Thin Glass (UTG), the fold is barely perceptible to the eye while during normal use it can be slightly felt to the touch.

Brightness

Area 15%: 1110 nits with a completely white screen
Area 100%: 3000 nits peak brightness

The technical specifications of this internal screen are truly high-end, with a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels, 10-bit color depth, and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. Its 22:9 aspect ratio makes it slightly narrower and longer than a standard smartphone, which proves to be excellent for reading extended articles on the web and scrolling through social feeds. Oh, and the refresh rate reaches 120Hz.

The data that literally left us speechless during our instrumental and visual benchmarks is the peak brightness: a stunning 3000 nits.

Hardware and Software

Managing the entire setup is the MediaTek Dimensity 7450X chipset. This SoC, developed specifically to offer an optimal balance between raw performance and energy efficiency, proved to be a formidable companion. Supporting it are memory cuts of 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5X, virtually expandable via the RAM Boost feature. As for storage, the integrated options are 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB.

We stressed this hardware with prolonged sessions of heavy multitasking and 3D gaming, and the Dimensity 7450X performed quite well, though it's not a class-leading chip. App opening is quick, and switching between the external and internal screens occurs without lag. Accompanying the visual experience is a first-rate audio system composed of stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support and an array of 3 microphones for crystal-clear voice capture.

3D Mark Wild Life Final Score
CPDT Benchmark Sequential Write
CPDT Benchmark Sequential Read
CPDT Benchmark Memory Copy
Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Geekbench 6 GPU
Google Octane 2.0 Octane Score
Speedometer 2.0 Browser Test

But it is the software that plays a crucial role on foldable devices, and here Motorola has improved significantly with its implementation of Android 16. As we know, Motorola has always been very respectful of the "stock" vision of Google but enriched with targeted and extremely useful customizations.

Closed

The true killer feature of the Razr 70 is how much it can do without needing to be opened. The 3.63-inch display is not just a notification center; it's a true parallel ecosystem. Through organized and simplified panels, we can run complete apps, respond to messages, get directions with Google Maps, take high-quality selfies, and even play titles specifically designed for this form factor.

Managing the panels is intuitive. Just long-press on the external home screen and select "Manage Panels" to organize the order of screens or add new app-specific widgets by simply dragging them. Motorola has also introduced gestures that we appreciated that don't even require touching the screen. For example, waving a hand over the display wakes the phone or silences an alarm. Even the incoming call screen is customizable when closed, navigating in "Call Settings" directly from the external display.

Open

When the situation requires the 6.90" display, the experience becomes that of a mid-high-end smartphone. But it is the hinge that unlocks unique usage scenarios thanks to the Flex View mode. By bending the phone at a 90-degree angle, the user interface adapts dynamically. We can use it in stand or tent mode. In this configuration, the "Desk Mode" comes into play: accessing through the settings, we can transform the Razr 70 into an elegant table clock, a digital frame for our photos, or have it show the album cover of the music we are playing. It’s a smart way to give utility to the smartphone even when we are not holding it.

AI

On the artificial intelligence front, Motorola has integrated "super smart assistance" tools that help with search, content creation, and daily task organization, making the user experience incredibly proactive. Motorola did not just add the "AI" label for marketing purposes but integrated a real ecosystem of smart functions and software customizations that permeate the entire user experience. During our testing weeks, we had the chance to concretely test the impact of this suite, a virtual hub that encompasses tools designed to anticipate the user's needs without ever being intrusive.

During our tests, we thoroughly explored the potential of the dedicated app Moto AI, a central hub that turns the device into a proactive assistant, capable of reducing downtime in our work and personal daily life. These are not gimmicks to show off to friends but actual productivity tools.

Let’s start with the efficiency-focused package, which Motorola has wisely divided into macro-functions. The first one, which we found literally lifesaving during our briefings and editorial meetings, is "Attention". We are not talking about a trivial voice recorder: activating it, the phone's AI listens to the conversation, transcribes it in real-time, and once finished, generates an accurate summary. Say goodbye to hastily taken notes: the Razr 70 listens and synthesizes for you, ensuring that you don't miss any crucial detail.

Immediately following is "Remember", a sort of integrated photographic memory at the system level. How many times have you taken a screenshot of an address, a flight, or a product only to forget it in the depths of the gallery? Thanks to this feature, just capture visible information on the screen or snap a quick photo: the AI analyzes the content, extracts useful data and contexts, saving them in a dedicated space. You can then "ask" the phone to instantly find that note.

Linking it all together is the "Ask or Search" function, a powerful global search engine. By interacting in natural language (both text and voice) with Moto AI, we can ask the phone to retrieve a specific file, perform an action, or search for information on the web based on the context of what we are viewing at that moment on the screen. However, the real "killer application" for those receiving hundreds of messages a day is "Update Me". After a couple of hours of leaving the phone in your pocket during a long car ride, reactivating it often means being overwhelmed by a disordered cascade of notifications. "Update Me" analyzes communications and apps, presenting us with a contextual and priority summary. It allows us to quickly understand which emails or chats require immediate action, saving endless time scrolling through the notifications.

In addition to work efficiency, Moto AI fully embraces the creative side with two other tools: Image Studio and Playlist Studio. The former places visual generative AI directly in our hands: using cutting-edge technology, we can generate personalized images, avatars, or stickers (Text to Image, Sketch to Image) perfect for livening up presentations or our chats. Finally, Playlist Studio is a neat feature we greatly appreciated: it instantly generates contextual playlists on major music streaming apps (like Amazon Music) based solely on what we're viewing on-screen or on a textual prompt describing how we feel.

Cameras

The camera department has historically been the Achilles' heel of foldable smartphones due to the limited space available for sensors. Motorola wanted to challenge this paradigm by equipping the Razr 70 with a dual main camera system of 50MP, built to ensure maximum creative flexibility. The step forward compared to the last generation is evident, both in terms of results and the hardware itself. In fact, even the ultra-wide now features a 50MP sensor, significantly better than the Razr 60's 13MP sensor. That said, we are still quite far from the photo quality of "traditional" smartphones in the same price range. In short, the gap has narrowed but a significant difference still exists in terms of camera performance.

The main sensor is a 50MP unit with optical image stabilization (OIS). During our tests, the OIS proved essential in eliminating micromovements, ensuring sharp shots even in low light conditions and capturing detailed images at sunset. Beside it, we find a 50MP Ultrawide + Macro sensor. This lens utilizes pixel binning technology, combining 4 pixels into 1 to produce an effective photo resolution of 12.5MP.

The wide-angle photos are excellent, as are the macros. Inside, when opening the phone, there is a 32MP front camera, good for selfies and video calls, but for the former we always recommend using the rear camera. In fact, the external display becomes a huge viewfinder for high-quality selfies and vlogs.

Moving to the videomaking domain, the Motorola Razr 70 offers solid performance, though with some physiological technical limits connected to the compact form factor. The main 50MP sensor allows recording clips up to 4K at 30fps, or in Full HD at 60 or 30fps for those who prefer greater frame fluidity.

As mentioned earlier, the new feature we really liked is the "Camera" and "Rotate to Zoom" function. A brilliant hardware/software integration example, where with the phone closed, simply rotating the wrist instantly opens the camera and at that point, tilting it 90° prompts an integrated AI to read the hand's movements and translate the tilt into a smooth zoom. To stop recording, simply snap the phone shut: a satisfying gesture that recalls the good old days of digital camcorders.

Among the noteworthy software features is the "Frame Match" function. How many times have we asked a passerby to take a photo, only to end up with awful shots? With Frame Match, we lock the perfect shot we want on the screen, pass the phone to someone else, enter the scene, and that person need only align the shot to a guide on the screen. The result is a perfectly framed photo as we had imagined.

But it is in the camera department and multimedia creation that the AI of this Razr 70 shows its muscles most evidently, transforming high-level hardware functions into real software magic. We have already mentioned earlier the highly convenient "Camera" mode with "Rotate to Zoom", but it is worth emphasizing how its operation is entirely governed by an integrated AI: the algorithm constantly reads micromovements and tilts of the user's hand. It is a brilliant hardware/software integration example, where with the closed phone, simply rotating the wrist opens the camera instantly, and then tilting it at 90° prompts integrated AI to read hand movements and translate the tilt into a smooth zoom. To stop recording, you just snap the phone shut, a satisfying gesture reminiscent of the good old days of digital camcorders.

Another interesting application of the photographic AI that we thoroughly stressed is the "Frame Match" function. During a scenic walk, we tested its ability to maintain the ideal composition: once the perfect framing was locked on the screen exactly as desired, just pass the phone to a friend or a passerby; the AI creates a visual guide on the screen that the other person simply needs to align. This effectively ends crooked or misframed photos.

Battery Life

Managing temperatures and battery life on a thin 7.25 mm foldable device is no easy task. In this regard, Motorola has managed to fit a substantial 4800mAh battery, a commendable capacity considering the form factor. The company claims a battery life of "over 36 hours" based on a mixed usage profile (active use plus standby). In our practical tests, disconnecting the phone at 8:00 AM, we always made it to late at night with about 25% charge remaining. Frequently using the large external screen for notifications and quick replies helps significantly conserve energy, avoiding turning on the 6.9-inch internal panel. The efficiency of the MediaTek Dimensity 7450X SoC plays a key role in keeping background energy consumption down.

On the charging front, the device supports the proprietary TurboPower at 30W wired and 15W wireless charging, the same as its predecessor. Charging times are good, although on the Asian market we now see much higher power options. On a thermal level, the phone manages heat well, distributing it primarily in the upper half of the body; only during prolonged 3D gaming sessions does it perceive a slight warmth, which is completely normal and never bothersome.

Prices and Availability in Italy

And finally, we come to the crucial chapter: how much does it cost to take home this concentration of foldable technology? Motorola revealed the price from day one, positioning the device in a tactically smart price range for the Italian market. On the official Motorola store, the Motorola Razr 70 comes with a list price of 999 euros. However, be careful, as the company has activated an immediate launch promotion that lowers the purchase price to 899 euros. But the real checkmate move concerns the bundle: at this initial stage, Motorola includes the true wireless earbuds Moto Buds Loop for free in the purchase price, an accessory with a commercial value of 149.00 euros.

Additionally, it is possible to subscribe to the "Moto Care" warranty extension (with packages for accidental damage up to 3 years or targeted screen protection starting from 74.99 euros), and especially take advantage of the "Trade-in" program, which allows for trading in your old smartphone and substantially reducing the cost of the upgrade. A solid commercial package that completes the circle on a well-made product.

Conclusions

At the end of this long test, let's summarize. The Motorola Razr 70 is a technological manifesto demonstrating how foldables have surpassed their adolescent phase. The smart integration of software on the external display changes usage habits, making us less slaves to the constant "open and close".

Of course, the 30W charging is not the fastest on the market, and the periscopic camera for advanced optical zooms is still exclusive to traditional phones or Ultra flips, but some AI gems managed to compensate, at least partly, for these shortcomings. In reality, there have been no radical changes between this model and last year’s. It mainly revolves around improvements in AI, a 300 mAh larger battery, and a significantly better ultra-wide lens. In short, few but good.

Specifications

Motorola Razr 60

Main Display: 6.9" pOLED FHD+ (1080x2640), 120Hz, peak 3,000 nits
External Display: 3.6" pOLED (1056x1066), 90Hz, peak 1,700 nits
SoC/Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7400X (4 nm)
RAM Memory: 8 GB (LPDDR4X)
Storage: 256 GB (UFS 2.2)
Main Camera: 50 MP f/1.7 (OIS), 13 MP f/2.2 (Ultrawide)
Front Camera: 32 MP f/2.4
Battery and Charging: 4,500 mAh, 30W Wired, 15W Wireless
Operating System: Android 15
IP Certification: IP48
Weight: 188 g

Motorola Razr 60 Ultra

Main Display: 7.0" LTPO AMOLED (1224x2912), 165Hz, peak 4,500 nits
External Display: 4.0" LTPO AMOLED (1272x1080), 165Hz, peak 3,000 nits
SoC/Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
RAM Memory: 12 GB / 16 GB
Storage: 256 GB / 512 GB (UFS 4.0)
Main Camera: 50 MP f/1.8 (OIS), 50 MP f/2.0 (Ultrawide/Macro)
Front Camera: 50 MP f/2.0
Battery and Charging: 4,700 mAh, 68W Wired, 30W Wireless, 5W Reverse
Operating System: Android 15
IP Certification: IP48
Weight: 199 g

Motorola Razr 70

Main Display: 6.9" LTPO AMOLED (1080x2640), 120Hz, peak 3,000 nits
External Display: 3.6" AMOLED (1056x1066), 90Hz, peak 1,700 nits
SoC/Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7450X (4 nm)
RAM Memory: 8 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage: 128 GB / 256 GB (UFS 3.1)
Main Camera: 50 MP f/1.7 (OIS), 50 MP f/2.0 (Ultrawide)
Front Camera: 32 MP f/2.4
Battery and Charging: 4,800 mAh, 30W Wired, 15W Wireless
Operating System: Android 16
IP Certification: IP48
Weight: 188 g

But perhaps the main "problem" of this smartphone is internal. Let’s explain: looking at the overall picture, the Razr 60 base can be brought home for 499 euros on Motorola's official site, practically almost half the price of the Razr 70 (even if with bundled earbuds). But it's even tougher to position this Razr 70 in the company's portfolio if we consider that the Razr 60 Ultra is available on the site for 799 euros, which is 100 euros less than this Razr 70.

Motorola Razr 70 899.01 € Buy Now

The question then is, is it worth buying the base model of the new generation if I can purchase the Ultra model of the previous one? The answer is up to you, but keep in mind that the **Razr 60 Ultra has a significantly more powerful SoC (Snap 8 Elite), a better and larger display, more extensive memory (12/512GB), a better camera setup, faster charging (68W), and a better refresh rate (165Hz).