Motorola launched the Razr+ (2024) in June 2024 with some key improvements like a bigger outer display, faster chip, and better cameras. While it poses a threat to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip line, I still find it hard to recommend due to the reasons below.

Motorola Is Slow to Deliver Android Updates

This detail can be easy to miss if you don't regularly follow smartphone news. Nonetheless, it's the biggest reason why you may want to avoid Motorola's flagship foldable. The original Razr+ launched with Android 13 in June 2023. Google unveiled Android 14 a few months later, but the Razr+ didn't get it until July 2024.

That means Razr+ owners are getting Android 14 just as all the attention is shifting to Android 15, expected to launch in late 2024. By comparison, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 got Android 14 in late November 2023.

The Razr+ has actually fared better than many other Motorola devices. The company's budget phones often never receive a major version update. Unfortunately, this is just not something the company prioritizes, even for its flagships.

Motorola Only Offers ​3-4 Years of Support

Motorola promises three years of Android version updates and four years of security updates. This isn't a bad commitment, but considering how slowly Motorola releases updates, there's reason to be skeptical if you see more than two major version updates. But even if you do, you can probably still do better by sticking with Samsung.

In 2024, Samsung promised seven years of software support for the Galaxy S24 series. It's safe to expect the same for Samsung's upcoming foldables as well. Is it realistic to expect a foldable to last for seven years? Maybe not, but that hasn't stopped Samsung from promising four years of support for the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

If this is a big purchase for you (and for most of us, it is) and you want your phone to last as long as possible, you may not want to jump on the Razr+ bandwagon.

The Build Quality Isn't Great

Many reviewers will tell you the 2023 Razr+ doesn't feel quite as sturdy as the Z Flip 5. The hinge feels a tad less stable, something you notice as you flip the phone open all throughout the day. As our comparison of the Razr+ and the Z Flip 5 summarized, the Razr+ looks better, but the Z Flip 5 works better. The trend was the same for older models as well.

With the Razr+ (2024), it's not the hinge where you're most likely to notice a difference; it's the screen. The Razr+ has a larger outer screen than the Z Flip 5, which is a big part of its appeal. However, Motorola uses Gorilla Glass Victus for the outer display, which is outdated, considering it first appeared on the Galaxy S21 in 2021.

The Z Flip 5 already had Gorilla Glass Victus 2 in 2023. With the outer screen serving as part of your inner screen's protection, it's nice to see it be as resilient as it can be. Unfortunately, the Razr+ (2024) doesn't deliver in this regard.

​Motorola's Software Isn't As Robust

If you prefer stock Android, you may find much to love in Motorola's Hello UX over Samsung's One UI. You may especially love Motorola's approach to the cover screen, pictured above, which allows you to run full apps on the exterior of the device.

However, Samsung has packed so much functionality into its phones that'll get you hooked quickly. For instance, you can extensively customize your Samsung phone using Good Lock. The One Hand Operation+ module is handy with such a tall phone. In addition to Samsung's more developed range of apps, its camera software is more feature-complete.

Motorola has added some nifty features to the Razr+ (2024), but in many ways, it seems like the company is just playing catch-up. Motorola's unique take on the cover screen may not be enough to overcome all that you're missing out on.

While I find the Razr+ to be the more exciting phone, I don't think I'd be happy owning it once the novelty wears off, and I'm left wondering whether or not it'll get Android 15. It's also an open question whether bigger cover screens are actually a good idea on flip phones.