Motorola Razr Fold Debuts at CES 2026: A Bold Entry Into the Book-Style Foldable Wars

Motorola crashed the foldable phone party at CES 2026 with the Razr Fold, a book-style device that marks the company's ambitious entry into a market segment dominated by Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series. The announcement signals Motorola's intent to compete at the premium end of the smartphone market with an entirely new form factor that complements its established flip-phone foldables.

The Razr Fold features a 6.6-inch cover display that unfolds to reveal an expansive 8.1-inch LTPO inner screen with 2K resolution—dimensions that put it in direct competition with Samsung's flagship foldable. Motorola confirmed the device will launch in summer 2026 in the United States before expanding to other regions, though pricing remains officially unannounced.

Design and Display Innovation

At first glance, the Razr Fold represents a significant evolution for Motorola's smartphone design language. The device utilizes the same hinge technology refined across multiple generations of flip-phone Razrs but applies it to the larger book-style format that has gained traction among productivity-focused users.

"The Razr Fold represents everything we've learned about foldable engineering, now applied to a larger canvas. We're giving users a truly portable tablet experience without compromising on smartphone convenience."

— Motorola executive, during the CES presentation

The cover display is notably generous for a book-style foldable, offering substantially more usable space than many competitors when the device is closed. Users can handle most common tasks—messaging, email, quick web searches—without unfolding the phone, while the large inner display provides an immersive experience for content consumption and multitasking.

Key display specifications:

• Cover Display: 6.6-inch OLED
• Inner Display: 8.1-inch LTPO foldable with 2K resolution
• Refresh Rate: Up to 120Hz adaptive
• Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus on cover, proprietary flexible glass on inner display

Camera System

Motorola equipped the Razr Fold with a triple rear camera system anchored by a 50-megapixel Sony LYTIA primary sensor—a notable upgrade from the dual-camera setups on competing foldables. The system includes a 50-megapixel ultrawide with macro functionality and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto offering 3x optical zoom.

The camera arrangement addresses one of the persistent criticisms of foldable phones: compromised photography performance. By matching or exceeding the camera capabilities of premium non-folding flagships, Motorola removes a key objection for potential upgraders.

A 32-megapixel camera on the cover display and 20-megapixel sensor on the inner screen handle selfies and video calls. The device supports Dolby Vision video recording, positioning it as a capable tool for content creators who value the versatility of multiple form factors.

Stylus Support: A Strategic Advantage

In a move that could differentiate the Razr Fold from its primary competitor, Motorola announced support for the Moto Pen Ultra stylus. The addition enables note-taking, sketching, and document annotation—use cases that are particularly compelling on the large inner display.

The timing is notable. Samsung controversially dropped stylus support with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in 2025, citing design constraints and lackluster adoption. Motorola's decision to include the feature positions the Razr Fold as the go-to option for users who value pen input, potentially capturing a niche but passionate customer segment.

Stylus capabilities include:

• Pressure-sensitive input for drawing and handwriting
• Palm rejection for natural writing experience
• Quick-note functionality even on locked screen
• Integration with productivity apps including Google Workspace

AI-Powered Software Features

Motorola emphasized artificial intelligence integration throughout the Razr Fold experience. The company's "Catch Me Up" feature summarizes notifications and messages accumulated during periods when the phone wasn't in use, while "Next Move" provides proactive suggestions based on calendar, location, and usage patterns.

The AI capabilities leverage on-device processing for privacy-sensitive tasks while connecting to cloud services for more complex operations. Motorola positioned these features as productivity enhancements that justify the premium foldable price point beyond the novel form factor.

Pricing and Competition

While Motorola has not officially announced pricing, industry sources suggest the Razr Fold could start around $1,500—undercutting the Galaxy Z Fold 7's launch price while offering competitive specifications. The strategy mirrors Motorola's approach with its flip-phone foldables, which have successfully competed by offering similar features at lower price points.

The competitive landscape has evolved significantly since Samsung pioneered the category. Google's Pixel Fold line has gained traction, OnePlus and Xiaomi have entered the market in various regions, and Honor's foldables have attracted attention for their thin profiles and capable cameras. Motorola's brand recognition and carrier relationships in North America could prove advantageous in establishing market share.

How the Razr Fold stacks up:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Established leader, premium pricing, ecosystem integration
• Google Pixel Fold 2: AI capabilities, clean software, camera focus
• Motorola Razr Fold: Value positioning, stylus support, strong cameras

What We Don't Know Yet

Several key specifications remain undisclosed, with Motorola promising additional details "in the coming months" before the summer launch. The processor choice is particularly significant—whether Motorola opts for Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon or another solution could impact performance and efficiency.

Battery capacity, wireless charging speed, and water resistance ratings have not been confirmed. These practical considerations often influence purchasing decisions for devices in the $1,500+ price range, where buyers expect flagship-level durability and convenience features.

Investment and Industry Implications

For investors, Motorola's foldable expansion reflects parent company Lenovo's commitment to the premium smartphone segment. The foldable market is projected to grow substantially through the decade as manufacturing costs decline and consumer awareness increases, making early positioning potentially valuable.

Component suppliers stand to benefit from expanded foldable production. Samsung Display, which manufactures flexible panels used across the industry, has invested heavily in capacity. Hinge mechanism suppliers and flexible glass producers like Corning are also positioned for growth as foldables move from niche to mainstream.

The Razr Fold's CES debut drew substantial attention, suggesting consumer and press interest in the category remains strong. Whether that translates into sales sufficient to challenge Samsung's dominance will depend on execution, pricing, and marketing—all areas where Motorola has room to prove itself in the premium smartphone tier.