Everything You Need To Know About Motorola’s Monumental New Razr 3

A new leak reveals that a Motorola Razr 3 release is on the horizon, find out all you need to know here.

By Crystal Murdock | Updated

motorola razr 3

Since they were first released, foldable handsets have made their mark on the market. The leading legend Samsung has multiple such handsets available, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Flip 3, and Oppo Find N. As per a report by 91Mobiles, US handset maker Motorola has been working on a foldable device expected to be launched as Razr 3 in July or August. This would certainly prove to give Samsung a run for its money. The handset with an improved design is said to be the first real competition for the Galaxy Z Flip 3, which was unveiled last year. The new mobile phone will be a new version of the Moto Razr that was first launched in late 2019.

According to The Verge, thanks to a pair of leaked images the public is getting a first look at what appears to be a testing model of the Motorola Razr 3. The device, codenamed Maven, notably houses two upgraded cameras on its back: a 50MP f / 1.8 main sensor and a 13MP sensor for macro and ultra-wide shots. In the image of the device fully closed, you’ll notice that it seems to have lost its “chin,” or the lip that extended outward in previous iterations of the device. It looks like it folds over on itself to form a square shape when it’s closed, deviating from both the modern remakes of the device and its original design.

Once again, Samsung is likely planning to reduce the prices of the upcoming foldable phones by using ATL batteries. According to TheElec, Samsung was reviewing using batteries from Chinese battery maker Amperex Technology Limited for its upcoming foldable smartphones. The company is likely considering including ATL as a supplier for its foldable phones to save on costs as analysts expect Samsung to lower the price tags of its latest foldable phones launching later this year. According to the report, batteries account for around 5 percent of the cost of manufacturing smartphones. If Samsung’s MX business, the name of its mobile business, approves of the use, it will be the first time that it is using batteries from ATL for its Galaxy Z series of foldable phones.

Blass also notes that the fingerprint sensor has been moved to the power button, which is likely on the side of the device. Motorola previously placed the fingerprint sensor on the chin of the 2019 Razr and then moved it to the back of the device for the 5G-upgraded Razr it released in 2020. Both placements weren’t exactly ideal, The Verge’s former executive editor, Dieter Bohn, described its placement on the back of the device as an “awkward spot to reach,” and said putting it on the chin forced him to open the phone with two hands.

Blass says the Razr 3 comes with an FHD+ interior folding display and a hole-punch 32MP selfie camera. You can view the image of the device’s interior screen over at 91Mobiles. Motorola is rumored to release a standard version of the device with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 system-on-a-chip (SoC), along with a “Plus” variant, presumably with an upgraded, but as-yet-unknown, chip. As for storage, it’s supposed to come with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage.

With its bulkier box design and double camera sensors, it looks like Motorola is gearing up to compete with Samsung’s flagship foldable: the Galaxy Z Flip 3. The first two Razr reboots weren’t exactly the most impressive the 2019 device came with a $1,499 price tag and several flaws, like a lumpy screen, creaky hinge, and subpar camera. Motorola’s second iteration wasn’t much better and the addition of 5G still didn’t justify its $1,399 price.

With the announcement from a Lenovo executive in December Lenovo bought out the mobile brand in 2014, the third generation Razr is rumored to launch in China in July or August. There’s no word on a release date outside of China, however. The Verge reached out to Motorola with a request for comment but didn’t immediately hear back. So for you tech persons worldwide, this is good news.