Counterpoint Analysis expects foldable telephone shipments to climb 38% in 2026—with book-style fashions in entrance. The Galaxy Z7 Fold outsells the Flip, Apple works by itself foldable, and 6 years after the razr reboot, I can’t assist however assume Motorola has one thing within the works. CES 2026 looms, and leaks level to a launch quickly. I really feel a mixture of hype and doubt in regards to the Motorola book-style foldable. Right here’s what we all know thus far.
Show
Again in March, MySmartPrice shared a patent that seems to be a Motorola book-style foldable. The design caught a whole lot of consideration as a result of it appears completely different from the same old Razr telephones. Whereas the patent doesn’t affirm display screen measurement, supplies, or digicam specs, it reveals Lenovo’s baby firm exploring a foldable targeted extra on productiveness, just like the Z Fold7—however with its personal twist.
As a substitute of a full-sized cowl show just like the Z Fold7 or Pixel 10 Professional Fold, Motorola appears to go for a smaller entrance display screen. It jogs my memory of the razr foldables: 4-inch OLED on the razr Extremely and three.6-inch OLED on the razr (2025). I anticipate the duvet display screen to allow you to deal with most duties with out opening the telephone, simply because the razrs do.
On Motorola’s flip telephones, folks use the exterior display screen to verify emails, observe Amazon deliveries, and reply to WhatsApp messages. Most apps work properly, although Instagram appears zoomed in for some cause (and perhaps another apps, too).
Many patrons wrestle to decide on between the razr Extremely and the razr (2025) due to the duvet display screen. That’s comprehensible; foldables stay a distinct segment product, and their costs are onerous to disregard. Would you open your Motorola foldable each single time simply to verify your Instagram notifications? Personally, I wouldn’t spend $2000 on the Motorola book-style foldable and find yourself opening the system each time I need to use my favourite apps.
Consolation issues, however sturdiness counts too. South Korean YouTuber Tech It opened and closed the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 200,000 occasions. The telephone hit a reboot error after 6,000 cycles. Once I spoke with IDC’s Francisco Jeronimo, he stated sturdiness doesn’t block foldables from going mainstream. Nonetheless, I ponder how Motorola’s first foldable will deal with all of the unfolding and folding.
Design
Motorola has despatched reward containers to editors worldwide, and every field carries a word in regards to the upcoming CES Lenovo Tech World occasion. Everyone knows the razr sequence has caught with a clamshell fold since day one, and Motorola nonetheless has no book-style foldable just like the Galaxy Z Fold. Nonetheless, this reward set makes me pause. It appears like a tease that Motorola plans to stretch its lineup in a daring method.
The field reveals an uncommon picket residing hinge and an identical wooden again panel. In 2025, the razr sequence got here with small {hardware} adjustments, whereas Motorola pushed onerous on colour and end. The razr Extremely even got here with an actual wooden again that brings again robust Moto X power.
When the razr Extremely launched, I stood torn between PANTONE Scarab (inexperienced) and PANTONE Mountain Path (wooden). I leaned towards Scarab as a result of the darkish body fits my style greater than the gold one, which feels too flashy for me. Nonetheless, the wooden end caught my eye. I needed wooden paired with a darkish body, however Motorola didn’t provide that blend. After seeing these CES items, I begin to assume Motorola could plan a book-style foldable with a darker body.
Motorola razr Extremely 2025 in PANTONE Mountain Path
Made for US 16/512 GB
Proper now, foldable manufacturers chase thinner our bodies and shift digicam bumps from place to position or change their form. Few designs actually stand out. Foldables did acquire regular progress in energy and type, which helps the class really feel recent. Take the HONOR Magic V5 for example. It holds the title of thinnest foldable with 8.8 mm when shut and 4.1 mm when open. Nonetheless, a wooden end from Motorola may push book-style foldables in a brand new design path.
HONOR Magic V5
8.8 mm book-shaped foldable smartphone
I’d additionally like to see Nothing enter the foldable house with its clear fashion, although that concept feels far-off. Motorola, however, would possibly step in quickly and fulfill my starvation for foldables that really feel inventive once more.
Launch date and value
Motorola unveiled the Razr Extremely within the US again in April 2025, with pre-orders beginning Could 7. That makes me assume the corporate may use Lenovo’s Tech World CES 2026 occasion on Tuesday, January 6, at 17.00 PT to disclose the book-style foldable. CES 2026 runs from January 6 to 9, so it is smart for the brand new foldable to hit the market someday in January.
The Razr Extremely 2025 began at $1,299 for 512 GB, which sits above the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 at $1,099 for 256 GB. We don’t have sufficient leaks to nail down a stable value but, however I wouldn’t anticipate the book-shaped Motorola handset to stray removed from the Z Fold7’s $1,599.99 (20% OFF).
Grigor Baklajyan is a copywriter masking know-how at Gadget Movement. His contributions embody product critiques, shopping for guides, how-to articles, and extra.
