Motorola attempts to cash in on mid-Noughties nostalgia by reinventing its classic Razr flip phone as a modern folding display - but at $1500 it's more expensive than Apple's top-end iPhone 11 Pro Max

• e-mail

Motorola is bringing back the flip phone, with a modern take on its classic 'Razr' device, which first launched in the early 2000s.

Unveiled today in the US, the reinvented Razr flip mobile has a 6.2 inch foldable screen, which bends in half to shut in the same way as older 'clamshell' handsets. 

Flip phones such as the original Razr were popular in the early 2000s. 

The original devices had a screen on one side and a physical keyboard on the other, with a hinge in the middle that allowed the folded device to easily into a pocket of the owners' cargo shorts.

Unveiled in the US, the reinvented Razr flip mobile has a 6.2-inch screen which folds in half to shut in the same way as older 'clamshell' handsets

The updated Motorola device has replaced the physical keyboard with a foldable screen which fills the entire inside of the phone.

Motorola said the design is the first of its kind, but follows other foldable devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Fold - which opens vertically like a book to reveal a large tablet-like screen inside the phone.

When closed, Motorola said the new Razr also has a 2.7-inch Quick View Display on which users can view and respond to notifications.

 It will first go on sale in the US in December for £1,168 ($1,500 U.S. dollars), but a UK release date and price are still to be confirmed

After the teething problems of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, experts will be watching to see how the Razr's complicated hinge mechanism holds up

The phone-maker confirmed that the new device will launch in the UK exclusively on EE.

It will first go on sale in the US in December for £1,168 ($1,500 U.S. dollars), but a UK release date and price are still to be confirmed.

The original Motorola Razr was a 'classic' design of the mid-Noughties

Industry expert Ru Bhikha, from uSwitch.com, said the Razr has nostalgic value, but warned it may not have the high-end features to compete with the flagship phones in the mobile market.

Mr Bhikha said: 'Some brands dominate their markets so completely that their names become bywords for the whole industry. Vacuum cleaners are 'Hoovers' and to perform an internet search is to 'Google'

'The original Motorola Razr was such an iconic design that, even now, when you think of a foldable phone, you are automatically reminded of the classic flip-phone of the mid-Noughties.

'But the cost of developing the folding screen makes the Razr V4 a high-end smartphone likely to cost over £1,100 in the UK - more than the iPhone 11, but less than the Samsung Galaxy Fold.

'The Razr can't compete with the performance of similarly priced rivals, boasting only a single 16 mega pixel rear camera compared to the iPhone 11's three-lens set-up that includes a telephoto and two wide lenses. 

'The device is also less powerful in the CPU and battery departments due to the restrictions of the design, so we're sceptical that users will get through the day on a single charge.'

The phone-maker confirmed that the new device will launch in the UK exclusively on EE.

The modernised Motorola Razr flip mobile phone in a closed position as the user takes a selfie

He also warned of the strain placed on folding screens by the regular opening and closing of such devices. 

After the teething problems of the Samsung Galaxy Fold Mr Bhikha said experts will be watching to see how the Razr's complicated hinge mechanism holds up to the countless times it will be opened and closed every day.

Adding: 'The return of the Razr will enjoy massive buzz, but without the specifications of its high-end rivals the V4 could be accused of being all style and no substance.' 

DJ and Instagram star Sita Abellan, 26, attends the unveiling of the razr as a reinvented icon in Los Angeles at The Container Yard on November 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California

A number of other companies - including Chinese firms Huawei and Xiaomi - have either already unveiled or are reported to be working on foldable phones.

James Brown, director of gadget insurance provider Protect Your Bubble, said he believes the device may be capable of becoming a 'fashion icon' once again but he doesn't think it will grab a large market share.

Mr Brown said: 'The Motorola Razr returns after a long absence from the phone shops in the biggest comeback since the Nokia 3310 was relaunched two years ago.

'Fans still have a huge affection for the iconic flip-phone of the mid-Noughties, and Motorola will be hoping that it can cash it on their nostalgia.

'This piece of mobile phone history may not grab significant market share from the smartphone heavyweights, but it could well ruffle a few feathers and become a fashion icon all over again.

Experts believe the device could well ruffle a few feathers and become a fashion icon all over again. Pictured: Model Delilah Belle, 21, attends the unveiling of the Razr

Delilah Belle attends the unveiling of the razr as a reinvented icon in Los Angeles at The Container Yard on November 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California

'If it does make waves it will be thanks in no small part to the revolutionary zero-gap hinge.

'As for the phone itself, a 2.7-inch display on the outside will show email and text notifications, plus your pictures as you take selfies with it closed.

Frozen in time! Displays are seen during the unveiling of the razr as a reinvented icon

However a lesser camera specification,  compared to devices of the same price, could be a 'sacrifice' phone users are not willing to make in the name of 'looking cool' claims Mr Brown.

Adding: 'The Razr V4 has just one main 16 mega pixel camera, and a forward-facing five mega pixel selfie snapper.

'High-quality photographs are hugely important to phone users, and the Razr will struggle to compete with the multi-lens setups of its rivals, most of which include wide-angle, telephoto and night light capabilities.

'The Razr V4 also looks lightweight on the processing side, hosting a Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 CPU that isn't as advanced as the Snapdragon 855 found in the Samsung Galaxy Fold.

'Its 2,510mAh battery is also considerably smaller than those of its rivals, although the Razr is a slight phone that should require less power.

'The Razr V4 will be a trendy gadget that fans of retro chic will embrace, but users could find that sacrificing a decent camera and processor is the price of looking cool.'

WHAT PROBLEMS DID THE LAST FOLDING PHONE TO HIT THE MARKET HAVE?

Samsung debuted the $2,000 Galaxy Fold to great fanfare in February.  

But journalists who received review units ahead of the Fold launch in late April reported experiencing issues with the interior screen.  

After just one or two days of use, users said the display began to flicker and turn black before becoming completely unusable. 

The South Korean tech giant had put the Galaxy Fold's launch on hold after reviewers encountered problems with the device's innovative folding screen, but released the updated device in September.

Journalists who received review units ahead of the Fold launch reported experiencing issues with the interior screen. The display would flicker and go black

The issues are believed to stem from the hinge causing too much pressure on the screen. 

Some said they had removed a protective layer on the screen that was supposed to stay on.

Meanwhile, others said they didn't remove the protective film, but the device still stopped working.         

YouTube user Marques Brownlee said he removed the protective film and his device began having issues

A warning on the Galaxy Fold packaging instructs users not to remove the protective layer, according to a photo posted by T-Mobile Senior Product Manager Desmond Smith. 

'The main screen includes a special protective layer,' it reads. 'Peeling off the protective layer or using any adhesives on the main screen, such as screen protectors or stickers, may cause damage.'

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman said his Galaxy Fold started operating abnormally after he removed the film and eventually became unusable.  

Additionally, YouTube user Marques Brownlee said he removed the protective film and his device began having issues.   

But Dieter Bohn, executive editor of technology news site The Verge, says he left that layer on and his screen still broke.  

The issues raised questions about whether or not the Galaxy Fold can withstand normal use.