My love for the Motorola Razr lineup is well-documented, but that’s only happened in the last three years.
When Moto released the original foldable Razr, I didn’t buy one. It seemed absurd to pay that kind of money for midrange specs, no matter how cool the form factor was.
I also had questions about how well the phone would hold up during daily use, and it was clear that Motorola and Samsung had much to learn about this emerging technology.
Six years later, I finally revisited it, and I wasn’t prepared for the result.
I was shocked at how solid the original Razr still feels in 2026, and it’s surprisingly usable. The 2019 Razr might be the most fun you can have with a smartphone today for around $110.
The 2019 Razr wasn’t an easy phone to recommend at launch
Plenty of better options for $1,500
There’s always been a premium for folding phones, but Motorola stretched that too far with the 2019 Razr.
Spending $1,500 for a Snapdragon 710 chipset and 6GB of RAM hurt my soul, and I refused to pick one up, despite my curiosity.
The original Samsung Galaxy Z Fold screen issues were still fresh on everyone’s mind, and making a significant investment in a folding phone seemed like much more of a gamble than it is today.
If you need a second phone, or you’re just curious about foldables, the 2019 Razr is an ideal choice.
However, time has done its thing, and the 2019 Razr can be readily had on eBay and Amazon for under $110.
I went with Amazon so I could get the 90-day buyer protection, because I had no idea what a 6-year-old folding phone would be like.
It was listed as being in excellent condition, but I still expected a flimsy hinge and display issues. What I found was shocking.
Every unit will vary, and I’m sure there are plenty of beaters out there, but my 2019 Razr arrived in near-perfect condition. The hinge is still sturdy, and the display shows no marks or indentations.
The older Razr could give the new one some pointers
I love the compact feel
The 2019 Razr played to nostalgia, borrowing heavily from the flip phone’s original design. I understand why Motorola moved away from the pure nostalgia play on more recent Razrs, and I can’t argue with the results.
However, going back to the 2019 model feels familiar. I love the physical fingerprint sensor on the chin, and the smaller cover screen is surprisingly useful.
It still handles notifications and third-party apps better than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7, another item I didn’t expect.
It’s also compact in the hand and unfolds to a manageable 6.2-inch display, a far cry from the massive 7-inch internal screen on the Razr Ultra.
A little variety never hurts, and just like we’ve seen the return of smaller flagships, a more compact clamshell foldable would be an excellent option.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The 2019 Razr was a trendsetter for a different reason: it featured only an eSIM slot. Activation in 2026 has been a challenge, but if you get a carrier technician who knows what they are doing, you can get them back online.
Can’t beat the price in 2026
It’s absolutely worth trying out for $110
If you need a second phone, or you’re just curious about foldables, the 2019 Razr is an ideal choice. I’d recommend going through Amazon, as I did, just in case yours is a little beat up, you can return it.
Still, it’s hard to go wrong for $110, especially since the Snapdragon 710 has held up nicely. I thought the phone would be a laggy mess when fully updated, but it runs everyday apps like Instagram and Facebook with ease.
I loved flipping it open to respond to messages, and I never felt frustrated by its lack of power.
It’s clear how far folding phones have come, especially with hinge technology. However, the 2019 Razr is better than I gave it credit for, and even if mine was used sparingly, it’s functional way longer than I ever thought possible.
It’s a fun phone for enthusiasts in 2026, and I highly recommend giving one a try.
It’s hard to believe folding phones have been around for 6 years
I didn’t know what to think when I saw the first folding phones. I couldn’t see what the uses would be, especially given the high premium over traditional devices.
Bifolding phones are struggling to convince me why we pay such high prices, but clamshell phones are excellent.
I love that it’s a full-sized smartphone when I need it, but it folds up to take up less space in my pocket when I don’t. The return of the Razr in 2019 was special, and it’s still fun to use today.
