The foldable smartphone market has evolved significantly in recent years, with plenty of options now available from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus. In regions like Asia, the variety is even greater.
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Motorola, however, has focused exclusively on clamshell-style foldables so far. There are no rumors of Motorola actively developing a book-style foldable, but given its experience in the field, if it ever does, here’s what we’d like to see for it to win us over.
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6 A performance mix that says foldable flagship
For a flagship foldable, top-tier performance is non-negotiable
Foldable smartphones are synonymous with flagship devices, meaning high-end specs and performance are non-negotiable. Motorola would need to address this if it plans to enter the book-style foldable market. Its current Moto Razr+ (2024) features a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which, while decent, is a step below the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powering the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Even though the Razr+ (2024) targets the flagship segment, it doesn’t come with a processor to match. A book-style foldable would demand a higher price tag, making sub-par flagship specs unacceptable. Moreover, Motorola would also need to offer more storage options — unlike the Razr+ (2024), which maxes out at 256GB. For a $1,000+ foldable, variants with 512GB or more would cater better to power users.
5 A battery that lasts and charging that’s fast
Foldables deserve better battery life and faster charging
One of the major shortcomings of foldable smartphones sold in the US is their limited battery capacity. The OnePlus Open leads the pack with a 4,800mAh battery, followed by the Pixel 9 Pro Fold at 4,650mAh, while the Galaxy Z Fold 6 lags behind at 4,400mAh. Foldables sold in Asia, however, often come with larger batteries, and Motorola could stand out by bringing that advantage Stateside.
Similarly, charging speeds in the US need to improve. While the OnePlus Open offers respectable 67W charging speeds, Google and Samsung’s foldables are stuck at under 25W. For a competitive book-style foldable, Motorola needs to strike the right balance between a larger battery and fast charging technology.
4 A foldable design that stands out in the US
Motorola’s form factor must beat other foldable designs
A larger battery doesn’t have to mean a bulky device. Foldables like the Honor Magic V3 and Vivo X Fold 3 Pro prove that slim designs with large batteries are possible. This is where Motorola could stand out, especially since foldables in the US are notably bulkier than their Asian counterparts.
If Motorola can deliver a slimmer, more refined design without compromising on specs or battery life, it could become a serious competitor to Samsung and Google.
3 Competitive pricing could make all the difference
Affordable pricing could give Motorola an edge
Motorola has already shown it can compete on pricing with its clamshell foldables. The Razr+ (2024), for example, is significantly cheaper than the Galaxy Z Flip 6, despite offering similar features like a large cover display and comparable battery size.
Foldables are often associated with high prices due to their complex engineering, but discounts and sales have shown how affordable they can become. If Motorola can launch a book-style foldable with competitive pricing from the start, it could attract a large audience, especially among those looking for a more affordable large-screen foldable.
2 Software is Motorola’s biggest hurdle to overcome
Motorola must address its software flaws first
The biggest challenge for Motorola in both foldable and traditional smartphones is its software. While its near-stock Android experience is appreciated, Motorola has long struggled to match the polished software experience offered by rivals.
This gap would be even more glaring in the foldable market, where features like multitasking tools, app continuity, and foldable-specific customizations are critical. Brands like Samsung, OnePlus, and Google all excel in these areas, setting a high bar that Motorola must meet. Not only that, but Motorola would also need to commit to better software updates — another area where it has historically lagged.
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1 Moto AI needs to be more than just a checkbox
AI features should do more than just sound fancy
Motorola recently rolled out Moto AI features to select devices like the Razr (2024) series and Edge 50 Ultra. However, these features, such as “Catch Me Up” and “Pay Attention,” feel quite basic compared to what Google and Samsung already offer. Even OnePlus is stepping up in this segment with the OxygenOS 15 update.
Initially, Motorola promised Moto AI could handle tasks like “order me an iced americano,” but the current implementation falls far short. AI plays a huge role in marketing and selling any product these days, and Motorola needs to deliver meaningful, practical AI features if it wants to stand out in the foldable market.
Motorola has what it takes, it just needs to improve in a few areas
Motorola has proven its potential in the foldable space with its clamshell models. With several players planning to exit the foldable market next year, the company has a golden opportunity to expand into this new category. However, when it does, we also hope it addresses the common flaws that have plagued foldable phones so far.
