Motorola is using the Razr to beat your iPhone, and it works

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Getting consumers to switch from iOS to Android (or vice versa) is no easy task, and companies like Samsung and Google are trying various ways to convince users to make the switch, with some degree of success. Motorola may be something of an underdog in the Android market these days, but the company has made major changes in recent years to attract more consumers to its brand, with smartphone sales set to hit record highs in 2024. Now Motorola is seeing the fruits of its labor reach even iPhone users, and one of the company’s executives told me how the company used the success of the Razr to lure iPhone users.

A phone you can be proud of

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan flip phonesand I feel like the Razr has set the standard for what a modern flip phone should be. Not only does the design stand out, evoking a sense of nostalgia and ingenuity (foldable devices are still niche), but the large screen is exceptionally functional, supporting full use of apps and selfies from the main camera without having to open the phone. According to Nicole Hagen, Motorola’s head of global product marketing, it’s no surprise that iPhone users are especially interested in the Razr.

I had the opportunity to interview Hagen during Lenovo Tech World 2024, during which the company revealed some interesting highlights of its growth while also taking a look at its upcoming Moto AI features. In our interview, Hagen talked about how Motorola has begun to lean toward premium devices after being a major player in the budget space for years.

“From a brand perspective, we’ve really started to focus more on premium devices,” she said, explaining that “premium” can be perceived at any price point, including the more affordable and affordable phones that Motorola is known for. “But from Motorola’s perspective, we want to make sure we can offer these consumers a device they can be proud of.”

2023 Razr Plus This was my first foldable phone and I was instantly drawn to it and ended up using it as my main device for a year. There were some shortcomings, such as battery life, camera quality and the lack of particularly strong water resistance, but all of these have been addressed with the new model. Razr Plus 2024. In addition to a much better camera and longer-lasting battery, the phone features an even larger screen (4 inches) and improved software that makes the phone easier to use when closed.

In fact, most of my time on my phone is with it closed, and that’s what people are really starting to notice, especially iPhone users. Often when I’m on the go, I’m approached by strangers or friends who are curious about the phone. If they are Android users, they often ask if this is “Flip”, meaning Galaxy Z flip row. However, iPhone users often don’t try to guess, and I’ll cheekily respond by showing them the Motorola logo on the back of the phone and saying, “This is the new Motorola Razr.”

Of course, just hearing it is enough to get them to react, especially if they grew up when the original Razr was all the rage. This usually raises more questions about the foldable form factor and screen cover, and I’m happy to demonstrate some features, e.g. use of applications on the coverusing the external display to take a selfie and just slammed the phone shut as if I had just suddenly hung up.

They’re usually pretty impressed with what they see, but that enthusiasm simmers when the “but it’s not an iPhone” comment eventually arrives. However, I can tell that their interest has been piqued, and according to Hagen, everything Motorola is doing is clearly working.

“We’re seeing, especially with the Razr, a lot of interest—a lot of traffic—from a mobile perspective, as well as conversion sales from the iOS side,” she told me, explaining that it’s not just about tech, calling the Razr a “beautiful accessory.” , which will help you stand out. “You don’t have to sacrifice style for technology, and we’re seeing a lot of iOS users coming, especially to the Razr franchise.”

Smart Marketing

Android Central Editor-in-Chief Shruti Shekar was a long-time iPhone user until recently. she finally switched To Pixel 9 Pro. However, it was the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 that made her want to return to Android, as she liked the form factor, external screen and design choices. She wrote how Motorola has played to its strengths well with the Razr’s marketing strategy, striking a balance between nostalgia and fashion, using Paris Hilton to launch the phone, as well as using Gen Z-targeted imagery on its social media.

She also interviewed former iPhone users who decided to upgrade to the new Razr, with one saying it gave him “a level of awe and excitement about technology that I haven’t felt in years.” He pointed out the nostalgia factor of the Razr and even went so far as to say that he wouldn’t consider going back to the iPhone even if Apple released a flip phone.

Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for global device trackers at IDC, acknowledged the shift we’ve seen at Motorola since it refreshed the Razr series. “Motorola has gone from mobile phone pioneer to dominant manufacturer to underdog to potential counterculture leader as Gen Z embraces the brand,” he told Shruti in an interview.

Anschel Sag, senior analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, agreed, saying that “the Razr series is the tip of that spear, and they seem to be pulling out all the stops from a marketing standpoint.”

Generation Z appeal

The design of a phone has a lot to do with how it will be perceived, and that’s where Motorola partnership with Pantonethe multi-year agreement concluded in 2022 comes into force. If you notice Razr Plus 2024 color options do not include black or white, which are usually very safe options for consumers. If you want the latest flagship Razr, you’ve only got outstanding colors to choose from, and they all feature a real leather finish on the back, which is different from the standard glass backs you’ll find on iPhones and other devices. Hagen told me that the partnership positions Motorola as a lifestyle brand, offering great devices that reflect trends in fashion and accessories.

“We have a high degree of confidence that we will be on trend and be able to offer our consumers a trendy color, a trendy material, ready to launch.”

Hagen told me that as a result of the partnership, Motorola has seen a lot of interest not only from iPhone users, but also from Gen Z, which tends to go hand in hand. Android Central Senior Accessories Editor Namera Saud-Fatmy is a Gen Z member of our staff, and she couldn’t help but I love the Hot Pink Razr Plus 2024. When she asked how the color related to the Razr line’s roots, Maria José Martin, Motorola’s North American marketing director, explained that the Razr was perceived as a “status symbol,” similar to how the iPhone is perceived today.

“The original RAZR V3 was one of the first devices to become a cultural icon. In the early 2000s, the Razr was a fashion statement and status symbol for the era’s top celebrities and “cool kids.” However, this device was never just an accessory – it brought the technological innovations of its time and truly bridged the gap between fashion and technology.”

Razr is a hit again

While Hagen didn’t give numbers, it’s clear that Motorola’s strategy is pushing the company to new heights. A recent Counterpoint Research report shows that Motorola achieved its highest single-quarter smartphone sales in Q3 2024, consistent with the trend we’ve seen with its foldable phones achieving notable market share numbers.

It definitely helps that the Razr Plus and its cheaper sibling have already seen some incredible deals this year, despite only launching in July, and we’ll likely see more when Black Friday rolls around. At the time of writing you can buy the Razr Plus for $200 off.which isn’t even the cheapest solution we’ve ever seen for this incredible phone.

During Lenovo Tech World SpeechLuca Rossi, executive vice president of Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group, also noted Motorola’s record growth. Motorola, fueled in part by the Motorola Razr as well as the company’s flagship Edge devices, is expected to double its business by 2026, which is great for a company that seemed to be teetering on the edge of irrelevance just a few years ago.

Motorola’s approach to foldable devices is markedly different from companies like Google, which have focused on large-screen foldable devices instead of releasing cheaper models. Pixel flipor Samsung, which is dividing its focus on both types of foldable devices. Motorola has tried its hand at other form factors How conceptsbut the company is clearly focused on what works, and Apple might be wise to pay attention to that.

So the next time you’re shopping for a new phone, whether you’re an iPhone or Android owner, you might want to consider purchasing one of our favorite flip phones of the year. As Hagen said, Motorola is focused on creating a phone that consumers will be proud of, and I’m very proud to use the Razr Plus 2024.