Motorola appears poised to make a bold leap into a new category of foldable smartphones, directly challenging Samsung's long-held dominance. According to a new leak, the Lenovo-owned brand is preparing to launch its first-ever notebook-style foldable device, potentially named the Motorola Razr Fold, as early as 2026.
Leaked Teaser Hints at a New Foldable Contender
Renowned tipster Evan Blass shared an image on social media platform X, which seems to be promotional material for the upcoming device. The teaser highlights three key points. First, it confirms the name 'the razr fold' and indicates a launch timeline of "later this year," though the year in context appears to be 2026 based on the leak's framing.
Second, it makes ambitious claims about the phone's capabilities, stating it will offer "brilliant displays, intelligent AI, and an advanced, boundary-breaking camera system, setting a new standard for what's possible in a foldable device." Third, Motorola promises to reveal more details in the 'coming months'.
Potential Unveiling and Market Context
While a firm launch date is not set, industry watchers point to two imminent events where Motorola might preview its plans. The company is scheduled to launch its new Motorola Signature series on January 7. Furthermore, there is strong speculation that Motorola could offer a sneak peek at the book-style foldable during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where it is hosting a "Smarter AI for all" event.
This move marks a significant strategic shift. Since 2019, Motorola has focused exclusively on the clamshell-style foldable market with its Razr series. The Razr Fold would represent its first direct challenge to Samsung in the notebook-style foldable segment, currently dominated by the Galaxy Z Fold series. Its debut would likely see it competing with the expected Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Motorola Signature Series: A Powerhouse Companion
The leak also provided specifications for the upcoming Motorola Signature phone, which might be a rebranded Edge 70 Ultra. This flagship device is rumored to be a powerhouse that could launch alongside the foldable vision.
Expected Motorola Signature Specifications:
- Display: 6.8-inch AMOLED with 2780 x 1264 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and a staggering peak brightness of up to 6,500 nits.
- Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, paired with 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage.
- Software: Could run on an Android 16-based UI with a promise of an impressive seven years of OS updates and security patches.
- Camera: A triple 50MP rear setup featuring a Sony LYTIA 828 primary sensor with OIS, a 122-degree ultra-wide lens, and a Sony LYTIA 600 periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. A 50MP Sony LYTIA 500 sensor is expected on the front.
While details on the Razr Fold itself remain scarce, the leaked roadmap signals Motorola's serious intent to diversify its foldable portfolio and mount a credible challenge in the high-end segment, setting the stage for an intense rivalry with Samsung in the coming years.
