Motorola makes great hardware, but its software still disappoints in 2024

I’ve always loved Motorola phones. I’m often seen as a Samsung guy in these areas, but my interest in the world of mobile technology goes beyond that. I bought the original Moto G for my mom and nan, coveted the original Moto X, and looked with envy at the endless customization that Moto Maker once offered. This year, I was able to fulfill that love for Motorola when I got his Razr+, or Razr 40 Ultra as it’s called on this side of the pond. The hardware of this phone is as great as I expected and earns its place as the best flip phone. Unfortunately, the software experience doesn’t last as long as I would like.

there’s so much to love

All Android smartphones should copy Motorola gestures

Before I get into the complaints, I want to talk about the positive aspects of Motorola software. I may be a fan of One UI, but even I find a lot to love here. Motorola’s standard widgets are both playful and useful. For example, in addition to the time and weather, the Adapt widget displays two of your next alarms, air quality, battery level, and Google Fit data.

A long press on the home screen will bring up the personalization menu. This is something we wish all other OEMs would emulate. You can do basic things here like change wallpaper and material colors, but Moto takes things a step further with other menus. When the original Pixel came out, you could adaptively change the shape of the He icon, but Google later removed it. That menu is still here, so you can choose from square, circle, squawkle, or blob-shaped icons.

Four fonts are available, including Roboto (the world’s best font). On foldable devices like this Razr+, you can use this menu to change the clock style and wallpaper, configure widgets, and choose which apps are available on the cover screen. Speaking of which, when your phone is closed, you can run almost any app you want and don’t need to download any additional apps to do so. This is a noticeable difference compared to the Z Flip 5.

Next, there is a list of gestures that are included in Motorola phones. A double press of his karate chop will switch the torch, a flick of the wrist will open the camera, and a three-finger press will take a screenshot. These gestures are very simple, but they change the way you use your phone. Back to the S24 Ultra, it takes at least a day before I can stop bringing that flash to life with karate chops.

Update promise leaves a lot to be desired

No need to reset your phone to get security patches

If software is this much fun, what’s there to complain about? Well, it’s the same old story about software updates and disappointments. According to Motorola, the Razr+ will be provided with three Android upgrades and four years of bi-monthly security patches. That’s less than the four Android updates and five years of security patches that Samsung previously promised, let alone the seven years that Samsung and Google are currently offering.

Realistically, Motorola is a smaller company than Samsung or Google, even though its parent company is Lenovo, so expecting them to commit to 7 years of software support is probably unrealistic. . Still, the Razr+ promises more than other Moto devices and is certainly a step in the right direction.

For comparison, the Moto G series has exploded in popularity in the 10 years since its release. There are currently seven of his Moto G models for sale on Motorola’s UK website. What you can expect from these smartphones is his two Android upgrades with three years of security patches. The cheaper the phone, like the newly released Moto G34, the more it only comes with one Android upgrade. Sure, the phone costs just £150, but the company is making e-waste at the moment. The Galaxy A05s is a £130 phone that comes with the same three Android upgrades as the Razr+. Motorola should focus on a few core models that can cut costs and concentrate software resources.

Keeping these promises has been and continues to be a challenge for Motorola. In December, several Razr+ users had an issue with not receiving software updates that other Razr+ users had (via Phone Arena). Most users reported that the issue was resolved, but it is not resolved yet. The Razr+ received the January 2024 security patch last month, but mine is not updated. The only way to update your phone is to use Motorola’s PC software, which is only available for Windows. An update was detected when I connected, but in the process the phone would be factory reset and all data would be lost.

Combine this with the disappointment that phones like the Moto G34 come with Android 14, but Android 13 is still better, and the overall experience ends up being disappointing. I’m okay with slow updates to the Android platform, especially since Motorola’s software is so much fun these days. But factory resetting your phone to get future security patches is completely unacceptable.

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The GOAT of flip phones can finally reclaim its throne

If Motorola wants to be a true competitor, more competition is always a good thing and I hope these are resolved before they start recommending Motorola phones to people. That’s the part of the experience you need to do. Motorola was once a giant in the mobile phone industry. Some of you may not have been born in 2004, when the original Razr was released, but they’ve probably heard the name. Motorola has a different heritage than other smartphone manufacturers, but if it wants to regain what it once had, relying on its reputation isn’t enough.

Motorola Razr+ (2023)

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Motorola may have taken some time off from launching foldables in the US, but it’s back with a bang with the Moto Razr+. This year, all the focus is on his 3.6-inch display on the outside, which promises to let you do virtually anything without opening your phone. If you want an even bigger screen, his 6.9-inch display inside feels just like the company’s other smartphones.