Skip to main content

Motorola Razr tagged by iFixit as ‘most complicated’ phone for repairs

iFixit’s disassembly of the new Motorola Razr revealed a $1,500 device that most owners should not try to repair by themselves.

Motorola Razr Teardown - One of the Most Complex Phones Ever

iFixit struggled in its teardown of Motorola’s folding smartphone, due to components that include glued-on outer covers and a charging port that is soldered directly to the phone’s mainboard. iFixit also found that replacing the Razr’s batteries require almost total disassembly of the device, and called out “complex construction and multiple flex cable booby traps” that will make it very difficult to perform self-repairs on the device.

In the process of the teardown, iFixit discovered a gap between the Razr’s hinge and display on each side, which was an issue in the first batch of Galaxy Fold units. This may not be a problem since the gap is not seen when the Razr is completely opened, but the risk is certainly there.

iFixit also noted the difficulty of replacing the Razr’s foldable display, but Motorola will only charge $299 for the service.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Motorola Razr was described by iFixit as the “most complicated phone-based contraption we’ve ever taken apart.” The device earned a repairability score of 1, the lowest score possible and even lower than the 2 scored by the Samsung Galaxy Fold. iFixit, however, understands that this is a first-generation design, so repairability may still improve in future versions, while coming away impressed with the “numerous feats of engineering” that went into reviving the Razr.

The Razr has been previously subjected to teardowns and durability tests, returning results of a complicated device with concerns about how long it will last. A fold test from CNET, carried out by the FoldBot, revealed that the Razr started struggling to properly close after 27,000 folds in three-and-a-half hours. Motorola, however, said in a statement to Digital Trends that the FoldBot was not designed to test the Razr, so CNET’s test was not a good example of the device’s real-world performance.

In any case, the Motorola Razr may find itself in trouble with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, which Digital Trends’ Corey Gaskin describes as a better smartphone “in just about every way,” including design, durability, and performance, for a slightly lower price of $1,380.

Editors' Recommendations

Aaron Mamiit
Aaron received a NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was 4 years old, and he has been fascinated with…
5 ways the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 beats the Motorola Razr Plus
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 next to the Motorola Razr Plus.

The Motorola Razr Plus instantly became the best flip phone when it launched a few weeks ago because it was competing with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. Its biggest advantage was the big cover display compared to the tiny widgets-only screen on Samsung’s clamshell foldable phone. The cover screen software remains superior to that of the new Galaxy Z Flip 5, but the Razr Plus starts falling behind when you unfold it.

I’ve been using the Motorola Razr Plus on and off for the past month and got the Galaxy Z Flip 5 a couple of days after its launch. I’ve spent a lot of time with both phones to have a good idea of which one is better, and it seems like the Z Flip 5 is winning this battle.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a nicer design and hinge

Read more
My two biggest problems with Motorola’s $1,000 flip phone
The back of the Viva Magenta Motorola Razr Plus.

The Motorola Razr Plus is an excellent clamshell foldable. It’s got a mini phone on the outside, with perfect software integration that makes the most of it. The device packs a decent processor, a good user interface, and a comfortable-to-hold design.

But the Razr Plus isn’t perfect. I’ve used the phone for a period of three weeks, and there are two problems that are keeping it from being the perfect clamshell foldable.
My two issues with the Motorola Razr Plus

Read more
I used Motorola and Samsung folding phones. Only one gets this feature right
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr Plus folded in hand.

Software plays a crucial role in any device, but it becomes even more important when you have a limited amount of screen space to interact with the user interface. The Motorola Razr series has always been better than the Galaxy Z Flip lineup in terms of usability when folded. This year, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 closes the gap between the two clamshell foldables by offering a big cover screen.

But sporting a big outer display doesn’t immediately make a flip phone foldable a whole lot more useful; case in point – the Oppo Find N2 Flip, where Oppo gave us six widgets (and added a couple more later) to play around with and called it a day. While Samsung brings 13 widgets to the table, the cover screen software is still not on par with the Motorola Razr Plus.

Read more