There’s a new foldable phone stepping into the ring, and this time it’s not Samsung or Google leading the charge. Motorola just made waves at CES by announcing a brand-new book-style foldable, and while many of us were hoping for a passport-style design, Motorola chose a different path. Instead of going wider, they went taller — and surprisingly, that decision might pay off.
At first glance, Motorola’s new foldable looks familiar. Think Samsung Galaxy Z Fold meets Vivo X Fold, but with just a bit more breathing room. The external display measures 6.6 inches diagonally, edging past the Z Fold’s 6.5-inch cover screen. That may not sound like much on paper, but anyone who has used these devices knows that even small changes in size can dramatically affect usability. Early comparison images suggest the Motorola is slightly taller, with more rounded corners than Samsung’s squared-off design — a subtle difference that could make it more comfortable to hold day-to-day.
Open the phone and things get even more interesting. The internal display grows to 8.1 inches, putting it in the same league as the Oppo Find N5 and making it one of the largest foldable screens currently planned. The panel is expected to be a crisp 2K display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is right where it needs to be in 2025. Motorola isn’t chasing extreme refresh rates here — and honestly, that’s fine. Smooth, reliable performance matters more than spec-sheet flexing.
One design choice that really stands out is the addition of a third physical button. Like Vivo and Oppo before it, Motorola appears to be borrowing from Chinese foldable design trends. Alongside the power and volume buttons, there’s a programmable key likely tied to AI features, but hopefully customizable as well. Extra buttons may seem small, but they add real convenience — especially on a device designed for productivity.
The camera setup is another area where Motorola looks ready to punch above its weight. Instead of Samsung’s vertical camera strip — which causes wobble when the phone is laid flat — Motorola went with a square camera island similar to Pixel’s design, but slimmer. More importantly, the specs look strong: a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultrawide, and a 50MP 3x telephoto lens. That alone puts it ahead of Samsung’s 10MP 3x zoom. Numbers aren’t everything, but higher resolution paired with decent sensor size usually translates to better real-world results.
Selfie cameras are solid too, with a 32MP external camera and a 20MP internal shooter. No compromises here, which is refreshing in a foldable market that often cuts corners.
Battery life could be where Motorola really separates itself. While official numbers aren’t confirmed, leaks point toward a battery around 5,200mAh — significantly larger than Samsung’s 4,400mAh pack. Considering Motorola’s Razr Ultra flip phone already outperformed Samsung in battery capacity last year, this seems believable. Even better, charging speeds are rumored to reach 90W wired and 50W wireless, putting it right alongside the fastest foldables available today.
Thickness plays a role here too. Motorola doesn’t appear to be chasing the “thinnest foldable ever” crown, and that’s a good thing. Early images suggest a slightly thicker body than the Z Fold, with more space around the USB-C port — similar to Google’s Pixel Fold. That extra thickness likely makes room for a bigger battery, better thermals, and stronger durability. Thin is impressive, but usable wins every time.
Internally, Motorola is reportedly packing 16GB of RAM, immediately jumping ahead of Samsung’s current foldables. The processor is expected to be Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 rather than the newer Elite variant, but realistically, that chip is already more than powerful enough. Choosing a slightly older flagship processor could also be the reason pricing looks competitive.
And pricing matters. Rumors suggest Motorola is targeting a $1,599–$1,699 launch price, which undercuts many competitors while still offering flagship specs. If that holds true, Motorola could land right in the sweet spot — premium without crossing into absurd territory.
Software-wise, expect Android 16 at launch, with deep AI integration. One feature already generating buzz is a “Catch Me Up” system that summarizes missed calls, messages, emails, and notifications in a single intelligent briefing. If implemented well, this could be one of those features you didn’t know you needed until you use it.
Perhaps the most exciting addition, though, is stylus support. Motorola’s foldable is expected to support a pen on both the outer and inner screens — something Samsung still hasn’t fully embraced. For note-taking, sketching, or productivity work, this alone could be a deal-breaker feature for many users. With rumors still unclear about Samsung’s future stylus plans, Motorola may have a real opportunity to win over power users.
The only downside? Timing. Motorola’s foldable isn’t expected until summer, placing it head-to-head with the next Galaxy Z Fold, Pixel Fold updates, and a wave of new Chinese foldables. Competition will be fierce — but based on what we’re seeing so far, Motorola might finally be ready to stand toe-to-toe with the giants.
So now the question is yours to answer: is this the foldable that finally pulls you away from Samsung? If Motorola delivers on these specs, pricing, and features, this could be one of the most compelling foldables we’ve seen yet.