Motorola’s Foldable Phone Comeback: Challenging Samsung and Apple

Jakarta, Indonesia – Motorola, a legacy name in mobile technology, is experiencing a resurgence in the foldable phone market. Once the dominant force with its iconic RAZR V3, the brand is now challenging industry leaders like Samsung and preparing for competition from Apple.

From Clamshells to Cutting-Edge: A History of Innovation

Motorola initially reigned supreme in the early 2000s with the RAZR V3, a clamshell-style foldable phone that became a status symbol. Still, the advent of smartphones with full touchscreen displays led to a decline in Motorola’s market share. Samsung capitalized on this shift, pioneering flexible screen technology and establishing itself as the leader in the modern foldable phone era.

Reclaiming Market Share

Despite Samsung’s early lead, Motorola is steadily regaining ground. Ahead of the launch of the Razr Fold, the company has begun to dominate the foldable phone market in the United States and Latin America. According to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC), Motorola currently holds a 50% market share in the US foldable phone market, surpassing both Samsung and Google. CNBC Indonesia and Jawawa.id reported this data on March 18th and 13th, 2026 respectively.

This success extends beyond the US. Motorola controls 55% of the foldable phone market in Latin America and 13% in Europe. Motorola’s total foldable phone market share stands at 14%. CNBC Indonesia

The Razr Fold: A New Contender

Motorola’s upcoming Razr Fold is a book-style foldable phone equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Generation 5 chipset. It features a large 6,000 mAh battery with 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging capabilities. The device boasts a 6.6-inch front display and an 8.1-inch inner display. Camera specifications include 32MP and 20MP front cameras, as well as a rear camera system comprised of a 50MP Sony LYTIA sensor, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. CNBC Indonesia

The Razr Fold is expected to be priced around 1,999 euros (approximately Rp. 38.9 million) and will include a Stylus Pen. A specific launch date has not yet been announced.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its recent gains, Motorola faces significant challenges. Apple is anticipated to enter the foldable phone market soon, and established competitors like Samsung and Honor remain strong contenders. The competition is expected to intensify as the foldable phone market continues to evolve.