Motorola Disputes Razr Durability Concerns

Purchasing the new Razr might not be the best idea if you're going to hold onto it for many years.

In a durability test performed by CNET, Motorola's foldable phone gets put up against the FoldBot. Just after 27,000 flips, the Razr called it quits and fell short of the 100,000 flips planned for this particular test. Motorola now disputes durability concerns and released footage from an in-house durability test to challenge CNET's discovery.

The in-house durability test offers a look at multiple Razr units flipping repeatedly. Motorola says its machines are built to simulate real-life use, but the company didn't share statistics such as the number of flips before the hinge weakens. So while trying to discredit CNET's test, Motorola didn't present any facts to support its argument.

Motorola also released a statement as the results of CNET's durability test spread online. "Razr is a unique smartphone, featuring a dynamic clamshell folding system unlike any device on the market," a spokesperson said. "SquareTrade's FoldBot is simply not designed to test our device. Therefore, any tests run utilizing this machine will put undue stress on the hinge and not allow the phone to open and close as intended, making the tests inaccurate."

The FoldBot, mind you, arrived last year in order to put Samsung's Galaxy Fold through an identical durability test. Motorola just thinks that's unfair since they're different products with different approaches to folding.

In another video, YouTube creator JerryRigEverything put the Razr through his standard durability test and learned it's incapable of withstanding multiple threats. That's not exactly surprising. Most smartphones, foldable or not, aren't prepared for what JerryRigEverything throws at them; however, the interesting part about his video is that it calls out the gap between the OLED display and the hinge while using Motorola's Razr. Users could easily let dust and debris into this area without ever knowing, and it could damage the Razr's ability to function properly.

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Motorola didn't respond to the video, but it's currently trending on YouTube and has nearly 2 million views in less than two days.

Looking for the Razr to buy? It's available now as a Verizon exclusive, though some consumers are reporting their retail stores aren't carrying the foldable phone at all. Should you find it, the Razr is priced at $1,499.

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