From the Razr to the Sidekick, Motorola is responsible for some of the most iconic phones of all time. On a recent wintery day, the company welcomed me to its headquarters in downtown Chicago’s enormous Merchandise Mart building. There, I got an inside look at Motorola Mobility’s labs in action and spent some time with super-cool concept phones. But I was most excited by a lineup of past devices on display, organized in order of release.
Taking in history through a carefully organized timeline of vintage phones drummed up nostalgic memories of my own past—and I bet they’ll do the same for you. Follow along for a technological trip down memory lane.
The Original Razr: That Satisfying Flip
(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
The Motorola Razr V3 became an icon shortly after its launch in 2004, and like every other teenager at the time, I owned one. The classic clamshell design turned cell phones into fashion accessories. The striking pink version pictured, released in 2005, started a wave of brightly colored handsets.
Of course, the Razr has seen many iterations since the original, including a few thin, Android-based iterations. Recently, Motorola has renewed the line to help usher in the folding phone era.
During the tour, I got to see how the company tests and innovates on the flip functionality to make the folding screen more seamless. Different machines bend, twist, drop, and smack the phone from various angles to assess its durability. Others provide internal X-rays alongside 3D images to check for problems. My favorite quality assurance machine simply opens and closes the phone on repeat to make sure it can withstand many, many flips.
Even with the most modern iterations present, I couldn’t take my eyes off the classic clamshell model. And yes, flipping it open and snapping it shut felt just as satisfying as I remembered.
The Sidekick: Texting Made Easy
(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
With the Sidekick, Motorola continued its trend of adding unique mechanical actions to its cell phones. Launched shortly before the iPhone in 2007, the Sidekick was popular in its own right, thanks to its sliding keyboard that made it especially easy to send text messages. It was a favorite among celebrities, including Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian.
The Original Droid: Android Emerges
(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
As Motorola representatives walked me through the retro phones, they acknowledged that the iPhone completely changed the cell phone landscape when it launched. Motorola had to iterate, and in 2009, it partnered with Google to debut the Droid. It platformed the Android mobile operating system that would become the main competitor to Apple’s iOS and featured a slide-out keyboard for easy texting.
I also owned this phone, as I wanted to go against the grain and not just be another person with an iPhone. The operating system was easy to use, and I still miss that keyboard. It also helped me start many conversations as a pretentious young adult and tech enthusiast about why the lesser-known Android phone was actually superior to the iPhone.
The Moto Z: A Disappointing Flop
(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
The Moto Z came to market in 2016 with an interesting modular design. You could snap different cases onto the back and turn your phone into a high-end camera or a projector. One attachment even let you print small versions of your photos on the fly, like an instant camera. While cool in concept, the Moto Z never found its audience, and reps from the company talked about it as a flop and a low point for Motorola.
Looking Ahead: Bendable, Rollable Phone Concepts
(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
Amidst setbacks, Motorola embraced its status as an underdog in comeback mode, reps say. Renewing the Razr line has gotten it back into the mix as a premium phone brand.
Recommended by Our Editors
As for what the future holds, Motorola showed off two concept phones, including one that bends in any direction. The bendable phone changes its display to show you relevant information if you use the lower part as a kickstand, or you can fold it nearly in half and set it up for a two-player game with each person having their own dedicated side of the screen. The cloth cover on the back is designed to prevent bunching when the phone is doing a backbend.
The other Motorola concept has a rollable screen that expands at the push of a button from 4 inches to fit neatly into your pocket to 6 inches for watching videos and composing emails. Its unique mechanical action kicks in automatically when starting a video, which was impressive to see in person. When not in use, the excess screen slides around to the back of the phone.
While very cool (and actually working prototypes), neither of these phones is on the roadmap for release. But during the tour, the company used them to show off its beta AI programs available on devices you can actually buy, like the latest Razr. You can use Motorola’s AI to remember certain details about pictures, take notes in a meeting, or look up information on your phone.
Given its history, I definitely look forward to Motorola’s future hardware innovations. After all, we remember all of the phones above because they were unique enough to stand out and make an impression. So if and when Motorola decides to release a bendable phone, I’ll be ready for it.
Like What You’re Reading?
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links.
By clicking the button, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our
Terms of Use and
Privacy Policy.
You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
About Andrew Gebhart
Senior Analyst, Smart Home and Wearables
