The Overlooked Accessory Dilemma of the Razr Fold

Many people perceive foldable phones as fragile devices. While they’re not as delicate as some might think, it’s still wise to treat them with the same care you would any other smartphone.

As someone who dislikes even minor scratches on my devices, I typically use screen protectors and cases with all my phones. Then I got my hands on the Motorola Razr Fold, which changed my approach—not because it doesn’t need protection, but because finding quality accessories for it is quite a challenge.

Searching for cases and screen protectors for the Razr Fold reveals a surprising absence of well-known brands. Popular names like Spigen, Otterbox, Caseology, and ESR don’t offer products for this model. Most available cases come from lesser-known manufacturers like Rukey or FNTCASE, with many lacking a brand name entirely.

While inexpensive cases can be great, a premium device like the Razr Fold deserves better. I prefer accessories that not only feel good to use but also give me confidence in their ability to protect my investment.

The few options from recognized brands are from Poetic and Thinborne, both offering very different designs. The Poetic case is robust and bulky, made to survive harsh conditions. On the other hand, the Thinborne case is sleek and stylish, focusing on aesthetics and ergonomics. Personally, I prefer the Thinborne, as its aramid fiber provides sufficient protection against daily wear without the bulkiness of the Poetic case.

If you’re looking for a decent case for the Razr Fold, I highly recommend the Thinborne. Those prone to dropping their phones might want the sturdiness of the Poetic instead.

But you might wonder why I’m complaining with two decent options available. Simply put, two choices aren’t enough. There’s a significant difference in style between the Thinborne and Poetic cases. Many users, like my wife, prefer the vast assortment of designs from brands like Casetify, which are not available for the Razr Fold. The same is true for dbrand; if you prefer skins, you may be out of luck.

The situation regarding screen protectors is even more concerning. Personally, I prioritize having a screen protector on a folding device over a case. For instance, I frequently lay my phone flat while watching videos, and without adequate protection, scratches are likely to occur quickly.

Currently, I can find only two options in the UK. One is a poor-quality plastic screen protector that feels terrible and is too large for the phone. The other is a glass protector, but it lacks guidance and only adheres at the edges, leaving the middle exposed.

I’ve tried several of these protectors, and they’ve all failed to stay in place effectively. Dust easily enters due to incomplete adhesion, resulting in air gaps that affect touch responsiveness. Ironically, the Thinborne case comes with a similar glass protector, but while it helps with adhesion, the air gap issue persists.

In the US, there are more choices available. However, some options have complaints about them similarly chipping or developing air gaps. Thus, I wouldn’t recommend those either.

The Poetic case has an integrated screen protector, but that comes with its drawbacks. Replacement can be cumbersome if it gets damaged since it’s built into the case. While it’s marketed as glass, reviews indicate it may be plastic, which is less durable and harder for swapping SIM cards.

Motorola offers just one official case for the Razr Fold, which isn’t even sold in the UK. This highlights a troubling trend: Motorola does not provide cases for its own devices in all markets. Even worse, there are no official screen protectors available.

In comparison to competitors like Samsung and Google, Motorola is falling behind. Brands like Spigen and ESR create a variety of accessories for Samsung and Pixel devices, yet Motorola lacks similar partnerships for its products. As a result, customers often have limited options and may feel pressured to purchase overpriced accessories directly from Motorola.

Despite my critical comments, I actually admire Motorola and the Razr Fold. It is, without a doubt, my favorite foldable phone and a strong candidate for phone of the year. My passion for this device is why I’m particularly hard on it.

As my review unit will return to Motorola soon, I’m contemplating purchasing one myself, but concerns about maintaining it give me pause. Even with a review device, the idea of inflicting scratches or damages is unsettling—imagine the stress of owning one at full price.