Smartphone maker Motorola is rolling out a new foldable phone in the Korean market for the first time in two years.
According to ChosunBiz reporting on the 2nd, Motorola's new foldable phone "Razr 60," released earlier this year in the United States and Europe, recently passed radio certification by the National Radio Research Agency under the Ministry of Science and ICT. Radio certification is a system in which manufacturers of mobile devices that use mobile networks, such as smartphones, receive government verification of safety before distributing products.
It has been two years since Motorola launched a foldable phone in Korea, after showcasing the "Razr 40 Ultra" in 2023. In 2023, Motorola became the first foreign phone maker to launch a foldable phone in the Korean market, but it struggled, trailing Samsung Electronics.
However, starting this year, Motorola has made a splash, changing the situation. According to U.S. market research firm BayStreet Research, from January to July this year Motorola captured a 78% share (by shipments) of the U.S. flip-style foldable phone market, taking first place ahead of Samsung Electronics (22%). According to global market research firm Counterpoint Research, Motorola also rose to second place in the global foldable phone market in the second quarter of this year, surpassing Samsung Electronics. Huawei took first place (45%), and Motorola took second (28%). Samsung Electronics' share was 9%.
The model driving Motorola's surge is the Motorola "Razr 60." Its U.S. launch price is $699 (about 970,000 won), 37% cheaper than Samsung's "Galaxy Z Flip 7" ($1,099, about 1.53 million won). According to the industry, the Razr 60's Korean launch price is expected to be set in the 800,000 won range. The domestic launch is said to be in mid-October.
Meanwhile, Motorola is expanding its foldable phone sales network, previously focused on the United States and Europe, into Asia. On the 1st, it first launched the Razr 60 in Taiwan and Japan.