The Motorola Razr (on Verizon) finally upgrades to Android 11

Motorola was the first to announce a new type of clamshell phone - one with a cutting-edge foldable display - in 2019, even if it may have rushed the latest iteration of its iconic Razr name to market in order to do so. Although this phone and its subsequent 5G update has its fans, it also often seems the world has forgotten about it: even Samsung referred to its Galaxy Z Flip as the only device of its kind during its 2021 version's reveal.

This impression is not hindered through Motorola's woeful record of software updates for the updated clamshell (both the 4G/LTE and 5G variants). Then again, Verizon, which carries the Razr on its network, has announced a new OS upgrade for the device.

This "System Update 11", or RPV31.Q2-62-7-10 firmware, finally confers Android 11 on the device. It comes with the expanded permission controls of this major OS upgrade. Verizon has also prepared enhanced smart-home hub functions on its Razr units, not to mention the new conversation and chat bubbles.

Verizon is also pushing the July 2021 security patch upgrade with its new major software update for the Razr. The carrier has noted that its users who want this OTA need to press the "Yes, I'm in" button in System updates under About Phone in settings.

This update might just represent the end of official software support for this version of the Razr. Now, it remains to be seen how long it takes Motorola to update the 5G to Android 12 - not to mention drop the slightest hint of a next generation for the iconic option among foldable phones.

The Razr 5G is still ~US$1,000 on Amazon