When Google officially released Android 16 to the public in June 2025, it marked one of the earliest major Android releases in recent memory. The new operating system brought a host of improvements, from enhanced security features to redesigned notification systems. But for owners of Motorola’s premium Razr foldable phones — devices that cost upward of $1,000 — the celebration was muted. Their phones hadn’t even finished receiving Android 15 yet.
The situation highlights a persistent and worsening problem in the Android smartphone market: the growing gap between Google’s software releases and the speed at which major manufacturers deliver those updates to their customers. While Samsung and Google’s own Pixel devices tend to receive new Android versions within weeks of release, Motorola’s track record has become a case study in how not to handle software support for flagship-priced hardware.
A Timeline That Defies Expectations
As reported by Android Police, Motorola only began rolling out Android 15 to its Razr Plus 2024 and Razr 2024 foldables in the same window that Android 16 was arriving on Pixel devices. The Razr Plus 2024, Motorola’s most expensive consumer phone, waited roughly eight months after Android 15’s initial release to receive the update. The standard Razr 2024 fared no better, with users stuck on Android 14 for the better part of a year while competitors had long since moved on.
To put this in perspective, Google released Android 15 in October 2024. Samsung began pushing it to Galaxy S series devices before the end of that year. OnePlus and several other Chinese manufacturers followed in early 2025. Motorola, which positions the Razr line as a direct competitor to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip, took until mid-2025 to deliver the same software to its flagship foldables. By then, the conversation in the Android community had already shifted to Android 16 features and timelines.
The Cost of Slow Updates Goes Beyond Bragging Rights
Software update speed is not merely an enthusiast concern or a matter of having the latest visual tweaks. Android updates carry critical security patches, performance optimizations, and compatibility improvements that affect how apps run and how secure a device remains against emerging threats. When a flagship phone running year-old software sits on store shelves at premium prices, consumers are effectively paying top dollar for a device that is already behind the curve on day one of their ownership.
Motorola does promise multiple years of OS updates and security patches for its Razr devices. The Razr Plus 2024 is slated to receive three major Android updates and four years of security patches. But the value of that promise diminishes considerably when each update arrives so far behind schedule that the phone spends a significant portion of its supported lifespan running outdated software. A three-year update commitment means less when each update consumes six to eight months of that window just waiting to arrive.
Motorola’s Parent Company Lenovo Faces Broader Criticism
Motorola, owned by Chinese tech giant Lenovo, has faced recurring criticism over its update cadence across its entire product line, not just the Razr series. Budget and mid-range Motorola phones often receive only one major Android update, and even that can arrive a year or more after Google’s release. The company’s update tracker, which it publishes on its support pages, frequently shows devices stuck in “coming soon” status for extended periods.
The problem is particularly glaring for the Razr foldables because of their price positioning. The Razr Plus 2024 launched at $999, placing it in direct competition with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 and even Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold. At that price point, consumers have every right to expect software support that at least approaches what Samsung and Google deliver. Instead, Motorola’s update timeline more closely resembles what buyers might expect from a $300 mid-ranger — a disconnect that undermines the brand’s aspirations in the premium segment.
Samsung and Google Set the Standard That Motorola Can’t Match
Samsung has invested heavily in its software update infrastructure over the past several years, transforming from an industry laggard into one of the fastest and most reliable Android update providers. The company now promises seven years of OS and security updates for its flagship Galaxy S and Z series devices, and it typically delivers new Android versions within two to three months of Google’s release. Google’s Pixel phones, naturally, receive updates on day one, and the company has extended its own support commitment to seven years as well.
This creates a stark competitive environment for Motorola. A consumer choosing between a Galaxy Z Flip 6 and a Razr Plus 2024 is not just comparing camera quality, display specs, and design — they are comparing years of timely software support against months of waiting and uncertainty. For many buyers, particularly those who follow tech coverage, the software gap alone is enough to tip the scales toward Samsung or Google.
What Android 16 Brings — And What Razr Owners Are Missing
Android 16 introduces several notable features that make the wait even more frustrating for Motorola users. The update includes a refreshed notification system, improved multitasking capabilities that are particularly relevant for foldable devices, enhanced privacy controls, and deeper integration with Google’s AI features. For foldable phone owners specifically, Android 16 offers better support for large inner displays and cover screen functionality — exactly the kind of improvements that Razr users would benefit from most.
The irony is not lost on industry observers. Motorola’s foldable hardware has been widely praised. The Razr Plus 2024 features one of the largest and most functional cover screens in the flip phone category, and its industrial design has drawn favorable comparisons to Samsung’s offering. But hardware excellence means little when the software powering it lags a full generation behind what the operating system maker intended.
A Structural Problem, Not Just a Scheduling Hiccup
The persistent nature of Motorola’s update delays suggests this is not a temporary resource allocation issue but rather a structural problem within the company’s software development and testing pipeline. Each year, the pattern repeats: Google releases a new Android version, Samsung and a handful of other manufacturers follow within months, and Motorola trails far behind, often not completing its rollout until the next Android version is already in beta or even released.
Part of the challenge may stem from Motorola’s broad device portfolio. The company sells dozens of phone models across multiple regions, each requiring its own software build with carrier-specific modifications and regional adjustments. But Samsung faces a similar challenge with an even larger portfolio and manages to deliver updates far more quickly. The difference appears to lie in the resources and priority that each company assigns to software support — and Motorola’s allocation clearly falls short of what its flagship pricing demands.
Consumer Trust Hangs in the Balance
For Motorola, the stakes extend beyond individual update cycles. Brand trust in the premium smartphone segment is built over years and can be eroded quickly. Consumers who spend $1,000 on a Razr foldable and then watch as their phone falls behind on software are unlikely to return for the next generation. Online forums and social media are filled with frustrated Motorola owners sharing their experiences, and that word-of-mouth effect can be more damaging than any review score.
The company has made some gestures toward improvement. Motorola has gradually extended its update commitments and has occasionally accelerated rollouts for its most high-profile devices. But until the gap between Google’s release and Motorola’s delivery shrinks from months to weeks, the company will continue to face legitimate questions about whether its flagship phones deserve flagship prices.
The Road Ahead for Motorola’s Software Strategy
As Android 16 begins its broader rollout across the device market in the second half of 2025, all eyes will be on how quickly — or slowly — Motorola responds. The company’s upcoming Razr 2025 models will be a critical test. If they launch with Android 16 out of the box and Motorola demonstrates a faster update cadence going forward, it could begin to repair the damage. But if the pattern holds and Razr 2025 buyers find themselves waiting until 2026 for Android 17, the message to consumers will be clear: Motorola’s software ambitions simply do not match its hardware aspirations.
In a market where Google and Samsung have raised the bar for long-term software support, Motorola’s continued delays are not just an inconvenience — they represent a fundamental competitive disadvantage that no amount of clever hardware design can overcome. The question is whether Lenovo and Motorola’s leadership recognize the urgency, or whether the Razr line will remain a phone that looks like the future but runs on the past.