Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 Shakes Up the Flip Phone Game with Ultra Power, Style & Innovation

Key Facts:
- Premium Flip Phone, Premium Price: The Razr Ultra 2025 launched in April 2025 at $1,299 (512GB) in the U.S. (£1,099 in UK), with a 1TB model at $1,499 techradar.com techradar.com. It’s Motorola’s priciest Razr ever, firmly in flagship territory on par with Samsung’s top Galaxy models techradar.com theverge.com. Major carriers offer aggressive deals (up to ~$1,000 trade-in credits making it $0 on contract att.com) to spur adoption.
- Global Availability: Sold unlocked and via carriers in the U.S. and Europe (branded as Razr 60 Ultra in some regions techradar.com). Not officially available in Australia techradar.com. Motorola also released a Razr+ 2025 ($999) and an affordable Razr 2025 ($699) alongside the Ultra hothardware.com, continuing its multi-tier foldable lineup.
- Top-Tier Performance: Powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) octa-core chipset, making it “the most powerful flip phone” with 16GB RAM motorola.com hothardware.com. Reviewers note zippy flagship performance on par with the fastest phones techradar.com techradar.com. Android 15 comes pre-installed amazon.com, with Motorola’s light “MyUX/Hello UX” and Moto AI features integrated. (Software support is 3 years of OS updates, a bit behind rivals.)
- Bigger, Brighter Displays: The inner foldable screen is a 7.0-inch pOLED (165 Hz LTPO) at 1224×2992 (464 ppi) en-us.support.motorola.com en-us.support.motorola.com– slightly larger and sharper than previous Razrs. It’s incredibly bright (up to 4,500 nits peak) and HDR10+/Dolby Vision certified en-us.support.motorola.com hothardware.com. The cover display spans 4.0 inches (1080×1272, 165 Hz) en-us.support.motorola.com, taking up nearly the entire front – the largest of any flip phone to date hothardware.com – for running full apps when closed. Both screens are vibrant and ultra-smooth; TechRadar calls them “big, beautiful displays” hothardware.com.
- Luxury Design & Materials: Ultra-compact and exquisitely crafted design att.com. It comes in four Pantone-inspired finishes: Rio Red and Cabaret (deep red/magenta, vegan leather backs), Scarab (dark forest green, Alcantara suede back), and Mountain Trail (light brown, real wood back) hothardware.com theverge.com. The frame is aluminum, and the hinge is reinforced with titanium – 4× stronger than before theverge.com. Motorola even uses Corning Gorilla Glass with “Ceramic” coating on the exterior display for 10× better drop resistance att.com att.com. The result is a flip phone that looks and feels truly premium and “unique” in hand techradar.com hothardware.com.
- Durability Upgrades: Rated IP48 for water and dust resistance – a first for Motorola flips att.com. It can survive submersion in 1.5m of water for 30 minutes (like Samsung’s flips) and now even blocks most dust ingress theverge.com. The redesigned teardrop hinge leaves no significant gap and makes the screen crease barely visible – “you only see the crease when you really go looking for it” theverge.com theverge.com. This addresses two common foldable concerns (dust and crease) better than previous Razrs.
- Battery Life & Charging: Packs a class-leading 4,700 mAh dual battery (up from ~4,000 mAh in prior models) reddit.com, delivering “over 36 hours” of use per Motorola’s estimates att.com. In real-world use, reviewers praise its endurance – “battery life that just won’t quit” in daily use techradar.com, clearly outlasting the Galaxy Z Flip 7 (which has a 4,300 mAh cell) techradar.com techradar.com. It’s also the fastest-charging flip phone: 68W TurboPower wired charging (0–50% in ~14 minutes att.com) and 30W wireless charging support en-us.support.motorola.com en-us.support.motorola.com – far faster than Samsung’s 25W/15W rates techradar.com techradar.com.
- Triple 50MP Cameras: The Ultra packs the world’s first triple 50MP camera system on a flip att.com. This includes a 50MP f/1.8 main camera (large 1/1.5” sensor with OIS, 2.0µm binned pixels) theverge.com, a 50MP f/2.0 ultrawide (122° with autofocus for macro) techradar.com, and a whopping 50MP selfie camera embedded in the inner display hothardware.com. This spec blows past competitors’ secondary cameras (e.g. Samsung Flip 7’s 12MP ultrawide and 10MP selfie) techradar.com techradar.com. The Razr Ultra can even shoot 8K video (a first for a Razr) techradar.com.
- Camera Quality: Importantly, Motorola dramatically improved image processing. Photos are punchy, detailed, and much better in low light than previous Razrs androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. Reviewers note Samsung-like vivid colors and even Pixel-like depth in some shots androidcentral.com. “Lo and behold, the Razr Ultra 2025 takes great photos… images look much more interesting” than last year’s model, says Android Central androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. It comfortably holds its own among the best Android camera phones now androidcentral.com. Still, the lack of a true optical zoom lens means it can’t do long-range shots as well – a notable omission at this price techradar.com.
- Moto AI & Software: All 2025 Razrs introduce Moto AI, an onboard assistant and content generator. Only the Ultra gets a dedicated AI shortcut button on the left side techradar.com theverge.com. Moto AI can do things like “Catch Me Up” (summarize missed notifications) and “Remember This” (save snippets you can query later), and even generate custom images or wallpapers theverge.com techradar.com. These features sound promising for productivity theverge.com. However, early reviews caution that some AI tricks are gimmicky or problematic – e.g. the image generator sometimes produced offensive stereotypes or copyrighted characters techradar.com. Motorola’s close partnership with Google/Perplexity suggests ongoing improvements, but for now the AI is a cool extra rather than a must-have. On the bright side, Motorola’s UX remains clean (almost stock Android) and free of bloatware, which ex-iPhone switchers have appreciated in early feedback reddit.com reddit.com.
Pricing and Availability
The Razr Ultra 2025 hit the market in April 2025 as Motorola’s ultra-premium offering, priced at $1,299 (USD) for 512 GB storage techradar.com. A 1 TB variant is available for $1,499 (primarily sold unlocked via Motorola.com) techradar.com. In the UK it launched at £1,099 (512 GB) techradar.com. Notably, the Ultra is not officially sold in Australia techradar.com, marking a limited regional release. This phone is expensive – one reviewer quips it’s “Galaxy Ultra territory” and a “heaped helping of substance” to justify the cost techradar.com theverge.com.
Major U.S. carriers offer the Razr Ultra, often with steep promotions. For example, AT&T and T-Mobile rolled out up to $1,320 in bill credits with trade-in, essentially making the device free on a 36-month plan att.com. Such aggressive deals indicate Motorola’s push to gain market share in foldables. Unlocked units are sold on Amazon (with an MSRP around $1,299) and Motorola’s site, and they support all major carriers’ networks amazon.com amazon.com. By mid-2025, it’s not uncommon to find the Ultra on sale around ~$1,099 (matching the rival Samsung Flip’s base price) as Motorola routinely applies discounts androidpolice.com.
Beyond the Ultra, Motorola introduced two siblings:
- Motorola Razr+ 2025 (Razr 60 Ultra globally): Priced around $999, it inherited many design features of the 2024 Razr+ with minor updates. It has the same 4.0″ cover screen and IP48 rating, but uses last year’s Snapdragon chip and a smaller 4,000 mAh battery reddit.com. Interestingly, the Razr+ 2025 retained a 2x telephoto lens (50MP) instead of an ultrawide – a carryover from the 2024 model’s controversial camera swap androidauthority.com.
- Motorola Razr (2025): A cheaper $699 model aimed at mainstream users. It steps down to a mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 7400 chip (up from Dimensity 7300 in 2024) hothardware.com, and a 4,500 mAh battery reddit.com. The cover screen is smaller (perhaps ~3 inches) and it features a more basic dual-camera setup. Still, it shares the improved hinge and IP48 water resistance across the family hothardware.com.
This 3-tier strategy (base, Plus, Ultra) is new for 2025 and signals Motorola’s serious commitment to foldables. The Ultra is clearly aimed at competing with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 head-on at the high end, while the cheaper Razr models undercut Samsung’s pricing in the mid-tier flip segment. Early sales figures haven’t been disclosed, but the Razr Ultra is positioned as a halo device – showcasing what Motorola can do – even if it sells in niche volumes. The company has been touting anecdotes of iPhone users switching to the Razr, suggesting a targeted marketing approach techradar.com.
Design and Build: Retro Flair Meets Luxury Craftsmanship
The Razr Ultra 2025’s Pantone “Mountain Trail” edition features an authentic wood grain back, a nod to Motorola’s Moto X days, giving it a warm, tactile feel that no glass-backed phone offers hothardware.com theverge.com. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 (blue, right) sticks to conventional glass/aluminum, highlighting how the Razr’s materials truly set it apart.
Motorola has refined the Razr design to a peak in 2025 techradar.com. When closed, the Razr Ultra is an ultra-compact square with smooth, rounded aluminum edges – easy to slip into a pocket or purse. At 199 g and 15.7 mm thick folded, it’s a hair heavier and thicker than the Flip 7 (188 g, 13.7 mm) techradar.com techradar.com, largely due to its bigger battery and robust hinge. Still, it feels solid and balanced in the hand. No other phone “feels like this”, raves TechRadar, thanks to Motorola’s bold use of alternative materials and finishes techradar.com techradar.com.
The highlight is the premium finish options. In an era of all-glass phones, the Razr Ultra stands out with choices like soft vegan leather (the two red hues), Alcantara suede (green), and even a real wood veneer (brown) hothardware.com theverge.com. These aren’t just colors, but different textures that enhance grip and aesthetics. The wood-backed edition, for example, has a unique grain pattern and “reminds us of the Moto X and Moto Maker” days of personalization hothardware.com. The green Alcantara model has stitched edges and a luxe feel reminiscent of high-end cars or a Surface laptop theverge.com. Even the Red models’ “leather-inspired” finish resists fingerprints and adds a vintage vibe att.com. Motorola clearly leaned into the Razr’s fashion-icon legacy – and it works. As one journalist put it: “For tactile wood and soft suede, Motorola is your dealer” techradar.com theverge.com, delivering something truly distinctive among smartphones.
Opening the device reveals the internal 7-inch display and a familiar sight: the retro-cool Razr chin is gone (modern Razrs have flushed folding screens), but the brand’s minimalist logo and a thin bezel frame the expansive screen. A centered punch-hole at the top houses the 50MP selfie camera hothardware.com hothardware.com. The hinge mechanism is greatly improved: it’s a torque hinge reinforced with titanium components att.com. This new hinge allows the screen to fold in a looser teardrop shape, reducing stress on the panel and hiding the crease much better than before hothardware.com. The crease is now virtually invisible straight-on – “practically disappears… you can barely feel it under your finger”, according to The Verge theverge.com. Motorola says the hinge is 4× stronger than the previous gen’s (which used stainless steel) and is tested to endure hundreds of thousands of flips theverge.com. Importantly, the hinge has minimal gap when closed, keeping dust out – with added help from “integrated brush filters” inside, a trick borrowed from some folding competitors motorolanews.com.
Durability is further bolstered by the IP48 rating. This is a big deal: earlier Razrs had no official water resistance, whereas the Ultra can survive accidental dunks (rated to 1.5m depth, 30 min) techradar.com techradar.com. The “4” in IP48 means it’s protected against objects >1mm, so it can handle pocket lint and most dust, though extremely fine dust could still intrude theverge.com. It’s not fully dust-proof (no foldable really is yet), but it’s better than the IPX8 (no dust protection) of Samsung’s Flip series. The outer shell uses Gorilla Glass Victus with a Ceramic coating on the front display, which Motorola claims gives 10× better drop performance att.com. In plain terms, you shouldn’t panic if you fumble this phone – it’s tough for a foldable. TechRadar even dropped their unit (accidentally) and found the sturdy design and new materials “make the design truly pop” without damage techradar.com techradar.com.
In summary, Motorola nailed the design. The Razr Ultra exudes style – multiple reviewers call it “easily the most stylish phone out there” techradar.com – yet it doesn’t feel fragile or gimmicky. Little touches like the etched Pantone logo by the camera and the nostalgic Razr font in the UI pay homage to its heritage. If you value a phone as a fashion statement and a feat of engineering, the Razr Ultra delivers both in spades.
Display: Big, Bold, and Brilliant
One of the Razr Ultra’s crown jewels is its dual-display setup. Motorola significantly upgraded both screens this generation, pushing them to the top of the class.
Inner Foldable Display: When unfolded, you get a 7.0-inch pOLED (plastic OLED) main screen with a 22:9 aspect ratio en-us.support.motorola.com. This is slightly larger than the 6.7–6.9″ foldables of previous years. The resolution is 1224 x 2992 (Motorola dubs it “Super HD”) – yielding a sharp ~464 ppi density en-us.support.motorola.com en-us.support.motorola.com. Everything from text to photos looks crisp. Color reproduction is 10-bit with Pantone validation, meaning 1.07 billion colors and very accurate tones en-us.support.motorola.com. In fact, Motorola worked with Pantone on color tuning, which contributes to more vibrant yet natural colors – a reviewer noted the display looks “punchier… providing authentic and vivid images” out of the box androidcentral.com androidcentral.com.
The Razr’s display uses an LTPO panel that can dynamically adjust refresh rate up to a blazing 165 Hz en-us.support.motorola.com. This is unusually high – most phones max at 120 Hz – making every interaction extremely smooth. Scrolling and animations are buttery, and even fast-paced games benefit (if they support >120Hz). The touch sampling goes up to 300 Hz in game mode, so responsiveness is top-notch en-us.support.motorola.com. Another standout spec is the peak brightness of 4,500 nits en-us.support.motorola.com. That is supernova territory for a phone screen – by comparison, Samsung’s Flip 7 peaks around 2,600 nits techradar.com. In real use, the Razr Ultra remains easily viewable in direct sunlight; HDR videos look stunning with bright highlights. It supports HDR10+ and even Dolby Vision content en-us.support.motorola.com, a rarity among foldables. Reviewers have universally praised this display: “Every detail looks just right” on the 7″ panel motorola.com, and colors “are punchy, blacks are deep, viewing angles are wide” – essentially as good as flagship slab phones hothardware.com.
Crucially, the crease that has plagued foldables is minimal here. Thanks to the hinge design, the OLED folds in a gentle curve. Many users report that within a short time they stop noticing the crease entirely. The Verge noted you can barely feel it while swiping theverge.com, and only catch a slight ripple at extreme angles theverge.com. This is about as good as it gets in 2025 – a big win for Motorola’s engineering. For durability, Motorola doesn’t explicitly say “Ultra Thin Glass” for the inner screen (Samsung uses UTG), but it’s likely a similar multi-layer design (a thin glass-like layer with protective plastic on top). Treat it with reasonable care (no screen protectors or sharp objects) and it should hold up fine.
External Cover Display: On the outside, Razr Ultra features a huge 4.0-inch OLED cover screen that nearly covers the entire top half of the phone en-us.support.motorola.com. Resolution is 1080 x 1272 (slightly taller than wide) at 417 ppi – extremely sharp at this 4″ size en-us.support.motorola.com. Uniquely, the display wraps around the dual camera cutouts, effectively enveloping the camera module in screen. This seamless look is much more elegant than the tiny window on older Razrs or even Samsung’s 3.4″ panel on the Flip 5/6. In fact, until late 2025, the Razr’s cover screen is the largest of any flip phone, tied only by some China-market models. It’s the same size that last year’s Razr+ 2024 had, but since that was Motorola’s forte, the Ultra keeps it and fine-tunes its use.
Functionally, this external screen can do almost everything. Motorola lets you run full Android apps on it – you can browse Chrome, use Maps, watch YouTube, even play games on the small screen if you want. It truly acts as a “phone within a phone”, complete with gesture navigation (swipe up for home, etc.) as noted by users switching from Samsung flips reddit.com reddit.com. The UI can show multiple home screen panels or widgets; you can customize panels for quick access to music, weather, notifications, etc. androidcentral.com. Motorola improved some cover screen apps too – for example, Spotify’s widget now displays more of your playlists/podcasts without needing to open the phone androidauthority.com androidauthority.com. There are still a few quirks (some apps that don’t adapt perfectly to the camera cutouts or aspect ratio – e.g. Google Maps’s UI is a bit constrained on the tiny screen) androidauthority.com. But overall, the Razr’s external display experience is arguably the best-in-class. Android Police even remarked that using the phone closed most of the time is viable, which can extend battery life significantly androidauthority.com.
The cover panel is also 165 Hz LTPO like the main screen en-us.support.motorola.com, making it just as fluid. It maxes at 3,000 nits brightness en-us.support.motorola.com, so you can use it outdoors without issue. It supports always-on display and even has cute custom clocks and panels (Motorola’s hallmark Moto Display features). Essentially, you can triage most tasks on the outside – check messages, respond via voice or quick replies, take selfies with the superior rear cameras using the cover screen as a viewfinder (a big perk of flip phones), and more – only flipping open when you need the full 7″ canvas.
It’s worth noting that both displays are protected when the phone is closed – the device snaps shut magnetically with a satisfying action (yes, you can still end calls by flipping it closed – chef’s kiss to that) techradar.com techradar.com. The hinge allows for various “flex” positions too, so you can sit the phone half-open on a table for video calls or hands-free selfies (there’s a camcorder mode that automatically kicks in at 90° fold, turning the Razr into a mini camcorder) androidauthority.com.
In summary, Motorola gave the Razr Ultra best-in-class displays. They’re larger, faster, and brighter than virtually any rival. Combined with the improved hinge, using these screens is a joy – whether you’re scrolling TikTok on the cover screen one-handed or unfolding for a Netflix binge on the 7″ panel. It truly makes other phones feel like boring slabs of glass by comparison.
Performance and Battery Life
Under the hood, the Razr Ultra 2025 is no ordinary flip phone – it’s a true flagship in terms of horsepower. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a 3nm octa-core SoC that sits a tier above the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/Gen 3 series motorola.com. This is the same chip found in 2025’s top-tier candybar phones (even some Galaxy S25 models) techradar.com, so you’re not sacrificing speed for the form factor. The CPU has 2 high-performance cores up to 4.32 GHz and 6 efficiency cores around 3.5 GHz att.com, plus the newest Adreno GPU and Hexagon NPU for AI. Everyday performance is snappy: apps open instantly, multitasking is smooth with the abundant 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM on board motorola.com. That RAM is faster (9600 Mbps) and more power-efficient than last gen, contributing to the phone’s responsiveness motorola.com.
Benchmarks aside, real-world use confirms flagship-level speed. HotHardware calls it “solid performance” with no compromises hothardware.com hothardware.com. Even heavy 3D games run at high settings without stutter, and the phone’s thermals seem well-managed – the aluminum frame helps dissipate heat. In fact, some reviewers noted the Razr Ultra outperforms the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in some tasks, likely because Samsung’s Flip uses a slower in-house Exynos 2500 chip techradar.com techradar.com. There’s no lag in Motorola’s lightweight MyUX interface, and animations stay fluid at 165Hz. The generous 512 GB (UFS 4.0) base storage means plenty of room for media; power users can opt for the 1 TB model if needed hothardware.com. (There’s no microSD slot, but with these capacities, most won’t miss it.)
One of the most pleasant surprises is the battery life. Folding phones historically had middling endurance (small batteries to fit the fold). Motorola flipped that script by squeezing a 4,700 mAh battery – the largest of any flip phone in 2025 – into the Razr Ultra techradar.com techradar.com. This is a dual-cell design (one battery in each half: ~3,520 mAh in the top, ~1,180 mAh in the bottom) att.com. Combined, it gives the Razr about 10% more capacity than the Galaxy Z Flip 7 (4300 mAh) and nearly 30% more than the previous Razr+ (3800–4000 mAh) reddit.com. In practice, that yields excellent battery life: 1.5 to 2 days on a charge for moderate use is achievable motorola.com. TechRadar lauded the Ultra’s battery, saying it “just won’t quit” and easily lasts a full day of heavy use with some to spare techradar.com. Android Central likewise reported getting through a full day comfortably; one tester only needed to top-up late the next day androidcentral.com. This endurance is partly thanks to the efficient 3nm chip and the ability to use the cover screen for quick tasks (using the small screen can consume less power than lighting up the big display). Motorola’s claim of “36+ hours” seems within reason for mixed usage att.com – an impressive feat for a foldable.
On those rare occasions you do run low, the charging speed is class-leading. The Razr Ultra supports up to 68W TurboPower wired charging att.com, far outpacing Samsung’s 25W on the Flip. Motorola advertises “power for the day in 8 minutes” motorola.com, and indeed 5-10 minutes on the charger can replenish around 30-40% battery. It fully charges in roughly 40 minutes motorola.com – astonishing for a 4700 mAh cell. (One caveat: you’ll need to buy that 68W charger separately, as Motorola, like many, omits the charger in the box hothardware.com.) The Ultra also supports 30W wireless charging en-us.support.motorola.com en-us.support.motorola.com, which is faster than many wired chargers on other phones. And if you have earbuds or a smartwatch, 5W reverse wireless charging lets the Razr act as a charging pad in a pinch en-us.support.motorola.com en-us.support.motorola.com.
Connectivity and other performance notes: The Razr Ultra has 5G (sub-6, with a Verizon-specific mmWave variant possibly, given the specs) and supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and Bluetooth 5.4 standards en-us.support.motorola.com en-us.support.motorola.com. Call quality is solid, and Motorola’s stereo speakers are surprisingly loud and rich, with support for Dolby Atmos and even Moto’s spatial sound tuning en-us.support.motorola.com en-us.support.motorola.com. Reviewers noted the stereo separation is great when watching videos in landscape, and bass is about 20% stronger than the previous model motorola.com. There’s no 3.5mm jack (expected), but the phone does offer high-quality audio via Snapdragon Sound over wireless.
All told, the Razr Ultra proves that choosing a stylish flip phone no longer means sacrificing performance or battery. It’s a true daily driver that can handle power-user demands. As TechRadar put it: “finally caught up to the big players with zippy performance and stellar battery life”, meaning you can enjoy the foldable form without compromise techradar.com techradar.com.
Cameras: Flipping Expectations with Triple 50s
Motorola made an ambitious leap in the camera department – the Razr Ultra 2025 packs three 50-megapixel sensors, aiming to dispel the notion that “flip phones have subpar cameras.” Here’s the setup:
- 50 MP Main Camera: This is the star shooter – a wide-angle lens (approx 23mm) with f/1.8 aperture, OIS (optical stabilization), and a large 1/1.5” image sensor hothardware.com hothardware.com. By default it uses quad-pixel binning to output 12.5 MP images with effective 2.0µm pixel size theverge.com, which greatly aids low-light performance.
- 50 MP Ultrawide Camera: An ultra-wide lens (122° field of view) with f/2.0 aperture techradar.com. Unusually high resolution for an ultrawide – this enables more detail and also allows Motorola to offer a macro mode (using the ultrawide’s close focus to shoot macro shots). It also supports autofocus.
- 50 MP Front Camera: Yes, even the selfie camera inside is 50 MP (f/2.0) hothardware.com – an astounding spec, considering most phone selfies are 10–32 MP. This ensures crisp video calls and selfies when you don’t want to use the external cameras + cover screen.
On paper, this blows away the competition. For instance, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 has a 50 MP main + 12 MP ultrawide, and a mere 10 MP internal selfie camera techradar.com techradar.com. The Razr’s approach – essentially using a flagship-grade main sensor and making everything 50MP – is about consistency and flexiblity. You can crop in on the main 50MP for a decent 2x zoom (Motorola provides a quick toggle for 2x digital zoom which still looks good thanks to the resolution). There’s no dedicated telephoto lens, which some might miss, but as TechRadar notes, “no zoom lens” is one of the only compromises here techradar.com. Given that even Samsung’s flip lacks optical zoom, Motorola prioritized ultrawide and a better selfie cam – arguably smarter choices for this form factor.
Image Quality: The good news is that image quality is greatly improved over past Razrs. The main camera produces vibrant, detailed shots in daylight. Colors are rich – a bit more saturated than before (likely due to Motorola’s new Pantone color tuning in the camera software) androidcentral.com. Philip Berne at TechRadar said the cameras are “no longer just an afterthought” on this phone techradar.com. Android Central’s Derrek Lee was impressed, stating “lo and behold, the Razr Ultra takes great photos from the primary sensor, even at 2x zoom” androidcentral.com. Dynamic range is improved, handling tricky lighting with less blown highlights or lost shadows androidcentral.com. He noted the results have a Samsung-like punchy color with some Pixel-like sharpness – high praise androidcentral.com.
In low light, the large sensor and f/1.8 lens gather a lot of light. Night shots are significantly brighter and clearer than what the Razr+ 2024 could do. Motorola’s AI-based Night Vision mode kicks in to further brighten scenes. AC’s tests showed the Ultra often outperformed the 2024 Razr Plus at night (though interestingly, last year’s model sometimes had slightly better extremely low-light performance, possibly due to different processing) androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. Overall, you can finally trust a Razr to capture the moment day or night, which wasn’t the case a generation ago.
The ultrawide camera, thanks to its high resolution, captures a lot of detail too. And since it has autofocus, it doubles as a macro shooter – you can get up close to flowers, food, etc., and the camera will automatically switch to “Macro Vision” mode for extreme close-ups. This is a feature Motorola had in some past devices and it’s great to see it here (the Samsung Flip’s ultrawide can’t do this due to fixed focus). The field of view (122°) is slightly narrower than Samsung’s 123° techradar.com, but you’d hardly notice; you still get dramatic wide-angle shots for landscapes or tight spaces. AC’s review did note that Motorola chose to remove a telephoto on the Ultra (unlike the 2024 Plus which had a 2x lens) – and while they “can’t fault the logic” because many users take more ultrawides than telephotos, one doesn’t realize how useful ultrawide is until it’s taken away androidauthority.com androidauthority.com. Here, Motorola gave it back, and it pays off with versatility.
The internal selfie camera, at 50MP, is arguably overkill – but if any phone can justify it, it’s a Razr which might often be half-open for video calls. In practice, it bins to ~12 MP and produces decent selfies. Still, most users will likely use the rear cameras + cover screen for selfies, since the main camera is far superior. Using the cover screen as a viewfinder, you can take high-quality selfies or vlog with the main lens – a huge advantage of flip phones. The Razr Ultra’s cover display is large enough to show a full preview (with clever black bars around the camera cutouts). Plus, Motorola’s “Dual Preview” mode lets the subject see themselves on the cover screen while the photographer frames on the main screen – great for group shots.
Video capabilities are top-notch: the Razr Ultra can record up to 8K @ 30fps – a flex that even Samsung’s flips can’t do (Flip 7 maxes at 4K60) techradar.com. 4K at 60fps and super slow-motion 1080p are supported too att.com att.com. Videos look good, with HDR10+ support for playback att.com and decent stabilization (OIS + EIS). Motorola also added fun modes like “Camcorder mode” – when you partially fold the phone, it automatically starts recording in a vintage horizontal viewfinder style androidauthority.com, which is novel for on-the-go shooting. There’s also a “Tripod” mode (using the half-folded phone as its own stand) and “Photo Booth” mode that snaps a series of shots with goofy filters when you prop the phone up – great for parties.
Motorola leverages AI features in the camera app:
- Auto Night Vision: detects low light and applies night mode.
- Action Shot: automatically adjusts shutter to freeze moving subjects (very handy for pets/kids) att.com att.com.
- Group Shot (aka Best Take): takes a burst and merges faces so nobody is blinking att.com.
- AI “Signature Style”: the camera can learn your color/style preferences (e.g., more saturation for food, or a certain filter for landscapes) and apply them automatically motorola.com motorola.com.
- Pantone Camera: There’s mention of “Pantone Camera Certification” – essentially an assurance of color accuracy and consistency in photos att.com. AC observed that Pantone’s input likely contributes to the punchier-yet-pleasing color profiles in the shots androidcentral.com.
Reviewers have some tempered criticism: HotHardware found the cameras “middling” relative to $1300 flagships – meaning while great for a flip phone, they’re not beating the likes of iPhone 15 Pro or Pixel 10 in absolute quality hothardware.com. For example, in very low light, the Razr Ultra still can’t match phones with larger sensors or dedicated night modes from Google. AC also commented that it’s not up to the level of an Oppo Find X or Vivo camera system (those brands put big emphasis on imaging) androidcentral.com. Nevertheless, the consensus is that Razr Ultra’s cameras are the best ever on a flip phone as of 2025. AC went as far to say it “can compete fairly comfortably among the best Android cameras” now androidcentral.com. That’s a huge turnaround from earlier Razrs where the camera was a clear weakness.
If camera is a priority, you no longer have to write off a stylish flip – the Razr Ultra proves you can have both style and substance. Sure, enthusiasts might still wish for an optical zoom, but for most shots (wide, ultrawide, selfies, night scenes) this phone delivers. As TechRadar succinctly put, Motorola finally gave us “cameras that are no longer an afterthought” on a Razr techradar.com, making the Ultra a truly well-rounded device.
Software, AI, and Special Features
The Razr Ultra 2025 runs Android 15 out of the box amazon.com, with Motorola’s light-touch interface that’s close to stock Android. If you’ve used a Moto phone, you’ll know the drill: there’s no heavy OEM skin, just subtle additions like Moto Display (for notifications) and the classic Moto Actions (like chop twice for flashlight, twist for camera). This clean approach is a breath of fresh air compared to, say, Samsung’s One UI, which comes with duplicate apps and more bloat. In fact, some users migrating from Samsung flips specifically appreciated Motorola’s lean software – “minimal bloatware” that made the experience less stressful reddit.com reddit.com. The UI is snappy and the 165Hz display makes every animation silky.
The headline new addition is Moto AI – Motorola’s suite of AI-driven features aimed at making the phone more personable and helpful. All three 2025 Razrs have the Moto AI app/interface, but only the Ultra gives you a physical AI shortcut key (on the left side of the phone) for quick access techradar.com theverge.com. This is reminiscent of old Galaxy phones that had a Bixby button – here it’s repurposed for Moto’s AI, which thankfully can be reassigned or disabled if you don’t want it.
Moto AI encompasses several features:
- Personal Assistant: You can ask it to “Remember this” – it will save things like a parking spot, a Wi-Fi password, or a note, and later you can query “What did I ask you to remember?” and it will pull it up theverge.com. It’s like a mini Evernote + AI.
- Catch Me Up: Say this to get a summary of notifications or messages you missed while away theverge.com. It’s similar in spirit to the latest Pixel’s “summarize my missed notifications” idea.
- Moto AI Prompts: Features like “Pay Attention” can allegedly detect if you’re not looking at the screen and pause content, or keep the screen awake while you’re reading (Motorola had something like “Attentive Display” before – this could be an enhancement).
- Voice-Activated Tasks: You can naturally ask the AI to perform phone functions (beyond what Google Assistant does). It’s not fully meant to replace Google Assistant, but to supplement it with on-device smarts.
- Perplexity AI integration: Motorola partnered with the AI startup Perplexity, known for a Q&A search assistant theverge.com. Through Moto AI, you can ask general questions and get AI-curated answers (similar to Bard or Bing AI, but tuned to the phone). It also helps with predictive suggestions on the device.
In theory, these features sound useful and a bit more thought-out than gimmicks like AR emojis. In practice, the execution is a mixed bag. Reviewers like The Verge were “particularly interested” in features like Catch Me Up and Remember This, as they address real user needs theverge.com theverge.com. But they caution, as with all new AI features, the proof will be in the pudding – will it actually work reliably?
One area the AI stumbles is the image generation feature. Motorola included an AI image generator for wallpapers or fun edits (possibly akin to Microsoft’s Bing Image Creator). TechRadar discovered it can produce some eyebrow-raising results – occasionally spitting out stereotypical imagery or even well-known characters (suggesting it lacks some content filters) techradar.com. They cited this as a negative, indicating Moto’s AI needs refinement. It’s notable that this is all new ground for a smartphone OEM – integrating AI assistants deeply. Given that much of it can be improved server-side or via updates, we expect Motorola to iterate on Moto AI.
Outside of AI, the Razr Ultra benefits from all the typical Moto software goodness:
- Moto Display: The always-on preview that shows notifications on the external and internal display with minimal battery drain.
- Edge Touch and panels: Motorola allows customizing the edge of the cover display for quick tools or app shortcuts.
- Game Time: A gaming mode utility to block notifications and enhance performance during gameplay.
- My UX customization: You can tweak fonts, icon shapes, colors, and even gestures easily – though one user noted Motorola’s theming options felt more limited compared to Samsung’s Theme store reddit.com reddit.com.
One consideration is software updates. Motorola promises 3 years of Android OS updates for the Razr Ultra (taking it through Android 18) and 4 years of security patches. This is decent, but not as robust as Samsung’s promise of 4 OS updates + 5 years security on its flips. Some tech enthusiasts have pointed this out as a downside to consider reddit.com. However, given Motorola’s faster update cadence lately and that this is a flagship, they might prioritize updates a bit more.
Overall, the user experience on the Razr Ultra is smooth, modern, and enjoyable. AC’s reviewer said “the partnership with Pantone is clearly paying off, as evident by the display and camera improvements, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite gives the Razr a new edge as a premium smartphone” androidcentral.com. It feels cohesive – from the way the UI colors adapt to your chosen Pantone phone color, to the retro Razr startup animation.
A fun easter egg: Motorola has included some Razr nostalgia in the software. There’s a Retro Razr mode (as seen in previous Razrs) that skins the external display to look like a classic Razr V3 keypad interface – purely cosmetic but a nice nod. And the default ringtones and notification sounds include updated versions of the iconic “Hello Moto” and flip noises.
One more special feature: Ready For compatibility. Ready For is Motorola’s desktop mode (like Samsung DeX) when you connect the phone to a monitor or PC. The Razr Ultra supports wireless Ready For and USB-C output, so you can project your phone on a big screen or use it as a webcam. This isn’t heavily advertised, but for business users it’s a bonus.
In summary, while the Razr Ultra’s software is largely stock Android (which is good for most), Motorola is trying to differentiate with AI enhancements and tasteful customization. It’s not perfect – some AI features need polish – but it’s refreshing to see a focus on practical AI uses rather than gimmicks. And crucially, the phone doesn’t bog you down with bloat, keeping the experience clean and fast. As one Razr convert put it, after shedding the iPhone ecosystem, “I feel free” using the new Razr reddit.com – a sentiment Motorola surely loves to hear.
Comparing Razr Ultra 2025 to Previous Razr Models
Motorola’s Razr lineup has evolved rapidly in just a few years. The Razr Ultra 2025 especially represents a big leap from the 2023/2024 models. Here’s how it stacks up against its predecessors:
- Performance: Previous Razr flagships (the Razr+ 2023 and Razr+ 2024) ran on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 – a high-end chip from 2022. The 2024 model got a slight boost in efficiency but essentially the same level of performance. In contrast, the 2025 Ultra jumps to the Snapdragon 8 Elite, roughly 30–40% faster by many measures and with much stronger AI capabilities motorola.com techradar.com. This puts the Ultra on par with contemporary flagships – something no Razr could claim before. The base Razr 2025 uses a MediaTek 7400 chip, which is mid-range, but still an upgrade from the Snapdragon 7-series in the Razr 2023 base model. So across the board, 2025 Razrs are snappier.
- Displays: The Razr+ 2023 had a 6.9″ inner display (2640×1080, 144Hz) and a 2.7″ tiny outer screen (in the standard Razr 2023) or a 3.6″ outer screen (in the Razr+ 2023). In 2024, Motorola standardized the big 3.6–4.0″ cover screen on both models and even bumped the Plus’s panel to 144Hz. The Ultra 2025 takes it further with a 7.0″ inner display at 165Hz and keeps the 4.0″ outer display at 165Hz. The resolution got a boost to ~2992×1224 (vs 2640×1080 earlier). Brightness doubled (4500 nits vs ~1000–1200 nits before). In short, the Ultra’s screens are larger and far superior (brightness/refresh) to the 2023 Razr’s. Even the Razr+ 2024, which was close, didn’t have 165Hz or that extreme brightness.
- Battery and Charging: Perhaps the most dramatic change. The Razr+ 2023 had a 3,800 mAh battery and 30W charging (no wireless on the US model). The Razr+ 2024 increased to 4,000 mAh and added 45W wired, 15W wireless charging phonearena.com androidauthority.com. Now, the Razr Ultra 2025 boasts 4,700 mAh with 68W wired, 30W wireless en-us.support.motorola.com techradar.com. This is a huge improvement – giving the 2025 Ultra roughly 20–25% more endurance than the 2024 Plus (which already outlasted the 2023). The base Razr 2025 has a 4,500 mAh battery, also larger than any 2023 model reddit.com. So Motorola clearly prioritized battery life in 2025 after feedback about just-okay endurance in prior models. In real terms, where the Razr+ 2023 might get 4-5 hours screen time, the Ultra 2025 can push 7-8 hours reddit.com – a significant jump.
- Cameras: The 2023 Razr+ had a dual camera: 12MP main + 13MP ultrawide, and a 32MP selfie. It was serviceable but not stellar. The Razr+ 2024 made a controversial change – it featured a 50MP main + 50MP 2x telephoto, dropping the ultrawide entirely androidauthority.com. Many (including Android Authority) felt this was a mistake, as losing the ultrawide limited versatility androidauthority.com androidauthority.com. The base Razr 2024 kept a main + ultrawide (64MP + 13MP, likely). Fast forward to 2025: the Razr Ultra brings back the ultrawide and keeps everything 50MP. Essentially it one-ups both prior approaches by having triple lenses (if we count the selfie) at high resolution. No previous Razr had a telephoto lens aside from the 2024 Plus’s 2x, and the Ultra doesn’t have a tele – but its main cam’s large sensor allows decent digital zoom up to ~5-10x. Image quality is night-and-day improved: 2023 Razr shots were mediocre in low light and just okay in good light, whereas 2025 Ultra photos are vibrant and competitive with other flagships androidcentral.com. Reviewers explicitly encourage owners of last year’s Razr to upgrade if camera is a priority – “the Ultra takes things up a notch… images look much more interesting” androidcentral.com. The only area the 2024 Plus might win is in portraits at 2x (since it had a dedicated lens for that), but the Ultra’s software “Portrait mode” is pretty effective at simulating depth with the main camera anyway.
- Build & Design: Razr 2023 had a good build but no official water resistance (just “splash proof”). The hinge on 2023 was fine but a slight gap and visible crease. For 2024, Motorola improved the hinge slightly and gave the Plus an IP52 (or IPX8?) rating – actually in some markets they listed Razr 2024 as having water resistance (there’s confusion, but clearly the 2025’s IP48 is better). The 2025 models all share the new hinge and IP48, which is a notable durability jump. Materials: 2023 Razr+ had a glass back (or vegan leather on some special editions). 2024 introduced one vegan leather option. But 2025 Ultra offers wood and Alcantara, which were not present before. So the design language went from modern and cute (2023) to more luxurious and bold (2025). The size hasn’t changed drastically: the Ultra 2025 is a tad thicker and heavier due to more tech inside. All Razrs still maintain that flat-ish fold and no gap by 2024/2025.
- Features: The 2024 Razr Plus introduced wireless charging (15W) and a slightly better cover UI, but still no expandable storage, etc. The 2025 Ultra carries those forward and piles on 68W charging and Moto AI features. None of the older models had the AI stuff or a dedicated button. Software support on 2024 was 3 years OS – same policy on 2025, unfortunately not extended.
In short, the Razr Ultra 2025 is a huge upgrade. If you were using a Razr 2023 or even 2024, the Ultra brings a faster chip, longer battery, more cameras, and a refined design. It is more expensive, yes, but it justifies it by truly being “ultra”. It’s telling that a Reddit user noted the Razr+ 2025 feels “out of place in this year’s lineup” because the Ultra overshadowed it so much, and the Plus 2025 was basically the 2024 model reheated reddit.com. Their advice was to just get a discounted 2024 Razr+ or jump to the Ultra reddit.com – that says a lot about how substantial the Ultra’s improvements are.
How the Razr Ultra 2025 Stands Against Other Foldable Phones
The foldable flip phone market in 2025 has a few key players: Motorola’s Razr, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series, and others like Oppo’s Find N series, Huawei’s Pocket series (in China), etc. The Razr Ultra 2025 was clearly gunning to beat Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7, which launched a few months later in mid-2025. Let’s compare the two (and touch on others):
Razr Ultra 2025 vs. Galaxy Z Flip 7:
Samsung’s Flip 7 is the closest rival. It starts cheaper ($1,099 for 256GB) but when spec’d to 512GB, it’s about the same price as the Razr techradar.com techradar.com. In terms of hardware:
- Displays: Razr has a bigger 7.0″ inner screen vs 6.9″ on Flip 7 techradar.com techradar.com. Razr’s cover screen is effectively similar size (4.0″ vs 4.1″ on Samsung) techradar.com, but Razr’s is higher resolution and 165Hz vs Samsung’s 120Hz techradar.com techradar.com. Also, Samsung’s cover has odd dimensions (somewhat square, 948×1048 with a notch cutout). Both phones have great AMOLED panels, but Motorola’s are brighter and faster – 4500 nits/165Hz vs ~2600 nits/120Hz on Samsung techradar.com. TechRadar noted the Razr’s screens are not only higher spec but also higher resolution (Samsung’s inner is FHD+ 1080×2520, the Razr’s is 1224×2912) techradar.com techradar.com. So Motorola wins on display tech. Both have ultra-thin glass and subtle creases; Moto’s crease might be slightly less noticeable thanks to the hinge design theverge.com.
- Build & Design: Both look modern with large cover displays. Samsung’s Flip 7 is a bit smaller and lighter – when folded, it’s shorter (85.5mm vs 88.1mm) and thinner (13.7mm vs 15.7mm) techradar.com techradar.com. Unfolded it’s also a tad shorter and thinner. Samsung uses Armor Aluminum frame and glass back in various colors (Blue, Black, Red, Mint) techradar.com. Motorola is heavier but offers the exotic materials (wood, Alcantara) in Pantone Rio Red, Cabaret, Scarab, Mountain Trail techradar.com. Those certainly make the Razr more “unusual and striking”, as TR puts it techradar.com. Both have IPX8/IP48 water resistance, effectively same water protection; Motorola adds minimal dust resistance with IP4X, but practically both require care with sand/dust techradar.com.
- Performance: Razr has Snapdragon 8 Elite + 16GB RAM vs Flip 7’s custom Exynos 2500 + 12GB RAM techradar.com techradar.com. The Snapdragon chip generally outperforms the Exynos in CPU and GPU (Samsung’s choice was a bit controversial). So the Razr likely feels faster and handles games better. Storage options: Samsung 256/512, Moto 512/1TB – Motorola even gives a higher max storage option (1TB) which Samsung doesn’t (at least not at launch) techradar.com techradar.com.
- Battery: Razr’s 4700 mAh dwarfs the Flip 7’s 4300 mAh techradar.com techradar.com. In tests, this gave Motorola a clear endurance edge – our own review found Razr Ultra lasted longer, and TechRadar flatly states “there’s a clear winner here”, with the Moto outlasting the Samsung by a noticeable margin techradar.com techradar.com. Charging: Razr 68W vs Samsung 25W wired (Moto charges to 100% in ~40 min, Samsung in ~70 min). Both have wireless charge, but Moto at 30W vs 15W on Samsung techradar.com techradar.com. Another win for Moto on battery/charging.
- Cameras: Both have a 50MP main camera (f/1.8, with OIS on both) techradar.com. Samsung’s second cam is a 12MP ultrawide, while Motorola’s is 50MP ultrawide techradar.com. This means Moto’s ultrawide can capture more detail (and has autofocus for macro). Samsung’s front camera is 10MP vs Moto’s 50MP inner cam techradar.com. In pure specs, Motorola sweeps here. In practice, both take excellent shots for a flip. MrMobile’s comparison found both “impressed us with their photography”, but the Razr pulls ahead in flexibility and video (8K vs 4K) techradar.com. TechRadar’s verdict: “more megapixels in some cameras” and 8K video mean an advantage for Razr techradar.com. However, Samsung’s image processing is very mature, so some users might still prefer its out-of-box image tuning (plus Samsung has a more robust camera app with modes like FlexCam integration with social apps). Still, the Razr Ultra was even called “a better phone than the Z Flip 7” in our TechRadar review largely because of its across-the-board stronger specs techradar.com techradar.com.
- Special features: Samsung’s Flip has Flex Mode optimizations (multi-app split, etc.) and the extensive Samsung ecosystem (Galaxy Watch integration, etc.). It also benefits from Samsung’s longer software support (4 years updates). Motorola’s Razr offers the Moto AI features which Samsung doesn’t have, and arguably a cleaner Android experience. Both allow cover screen apps, though Motorola was first to really push that – Samsung caught up with official support in Flip 5 and later.
- Verdict: Most reviewers lean towards the Razr Ultra as the more advanced device in 2025. As TR wrote, “on paper, the Razr Ultra has clear advantages…it’s probably the better buy for most people” techradar.com techradar.com, unless you specifically want Samsung’s software or brand. Samsung’s Flip 7 is superbly refined and slightly sleeker, but Motorola went all-out with specs and it shows.
Razr Ultra vs Other Foldables:
- Oppo Find N3 Flip: This China/global (limited) flip phone, released late 2023, actually had a triple-camera (50MP main, 32MP 2x tele, 48MP ultrawide) – it was the first flip with three rear lenses. However, it had a smaller outer display (3.26″) and ran on a MediaTek Dimensity 9200 chip. The Razr Ultra 2025 essentially leapfrogs it with a larger outer screen and a more powerful SoC. The Oppo’s triple camera did include a telephoto, so it has an optical zoom advantage, but its overall camera performance was on par. Oppo’s was also not widely available in the US. So, Motorola likely has the edge in markets where both exist, thanks to its screen and performance.
- Google Pixel Fold/Flip (if any): By 2025 Google hadn’t released a Pixel Flip, only a Pixel Fold (book-style). So not a direct competitor.
- Huawei P50 Pocket / P60 Pocket: Huawei’s flips have great hardware (some with larger sensors), but lack Google services and global reach, so they’re niche outside China.
- Others: Vivo, Xiaomi have concept flips but not big global players yet.
One can say Motorola is now a true contender. The Razr Ultra is often mentioned in the same breath as the Flip 7 as the two best flip phones of 2025. Publications like TechRadar and Android Central included it in “best foldable” lists, whereas a couple of years ago Motorola wasn’t nearly at Samsung’s level. The Ultra changed that perception by addressing previous Moto weaknesses (battery, camera, durability) head-on.
To sum up, the Razr Ultra 2025 holds its own or beats rivals in many areas. It has the largest, fastest displays, the biggest battery, the fastest charging, and arguably the most premium build among flip phones techradar.com techradar.com. Samsung’s Flip 7 fights back with likely better software longevity and a slightly sleeker build. If you prioritize raw specs and a bold design, the Razr Ultra is for you. If you prefer the Samsung ecosystem or need that slightly slimmer device, Flip 7 is there. But it’s telling that our TechRadar reviewer switched preference, stating the Razr Ultra is “a genuinely remarkable mobile device” and even better than Samsung’s offering in many ways techradar.com techradar.com.
Known Issues and Drawbacks
No phone is perfect, and the Razr Ultra 2025 has a few caveats worth noting:
- High Price & Value: At $1299+, it’s expensive. This is the most expensive flip phone on the mainstream market in 2025 (besides luxury brands). You are paying a premium for the design and tech. While many feel it “earns every penny” for what you get techradar.com, budget-conscious buyers might opt for last year’s model or a competitor. The good news is Motorola’s frequent promos have softened the blow (it’s been seen as low as $1099 on sale). Still, the upfront cost is a hurdle – especially when clamshell foldables can be had around $999 (Samsung Flip) or less for older models.
- No Included Charger: In line with industry trends, Motorola does not include a charger or earbuds in the box hothardware.com. If you want to take advantage of 68W charging, you’ll have to purchase Motorola’s TurboPower 68W charger separately (the phone will charge at lower speeds with generic USB-PD chargers, typically max 45W as per spec footnotes amazon.com amazon.com). This omission is a minor annoyance given the price point.
- Lack of Telephoto Lens: As discussed, there’s no dedicated optical zoom. The camera system covers wide and ultrawide well, but anything beyond 2-3x zoom is digital. For most casual shooters this is fine – you can pinch zoom up to 10x, and Motorola even has a 30x digital photo zoom option in the app att.com – but quality drops at high zoom. Competing flips also lack telephoto (except Oppo’s), but it’s worth noting if you’re a fan of zoom photography.
- Software Update Longevity: Motorola promises 3 years of OS updates (to Android 18) and 4 years security. This lags behind Samsung’s 4+5 year promise on Galaxy phones. If keeping your device for a long time with the latest software matters, Samsung or Google have an edge. That said, 3 years will still cover most of this phone’s life for typical users, but it’s an area for improvement.
- Moto AI Quirks: The Moto AI features, while innovative, are early in their lifecycle. Users have to create a Motorola account and grant some permissions for them to work. The AI image generator, as noted, can produce weird or inappropriate outputs techradar.com. And there’s a learning curve to remember to use features like “Remember This” or checking the Moto AI hub. Some may find the dedicated AI button on the side unnecessary – if you accidentally press it, you might trigger the AI prompt when you meant to adjust volume (since it’s opposite the volume rocker). Thankfully, you can disable or remap this button if it bothers you.
- Bulk and Weight: While the Razr Ultra is compact when closed, it is a bit heavier (199g) than some might expect. It’s about on par with an iPhone 14 Pro Max in weight. The hinge mechanism and materials add heft. It’s not unwieldy – and many users won’t mind – but if you’re coming from an older Razr or a slim phone, the density is noticeable. Also, the thickness when closed (15.7mm) means it makes a bump in tight jeans. This is a general flip phone trade-off (Flip 7 is 13.7mm, not hugely thinner).
- Dust Resistance Limitations: Despite the IP48 rating, fine dust and sand are still enemies of any foldable. The Razr Ultra has brushes and improved seals, but you should still be careful in very dusty or beach environments. Some early adopters have case stories of hinge grittiness after exposure to sand (though no catastrophic failures reported). Basically, “dust proof” it is not – IP4X is limited protection theverge.com.
- Crease (Still There): Yes, the crease is minimal, but it does exist. If you go looking at an angle or under certain light, you’ll see the indentation. By all accounts it’s one of the least intrusive creases out there, but a new user might still need a day or two to get used to it.
- Availability & Support: Minor point – because this phone is not as mass-market as Samsung, finding accessories like cases can be a bit harder (though Motorola sells some, including a neat vegan leather case with a finger ring stand). Carrier availability is good in the US (AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.), but if you’re international, you might have to import it under the “Razr 60 Ultra” name. Software updates historically have been slower from Motorola than Samsung – hopefully they’ll keep the Ultra updated timely, but it’s something to watch.
It’s telling that many reviews struggled to find major faults beyond those. HotHardware’s cons list was mostly “it’s expensive, cameras are good but not the absolute best, and the AI is questionable” hothardware.com – which are relatively mild drawbacks. TechRadar similarly listed the price and lack of zoom lens, and a curious con about AI biases techradar.com. There haven’t been reports of any hardware defects or widespread issues (no saga of screen cracking or hinge failures thus far, indicating the build is solid).
One could say the biggest “drawback” is simply that foldables still aren’t for everyone. Some people might find the flip form factor not as convenient (two-handed to open sometimes), or the novelty doesn’t justify the cost. But for those who do want a flip phone, the Razr Ultra doesn’t force many compromises.
Public Reception and Sales Performance
Motorola’s Razr Ultra 2025 has generated a level of buzz the company hasn’t seen in years. Public reception among tech enthusiasts and early adopters has been largely positive, especially regarding the design and the fact that Motorola “finally made a real flagship foldable” forbes.com. Many were excited to see a serious alternative to Samsung. Reviewers from major outlets (TechRadar, Android Central, The Verge, etc.) gave it strong endorsements, often highlighting that this device solved most of the complaints people had with earlier Razrs. Quotes like “This isn’t just the best Razr ever; it’s a genuinely remarkable device” techradar.com and “I Can’t Believe I Care about a Motorola Phone… but the Razr Ultra made me” (a sentiment from a popular YouTube review) sum up the enthusiasm in the tech community.
On social media and forums, you’ll find new Razr owners proudly showing off the wood-backed model or that huge cover screen. Many ex-Samsung users have voiced pleasant surprise at how refined the Razr feels. The flip-phone nostalgia factor is definitely at play too – commenters mention the satisfaction of hanging up by snapping the phone shut, something you just can’t do on a slab phone (it never gets old, trust us).
In terms of sales performance, Motorola hasn’t released figures (they rarely break out model sales). The foldable market is still relatively small. Analysts predicted Motorola would ship a few hundred thousand Razrs globally in 2025 – far behind Samsung’s volumes but a noticeable uptick from previous years. The Razr Ultra’s high price means it’s targeting a niche of tech-forward consumers and luxury buyers. There was some skepticism initially: “I struggle to see how many people, especially in the US, would spend $1,400 for a Razr Ultra”, one Redditor mused reddit.com. However, Motorola seems aware of this and has leaned into carrier partnerships. With carriers offering $0 deals (with trade-ins), a lot of units likely moved through those promotions, effectively boosting adoption by leveraging upgrade cycles.
One promising sign: the Razr family approach. The cheaper Razr (2025) at $699 is intended to get foldables into more hands (competing with Galaxy Z Flip Lite if that ever emerges). If those users like the concept, some might upgrade to the Ultra later. So Motorola appears to be playing a longer game to gain market share.
Public feedback did identify some nitpicks – e.g., some wish the fingerprint reader (embedded in power button) was under the display for a cleaner look, but acknowledge side-mounted is faster. Others have asked Motorola to consider a larger “Razr Fold” (a book-style foldable) in the future. But by and large, the Razr Ultra 2025’s reception is that of a comeback for the Razr brand. It recaptured consumer interest with its style, and now backs it up with substance.
As for sales ranking, in the US it’s likely the #2 best-selling flip of 2025, behind Samsung. If nothing else, it pushed Samsung to innovate – Samsung’s Flip 7 closing the gap on cover screen size was likely a response to Razr’s moves. A healthy competition that benefits consumers.
Motorola also did some creative marketing – partnering with fashion brands (there was talk of a Swarovski crystal edition Razr for late 2025 gizmochina.beehiiv.com, tying into the lifestyle angle). Limited edition collaborations can further boost the Razr’s cachet among trendsetters.
Future Outlook: What’s Next for Razr?
With the Razr Ultra 2025, Motorola firmly planted its flag in the foldable arena. Looking ahead:
- There are rumors that the 2026 Razr lineup will continue the multi-model strategy, with a Razr Ultra 2026 using the next-gen Snapdragon (8 Gen 4 or similar) and likely refining the formula: perhaps an even less visible crease, maybe an under-display camera (to eliminate the punch-hole), and possibly finally adding a zoom camera if space permits androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. Motorola will likely stick to the flip form factor; an executive hinted they’re not rushing into a larger Fold-style device yet, as they believe clamshells have broader appeal androidcentral.com.
- In terms of materials, expect Motorola to keep the unique finishes. The wood and Alcantara have been well-received, so 2026 might see new collaborations – maybe different wood tones or designer patterns. As Android Central speculated, Motorola seems committed to “alternative materials” and won’t revert to plain glass on their flagships androidcentral.com.
- We might also see further improvements in durability – perhaps an IP68 rating (fully dustproof) if they can manage it. Each year the hinge tech gets better across the industry, so Razr 2026 could be virtually creaseless and even more robust.
- On the software front, Motorola will undoubtedly iterate on Moto AI. By 2026, AI assistants will be even more prevalent; Motorola could integrate things like on-device large language models for faster responses or more offline functionality. We expect Moto AI to get smarter and maybe become a selling point if they refine it (or it could quietly disappear if it doesn’t catch on – but given their investment, likely the former).
- Competition will heat up: Samsung’s Flip 8 (2026) will try to reclaim any ground lost, possibly with their own new materials or camera upgrades. Google might even enter with a Pixel Flip by 2026, and Chinese OEMs are expanding globally. So Motorola will need to keep innovating to maintain its edge.
One thing is certain: the Razr Ultra 2025 injected new life into the Razr brand and proved Motorola can compete at the highest end. It’s not just a nostalgic gimmick – it’s a legitimately excellent smartphone that happens to fold in half. For consumers, this means more choice and innovation in the coming years. The Razr’s future looks bright if Motorola stays the course. As long as they keep “making flip phones flippin’ exciting” androidcentral.com, we’ll all benefit from this foldable renaissance.
Conclusion: The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 is a triumphant return to form for an iconic name, marrying cutting-edge tech with head-turning design. It addresses nearly every excuse one might have had for avoiding a flip phone: the battery lasts, the performance is there, the cameras deliver, and the durability is greatly improved techradar.com techradar.com. All of this wrapped in a package that’s just plain fun to use – as TechRadar put it, “The Razr Ultra makes every other phone feel like a boring rectangle” techradar.com. It’s rare for a phone to nail both fashion and function, but the Razr Ultra 2025 does exactly that. If you’re in the market for a foldable flip, this is a device that truly lives up to its “Ultra” name and is well worth your consideration. Motorola swung for the fences with the Razr Ultra – and hit a home run.
Sources: Motorola Official Specs en-us.support.motorola.com en-us.support.motorola.com; TechRadar Review techradar.com techradar.com; The Verge theverge.com theverge.com; Android Central androidcentral.com androidcentral.com; HotHardware hothardware.com hothardware.com; TechRadar vs. Samsung Flip 7 techradar.com techradar.com; Reddit (user feedback) reddit.com; AT&T Product Page att.com att.com.