Motorola's Razr Ultra: A Compact Flip Phone with a Pricey Dilemma
The Motorola Razr Ultra is a flip phone that aims to impress with its compact design, excellent battery life, and upgraded camera. However, its $200 price bump over the previous model is a significant deterrent, leaving the Ultra in an awkward position. While it's a solid choice for those seeking a compact flip-style device, the higher price tag makes it difficult to justify, especially when compared to older models and competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Design and Displays:
The Razr Ultra maintains the same chassis as its predecessor, featuring a 4-inch exterior display that unfolds to reveal a 7-inch main screen. The brightness and color richness are impressive, but the faint crease where the hinge lives remains a minor issue. The Orient Blue model, with its paint-matched buttons and Alcantara back, adds a touch of sophistication. The phone's compact size and IP48 rating for dust and water resistance make it a pleasure to hold and use.
Performance:
Under the hood, the Razr Ultra packs a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. Performance-wise, it's nearly identical to its predecessor, with no noticeable slowdown. However, the smaller displays and limited multitasking features may be a drawback for some users. Motorola has added new capabilities to the cover screen, such as Live Updates and an updated Quick Settings menu, but these additions don't significantly impact overall performance.
Cameras:
The Razr Ultra's camera setup hasn't changed, but Motorola has introduced a new 50MP LOFIC sensor for the main camera. This sensor improves dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in better image quality. However, upon closer inspection, some flaws like halos around objects and noisier textures become apparent. The Razr Ultra still falls short of Google's Night Sight mode in low-light conditions, and its photo quality is not on par with traditional glass bricks.
Battery Life:
Despite no change in battery size, Motorola managed to squeeze in a slightly higher capacity 5,000mAh cell, resulting in excellent battery life. The Razr Ultra lasted 31 hours on our video rundown test, outperforming many other handsets. Charging speeds are impressive, topping out at 68 watts wired and 30 watts wireless, but the use of a proprietary TurboPower protocol requires separate accessories for peak performance.
Wrap-up:
The 2026 Razr Ultra is a capable phone with a great design, responsive performance, and excellent battery life. However, its $200 price bump is a significant drawback, especially when considering the discounts available for older models and competitors. The main upgrades, a better camera sensor and a slightly bigger battery, don't justify the higher cost. As a result, the Ultra finds itself in a challenging position, leaving potential buyers with a difficult decision.
In my opinion, Motorola could have made a more compelling case for the Ultra's premium price by offering more significant upgrades or a more substantial discount. As it stands, the Razr Ultra is a good phone, but it's not a must-buy at its current price point.
