I wanted to hate the Motorola Razr Ultra (2026), but I can’t

I attempt to stay as goal as potential as a tech journalist. I overview what’s positioned in entrance of me, leaving any earlier experiences, constructive or detrimental, on the door. It’s the one method to make sure honest protection for consumers, and individuals who put their coronary heart and soul into growing merchandise don’t deserve baggage from the previous.

Nonetheless, I made no secret that the Motorola Razr Extremely was my favourite smartphone of 2025. Moto understands what makes a clamshell foldable interesting, and I loved each second with the Razr Extremely in my pocket. Naturally, I used to be excited in regards to the encore, however the spec sheet, mixed with a better worth, turned my enthusiasm into disappointment. I wished to hate the newest Razr Extremely, however then I used it.

I’ve most well-liked the Razr lineup to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip telephones for years. The Z Flip units really feel utilitarian, constructed to final however on the expense of charisma. Samsung tried with sharp new colorways and a wider cowl display on the Z Flip 7, but it surely nonetheless doesn’t fairly ship the identical expertise because the Razr household.

There’s no scarcity of attraction on the Motorola Razr Extremely. It’s glossy and trendy, and I really like that Motorola isn’t afraid to experiment with completely different colorways and textures. The Alcantara end on this yr’s Orient Blue mannequin feels premium, and it’s been a dialog starter every time I pull it out of my pocket.

Sure, it infuriates fanatics that Motorola did little or no to justify the cellphone’s greater worth, however Moto doesn’t care. The identical aggravation I’d give Samsung over lackluster Galaxy S26 Extremely upgrades doesn’t apply to the Razr Extremely, as a result of they enchantment to completely different consumers. I’m not modifying 4K video on the Razr Extremely, and I don’t plan on enjoying too many AAA cellular video games. You’re paying up for the feel and appear of the Razr Extremely, and Motorola delivers.

After all, the Razr Extremely is greater than only a fairly face. It stays the perfect cowl display expertise on a clamshell folding cellphone, simply outperforming what Samsung affords on the Z Flip 7.

I can get my favourite apps up and working in seconds, with out the necessity for Good Lock or Multistar. The continuity is easy, and switching from the duvet show to the inner show is a nice expertise. The outer display is such a elementary a part of the clamshell foldable expertise, and Motorola nonetheless does it greatest.

The battery life can be excellent on the Razr Extremely this yr. Final yr’s model was no slouch, however this yr’s 5,000mAh silicon-carbon battery has raised the stakes. I can use the cellphone properly right into a second day with out it touching a charger, and 68W wired charging is accessible after I wish to prime off rapidly.

Motorola could not have modified most of the headline specs on the Razr Extremely, however improved battery life is a superb quality-of-life enhancement that extra Razr consumers will discover and luxuriate in than something a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 would provide over a Snapdragon 8 Elite.

I can write all day about how a lot I take pleasure in utilizing the Razr Extremely, however that doesn’t change actuality — that worth is ridiculous. I perceive we pay a premium for folding telephones, however even with chip shortages and rising part prices, $1,500 is extreme for the Razr Extremely.

Motorola can get away with it for a few causes, and we’re not utterly out of luck. By no means underestimate how many individuals purchase their telephones via provider offers and contracts. Most informal customers who stroll into an AT&T or Verizon retailer won’t ever really feel the total results of that $1,500 price ticket. They are going to see a glossy, engaging cellphone they need of their pocket and a $40 a month cost.

As well as, I totally anticipate Motorola’s aggressive gross sales to proceed. Final yr’s Extremely was outlandish for $1,300, but it surely spent most of final yr promoting for $1,000 or much less. It’s a development with virtually all of Motorola’s telephones. As off-putting as excessive preliminary MSRPs are, the fact is that only a few folks will ever shell out the total $1,500 for a Razr Extremely, except they need it straight away and don’t care that a lot in regards to the worth.

Each time I wasn’t testing a cellphone final yr, I had the Razr Extremely in my pocket, and I don’t see that altering this yr. It’s nonetheless improbable, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s efficiency is greater than what I would like on a clamshell foldable. I perceive folks can be annoyed and need the newest and biggest on a cellphone costing $1,500, and I don’t disagree.

Nevertheless, Motorola is chasing a special crowd with its Razr lineups, and if the gross sales figures are any indication, it’s working.