I was excited when I first got my hands on the Galaxy Z Flip 7. It felt significantly different from its predecessors. It appeared that Samsung had listened to users who were yearning for change with the company’s clamshell foldable.
Unfortunately, many of the changes to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 only run skin deep. Yes, Samsung added a gorgeous cover display and fancy new colorways. Still, functionally, the phone feels like it always has.
By comparison, the Motorola Razr Ultra is excellent. I initially doubted Motorola, especially with the Razr Ultra’s high price tag, but it’s the device that winds up in my pocket more often when I want to use a clamshell. Here’s why.
Samsung’s cover display still isn’t right
Motorola figured it out years ago
I had high hopes that Samsung would fundamentally change the user experience on the cover display for the Galaxy Z Flip 7. It features a gorgeous 4.1-inch display, which is a highlight of the phone. Unfortunately, it’s not utilized to its fullest potential.
I’ve complained about Good Lock before. I understand it’s a powerful piece of software, allowing you to completely customize your Galaxy smartphone experience.
However, there was an opportunity for Samsung to fold many of the same functions into One UI 8 for the Galaxy Z Flip 7.
With the Motorola Razr, the cover display is set up in seconds.
Unfortunately, you still need to download Good Lock and Multistar to enable additional apps to run on the cover screen.
Samsung has become better at directing people to download Multistar, but there are unnecessary additional steps.
Seasoned Android and One UI users will know what to do, having their cover screens up and running within a few minutes. However, I’ve long contended that clamshells are aimed at casual users, and Samsung should integrate the process.
Notifications are also a mess on the outer display. I should be able to see app icons without needing to fiddle with widgets and different tiles — it should be the default, not the orange dot.
I also dislike having to switch between the cover display and the inner display when making changes, constantly folding and unfolding. The process isn’t pleasant and needs to change.
Motorola does it significantly better
A more cohesive user experience
With the Motorola Razr, the cover display is set up in seconds. You add the apps you want to use, and you’re on your way.
You’ll occasionally encounter incompatibility issues, but I’ve never encountered a problem that wasn’t resolved by adjusting the orientation to avoid the cameras.
It also feels like part of the user experience, as shifting from the cover display to the unfolded internal display is seamless. With its ease of use, I find myself using the cover display more for casual social media scrolls and quick message responses.
It’s a matter of personal preference, but I prefer the Razr design over the Galaxy Z Flip 7. It’s sleek, and I love the flexibility, with different colorways and price points.
Yes, Samsung does offer the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE this year, but it pales in comparison to the excellent Razr 2025.
The base Razr 2025 is better designed, more functional, and more affordable, making it an easy recommendation for budget-conscious clamshell buyers.
There’s hope for Samsung
Thankfully, the issues are software
I’m disappointed because the Galaxy Z Flip 7 has a lot to offer. It is a refreshing redesign, and if you already love the Galaxy Z Flip series, you shouldn’t hesitate to upgrade.
One UI 8 is the more robust software, with more features and significantly better support than Hello UI on the Motorola Razr Ultra.
Samsung promises seven years of upgrades, easily besting Motorola. You can also set your watch to Samsung updates, while I have no idea when Motorola plans to bring Android 16 to the Razr Ultra.
There are plenty of reasons to consider the Galaxy Z Flip 7. I just wish Samsung would clean up the user experience.
The Motorola Razr stays in my pocket for now
I wanted to love the Galaxy Z Flip 7, but Samsung isn’t there yet. I do like to give credit where credit is due, and the company is moving in the right direction. It gave the Galaxy Z Flip 7 a much-needed design refresh, and the outer display is gorgeous.
I only hope Samsung focuses on improving the user experience, making the cover screen feel like an integral part of the phone, rather than a separate device.
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Source: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
- SoC
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Exynos 2500
- RAM
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12GB
- Storage
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5256GB/12GB
- Battery
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4300mAh
- Operating System
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Android 16 with One UI 8
- Front camera
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10MP
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a compact, pocket-sized AI phone featuring the largest-ever 4.1-inch, edge-to-edge FlexWindow and the slimmest design in the series yet. It packs a flagship-level 50MP camera and the largest battery ever in a Galaxy Z Flip, delivering powerful performance and enhanced AI functionality directly from the cover screen.
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Moto Razr Ultra (2025)
- SoC
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
- RAM
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16GB
- Storage
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512GB, 1TB
- Battery
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4,700mAh
- Ports
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USB-C
- Operating System
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Android 15
The Moto Razr Ultra is the foldable you’ve been waiting for. With a new camera system, top-tier specs, and a larger, brighter display, this is a Razr designed to go head-to-head with Samsung — for a price, of course.
