I bought the Motorola Razr Ultra so you don’t have to

I enjoy Motorola’s smartphones. I love the blend of performance and value I get from devices like the Moto G Stylus 2025, and the Motorola Razr 2025 is my current favorite folding phone. Even though Motorola nailed the entry-level Razr for 2025, it missed the mark with its high-end Motorola Razr Ultra. The company took the Ultra moniker to heart, slapping the Razr Ultra with a $1,300 price tag.

It’s a difficult conversation because, on paper, the phone is worth it. I don’t have any complaints about the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and 16GB of RAM is more than Samsung offers on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It’s also an excellent device to use. It’s smooth and responsive, and the external display is everything I hoped for. Still, it’s not a device I can recommend people buy; here’s why.

All the money and then some

Motorola set a high bar

I understand there is a premium for folding phones. The Motorola Razr 2025, on paper, wouldn’t be worth $700 with a Dimensity 7400X and 8GB of RAM. We pay for the style and convenience of a phone that folds to half its size when not in use, but that only goes so far. I buy clamshell folding phones to do less with my device, not more. I appreciate the added power and performance of the Razr Ultra, but I question who it’s for. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is impressive, especially with 16GB of RAM, but I’m not editing 4K video or playing Genshin Impact all day on my Razr Ultra.

I view the Motorola Razr the same as the original iPhone. Sure, it’s an excellent device, but it also serves as a style symbol for many buyers. I can get the same reaction from my friends with the $700 Razr 2025 as I can with the $1,300 Razr Ultra. Functionality is also similar. Instagram and Facebook only open so quickly. I understand some enthusiasts criticized Motorola for the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in last year’s Motorola Razr+, but that was a vocal minority. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 was technically more powerful, but I still preferred to use my Razr.

Motorola forgot one thing

Software support doesn’t match the price tag

I’ve made peace with Motorola’s lackluster software support at lower price points. I don’t like it, but I recognize that most customers aren’t bothered by 2 or 3 years of support on a $400 phone, because they plan to upgrade before the support expires. It makes sense, especially with Motorola’s aggressive sales and the numerous carrier discounts on its phones. However, the Motorola Razr Ultra is in a different class, and people paying $1,300 have a right to expect more.

I might be more inclined to recommend the Razr Ultra if it were the only option available, but Motorola offers some fantastic folding alternatives.

I’m pleased with what Motorola has done with its Android skin. Hello UI was a much-needed refresh. I’m disappointed the company leaned into Moto AI so heavily, but the overall software experience is still pleasant. Unfortunately, 3 years of Android upgrades won’t suffice on a $1,300 phone in 2025. It’s a significant investment, and with the improved hinge and IP48 rating, the Razr Ultra should last for years.

If Motorola had an excellent track record of delivering updates, I might be more lenient, but that’s also an issue. Unfortunately, bi-monthly security updates sometimes turn into tri-monthly ones, and I’m unable to determine the schedule for Motorola’s release of major Android upgrades. It’s a problem, maybe not for budget and midrange phones, but when you ask for $1,300, you’re in a different class.

Motorola offers too many attractive alternatives

No need to spend more

I might be more inclined to recommend the Razr Ultra if it were the only option available, but Motorola offers some fantastic folding alternatives. I don’t see much reason to upgrade from last year’s Motorola Razr+, but if you don’t already own one, this year’s version is worth considering. I’d wait to pick it up on a discount or find a deal on the Razr+ from last year, but it includes many of the things you’d buy a Razr Ultra for. It features a fantastic 4-inch external screen and still enough horsepower under the hood to run smoothly.

If you want to spend even less, I love the base model Razr 2025. You get all the aesthetics and convenience of a clamshell folding phone with decent performance and excellent battery life. It’s a formidable combination to beat for $700, and it’s more than enough for most users, avoiding unnecessary extra spending.

An excellent phone without a home

It’s disappointing I have to knock a phone I really enjoy using. However, I’m self-aware enough to recognize that my needs in the tech sphere don’t align with every user. I prefer having the extra power at my fingertips because I’m a tech journalist, but that’s not why people buy Razrs. If you need a folding phone, Motorola is your choice, but I’d steer clear of the Razr Ultra.