Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) Review: Good, But Flipping Expensive

Editors’ Be aware: For $1,300 the Motorola Razr Extremely has quite a bit to dwell as much as. And largely, it does. The Razr Extremely is enjoyable to make use of, well-built, appears sharp and affords a recent expertise that is rooted in nostalgia. It handles all the standard cellphone duties with ease, and its cowl display makes it actually distinctive. The Motorola Razr Extremely is without doubt one of the greatest flip telephones accessible, which is why it earned a CNET Editors’ Selection Award. The unique assessment follows.

After I first began testing the Motorola Razr Ultra, I had flashbacks to my unique Motorola Razr assessment. No, not the OG 2004 indestructible flip phone that Paris Hilton made modern. I am speaking in regards to the first Motorola foldable phone, which got here out within the early days of the pandemic. It had a $1,500 price ticket, a display that folded in half and loads of nostalgia. But it surely lacked the He-Man-like specs of its competitor, the unique Galaxy Z Flip. Some reviewers and Razr stans had been bummed as a result of the Moto foldable did not have the high-end specs and options that you just’d usually count on for such a excessive value.

Motorola refined subsequent Razr fashions with higher specs and located success by imbuing them with a enjoyable and trendy spirit whereas decreasing the value and including creature comforts akin to all-day battery life. Quick ahead to now, and the Razr Extremely has as few compromises as potential, with options together with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and a titanium hinge. The Razr Extremely is an absolute unit, and it is what we needed again in 2020.

The Extremely is a beefed-up model of final 12 months’s Razr Plus, which received a CNET Editor’s Choice Award. It is as if the Razr Plus employed a coach and nutritionist after which obtained completely ripped — warranting its identify: Extremely. If you happen to had doubts a couple of foldable cellphone’s sturdiness, the Razr Extremely is right here to show you mistaken. (Needless to say mud resistance continues to be a difficulty for all foldable telephones, so I nonetheless would not take the Razr Extremely to the seashore or on that salt manufacturing facility tour you’ve got been dying to do.)

After every week of testing, I’ve come to adore the Razr Extremely. It does all of the “regular” non-folding cellphone issues I would like, and affords me a really distinctive expertise because of its cowl display. I really feel like the good child within the espresso store when Google Pay-ing for my cortado with my Razr Extremely closed.

However in taking practically each facet of the cellphone to the acute, Motorola misplaced one of the crucial necessary elements of current Razrs: the superb worth. The catch for all this ultra-ness: the Motorola Razr Extremely prices $1,300.

Tariffs or not, $1,300 is quite a bit for any cellphone. The Extremely is $300 greater than the Razr Plus. Whereas in some methods the Razr Extremely justifies its larger price (it comes with 512GB of storage and an upgraded display), in different methods it would not (the Razr Plus nonetheless exists). 

Learn extra: Motorola Razr 2025 Review: It’s Got the Look

Watch this: Overview: We Take the $1,300 Razr Extremely for a Spin

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Motorola Razr Extremely: Must you purchase it?

You probably have a 2019 Razr or the 2020 Razr 5G, the Razr Extremely will likely be an improve in each means. From the bigger 4-inch cowl display that has much more performance to the brighter, higher-resolution 7-inch show. If you happen to’re coming from the 2023 Razr Plus, nonetheless, I would solely improve in case your battery is not lasting as lengthy on a cost because it used to. And if in case you have a 2024 Razr Plus; sit this one out.

If you happen to’re deciding between the Razr Extremely and Galaxy Z Flip 6, I would push you in direction of Motorola’s flip cellphone in case you can afford the $200 distinction. However for many, I would say wait. We’re possible getting a Galaxy Z Flip 7 this summer season.

And in case you’re coming from a daily sweet bar fashion Android phone or iPhone, I recommend wanting on the complete 2025 Razr lineup. For folks with a finances cellphone or common outdated iPhone, the $700 Motorola Razr could be a greater match. For these wanting extra of a premium expertise, check out final 12 months’s Razr Plus — on the time I am scripting this, it has been discounted to $800 ($200 off). 

In order for you the most effective expertise you possibly can have on a flip cellphone in 2025, go for the Razr Extremely. However do search for offers and trade-in reductions to make that $1,300 sting a bit much less.

Motorola Razr Extremely design

This could be among the best constructed telephones Motorola has launched in years. I understand this sounds cliché however pictures and movies simply do not do the Razr Extremely justice. It’s so strong and dense. I had another CNETers decide it up and practically everybody was stunned by how a lot it weighed (and never in a foul means). At 199 grams, the Extremely is identical weight because the iPhone 16 Professional and one gram greater than the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G.

The Razr Extremely has a titanium hinge that Motorola says is 4x stronger than final 12 months’s Razr and Razr Plus. The again of my assessment unit is the pantone cabaret coloration — aka scorching pink — and the textured material on the again feels even higher than the vegan leather-based on final 12 months’s Razr Plus. This is not like Apple’s FiveWoven cases for the iPhone 15 household, which simply collected marks and stains. Although I’ll admit that the Extremely’s material does give off some seatbelt vibes. Complementing the material is Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic for the duvet display, which Motorola says is the primary time it has been used on a flip cellphone. After every week of intensive use, each the material again and canopy display look clear and have no scratches or nicks.

The Razr Extremely has an IP48 ranking for water and mud resistance. The eight within the ranking means it may be submerged in 1.5 meters of water for as much as half-hour. The 4 means it might stand up to particles 1mm or bigger. That is nearly as good because it will get, people, by way of mud resistance for foldables in 2025, so hold that in thoughts in case you work or journey in tough environments. And it is nice to see Motorola max out the Razr Extremely’s water and mud resistance to be the identical because the Galaxy Z Flip 6.

The crease is hardly noticeable on the tall 7-inch show. Clearly within the photograph above, we took it at an angle that makes it appear like the Grand Canyon, however in actuality, I neglect in regards to the crease when there’s content material on the display. It is spectacular how a lot Motorola was in a position to cut back the crease in comparison with earlier fashions. When enjoying video games or scrolling information and social feeds, I can barely really feel it.

Motorola Razr shows

The shining star of the Razr Extremely is its 4-inch cowl display. The show is vibrant, and has a excessive decision with a 417ppi density. It is an AMOLED LTPO display with an adaptive refresh charge that tops out at 165Hz. You should use the duvet display for just about something you want. Most apps run on it, together with video games. I like utilizing Spotify on the duvet display with the highest half of the cellphone pointing up at a jaunty angle.

Motorola made it straightforward to handle the duvet display’s panels and customise widgets. I like to recommend utilizing widgets to your favourite apps on the duvet display as some really feel extra optimized for the show. And in case you’ve by no means used a foldable flip cellphone earlier than, simply know that having a canopy display as versatile and customizable because the one on the Razr Extremely will change the best way you utilize your cellphone. The duvet show is like my private shortcut display and interacting with it feels purposeful. I am not as tempted to scroll by means of Instagram or discover different distractions like I do on a daily cellphone.

One of many odd sensations when utilizing the Razr Extremely goes from that small sq. 4-inch cowl display to the tall slim internal 7-inch show. It may be jarring as every display appears at odds with what you expertise. The duvet display is petite and private and the internal show is lengthy, tall and vibrant. It is like having a small cellphone and an enormous one on the identical time. And in case you not accustomed to foldable telephones, you’ll be able to decide up the place you left off so to talk. So in case you’re viewing pictures within the Google Images on the duvet display after which open the cellphone up, you may be in the identical spot within the app on the internal show.

On the “inside” of the cellphone is a 7-inch pOLED (the “p” stands for plastic) LTPO that additionally has an adaptive refresh charge as excessive as 165Hz. It additionally has a 2,992×1,224-pixel decision and a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. In use, the primary display is fantastic indoors, and outdoor each in dim lighting and below direct daylight.

The internal 7-inch display has a tall 22:9 facet ratio. Most movies have house to the left or proper after I watch them in panorama orientation. However vertical movies look incredible. TikTok movies fill the display from prime to backside. One odd use for such an extended display is viewing films and trailers shot in a 185:1 facet ratio, as they practically refill the display completely like after I watched the trailer for No person 2 on the Extremely.

Motorola Razr Extremely Moto AI

The Razr Extremely has a devoted {hardware} AI button on the facet that triggers Moto AI. Motorola did one thing type of good and took among the main AI platforms and built-in them into the Razr. There’s Perplexity, Google’s Gemini, Microsoft’s Copilot and Meta’s Llama AI. Consider Moto AI as a strip mall housing varied AI outlets, every with their very own specialities. Motorola well curates how every AI is applied, that means you possibly can entry them from the button or use Circle to Search in your display by urgent on the underside of the show.

One of many options I see potential with is Keep in mind This. I can take a photograph or display seize after which ask the AI extra about it later. It is type of like build up my very own library of information for AI to reference. It appears just like what Nothing did with its 3A and 3A Professional telephones or the Journal app on the iPhone.

There’s additionally Pay Consideration, which is like Keep in mind This however for audio (it is primarily an audio recorder and transcriber). And there is Catch Me Up for notifications. These Moto AI options might be helpful, however I really feel like I will want greater than six days with them to essentially benefit from them.

I do not assume Moto AI is the explanation to purchase the Razr Extremely, however this cellphone and the best way it integrates totally different AI companies could be one of the crucial versatile for AI you can get at the moment. And it factors to at least one solution to handle the a number of AI companies competing for our consideration.

Motorola Razr Extremely cameras

The Razr Extremely has a trio of lenses: wide-angle, ultrawide and a selfie. All have 50-megapixel sensors, which is unbelievable. Check out a few of my favourite pictures from the Razr Extremely.

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I do need to acknowledge that Motorola has made enhancements with the cameras in comparison with earlier Razrs. Telephone cameras, particularly on foldables, are at all times at an obstacle as a result of there’s so little room for greater sensors and lenses. However I believe individuals who do not contemplate themselves photographers will likely be high-quality with pictures from the Razr Extremely — it is a lot enjoyable for group photographs and it is a surprisingly nice cellphone for video calls. However I want the corporate went additional. Images from the Razr Extremely are B+ at greatest and that is respectable for a flip cellphone like this. I get the most effective leads to locations with numerous mild. However the cellphone depends on an extended shutter pace for snaps, which results in a number of movement blur. 

And that simply will get worse whenever you’re in a dim atmosphere. I am not an enormous fan of pictures that use Night time Imaginative and prescient, Motorola’s identify for evening mode. They give the impression of being over-processed — you possibly can see that the digital camera is struggling and overcompensating.

Not solely does the Razr Extremely help capturing video like a ’90s camcorder, the Camcorder mode works for each panorama and portrait movies. Additionally, I really like that the Razr Extremely has Moto Actions on it so I can double-twist my wrist to open the digital camera. Check out my Razr Ultra review video to see Camcorder mode in motion.

Motorola Razr Extremely battery and processor

On the precise inside the cellphone, is a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and 16GB of RAM. In my time with the cellphone to date it has carried out effectively; animations appeared clean, apps opened rapidly. I performed video games starting from Name of Responsibility and PUBG Cellular to Mario Kart and Alto’s Odyssey with none points. Having this processor and all that RAM ought to assist hold the Razr Extremely working quick for years.

By way of the Geekbench 6 CPU benchmark check, the Razr Extremely performs near different Snapdragon 8 Elite telephones we have examined this 12 months, however the scores are decrease. When in comparison with the Razr (2025), the Razr Plus (2024) and the Galaxy Z Flip 6, the Razr Extremely got here out on prime. After I ran the graphics check, 3D Mark Wildlife Excessive, it was an analogous story.

Over my six days of testing, the battery life from the Razr Extremely’s 4,700mAh battery has been good. I simply get by means of a day on a single cost. My most demanding day with the Razr Extremely began at 6:30 a.m. with a full cost. Throughout the day, we had been filming and photographing the Extremely and had the screens at full brightness and at 165Hz. In that point I used to be additionally taking pictures, recording movies and utilizing Moto AI. I ended the day at 11 p.m. with 22% left.

I ought to notice that I observed that the Razr Extremely will get heat after I’m utilizing the digital camera quite a bit or after I’ve had an extended Gemini Dwell session. I would not say it was burn-your-hand scorching, nevertheless it was stunning.

In CNET’s 3-hour video streaming battery check, the Razr Extremely went from a full cost to 85%. Examine that to the Razr (2025) and the Galaxy Z Flip 6 which each ended up at 81% — and consider the Razr Extremely’s display is bigger and was set at 165Hz in comparison with the 120Hz on the opposite two telephones.

The Razr Extremely helps 68W charging. Nonetheless, a quick charger is just not included — even for $1,300. In CNET’s 30-minute wired charging check, the Razr Extremely’s battery gained 55%. The cellphone additionally helps 30W wi-fi charging, however you want a charger that helps that pace.

Motorola Razr Extremely software program help and ultimate ideas

The Razr Extremely comes with three years of software program help and 4 years for safety updates. And that’s disappointing, particularly for the value. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 that prices $1,100 has seven years help for each. I understand that most individuals hold their telephones for a median of two and a half years, however whenever you’re paying $1,300 for a cellphone, it is best to be capable of use it previous 2029 with out points.

I actually just like the Motorola Razr Extremely, nevertheless it’s exhausting to suggest for $1,300. If you happen to’re snug with the restricted software program help and serviceable cameras, then go for the cellphone. It is enjoyable to make use of, appears sharp, constructed effectively and possibly one of the crucial distinctive telephones you should buy at the moment. However I believe most individuals in search of a Razr foldable will likely be high-quality with the Motorola Razr Plus. It is nonetheless $1,000, and at present on sale, and is basically the identical as when it got here out in 2024.

How we check telephones

Every phone CNET’s reviews team tests is utilized in the true world. We check a cellphone’s options, play video games and take pictures. We look at the show to see if it is vibrant, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and construct to see how it’s to carry and whether or not it has an IP ranking for water resistance. We push the processor’s efficiency to the extremes utilizing standardized benchmark instruments like GeekBench and 3DMark, together with our personal anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution movies and enjoying graphically intense video games at excessive refresh charges.

All of the cameras are examined in quite a lot of circumstances, from vibrant daylight to darkish indoor scenes. We check out particular options like evening mode and portrait mode, and examine our findings in opposition to equally priced competing telephones. We additionally try the battery life through the use of it each day in addition to working a collection of battery drain assessments.

We keep in mind further options like help for 5G, satellite tv for pc connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus help, quick charging speeds and foldable shows, amongst others that may be helpful. We stability all of this in opposition to the value to provide the verdict on whether or not that cellphone, no matter value it’s, really represents good worth. Whereas these assessments could not at all times be mirrored in CNET’s preliminary assessment, we conduct follow-up and long-term testing in most circumstances.