I used Motorola's $1,300 Razr Ultra, and it left me with no Samsung Galaxy Z Flip envy

You have my attention, Motorola.

The company today is unveiling not one, not two, but three Razr flip phones, including a first-ever ‘Ultra’ model that’s feature-packed, fashionably styled, and unsurprisingly expensive at $1,299.

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I spent an intimate afternoon with all three models ahead of their launch, and, barring the price tag that makes me question the state of the economy, my first impressions were mostly positive. In fact, the Razr Ultra, which I tested the most, left me feeling a little less excited about what’s on the docket from Samsung later this summer. Here’s why.

Small changes that make a big difference

By appearances alone, the new Motorola Razr models don’t look all that different from their predecessors. They’re still very pocketable, flip open and close with a flick of the wrist, and come in an assortment of Pantone-validated finishes. That’s because the full-display outer screen is arguably the peak of flip phone design, so most of the changes Motorola implemented are rooted in the internal structure and material choices.

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The most significant yet subtle change is the new titanium-reinforced hinge plate, which Motorola says is four times stronger than surgical-grade stainless steel and can withstand up to 35% more folds than last year’s models. 

During my briefing, I compared the 2024 Razr Plus with the new phones and found the former to feel much more flimsy and wobbly when unfolding.

I also noticed the crease on the inner display — a constant area of improvement with foldable phones — a little less this time around, too. Even if the difference isn’t visually distinctive compared to previous Razrs, you can feel the change when gliding your finger across the screen; it’s now a gentle divot that reminds you just how far flip phones have come in the past few years.

As for what’s different between the three Razr models, here’s the breakdown:

Is this the ultimate AI phone?

While companies like Apple have seemingly backpedaled on their AI integrations in smartphones, Motorola is confidently doubling down. With the new line of Razr phones, the company has called on several AI partners, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Perplexity, to embed their agents and services into the devices.

If that sounds like the most chaotic buffet of AI helpers a phone user can have, that makes two of us. But Motorola’s approach to its mobile experience can best be described as controlled chaos, with the phone recommending the most appropriate AI service depending on the on-screen task. 

For example, suppose you’re reading an article about a new recipe and tap on the new dedicated AI key. Moto AI will appear and suggest next steps, like generating a cooking-themed playlist or saving pertinent information for future reference. 

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You can also access Perplexity and its real-time search engine straight from the external display, making the Razr the closest Rabbit R1 competitor we’ve seen yet.

The Razr phones will come with Motorola’s suite of in-house AI tools preinstalled, including Catch Me Up, which summarizes notifications, Pay Attention, which takes notes of voice recordings, and Remember This, an information-recall feature similar to Microsoft’s. While these features have been available to beta testers for months, I’m excited to see how useful (and practical) they are now that they’re officially launching. Stay tuned for that.

Modern-day Moto Maker

I have to tip my hat to Motorola’s continuous efforts in making phones feel less boring. The Pantone-validated finishes on this year’s Razrs are a breath of fresh air in a market full of black and white rectangles, and they remind me of the old Moto Maker days. 

While you can’t necessarily customize the Razr Ultra the same as you would with a Moto X in 2013, you can choose from a variety of colors and material finishes, including Pantone Scarab in Alcantara (pictured above), Pantone Mountain Trail in FSC-certified wood, Pantone Cabaret, and Pantone Rio Red. 

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While each finish carries a unique aesthetic, the big question is how they’ll fare in the long run, when softer materials like Alcantara face the brunt of dust particles and finger grease. After all, this is a $1,299 flip phone we’re talking about.

I have more lingering questions about the Razr Ultra, and whether or not it’s ultimately worth the premium price tag, so stay tuned as I put it through the ringer. All three Motorola Razr phones will be available for preorder across major retailers starting May 7 and officially going on sale on May 15.