If I had to pick between a flip-style phone and a book-style foldable, I’d go with the former for the simple fact that it’s way more compact. That’s why the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 appeals to me so much, especially for how it packs a sizable 4-inch external display, dual 50MP cameras that are perfect for vlogging, and a higher-capacity 5,000 mAh battery.
Really, it’s packing heavyweight power in a middleweight division, but there’s just one problem: it comes at a cost. What surprises me most is the phone’s substantial price increase to $1,499, up from its predecessor’s $1,299. This raises the question: are the upgrades worth the extra cash?
In my Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 review, I’ll break down whether it’s really worth spending that much and if it's a worthy best foldable phone contender.
Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 review: Specifications
Razr Ultra 2026 |
|
Price |
$1,499.99 |
Main Display |
7-inch AMOLED (2992 x 1224) |
Refresh Rate |
165Hz |
External Display |
4-inch AMOLED (1272 x 1080) |
Chipset |
Snapdragon 8 Elite |
RAM |
16GB |
Storage |
512GB |
Rear Cameras |
50MP main (f/1.8), 50MP ultrawide (f/2) |
Front Cameras |
50MP (f/2) |
Battery |
5,000 mAh |
Charging |
68W wired, 30W wireless |
Durability |
IP48 |
Dimensions |
6.8 x 2.9 x 0.3 inches (open), 3.5 x 2.9 x 0.6 inches (closed) |
Weight |
7.02 ounces |
Colors |
Pantone Orient Blue (Alcantara Finish), Pantone Cocoa (Wood) |
Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 review: What I like
Obscenely long battery life
Battery size (mAh) |
Battery life (hrs:mins) |
Charging % in 15 minutes |
Charging % in 30 minutes |
|
Razr Ultra 2026 |
5,000 mAh |
16:20 |
42% |
74% |
Razr Plus 2026 |
4,500 mAh |
14:13 |
36% |
72% |
Razr 2026 |
4,800 mAh |
14:43 |
42% |
71% |
Razr Ultra 2025 |
4,700 mAh |
15:42 |
40% |
72% |
Galaxy Z Flip 7 |
4,300 mAh |
12:24 |
29% |
55% |
Part of the reason the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 is able to retain its svelte frame and lightweight package is the new silicon-carbon battery it’s packing this time. Motorola managed to increase the capacity to a 5,000 mAh cell, which in turn delivers significantly longer battery life. It averaged 16 hours and 20 minutes on Tom's Guide's battery drain test.
That average earns the title of the longest-lasting battery in a foldable phone, beating out its predecessor and book-style foldables like the larger Razr Fold. It’s more than sufficient to get me through an entire workday with ease, leaving enough gas in the tank if I happen to forget to charge it overnight.
Improved low light camera performance
What really shocked me about the Razr Ultra 2025 was its poor low-light performance. Thankfully, that’s not the case this time around because Moto appears to have remedied the issue with the dedicated Night Vision mode in the Razr Ultra 2026. Compared to the other new Razrs, the Ultra is undoubtedly better equipped to handle the challenges of low light — as you can see in the gallery below.
Its 50MP main shooter is also more than capable of capturing stunning outdoor scenes and selfies. Still, I can’t overstate how useful it is to close the phone and use the outer screen to frame yourself for vlogs and video recordings. Believe me, doing it on this form factor is way easier than on a book-style foldable like the Razr Fold.
Extraordinarily bright main display
Although the specs on paper don’t indicate any major changes, I can tell you that the main screen is substantially brighter. It pumps out a peak brightness of 2,322 nits, which is a massive leap considering the previous model topped out at 1,835 nits.
Peak Brightness |
Color |
Accuracy |
|
Razr 2026 |
2,761 |
89.5% / 158.4% (Natural / Vivid) |
0.21 / 0.35 (Natural / Vivid) |
Razr Plus 2026 |
2,630 |
88.4% / 157.4% (Natural / Vivid) |
0.19 / 0.36 (Natural / Vivid) |
Razr Ultra 2026 |
2,322 |
88.3% / 156.5% (Natural / Vivid) |
0.21/ 0.34 (Natural / Vivid) |
This ensures everything on the 7-inch Extreme AMOLED display remains perfectly visible, even when I’m outdoors trying to watch the new Supergirl movie trailer. Quite frankly, there’s no trouble making out fine details on either of its displays, thanks to their vibrant colors and wide viewing angles.
Premium, durable design
Motorola didn’t change a whole lot with the design this year, but it didn’t need to. The phone still carries a sleek, premium look that doubles as a genuine fashion statement. The Pantone Orient Blue finish of my review unit is eye-catching not only because of its striking color, but also because of a textured back that provides a secure grip most other phones lack.
On top of that, the Razr Ultra 2026 retains its IP48 rating, offering peace of mind against water exposure. The overall build never feels flimsy or fragile, thanks in large part to the new titanium-reinforced hinge that holds up perfectly, even when I flip the phone open or snap it closed abruptly.
Free accessories with the purchase
Part of the reason I'm frustrated with this year’s model is the steep $200 price hike. That jump hurts, especially because it pushes the phone closer to book-style foldable territory, which usually requires spending an extra $300 to $500. However, the saving grace for me is that Motorola is throwing in a couple of premium freebies with retail purchases: the Moto Buds Loop and the Moto Watch.
This is exactly the kind of move that helps offset the price increase, especially since both accessories naturally complement the phone. On their own, the Moto Buds Loop retail for $249, while the Moto Watch comes in at $149. Combined, their value easily outpaces the phone's $200 premium, making the sting of that retail price a lot easier to swallow.
Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 review: What I don't like
Sticking with the same processor
Despite this being Motorola's top-of-the-line foldable, the company chose to equip the Razr Ultra 2026 with the exact same chipset as last year’s model. Compared to its contemporaries, the Snapdragon 8 Elite under the hood is now two generations behind.
Geekbench 6 (single / multi-core) |
3DMark Wild Life Unlimited (fps) |
|
Razr Ultra 2026 |
2,886 / 8,982 |
146.33 |
Razr Plus 2026 |
1,925 / 4,884 |
73.08 |
Razr 2026 |
1,122 / 3,382 |
23.43 |
Razr Ultra 2025 |
2,719 / 8,342 |
145.32 |
Galaxy Z Flip 7 |
2,286 / 8,079 |
114.64 |
Even though benchmark scores prove it’s still the most powerful flip-style phone I’ve tested, it can't match the sheer raw performance found in today's best phones — which are largely powered by the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
The Razr Ultra 2026 admittedly still feels fast and responsive during everyday tasks, but there's no denying that a current-gen chip would have offered superior processing power and potentially even greater battery efficiency.
Software experience is mostly unchanged
I really like how Motorola’s Android skin remains very close to a vanilla experience, but there aren’t any major new Moto AI features to speak of this time around. Instead, you get the same familiar suite — like Catch Me Up, Pay Attention, and Remember This. Given the price increase, I was definitely hoping for more expansion here.
I’m mostly looking forward to the eventual Android 17 update to see the new system-level tools and interface overhauls it brings to the table. And coming later, Gemini Intelligence will likely add a welcome layer of extra utility down the line.
The price is still steep(er)
There's no telling how long Motorola is going to maintain its free wireless earbuds and smartwatch promotion. If that bundle gets the axe, you're still on the hook for the full $1,499 — a hefty sum that severely hurts the phone's overall value proposition.
That's because top-tier flagships like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Galaxy S26 Ultra, and OnePlus 15 all cost significantly less while offering triple-camera systems and the absolute latest chipsets. Granted, Motorola does give you a generous 512GB of storage out of the box, but the retail price is still far too rich for what I'd want to pay for a flip-style foldable.
Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 review: Bottom line
There’s a valuable lesson to learn here with the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026: design and utility can only carry a phone so far. As much as I love the stylish look and how perfectly suited it is for video content creators like myself, the decision to stick with the exact same two-generation-old chipset without adding any major new features — all while demanding $200 more — makes it an incredibly tough sell.
Quite frankly, I have a hard time overlooking a $1,499 price tag for what is essentially a recycled phone. What makes the pill even harder to swallow are the massive discounts hitting the previous generation right now, with Motorola itself cutting the 2025 Ultra down to $799 to clear out inventory.
That's a massive price gap, and it makes last year's model a far better option for anyone looking to minimize their out-of-pocket expenses.
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