Is Moto’s Newest Flagship Actually “Ultra,” or Merely a 2024 Plus Upgrade?
Motorola has officially revealed its 2025 foldable collection, led by the new Motorola Razr Ultra 2025. With a striking name and a hefty price tag, the Razr Ultra seeks to transform the perception of clamshell foldables. Yet, with the still-capable Motorola Razr Plus 2024 now significantly marked down, many are questioning: does the Razr Ultra 2025 genuinely qualify as a next-gen flagship, or is it just a marginally enhanced Razr Plus 2024 sporting a new title and a higher cost?
Let’s analyze the specifics and determine if the “Ultra” label is warranted.
Design & Display: Recognizable Shape, Upscale Finish
Upon initial observation, the Razr Ultra 2025 and the Razr Plus 2024 appear nearly indistinguishable in form. Both showcase an elegant clamshell aesthetic with a substantial 4-inch external pOLED display and a foldable internal screen. However, the Ultra pulls ahead with a marginally larger 7-inch internal display (up from 6.9 inches) and a notable increase in brightness—4,500 nits peak compared to Plus’s 3,000 nits. This enhancement makes the Ultra more functional in bright sunlight.
The Ultra also brings Gorilla Glass Ceramic for the cover display, a titanium-reinforced hinge, and an IP48 rating, introducing dust protection alongside the water resistance already found in the Plus. These improvements render the Ultra more robust and sophisticated, but the overall design remains largely consistent with the 2024 variant.
Performance: A Genuine Flagship Advancement
The Razr Ultra 2025 truly earns its moniker internally. It marks the first clamshell foldable to utilize Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset—an AI-centric powerhouse built on custom Oryon cores. Accompanied by 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, the Ultra is engineered for speed, multitasking, and long-term viability.
Conversely, the Razr Plus 2024 operates on the still-competent Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Although this configuration suffices for daily tasks, it cannot quite keep pace with the Ultra’s state-of-the-art capabilities, particularly for AI-driven functions and gaming.
Cameras: Superior Selfies, Yet No Zoom
The Razr Ultra 2025 debuts a new 50MP front camera and a 50MP ultrawide rear camera, along with a 50MP primary sensor. The front camera upgrade is significant, especially for content creators relying on high-quality selfies. Nonetheless, the Ultra does not include a telephoto lens—an aspect the Razr Plus 2024 surprisingly retains. The Plus features a 50MP telephoto camera that offers 2x optical zoom, which is lacking in the Ultra.
Therefore, while the Ultra provides enhanced overall image quality and more megapixels, the Plus may still attract photography enthusiasts who appreciate optical zoom capabilities.
Battery & Charging: Larger and Quicker
Battery performance is another domain where the Ultra validates its premium designation. It houses a 4,700mAh battery with 68W wired and 30W wireless charging, unlike the Plus, which contains a 4,000mAh battery with 45W wired and 15W wireless. The Ultra also includes reverse wireless charging at 5W, enhancing its versatility for accessories and wearables.
Software & AI: Moto’s Most Intelligent Foldable Yet
The Razr Ultra 2025 comes with Android 15 and Motorola’s Hello UX, incorporating advanced Moto AI and Gemini integration. These features promise smarter voice commands, improved contextual suggestions, and on-device AI processing driven by the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s AI engine.
The Razr Plus 2024 debuted with Android 14 and is currently in the process of receiving Android 15, though the rollout has encountered some issues. Both devices are promised three years of OS updates and four years of security patches—less than what Samsung or Google provide, but consistent throughout Motorola’s offerings.
Pricing & Value: Ultra Premium or Smart Bargain?
The Razr Ultra 2025 starts at $1,299, with premium configurations reaching even higher prices. On the other hand, the Razr Plus 2024, which initially retailed for $999, is now routinely discounted to $800 or below. That’s a $500 gap for a smartphone that still performs robustly in terms of design, capabilities, and features.
If budget is a consideration, the Razr Plus 2024 arguably presents a better value. It offers a comparable experience, a telephoto lens, and the same external display—all at a notably lower price point.
Final Verdict: Ultra Aspirations, But Not for Everyone
So, is the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 genuinely “Ultra”? In many respects, yes. It’s the most potent
