The Motorola Razr Ultra is still my favorite clamshell foldable

I fell into the hype surrounding the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7.

It’s a fantastic smartphone, and Samsung has done a much better job understanding why people buy clamshell foldables, but it’s not the competition-changer I thought it would be.

I expected an even playing field between the Motorola Razr Ultra and the Galaxy Z Flip 7, with Samsung scoring multiple points this year thanks to its more impressive software support.

However, the Motorola Razr Ultra is still the foldable clamshell I’ll want in my pocket in 2025. It’s heavily influenced by personal preference, but the Razr Ultra does more to earn your dollars.

Samsung has undoubtedly come to play this year, and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is going to be the best choice for many consumers, but not this one. Here’s why.

The Motorola Razr Ultra is more stylish

A sleeker overall design

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a more stylish phone than its predecessors, but the overall crown stays with Motorola.

The Razr Ultra feels excellent in the hand, and I prefer the slightly more rounded design.

It’s available in more colors and textures than the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and it doesn’t have the same industrial feel as the Samsung clamshell.

Motorola’s done an excellent job improving durability in 2025, and the company has given users added peace of mind thanks to a sturdy hinge and IP48 rating.

I can operate both the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Motorola Razr Ultra one-handed, but it’s easier to manipulate the Razr Ultra.

It’s an admittedly minor item, but when you’re making decisions in the margins, the little things matter more.

I want a clamshell foldable because it’s compact, easy to use, and stylish, and the Motorola Razr Ultra comes out ahead in each category.

Samsung still hasn’t figured out a cover screen

Moto was right from the beginning

When I saw that Samsung was increasing the cover screen size on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, I was encouraged, thinking the company would have to make the outer display more straightforward to use and more functional. I was wrong.

Yes, the cover screen is expansive at 4.1 inches, and Samsung’s done an excellent job giving the device thin bezels, but it hasn’t fixed the software experience.

I still need to go into Labs settings in One UI to turn on apps on the outer display.

If I want more than the default apps, I need to install Good Lock and configure Multistar to run most of the apps I want on the cover display, such as Instagram and Facebook.

Notifications are also frustrating on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and I still use the cover screen like a giant widget display instead of a full-fledged outer panel.

I don’t have any such problems with the Motorola Razr Ultra.

I can set up apps to run on the cover display within seconds, and I haven’t run into too many app incompatibilities.

I can also configure the external display without having to open the phone, something Samsung doesn’t match.

I buy a clamshell foldable to use the outer display heavily. It’s a great way to limit your screen time while still getting the information you need, and Motorola does it best.

Price and performance

Motorola only starts at a higher price

Initially, the $200 price gap between the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Motorola Razr Ultra was enough to give pause, even with the Razr Ultra’s impressive spec sheet.

Samsung had a rare price advantage, but it wouldn’t last long.

The aggressive sales we see on most Motorola smartphones also apply to the Razr Ultra, and it’s routinely on sale for $1,100 — the same price as the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

You can go back and forth with trade-in offers and carrier discounts all day, but the bottom line is that these devices are often found at similar prices.

For the same price, it’s hard to argue against the Razr Ultra.

It features a Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16GB of RAM, and an impressive 512GB of base storage. It also boasts a larger 4,700mAh battery than the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

Yes, it loses on software support, and that should matter to you, especially when you’re spending over $1,000.

Still, the Motorola Razr Ultra enjoys enough extras to ease the pain, and you’re going to enjoy what it has to offer.

I geared up for a bigger battle

I don’t mean to shortchange the Galaxy Z Flip 7. It’s an outstanding phone, and if you were a fan of its predecessors, you’re going to love what Samsung has done this year.

Still, if you’re not beholden to any ecosystem, and you can live with shorter software support, the Motorola Razr Ultra is the best clamshell you can buy.

SoC

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite

RAM

16GB

Storage

512GB, 1TB

Battery

4,700mAh

The Moto Razr Ultra is the foldable you’ve been waiting for. With a new camera system, top-tier specs, and a larger, brighter display, this is a Razr designed to go head-to-head with Samsung — for a price, of course.