As a longtime Google Pixel user, I love this time of year. News about the next generation of Pixel phones is leaking faster than a colander bathtub, and the discussion is intense.
Will the Pixel 11 be good value? (Probably not.) Will the Pixel 11 offer exciting new hardware? (Also unlikely.) Will there be silly gimmicks that distract from the real issues plaguing modern Android phones? (You bet!)
Nevertheless, I think every Pixel since the Pixel 6 is still the best Android phone that you can buy in any given year.
But what if they didn’t exist? What if Google had never reignited its smartphone dreams after the last Nexus phone? What phone would I buy then?
Fortunately, the answer is obvious.
Slabs are out, hinges are in
Motorola has folded itself into a pleasing state at last
While I’ve long enjoyed the idea of owning a flip phone, most have offered too many compromises to push me over the edge. The Motorola Razr 2025 changed all that.
The Motorola Razr 2025caught my eye because it compromised effectively on three crucial aspects of a smartphone: performance, battery life, and cameras.
I’ve never owned a Samsung Galaxy Ultra phone because I know that amount of processing power is unnecessary.
Pixel phones are oft derided as lackluster by critics, but a real-world test of any modern Pixel’s performance shows that unless you want to play Genshin Impact at maximum settings in the hot sun, you won’t have any problems.
The Razr 2025 strikes the same excellent balance. The MediaTek Dimensity 7400X is a solid midrange chipset that is more than enough for most people.
Motorola also managed a similarly excellent compromise with battery life. No, you can’t game all day, but for mixed use, our review found it would end the day with over 50% charge remaining.
Finally, cameras. My biggest bugbear with modern phones.
Smartphone cameras were sufficient a decade ago, and they’re unnecessary today.
Does the Motorola Razr 2025 excel in low-light conditions? No. Am I regularly taking professional photos with a smartphone in low-light conditions? Also no.
Quiz
Motorola Razr series
Trivia challenge
From flip phone icon to foldable future — how well do you really know the
Motorola Razr?
HistoryDesignHardwareModelsLegacy
In what year was the original Motorola Razr V3 first released?
Correct! The Motorola Razr V3 debuted in 2004 and quickly became one of
the best-selling mobile phones of all time. Its ultra-thin profile and sleek aluminum design made it a
cultural phenomenon almost instantly.
Not quite. The Razr V3 launched in 2004, catching the world off guard
with its impossibly thin clamshell body. It went on to sell over 130 million units, cementing its place
in mobile history.
What material was prominently used in the construction of the original Razr V3’s
body, setting it apart from competitors?
Correct! The Razr V3 used a brushed aluminum chassis that felt premium
and looked futuristic compared to the plastic phones of its era. This material choice was central to the
phone’s razor-thin 13.9mm profile.
Not quite. The Razr V3 was built with a brushed aluminum body, which was
highly unusual for consumer phones in 2004. That metallic construction gave it a distinctly upscale look
and feel that competitors couldn’t easily replicate.
Which Motorola Razr model was the first to feature a modern foldable OLED display
when the series was revived?
Correct! The 2019 Motorola Razr brought the iconic clamshell back to
life with a flexible pOLED display, marking a bold attempt to merge nostalgia with cutting-edge foldable
technology. It launched at a premium price of $1,499.
Not quite. It was the 2019 Razr that kicked off the modern foldable
revival for the line. It used a plastic OLED panel that folded in half, though it faced criticism for
its relatively underpowered specs given its high launch price.
What was the screen size of the cover display on the Motorola Razr+ (2023)?
Correct! The Razr+ (2023) featured a large 3.6-inch cover display, which
was one of the biggest external screens on any flip-style foldable at the time. It allowed users to run
most apps without ever opening the phone.
Not quite. The Razr+ (2023) shipped with a 3.6-inch outer display, which
was a game-changer for the flip foldable category. That generous external screen size meant users could
do far more without unfolding the device compared to rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5.
Approximately how many units of the original Razr V3 were sold worldwide, making it
one of the best-selling phones ever?
Correct! The Razr V3 sold over 130 million units globally between 2004
and 2008, an extraordinary figure that placed it among the best-selling mobile phones in history. Its
success helped Motorola dominate the mid-2000s mobile market.
Not quite. The Razr V3 moved an astonishing 130 million-plus units
worldwide during its commercial lifespan. That staggering sales figure is why Motorola keeps returning
to the Razr name — it carries enormous brand recognition even decades later.
Which carrier held the exclusive rights to sell the original Razr V3 in the United
States when it first launched?
Correct! Cingular Wireless — which later became AT&T — had exclusive US
rights to the Razr V3 at launch. The exclusivity deal helped drive massive interest and long lines,
boosting both Motorola and Cingular’s profiles significantly.
Not quite. Cingular Wireless, the carrier that eventually became AT&T,
was the exclusive US launch partner for the original Razr V3. These kinds of carrier exclusivity deals
were common in the mid-2000s and could make or break a phone’s early sales momentum.
What was the name of the Razr variant released in 2006 that targeted
fashion-conscious consumers with bold colors and a slightly updated design?
Correct! The Razr V3i was a 2006 refresh that brought iTunes integration
and a wider range of vibrant colors to keep the line feeling fresh. It helped Motorola squeeze even more
life out of the hugely popular V3 platform.
Not quite. The Razr V3i was the fashion-forward update released in 2006,
notable for its iTunes compatibility and expanded color options. Motorola leveraged the V3i to partner
with Apple at a time when the iPod was at peak cultural dominance.
Which chipset powered the Motorola Razr+ (2024), reflecting the series’ push into
flagship-tier performance?
Correct! The Razr+ (2024) was equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen
3, putting it firmly in flagship performance territory. This was a major step up for the Razr line,
which had previously been criticized for using mid-range chips in expensive foldable packages.
Not quite. Motorola chose the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for the Razr+ (2024), a
move that addressed longstanding criticism about the series using underpowered processors. It signaled
Motorola’s intent to compete directly with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip line at the top of the foldable
market.
Your Score
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Thanks for playing!
Why this year’s Razr model is out
No company can resist the unsavory combination of price increases and irrelevant upgrades
I’m a big proponent of the consumer strategy of always buying last year’s phone.
Two adjacent generations of the same phone series are practically identical, and you can save hundreds by buying a year-old phone.
However, the Razr 2026 is even more of a lackluster upgrade considering the price increase over its predecessor.
While it has an upgraded processor, the manufacturer claims it only boosts 5G connectivity and AI performance.
A quick browse of current deals on the Razr 2025 reveals a refurbished Amazon listing for $346. That’s less than half the price of a new Razr 2026.
If I felt like splurging, I’d still settle for Motorola up to a point
The Ultra tag is the right call here
The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 is a more expensive but still brilliant phone. If I were more concerned about performance, I would increase my budget and pick it up on sale.
But if I really felt like going all out, I would … still skip the Razr Fold.
While the specs of Motorola’s first book-style foldable look excellent, it has missed the opportunity to adopt a superior foldable design.
I’m still not convinced that book-style foldables are worth the investment, and premium slab-style phones are usually an unnecessary spend.
This isn’t to say there aren’t brilliant slab-style phones.
Nothing makes excellent midrange devices; base Samsung Galaxy models are excellent all-rounders, and when all else fails, you can trudge defeated into an Apple store.
Motorola still consistently fails in one area
I’m tired of repeating myself
Software support. Why can’t Motorola get it right? Seven years might be too long for a Pixel or Galaxy phone, but three years is a pitiful time in 2026.
If Motorola increases its OS and security update guarantee to a minimum of five years, I’ll ditch my Pixel immediately. But it still can’t seem to manage it, even with its most expensive phones.
Would I still use a Motorola phone? Probably. But I’ll still be waiting on sales and last year’s device.
Pixels are fantastic Android phones, but they’re not perfect
The list of things I don’t like about my Pixel 11 Pro could fill a library, but the list would be even longer for a Samsung phone.
Buying a new phone is all about making compromises, and Pixels offer the best compromise in 2026. Followed closely by Motorola.
I doubt that foldable phones will fully replace slab-style phones; hinges are too quirky for most people.
But sometimes the best device (or second-best) is something a little unusual. And isn’t that something to celebrate?
9/10
- SoC
-
MediaTek Dimensity 7400X
- RAM
-
8GB
- Storage
-
256GB UFS 2.2
- Battery
-
4500mAh
Motorola’s most affordable Razr gets a glow-up for 2025. With new colors, a more powerful processor, and all sorts of AI tools, this might be the most exciting $700 folding phone you’ve ever seen.
