The Razr Ultra 2026 embodies everything a flip phone ought to be, but I refuse to spend $1,500 on it.

      To be direct: spending $1,500 on the Razr Ultra, a foldable clamshell phone, is quite a lot. In fact, it’s a considerable amount for any smartphone, particularly when you can get a Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max for less, leaving you with several hundred dollars to spare. Alternatively, spending a few hundred more could provide you with a full-size foldable device.

      Personally, I don’t find the Razr Ultra compelling at its $1,500 price point. It is indeed an impressive flip phone that checks all the essential boxes and offers the premium experience associated with this price range. With features like an Alcantara back, a 5,000-nit display, a silicon-carbon battery, and dual rear cameras, it seems to be a comprehensive package.

      Nonetheless, when I consider the price and what else that amount could buy, it feels off. Motorola cites rising memory and component costs as the reason for the $200 increase, which is a real issue in the industry. However, raising the price while making minimal hardware upgrades to reach $1,500 makes you pause to consider what else you might acquire for that same amount.

      The problem is that clamshell foldables have never been focused on specifications, which is a concern at $1,500. The charm of a flip phone lies in the satisfying snap of the hinge, folding a regular-looking phone in half, easy pocket storage, and the attention it garners when you open it in public. It’s about the tactile experience and the wow factor.

      I wouldn’t expect a flip phone to set records on benchmarking tests or endure a three-hour gaming marathon. However, the $1,500 price creates a dilemma, contradicting the long-standing notion that “higher prices equate to better specifications.”

      The key distinguishing feature of the Razr Ultra has consistently been its design and Motorola’s passionate focus on materials, rather than its chipset. Thus, at $1,500, the price seems disconnected from what the specs can offer. Even if one examines the specifications closely, justifying the Razr Ultra 2026 becomes challenging.

      You're paying a revised price for a minimally updated spec sheet.

      Whenever a new phone is released, my first step is to compare its specifications with its predecessor and immediate competitors. Usually, changes justify an annual upgrade, but the Razr Ultra 2026 isn't even attempting that.

      The Razr Ultra 2026 is effectively the same as the Razr Ultra 2025, with only a slightly larger battery (4,700 mAh to 5,000 mAh), new color options (Orient Blue Alcantara, Cocoa wood veneer), and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 protection on the cover screen. That’s the complete list of changes for a smartphone that costs $200 more than its predecessor.

      Everything else, such as the 4-inch cover screen, the 7-inch main foldable display, the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, memory and storage options (16GB + 512GB), and cameras (three 50MP sensors), has been carried over from the 2025 model.

      What makes this even more frustrating is that the Razr Ultra 2025 is currently available on Motorola’s website for $799.99, specifically for the 1TB variant, including a free pair of Moto Buds 2 Plus. While it may be a limited-time offer, paying nearly half the price for the same chip, similar display, and double the storage is simply outrageous.

      It could be the shift in component prices from last year to this one that has caused this situation, but for me, it renders the Razr Ultra 2026 perplexing at $1,500.

      If you're truly interested in a flip phone, I would suggest considering these two alternatives.

      For those looking for a Motorola flip phone, I would recommend the Razr+ 2026 at $1,099. It’s $400 cheaper than the Ultra and provides the same core clamshell experience with features like a titanium hinge, 4-inch cover display, an IP48 rating, and a clean Hello UI based on Android 16.

      The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 manages everything most flip phone users typically do, and, importantly, it folds in the same gratifying manner as the $1,500 Razr Ultra. Are there compromises? Yes. You’ll miss out on a brighter display, a more benchmark-friendly chipset, and the Alcantara finish. However, it still folds effortlessly.

      If you’re open to alternatives, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is available for a discounted price of $899.99 for the 256GB model or $1,099.99 for the 512GB variant. While its Exynos 2500 chip may not be as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the phone provides a capable, smooth daily experience with no significant drawbacks.

      You’ll also benefit from an additional six years