The Motorola Raze Fold brought the phone stylus back into my life, and I realized how much I had missed using it.

      I had generally come to terms with the notion that phone styluses catered to a very specific group of users. There are some who enjoy taking notes in a more traditional manner (to an extent), artists who find value in them, or loyal Galaxy Ultra users who would defend the idea. However, for the majority, a stylus doesn’t significantly enhance the experience.

      When I first began using the Motorola Razr Fold with the Moto Pen Ultra, I didn’t expect it to change my perspective. A stylus for a foldable device seems logical in theory as it provides a larger workspace. Yet, phone styluses often sound more appealing in concept than in practical use. I was pleasantly surprised by the Moto Pen Ultra, as Motorola positioned it as more than just a small writing tool. It behaves more like a remote, shortcut device, and sketch pad companion all rolled into one accessory.

      The Bluetooth features are genuinely beneficial.

      One of my favorite surprises was using the Moto Pen Ultra as a remote for the camera shutter. I could place the Razr Fold down, properly frame my shot, and then take a selfie using the pen without the need to rush back to the phone or stretch awkwardly to fit into the frame.

      While this isn't a new feature—Samsung's S Pen had it in the past—Samsung has stopped including Bluetooth-enabled S Pens with their recent flagship Ultra models. Thus, you miss out on those useful remote camera functions. But the Moto Pen Ultra has more tricks up its sleeve.

      One of the most impressive features is called Knock Knock. By flipping the pen and double-tapping its opposite end on a flat surface, you can capture a screenshot. It may sound silly at first, but it’s surprisingly satisfying in execution. There’s something enjoyable about physically tapping the pen on a table and seeing the phone capture the screen.

      Annotating from anywhere is a game-changer.

      Another feature that resonated with me was quick annotation. By long-pressing the stylus button, I could access annotation tools from nearly anywhere and write directly on the screen. It's easy to see how convenient it is to jot down notes on any content displayed. At one point, the Razr Fold felt more like a digital notepad than a typical foldable device.

      Reading something? Highlight it. Need to capture a thought before it slips away? Quickly access your notes. Additionally, you can configure the pen button to directly open the Notes app, which is likely what I would prefer if I used this daily. During the first week, I used the Razr Fold like a regular foldable device, but things changed when I introduced the stylus.

      Sketch to Image is absurdly enjoyable.

      I’m not an artist, but I am surrounded by them— and they had a great time using the Pen Ultra to edit photos and make sketches on the Razr Fold. For me, the feature Sketch to Image was notable. While I don’t advocate for AI-generated art, I can’t deny the amusement in watching the AI struggle with my poorly drawn sketches and turn them into something resembling art. When I drew a rudimentary outline of a hand, the phone transformed it into a surprisingly refined AI-generated image.

      Part of the fun lies in seeing how much the phone can interpret from a terrible doodle. I don’t believe this will become a daily productivity tool for everyone, but as a creative feature, it adds a playful quality to the pen.

      The sketch Vikhyaat Vivek / Digital Trends

      The result Vikhyaat Vivek / Vikhyaat Vivek

      Smaller shortcuts are genuinely valuable.

      While the more extravagant features are entertaining, they tend to be used less frequently. What endures are the convenient functions regularly available. Quick Clip, for instance, allows you to highlight text and send it directly to a new or existing note via the quick toolbar. Speed Share can recommend contacts to whom you might want to send notes or annotations based on your usage patterns. Both of these features are part of the Moto Pen Ultra’s intelligent toolkit.

      These quality-of-life enhancements demonstrate that thoughtful functions were specifically designed for this product. None of this is limited to the large folding screen; the stylus can also be used on the main and cover displays.

      While I still don’t believe that every foldable buyer requires a stylus, and many users will operate the Razr Fold without ever feeling like something is lacking, Motorola certainly makes a valid case for the existence of this accessory.