Design: A Masterpiece of Engineering
The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra instantly captivates with its iconic clamshell silhouette, masterfully modernized. Its hinge mechanism represents a quantum leap – flawlessly smooth, utterly silent, and engineered to lie completely flat when open, eliminating the annoying gap plaguing earlier foldables. The polished aluminum frame feels cool and substantial, complemented by a luxurious vegan leather or sleek glass back option. At just 188.5 grams and a folded thickness of 15.1mm, it slips effortlessly into pockets, defying expectations for a device packing dual displays and flagship power. Durability inspires confidence: the hinge undergoes rigorous testing (over 200,000 folds), the internal 6.9-inch pOLED display boasts a protective layer, and the external Gorilla Glass Victus panel shrugs off scratches. Motorola nails the nostalgic Razr DNA while delivering a genuinely premium, pocket-friendly foldable that feels built to last.
Display: Revolutionizing the Foldable Experience
The Razr 40 Ultra’s true magic lies in its revolutionary display system. The external 3.6-inch pOLED “Quick View” display isn’t a tiny notification ticker; it’s a fully functional, vibrant canvas. Running at a smooth 144Hz refresh rate with 1066×1056 resolution, it handles everything: reading emails, scrolling Instagram, replying to texts via full keyboard, controlling music, framing selfies with the main camera, running full apps, and even playing games. Motorola’s thoughtful software integration makes this possible without constant unfolding. Unfold the device to reveal the stunning 6.9-inch internal LTPO pOLED main display. Boasting an ultra-fast 165Hz refresh rate (1-165Hz dynamically), FHD+ resolution (2640×1080), and vibrant colors, it offers an immersive, near-seamless viewing experience. While a faint crease is detectable under direct light when off, it virtually disappears during daily use – a testament to Motorola’s hinge and display engineering prowess. This dual-display setup fundamentally redefines smartphone interaction.
Performance: Flagship Power, Foldable Form
Driving the Razr 40 Ultra is the proven Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, paired with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB or 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. This combination delivers robust, lag-free performance. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is effortless (switching between apps on the cover screen or main display), and graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact run smoothly at high settings, thanks to the capable Adreno GPU. Thermal management is impressive; sustained performance doesn’t trigger excessive heat or throttling, a common foldable pain point. Benchmark scores align with other Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 flagships, confirming this isn’t a compromised experience. Whether juggling productivity apps, streaming high-bitrate video, or gaming, the Razr 40 Ultra handles it with flagship aplomb, proving foldables no longer need to sacrifice power for form.
Software: Intuitive, Optimized, and Fun
Running near-stock Android 13 (upgradable to Android 14), the Razr 40 Ultra offers a clean, bloatware-free experience. Motorola’s thoughtful software enhancements shine, particularly for the cover screen. Moto’s “Panel” system lets you customize the external display with widgets, app shortcuts, animated wallpapers, and even unique interactive themes. Swipe gestures navigate effortlessly between panels. Unfolding transitions are smooth, and apps intelligently adapt between screens. Unique features like “Peek Display” show glanceable info on the cover screen when tapped, and “Flex View” enables intuitive split-screen modes when the phone is partially folded (perfect for video calls or hands-free viewing). Motorola commits to three years of OS upgrades and four years of security updates. The software isn’t just functional; it actively leverages the foldable form factor to enhance usability and add playful personality, setting it apart from the competition.
Camera: Competent and Cover Screen Enhanced
While not matching ultra-premium slab phone camera arrays, the Razr 40 Ultra’s dual-camera system delivers strong results, significantly boosted by its unique design. The primary 12MP sensor (f/1.5, OIS, 1.4µm pixels) captures detailed, well-exposed photos in good light, with pleasing colors and decent dynamic range. The 13MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 108-degree FoV) is useful for landscapes and groups. Low-light performance is respectable, aided by OIS and Motorola’s processing. The true camera advantage lies in the cover screen. It transforms the main cameras into the ultimate selfie/vlogging tools. Framing is effortless using the large external display, resulting in significantly higher-quality selfies (12MP vs typical 32MP under-display selfie cams) and stable video. The 32MP internal punch-hole camera is adequate for video calls but lags behind the main sensors. For everyday photography and exceptional selfies/vlogging, the Razr 40 Ultra excels uniquely.
Battery Life and Charging: Surprisingly Capable
Housing a 3800mAh battery in such a slim foldable chassis is an achievement. Real-world endurance is impressive for the category. Expect a full day of moderate to heavy use, leveraging both displays, comfortably. Heavy users pushing the high-refresh-rate screens constantly might need an afternoon top-up. Standby drain is minimal. Charging is versatile: 30W TurboPower wired charging refuels 50% in about 20 minutes and 100% in roughly 70 minutes. Crucially, 5W Qi wireless charging is included, a convenience often omitted in rivals. There’s no reverse wireless charging. While not class-leading in absolute capacity, the battery life is commendable considering the powerful chipset and dual high-refresh displays, coupled with efficient software optimization ensuring reliable daily endurance.
Audio, Connectivity, and Extras
The Razr 40 Ultra features a stereo speaker setup (bottom-firing main speaker + amplified earpiece). Sound quality is clear, reasonably loud, and well-balanced for media consumption and calls, though bass is naturally limited by the form factor. Call quality is excellent, with clear voice transmission and effective noise cancellation. Connectivity is top-tier: robust Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio support, NFC, and comprehensive global 5G bands. It includes an under-display optical fingerprint scanner (fast and reliable) and supports face unlock. The IP52 rating offers basic splash and dust resistance – a notable inclusion for foldables, though less robust than flagship slabs. Dual SIM support (physical + eSIM) caters to travelers and multi-line users. These elements combine to deliver a polished, well-connected user experience.
Value and Competition: Setting the New Standard
Priced competitively against the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, the Razr 40 Ultra presents compelling value. Its key differentiator – the massive, functional 3.6-inch cover screen – offers vastly more utility than Samsung’s smaller outer display. Combined with the superior main display refresh rate (165Hz vs 120Hz), near-invisible crease, sleek design, and innovative software, it delivers a more engaging and versatile foldable experience. While Samsung might edge ahead in absolute camera performance or water resistance (IPX8), Motorola wins on the core foldable interaction paradigm. Factor in the inclusion of wireless charging and the unique selfie/vlogging advantage, and the Razr 40 Ultra emerges as the most complete and user-friendly clamshell foldable available. It strikes an optimal balance between nostalgia, cutting-edge innovation, practical functionality, and premium build, justifying its position as the current benchmark in the flip foldable market.