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Motorola has ventured into 2025 with the unveiling of the Razr Ultra, alongside the baseline Razr and Razr Plus. The Razr Ultra promises enhanced performance, advanced camera capabilities, a larger battery, and quicker charging speeds, all underlined by a notable incorporation of artificial intelligence. Yet, what truly excites me about Motorola’s latest offering is its design aesthetic.
In recent years, Motorola has excelled in crafting visually appealing devices. The previous Razr models ranked among my top smartphone designs of 2024, and the Razr Ultra appears poised to carry that legacy into the current year.
Which Razr Ultra finish do you like the most?
47 votes
Rio Red
21%
Cabaret
6%
Scarab
23%
Mountain Trail
49%
The Razr Ultra reminds me why I love Moto phones
While Motorola’s recent phones have had their share of flaws, their design consistently stands out, whether it’s a Razr foldable, an Edge series phone, or a budget-friendly Moto G. Last year’s Razrs dazzled with their luxurious vegan leather and suede finishes. The Edge 60 Fusion showcased stunning pastel colors, and even the budget-friendly Moto G Stylus (2025) featured an eye-catching blue vegan leather option.
This design prowess continues with the Razr Ultra, amplifying its visual appeal with four distinct colors, each presenting a unique character.
The Rio Red option features a familiar vegan leather finish, exuding a rich maroon tone that’s darker than the Hot Pink seen in the Razr Plus (2024). Personally, I find it quite appealing.
Introducing another red option called “Cabaret,” which presents a brighter, pinkish hue contrasted with vertical streaks. This model swaps out the vegan leather for a new “satin-inspired” finish, creating an intriguing tactile experience that I am eager to explore.
More notably, the Scarab finish uses Alcantara, a first for smartphones, and boasts a dark green shade complemented by a stitched pattern. Despite concerns over durability, it offers a striking design that is truly innovative.
Finally, the Mountain Trail finish brings a nostalgic touch with its wooden backing, harkening back to the days of the Moto X. Motorola originally popularized wood in smartphone designs over a decade ago, and it’s refreshing to see this timeless material making a comeback with the Razr Ultra.
Individually impressive, these four finishes collectively highlight Motorola’s commitment to diverse and distinctive design elements. This year’s offering showcases not just unique colors, but also a variety of materials — a rarity among smartphone manufacturers today.
While a return to a fully customized Moto Maker remains a hope for the future, Motorola’s current focus on distinct finishes for each Razr Ultra model is commendable. As competitors like the Galaxy S25 series and Google Pixel 10 lineup risk stagnating through repetitive designs, Motorola’s bold initiative stands out as precisely what the market needs.
What about the Razr and Razr Plus?
Turning to the baseline Razr and Razr Plus, opinions vary. While one of these models slightly disappoints, the other sparks interest — and it may not be in the expected direction.
The Razr Plus (2025) has a rather subdued color palette, offering a selection of familiar vegan leather finishes that closely resemble last year’s variants. Although the aesthetic remains attractive, particularly the Mocha Mousse, it lacks the creativity found in its counterparts.
In contrast, the baseline Razr (2025) boasts an array of offerings, including three finishes — vegan leather, a nylon-inspired option, and Acetate — across four new colors. The shades of Gibraltar Sea and Lightest Sky are dark blue and white-ish respectively, showcasing unique patterns. Meanwhile, the vibrant Parfait Pink and Spring Bud stand out with their bold hues, perfectly reflecting the spirit of spring.
It’s intriguing to see Motorola’s decision to invest in the more cost-effective Razr’s color diversity this year. Rather than resting on their laurels after the Razr Ultra’s impressive design, the company has chosen to innovate at every level, which is commendable.
This is Motorola at its best
This year’s Razr 2025 collection, especially the Razr Ultra, demonstrates the remarkable capabilities of Motorola’s design team. It prompts the question: When was the last time a smartphone flaunted such diversity in materials? The Razr Ultra’s introduction of a wooden back and Alcantara finish sets a benchmark for innovation in smartphone design.
Motorola has previously been a leader in smartphone design throughout the 2010s. Recent years have reaffirmed that the company retains significant skills in this area. The Razr Ultra confidently dispels any doubts regarding Motorola’s expertise.
Though there are critiques to be made regarding its AI features and premium pricing, the design of the Razr Ultra deserves accolades. It undoubtedly stands as a highlight in Motorola’s latest foldable offering, and I look forward to experiencing that striking wooden back firsthand.
Source
www.androidauthority.com