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ZDNET's key takeaways
- Motorola's Razr+ challenges the idea that you need a flagship phone for a flagship experience.
- In daily use, it feels identical to the more expensive Razr Ultra across most tasks.
- The Razr+ is the best of Motorola's 2026 series, balancing performance with cost.
Back in the day, smartphone lineups were simple. You had the standard model and the bigger, better Plus option for people willing to spend a bit more. Then things got complicated. Companies began introducing Pro phones, Ultra models, Fan Editions, and more.
Along the way, the Plus devices began to feel like the awkward middle child. Too expensive for bargain hunters but not premium enough for big spenders. I've reached a point where I ask myself: What is the point of a Plus model in 2026? Why not just offer a base model and the Ultra and call it a day?
Also: I've tested every Motorola foldable phone in 2026 so far - how to pick between Fold and Ultra
That preconception changed after spending the past few weeks with the 2026 Motorola Razr+ as my daily driver. The Razr+ is the Motorola phone I usually ignore. It's not as cheap as the base Razr nor as premium as the Razr Ultra. But after my time with it, the mobile device never felt like a compromise; rather, it felt like the version most people should buy.
Oddly enough, the Razr+ is barely discussed online. Much of the attention goes to the Razr Ultra. I think that's a mistake. The Razr+ deserves far more attention than it's getting. It is the smartest foldable Motorola has in stock right now.
It's nearly indistinguishable from the Ultra
Apart from color, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the Motorola Razr+ from the Razr Ultra. The two foldables share nearly identical dimensions, with the Razr+ being ever so slightly lighter. It's about 10 grams lighter than the Ultra. While that doesn't sound like much, it is noticeable in everyday usage.
Motorola didn't cut corners on the build quality for the Razr+. It inherits many of the flagship model's design elements. Both feature a titanium-reinforced hinge for greater durability and longevity.
Their outer displays are made of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, safeguarding the panel against scratches and occasional drops. They even carry an IP48 rating, meaning these devices can survive brief submersion underwater.
Also: I tested Motorola's $1,500 Razr Ultra, and it's so close to being my dream flip phone
When it comes to build quality, the Razr+ feels less like a mid-tier foldable and more like a flagship device. The core physical experience is virtually identical to that of the Razr Ultra. When it comes to hardware performance, the Razr Ultra wins on paper, but the Razr+ delivers enough speed that most people will never feel like they're settling for less.
A performance gap that doesn't matter for most
When it comes to sheer numbers, the Razr Ultra is the better-performing phone by a country mile. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the Ultra scored roughly twice as high as the Razr+ in the benchmark tests I ran. Graphical tests showed an even larger gap. As a phone reviewer, I was certainly impressed.
But most consumers don't care about numbers. They care about how quickly apps open, how responsive the phone feels, and whether it can keep up with their daily routine. Unless you're editing videos on your phone or playing Genshin Impact at its highest graphics settings, much of the Ultra's extra horsepower will go unused.
During my two weeks of testing, I used the Razr+ the same way everyone I know uses their device: answering messages on WhatsApp, scrolling through X, taking photos, streaming videos, navigating with Google Maps, and bouncing between apps throughout the day. At no point did the phone feel slow. Apps opened quickly. Multitasking ran smoothly. Animations were fluid. I was never reminded that I wasn't using the Razr Ultra.
Also: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: I've used both, and this phone is my pick
I went into the experience fully expecting to miss the horsepower of the Snapdragon 8 Elite. At the end, I totally forgot the Razr Ultra even existed for a brief period. The benchmark numbers may paint a dramatic picture, but in everyday use, the difference between the two is nonexistent.
Camera and price
I will give the Razr Ultra props for having the better camera system. Motorola gave its flagship a larger 1/1.56-inch sensor, allowing it to capture more light and produce photographs with less image noise, greater dynamic range, and more detail. The Razr+, meanwhile, relies on a smaller 1/1.95-inch sensor.
While its camera performs well in daylight, the Razr+'s hardware limitations limit its low-light performance. Nighttime shots taken by the Razr+ contained more noise. Image details weren't as sharp, and some light sources appeared overexposed. Below is an image that I took with the Razr+ at an indoor concert. For the most part, it looks decent, but you will notice some of the problems I just mentioned, like the noise and overexposure.
That said, is the Razr Ultra's camera worth paying an extra $400? (The Razr Ultra retails for $1,500 while the Razr+ costs $1,100.) For me, the answer is no. The gap isn't large enough to justify such a big price differential. All of the shots I took with the Razr+ still looked vibrant and colorful, perfect for posting on social media.
Also: I converted my Motorola Razr into a portable PC, and it was surprisingly capable
Unless smartphone photography is a top priority, the Razr+ is more than capable of getting the job done. You could take that money and buy a solid digital camera for around $400.
Writer's take
After spending nearly three weeks with the Motorola Razr+, I've come away with a very different view of the device. I assumed it would be the awkward middle child of its series. It would be stuck between the affordability of the standard Razr and the premium experience of the Razr Ultra, without truly excelling at either -- a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none situation.
Instead, I realized it might actually be Motorola's best 2026 foldable. This device is the most sensible of the trio. It delivers an experience very similar to the Ultra, minus the high price tag. The experience has reframed the flagship for me. I don't think the Ultra is worth $1,500. The Razr+, on the other hand, has earned its stripes and is my new favorite.
If you're interested in the Razr+, now is a great time to buy it because Motorola will give you a free pair of Swarovski Moto Buds Loop earbuds with purchase.
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