More leaked promotional pictures of the Motorola Razr 70 Ultra show it with wood and Alcantara-like surfaces. This follows the direction Motorola started going in with last year’s phone. The new pictures show the classic Razr shape, and add materials you can feel to help the phone stand out amongst other expensive “flip” phones.
Design and material choices
The two main finishes that the leaked pictures reveal are a Pantone Cocoa Wood and Orient Blue Alcantara. Both of these show Motorola’s preference for interesting textures rather than just plain glass on the back of the phone, giving you a better grip and making the Razr line look different.
People who care about how something is made and how unique it is will probably like these materials. Wood and Alcantara were on the last model, and Motorola bringing them back suggests they think having surfaces that aren’t the usual is a big reason to buy the Razr 70 Ultra.
The pictures also suggest there will be more colors. We’ve already heard about a Pantone African Violet, and last year’s phones came in several finishes, so we can probably expect a similar selection when the phone is officially released to suit different preferences.
Form factor and continuity with Razr 60 Ultra
Looking at it quickly, the Razr 70 Ultra isn’t a huge departure in size or how the hinge (the bit that lets it fold) works from the Razr 60 Ultra. The large screen on the outside of the folded phone still curves around the two back cameras, keeping the line’s familiar look and how the outer screen is used.
Motorola seems to be improving on the “flip phone” idea, not completely changing it. The hinge, how easily you can use the outside screen, and where the cameras are all are the same as the previous phone. This means the changes are likely to be in the materials and slightly better internal components, rather than a totally new design.
This consistency could help people to easily recognize the brand and be comfortable using it. If you liked how last year’s phone felt in your hand, the Razr 70 Ultra will probably feel similar, with the updated materials and improvements to what’s inside.
Front camera placement and display details
One thing you don’t see in the leaked pictures is a little hole for the front-facing (selfie) camera on the inside screen. The Razr 60 Ultra did have this hole, so its absence makes you wonder what Motorola is doing with the screen on the new model.
There are two main possibilities: Motorola might be trying out a camera that goes under the screen, or the picture just doesn’t show the hole. Because these are early leaks, the second explanation is more likely, but a camera under the screen would be a significant advancement if it’s true.
Expected specifications and performance
As for the parts inside, the Razr 70 Ultra is expected to have a fairly standard upgrade. Reports say it will use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, which will be faster for both normal tasks and graphics than last year’s chip.
It will likely have a maximum of 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and perhaps a 1TB option. The cameras on the back seem to be dual 50MP and the front camera 50MP, showing that Motorola is concentrating on having consistently good picture quality and isn’t making massive changes to the sensors.
The battery is expected to stay around 4,700mAh and charge at 68W using USB-C PD. For a folding flip phone, this provides a good balance of how long it lasts between charges and how quickly it can be recharged.
Market positioning and competition
Motorola is still marketing the Razr as an alternative to other high-end flip folding phones, focusing on the design and a simple, clean version of the Android operating system. While other companies focus on lots of software features and how their phones work with other devices they sell, Motorola seems to prioritize the materials and how the phone feels to hold.
This approach could attract people who really value how a phone is made and how it feels in their hands. But, people who want a lot of features in their software, a phone that will be supported with updates for a long time, or a phone that works seamlessly with a lot of other things from the same company might choose a different flip phone.
Launch timing and final outlook
Motorola hasn’t said when it will officially announce the phone, but based on what they’ve done in the past, it will probably be revealed later this month, maybe to coincide with big shopping periods. And if history is any guide, the Razr 70 Ultra will be available around the same time as other top-of-the-line phones.
In general, the Razr 70 Ultra appears to be an improvement on what came before, with a continued emphasis on quality materials and a design that has already proven itself. If you like flip phones because of how they look and what they’re made of, the new Razr could be a good choice once the official details and price are available.
