More leaked promotional pictures of the Razr caputre the folding phone in wood and Alcantara-like materials, following the design choices of last year’s model. The new pictures keep the familiar Razr shape and add materials you can really feel, to help the phone stand out among other expensive folding phones that flip open.
Design and material choices
The two main special finishes shown in the leaked pictures are Pantone Cocoa Wood and Orient Blue Alcantara. Both of these continue Motorola’s preference for interesting textures instead of just plain glass on the back of the phone. They’ll feel different in your hand and make the Razr line look distinct.
These materials are probably going to be popular with people who like things well-made and unusual. Wood and Alcantara were used on the last version, and bringing them back suggests Motorola thinks having surfaces that aren’t the norm is a big reason to buy the Razr 70 Ultra.
The pictures also suggest there might be more colors available. We’ve already seen a Pantone African Violet in earlier leaks, and last year had several finishes, so you’ll likely have a good selection when the phone comes out to suit different people’s preferences.
Form factor and continuity with Razr 60 Ultra
Looking quickly at it, the Razr 70 Ultra isn’t much different in size or how the hinge works from the Razr 60 Ultra. The large screen on the outside of the folded phone still curves around the two back cameras, giving the line its recognizable look and making that outer screen work the same way.
Motorola seems to be improving on what they’ve already done with folding phones, not completely starting over. The hinge, how easy the outside screen is to use, and where the cameras are are all the same as the previous model. This shows that the update is focusing on the materials and somewhat better internal parts, rather than a totally new design.
This consistency could help people recognize the brand and be comfortable with the phone. If you liked how the last one felt in your hand, the Razr 70 Ultra will likely be a similar experience, but with the newer finishes and probably faster inner workings.
Front camera placement and display details
One thing you don’t see in the leaked pictures of the inner screen is a little ‘hole’ for the front-facing (selfie) camera. The Razr 60 Ultra had a standard hole for the selfie camera, so this makes you wonder what Motorola is doing with the screen on the new model.
There are two likely explanations: Motorola could be trying out a camera that goes under the screen, or the picture just doesn’t show the hole. Because the leaks are so early, the second option is more likely, but if it does have an under-screen camera, that would be a significant improvement.
Expected specifications and performance
As for the parts inside, the Razr 70 Ultra is expected to be upgraded in a reasonable way. People are saying it will use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which should give you a faster processor and graphics than last year’s model.
It will probably have up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and possibly a 1TB option. The cameras are expected to be the same: two 50MP rear cameras and a 50MP front camera, which means Motorola is prioritizing consistent image quality rather than making big changes to the sensors.
The battery is likely to stay around 4,700mAh and will charge at 68W using USB-C PD. For a folding phone that flips, having that amount of battery and the ability to charge it quickly makes the Razr perform well during the day and recharge quickly.
Market positioning and competition
Motorola is still marketing the Razr against other expensive folding phones by emphasizing the design and a simpler Android operating system. While other companies focus on lots of software features and working seamlessly with their other products, Motorola seems to be focusing on the materials and how the phone feels in your hand.
This approach may attract people who really care about how something is built and how it feels to hold. But people who want a lot of software features, continued support for a long time, or to use their phone closely with other devices from the same company might choose a different folding phone.
Launch timing and final outlook
Motorola hasn’t said when it will officially announce the phone, but based on past releases, it’s likely to be revealed later this month, maybe around big shopping times of the year. As it usually happens, the Razr 70 Ultra will be released around the same time as or shortly after other top-of-the-line phones.
In general, the Razr 70 Ultra looks like an improvement on what’s already available, with even more emphasis on high-quality finishes and a design that has already proven itself. If you like folding phones because of how they look and what they’re made of, the new Razr could be a good choice when the official details and prices are revealed.
