Motorola Razr Ultra (2026) vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: I tried both, and there is a clear winner

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Earlier this year, Motorola announced many new smartphones, although most of the points were on the Razr Fold. I was expecting a lot of news from other devices, and today, I finally got it. The company has officially unveiled the entire 2026 Razr series, which consists of the base model, the Razr+, and the Razr Ultra as the new flagship.

Also: Why I recommend this $450 Samsung phone over competing models from Google and OnePlus

Based on the information so far, the Razr Ultra is shaping up to be the best foldable. Motorola has made many hardware improvements that I think will give the top foldables on the market real performance for their money, such as the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The Samsung device is one of the top Android phones, boasting a large cover display, a light form factor, and much better battery life than its predecessor.

Based on these early specs and Motorola’s recent track record, I think the Razr Ultra will be better than the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in some areas. I’ll break each specification down into two folders and highlight where each device shines. Keep in mind that this is not an official review of the 2026 Razr Ultra. It is a forward looking comparison.

Details

You should buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 if you…

1. You want an affordable phone

Affordability is an important consideration when purchasing a foldable item. Because of their designs and additional hardware, foldables are often more expensive than the average single-display phone. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 is significantly cheaper than Motorola’s upcoming device. $1,100 is the price listed on the tech giant’s official website, but you can find the foldable for cheaper on third-party platforms. Amazon, for example, sells 256GB Galaxy Z Flip 6 for $900.

Also: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 hands-on: These 3 features make a big difference

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Speaking from personal experience, you can score a phone for less than $900 if you take advantage of trade-in offers and renewal programs. Some phone carriers even offer promotions where you can get the Galaxy Z Flip 7 absolutely free. It remains a decent device. Samsung’s foldable features a bright 4.1-inch FlexWindow cover screen, a long-lasting battery, and a slim 13.7mm design.

2. You want access to Samsung’s AI system

Samsung is quick to jump on the productive AI wave, launching the Galaxy AI suite in 2024. That early adoption has paid off, as Galaxy users have access to a robust set of tools not available elsewhere. It has features like Circle to Search, which lets you draw circles around things on the screen to look them up online. Now Brief displays quick, personalized updates based on your schedule, such as weather alerts with upcoming calendar events.

Also: Samsung Wallet recently got a travel feature that I hope Google Wallet will copy soon

You also get direct support for Google Gemini, and thanks to the great design of the cover, access to unique interactions. For example, you can interact with Gemini Live on the cover screen by asking it questions, taking notes, or using the camera to get fashion tips.

On top of all this, buying the Galaxy Z Flip 7 from Samsung earns you six months of free Google AI Pro, which unlocks the most advanced Gemini models and special creative tools, among other features.

You should buy the Motorola Razr Ultra (2026) if you…

1. You want better hardware

To repeat what I said earlier, the 2026 Razr Ultra isn’t out yet, so I don’t know for sure how well the foldable works. However, based on what is known, the Motorola device seems to work better than the Samsung model. The phone runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the same hardware found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

In addition, the Razr Ultra is provided with 16GB of RAM instead of 12GB like the Galaxy Z Flip 7. So you have a flagship-class chipset with a high amount of RAM. All signs right now point to this foldable being a real powerhouse.

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Longevity may also be an area where the 2026 Razr Ultra scores another win. The announcement says it will be powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 68W TurboPower charging. It is important to note that Qualcomm chips are known for their energy efficiency. As a result, there is a good chance that this phone will last longer and charge much faster than the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

2. You want better cameras

On paper, photography is one area where the 2026 Motorola Razr Ultra could go further. This foldable has a 50MP primary lens, along with a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 50MP selfie option on the front. So, no matter how you take photos, expect richly detailed images with rich colors. The real star of the show is the LOFIC sensor inside the main lens.

According to Motorola, it will allow the phone to capture up to “6x more dynamic range”, which will reportedly translate to better control of highlights and shadows.

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In addition to these changes, Motorola is adding and updating new “shooting methods and features” as well, including, but not limited to, Group Shot, which combines multiple photos into one cohesive image, and special optimization for Instagram posts.

You won’t have to wait long to get your hands on the new foldable. Pre-orders for the Razr Ultra will open on Motorola’s website and Best Buy on May 14 for $1,500. The launch and shipping dates are scheduled for May 21. It will be available in two colors: Pantone Orient Blue and Pantone Cocoa (brown).