Motorola's forgotten foldable is the one I'd actually buy

Motorola’s done an excellent job with its folding phones over the last several years. The revived Razr lineup is a sales hit for a reason, and Moto’s done a much better job than Samsung of identifying why people buy clamshell foldables. The devices are fun, easy to use, and stylish. This year’s releases are no exception. Unfortunately, the Razrs for 2026 came with a price hike.

It’s made an easy conversation much more complicated, and while it seems like almost every phone has gotten more expensive in 2026, that doesn’t mean you have to like it. Thankfully, there’s a Razr that hits the sweet spot. It’s not the flashiest in the lineup, and it’s not the least expensive, but if you want Moto’s latest at a reasonable price, one device should top your list.

The Razr Ultra and base Razr are either too hot or too cold

I love my Razr Ultra 2026. The Alcantara Orient Blue finish is a conversation starter every time I pull it out, and it has most of what you’d want in a flagship. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is more than powerful enough, and I enjoy the phone’s 16GB of RAM. 512GB of base storage is also welcome, and the phone’s 5,000mAh silicon-carbon battery is outstanding. I rarely feel the need to top off after just one day of use.

However, that all comes at a premium. The Razr Ultra starts at $1,500 this year, and the usual aggressive sales haven’t happened yet. The most recent offer knocked $100 off the price — not exactly a light day for your wallet. Once the holidays roll in, I expect deeper discounts, and if you’re looking at the Razr Ultra a year from now, it’ll be a deal. Still, right now, it’s not as easy a decision as it used to be.

The base Razr’s price is a more palatable $800, but there are other reasons it might not be ideal. I like that the Razr 2026’s 3.6-inch cover screen carries some of the color and design forward to the front, but it does limit the app experience. It’s also not the most powerful phone. Its Dimensity 7450 chipset does the job, but I can absolutely see some users needing a bit more, even from a clamshell foldable. Even though the price is right, Moto offers another Razr that is a better match.

The Razr Plus is just right

I don’t blame people for not having the Razr Plus top of mind, because it seems even Motorola doesn’t. The phone is often lost in the shuffle and doesn’t have the flair of the base Razr or the premium aesthetics of the more expensive Ultra. It’s not an ugly phone. The Pantone Mountain View coloring is unoffensive, and I don’t mind the slightly textured back, but it is more muted than its siblings.

However, what you pick up with the Razr Plus is added functionality. Its 4-inch cover screen makes it much easier to type quick responses. It’s also a more enjoyable scrolling experience — just more room to enjoy Instagram. The Razr Plus has better raw performance and more RAM than the base Razr. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset may be a year old, but it’s a noticeable step up from the Dimensity in the less expensive Razr. I’ve found 12GB of RAM plenty for my use, and the Razr Plus has proven to be a solid middle ground between the more powerful Ultra and the cost-conscious Razr 2026.

Thankfully, you don’t lose out on some of the other improvements Moto made for 2026. The upgraded 50MP ultrawide lens is featured on the Razr Plus, so you won’t have that unsightly drop-off in quality when switching between sensors. I’ve been using mine again for about a week, and the battery life has been excellent. I get well into a second day on a single charge from the phone’s 4,500mAh silicon-carbon cell. I would’ve loved faster than 45W charging, because I know Moto is capable, but it’s not a deal breaker for me.

The Razr Plus doesn’t suffer from a drop-off in build quality, either. The titanium hinge is solid, and the phone feels premium in the hand. But the capabilities don’t mean anything unless the price matches.

Its most attractive spec is the price

The Razr Plus 2026 has an MSRP of $1,099, which is an absolute non-starter. I would never recommend anyone pay that — you either wait for a discount or buy another model. At least there is an alternative. I’ve long argued that having a presence in carrier stores is vital for smartphone manufacturers, and the Razr Plus is a prime example of why.

There are a mountain of conditions, and you’ll need to stick with the company for 36 months, but AT&T is currently offering the Razr Plus 2026 for less than $5 a month — a deal I can’t get on the Razr Ultra or base Razr. Other carriers have similar deals and discounts, and when it is time for Moto’s regular sales, I look for the Razr Plus to be cut significantly, as it has been in previous years.

All told, this year’s Razr Plus is a good fit for many reasons. It preserves all the fun and functionality Moto’s done so well with and, if you get the right deal, it doesn’t have to completely slam your budget. If you’re in the market for a foldable, the Razr Plus should earn its way towards the top of your list.