Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs. Moto Razr Ultra: I’ve spent time with both, here’s what I prefer

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If you happen to’re the retro sort, otherwise you simply need a small, pocketable machine, a flip cellphone is the best way to go. Within the U.S., you should purchase a flip cellphone from two smartphone makers: Motorola and Samsung. Samsung simply launched the Galaxy Z Flip 8 at its Unpacked occasion, and Motorola lately launched the Razr Ultra (2026). Certain, there are different flip telephones on the market, however these are your two high selections. 

Additionally: I turned my Moto Razr into a tiny workstation – and wrote this entire story on it

Motorola additionally has two smaller units: the Moto Razr and the Moto Razr Plus, however to degree the enjoying discipline, we’ll specializing in the flagships. Questioning whether or not to go together with Samung’s new providing or Motorola’s? Let’s break it down. 

Specs

Select the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 if…

1. You need one of the best specs

Humorous sufficient, neither of those telephones actually upgraded their specs this yr, relying as an alternative largely on software program experiences to justify the brand new mannequin. That mentioned, Samsung was already ranging from a place of power, and it upgraded the one specification that folks usually search for: the processor. 

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 comes with the newest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, whereas the Moto Razr Extremely stood pat with final yr’s Snapdragon 8 Elite. Do not let the names idiot you; technically the 8 Elite is the 4th era, so it is just one era behind the Gen 5 model. Nevertheless, that is not nice for future proofing and uncooked energy.

It isn’t that the newest processor will get you a ton of noticeable advantages on day one. However your movies will export a bit faster, your apps will load a bit sooner. Going ahead, you would possibly discover the Razr struggling to maintain up, particularly as an increasing number of AI-powered options get built-in into your workflow.  

2. You need to avoid wasting cash, with out compromise

The Razr Ultra prices $400 greater than the bottom Galaxy Z Flip 8. In order for you a greater parallel, the 512GB Flip 8 is $1,399.99 which remains to be $100 lower than the Razr Extremely. Contemplating the Razr Extremely is utilizing older elements, that is simply foolish. Although to be honest, the Razr Extremely has extra reminiscence at 16GB. This one is not as cut-and-dry, however the truth of the matter is you should purchase an equal cellphone for much less cash if it has Samsung on the label.

Additionally: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8, but it’s not the upgrade I expected

This all comes with an enormous caveat although — Motorola pricing. It is the corporate’s M.O. to begin a value excessive and produce it down after a number of months. The Moto Razr extremely remains to be priced at $1,499 as of this writing, virtually two months after its preliminary launch, so it is possible the worth will begin to fall within the close to future. I am speaking as early as the subsequent Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday. So, in the event you need not rush out to the shop proper now, a bit endurance is likely to be so as.

3. You worth the Samsung ecosystem

Samsung has an enormous ecosystem of units, even past cell. If in case you have a Samsung TV, you possibly can management it together with your Samsung cellphone. If in case you have a Samsung laptop computer, you should utilize your Samsung cellphone as a webcam. The Samsung Galaxy Ring works greatest with a Samsung machine on the opposite finish. The Samsung watch can act as a shutter button on your cellphone’s digital camera. It is all interconnected, and a ton of enjoyable.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Motorola Razr Ultra: This one is the better value

Motorola is working with a extra restricted ecosystem, which incorporates Lenovo laptops, which is nice, however different equipment are cell equipment. There are not any TVs or fridges, or washer/dryers with Motorola’s emblem on them. Motorola additionally would not have a sensible ring, and its good watch will not be WearOS, so its capabilities are restricted (although the Moto watch is considerably cheaper than Samsung’s). All that being mentioned, when you have already purchased into the Samsung ecosystem, you will be higher off with a Samsung cellphone.

You can purchase the Moto Razr Extremely if…

1. You need one of the best software program… with a caveat

Motorola software program is famously clear and simple to make use of. Motorola was as soon as the property of Google, and the 2 proceed to have a detailed relationship to at the present time. Actually, its software program runs very near inventory Android in lots of respects. Motorola additionally has intuitive gestures constructed into the cellphone with the chop-chop gesture to activate the flashlight, and the twist gesture to activate the digital camera. I genuinely miss these after I do not use a Motorola cellphone.

Additionally: I’ve tested every Motorola foldable phone in 2026 so far – how to pick between Fold and Ultra

Plus, Motorola treats the duvet display screen as a playground and let’s you determine what to placed on it. Samsung to at the present time has a roadblock that stops you from utilizing any app you need on the duvet display screen with out leaping by means of a hoop. It has gotten higher with the software program, however I might prefer to see Samsung simply do away with that restriction. 

The large caveat is that Motorola is famously unhealthy at transport software program and safety updates. It has gotten higher through the years, nevertheless it nonetheless lags days, weeks, and even months behind principally everybody else on the subject of well timed updates. Whether or not or not you care about that’s as much as you, in fact.

2. You need one of the best cameras

Motorola was traditionally not identified for its cameras, nevertheless it has actually righted the ship in that regard with the newest generations. Now, the cameras are on par with another flagship available on the market, and definitely simply pretty much as good as any foldable. There are some complaints that video high quality lags behind, and that is honest, however the general high quality you will get out of a Razr digital camera will usually be higher than Samsung’s.

Megapixels aren’t all the things, however Motorola ships three 50-megapixel cameras for Large, UltraWide, and selfie cameras, making them the one flip foldables with triple 50-megapixel cameras. That is primarily a quantity for the advertisers, nevertheless it nonetheless factors to a digital camera high quality you possibly can rely on.

3. You care about battery and charging

Samsung launched silicon carbon batteries in its foldables this yr, nevertheless it’s nonetheless taking a really conservative method. The Samsung cellphone has a 4,300 mAh cell whereas the Motorola Razr Extremely has a 5,000 mAh battery. Which means the Motorola cellphone will last more, and its versatility with the duvet show will preserve battery that rather more. When you leap by means of Samsung’s hoops to put in any app you need on the duvet display screen, that benefit will get zeroed out.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Z Flip 8: I compared both models, and here’s the one to buy

Nevertheless, the Moto Razr Extremely charged sooner with each wired and wi-fi charging as nicely at 68W and 30W respectively. Not solely will your cellphone last more, however it’s going to high up sooner, which could be a massive deal in the event you’re headed out for a night after an extended day. It is a type of “have it and never want it” issues that you simply actually miss if you do want it.

Author’s selection

It is a genuinely exhausting selection. You’ll do high quality with both possibility. Whereas the Samsung Z Flip 8 gives a superior {hardware} expertise, it is exhausting to low cost Motorola’s software program options. Motorola simply flat out is aware of what it is doing with software program, and to be sincere, a scarcity of updates would not actually trouble me. Plus, as a lot as I identified that Samsung’s ecosystem expertise is healthier, I favor how good join works with a PC, so I’ve to present the nod to Motorola on this one and go together with the Razr Ultra. However consider me after I let you know: it is a very shut race.