The new Motorola Razr 2025 is a compelling option for those seeking one of the best folding phones, blending the iconic Motorola experience with a more accessible price point. As noted in our Razr 2025 review, it impresses with a premium feel and an improved battery. However, the unique nature of folding phones isn’t for everyone, and while the Razr 2025 makes smart compromises, other excellent choices exist. If you’re exploring alternatives, here are four compelling smartphones to consider instead.
Motorola Razr Ultra 2025
When discussing flip phones, the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 stands out as a top contender. It elevates the Ultra concept to flagship status. While it may not feature dedicated telephoto lenses like some non-folding counterparts, the Razr Ultra 2025 incorporates nearly every desirable feature in a modern flip phone. It’s powered by the formidable Snapdragon 8 Elite, the full 8-core version, ensuring robust performance unlike the less powerful variants found in some slim devices. Boasting the largest main display in its class at 7 inches and a substantial 4,700 mAh battery, it’s built for extended use. Its dual 50MP cameras deliver excellent photo quality across various lighting conditions.
Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 showcasing its large foldable inner display and premium design, an alternative to the Razr 2025.
The 4-inch Cover Display is a highlight, spanning the entire front and enriched by Motorola’s comprehensive software suite. This allows users to interact with it like a compact smartphone, running full apps and widgets. AI integration is prominent, with Motorola and Google Gemini introducing new AI capabilities, alongside preloaded offerings from Microsoft CoPilot and Perplexity, plus a complimentary three-month Perplexity Pro trial. If any aspect of the Razr 2025 leaves you wanting more, the Razr Ultra 2025 likely provides the solution, including its distinctive wood finish exclusive to this flagship model.
The expansive 4-inch Cover Display of the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025, demonstrating its full app functionality as a Razr 2025 alternative.
Google Pixel 9a
If the Motorola Razr 2025’s $700 price tag is a concern, and you appreciate the clean, material design of its interface, the Google Pixel 9a presents an excellent affordable alternative. This device encapsulates the core experience of the flagship Pixel 9 series but at a considerably lower cost. Starting at $499, it’s $200 cheaper than the Razr 2025. The Pixel 9a offers a compelling dual-camera system backed by Google’s renowned camera algorithm expertise.
Google Pixel 9a being conveniently taken from a pocket, highlighting its accessibility as an affordable Razr 2025 alternative.
The 48MP main camera is particularly adept, while its 13MP secondary camera, though lacking autofocus, can produce results comparable to the Razr 2025. Under the hood, the Pixel 9a is powered by the flagship Tensor G4 chip, Google’s competitor to processors like the Apple A18 or Snapdragon 8 Elite. A standout feature is its 5,100 mAh battery, the largest in any Pixel device and a significant 13% larger than the 4,500 mAh battery in the Razr 2025, promising extended usage times.
Rear view of the Google Pixel 9a showcasing its distinct camera bar and sleek design, a powerful alternative to the Motorola Razr 2025.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
For those who admire the Razr 2025’s generous size and are comfortable with certain trade-offs, such as the absence of a telephoto camera, but desire an equally large display and battery within a different ecosystem, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is a strong consideration. It features a dual-camera setup similar to the Razr 2025. The iPhone 16 color range also offers stylish choices, akin to Motorola’s latest smartphone aesthetics.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus in use for photography, emphasizing its dual-camera system as an alternative for Motorola Razr 2025 users.
Battery life is a significant advantage of the Razr 2025, and the iPhone 16 Plus matches this with impressive endurance. The A18 processor ensures swift performance, likely smoother than the MediaTek Dimensity 7400X found in the Razr 2025. Its 48MP main and 12MP ultrawide cameras are fairly competitive against the 50MP and 13MP setup in Motorola’s base flip phone. While the iPhone 16 Plus is priced higher than the Razr 2025 and has some downgrades like a lower refresh rate and no always-on display, it’s a fantastic option if you’re invested in Apple’s ecosystem and prefer a traditional slab phone.
Close-up of the Apple iPhone 16 Plus held in hand, showcasing its design for users considering alternatives to the Razr 2025 within the Apple ecosystem.
OnePlus Open
If the concept of a folding phone appeals to you, but you lean towards the book-style form factor that transforms a smartphone into a tablet, the OnePlus Open deserves serious attention. Despite being over a year old, it continues to be the best all-around book-style folding phone available in the US. While many alternatives, including its successor the Oppo Find N5, are sold internationally, the OnePlus Open remains the top choice for US consumers in this category.
Detailed view of the OnePlus Open's impressive triple camera module, a strong book-style foldable alternative to the Motorola Razr 2025.
A key reason to opt for the Open over newer devices like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold or Galaxy Z Fold 6 is its exceptional camera system. The triple camera array combines a 48MP main sensor with a 48MP ultrawide and a 64MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom, capable of capturing impressive photos at up to 100x magnification. Although its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is two generations old, the OnePlus Open still delivers a fast and fluid user experience, and its 4,805 mAh battery provides multi-day endurance.
While many other phones could be considered instead of the Razr 2025, this curated list highlights strong contenders. The Motorola Razr 2025 itself effectively demonstrates that the best folding phones can achieve a balance of affordability and premium features. However, exploring these alternatives can help you find the perfect device tailored to your specific preferences and needs. For more in-depth reviews and tech insights, continue exploring MaagX.
