The most effective factor concerning the Motorola Razr Extremely is not specs or AI

Alongside the brand new baseline Razr and Razr Plus for 2025, Motorola additionally launched the Razr Extremely for the very first time. It has upgraded efficiency, cameras, battery capability, and cost speeds to justify its “Extremely” branding — along with a complete lot of AI. Whereas these issues are effective and dandy, they’re not what has me probably the most enthusiastic about Motorola’s latest Razr.

As a substitute, my pleasure is targeted solely on one thing Motorola’s been nailing for the previous couple of years: design. Final 12 months’s Razrs had been a few of my favourite smartphone designs of 2024, and it seems to be just like the Razr Extremely will handily carry that title ahead in 2025.

Whereas Motorola’s telephones have been removed from excellent over the previous couple of years, design has been a notable sturdy swimsuit — whether or not we’re speaking a few Razr foldable, an Edge sequence machine, or a funds Moto G. Final 12 months’s Razrs got here in attractive vegan leather-based and suede finishes, the Edge 60 Fusion has a trio of beautiful pastel colours, and even the Moto G Stylus (2025) is out there in a vivid blue vegan leather-based materials.

That design experience is as soon as once more current on the Razr Extremely, and this time, Motorola has cranked issues as much as 11. There are 4 colours to select from this 12 months, and each feels extra distinctive than the final.

It begins with the Rio Crimson shade, which has Motorola’s acquainted vegan leather-based end and is available in a splendidly deep pink/maroon. It’s a darker pink than the Scorching Pink shade we noticed on the Razr Plus (2024), and I actually prefer it.

There’s one other pink shade accessible for the Razr Extremely known as “Cabaret,” and that is the place issues begin to get fascinating. It’s a brighter, extra pinkish pink than Rio Crimson, paired with vertical streaks throughout the again to offer it a way of motion. It additionally ditches the vegan leather-based materials for a “satin-inspired” end, which  I’m fascinated to attempt for myself.

Much more thrilling is the Scarab end. It’s made out of Alcantara (making it the primary smartphone to ever use the fabric), and paired with a darkish inexperienced shade and a stitched sample across the edges, it’s in contrast to some other telephone design I’ve ever seen. The way it holds up all through long-term use is a possible concern, nevertheless it’s a placing design regardless.

And, lastly, now we have the end I’ve been trying ahead to because it first appeared in leaked renders final month: Mountain Path. It’s the primary Razr telephone with an actual wooden bottom, and it takes me proper again to the times of the Moto X. Motorola was the primary firm to deliver wooden to a significant smartphone launch over a decade in the past, and it’s unbelievable to see the corporate return to its roots with the Razr Extremely.

Every Razr Extremely shade is spectacular by itself, however once you step again and take a chook’s eye view of all the things collectively, what Motorola has performed this 12 months is past spectacular. Right here, now we have not solely 4 distinctive colours but in addition 4 distinctive finishes/supplies for each.

Whereas it is probably not the identical as a resurrected Moto Maker (which I’m nonetheless hoping for), Motorola’s dedication to have every Razr Extremely end be distinctly distinctive from the opposite is one thing not current from any smartphone model, and it’s one thing I’m thrilled the corporate determined to give attention to. In a world the place telephones just like the Galaxy S25 sequence (and, from the seems to be of it, the Google Pixel 10 lineup) are coasting on by with acquainted, repetitive, and uninspired designs, Motorola getting in the exact opposite course is strictly what I wish to see.

That’s the Razr Extremely, however what concerning the Razr and Razr Plus? One in all them is a bit disappointing, whereas the opposite is sort of thrilling — and it’s not the one you’d count on.

Apparently, the Razr Plus (2025) arguably has the dullest shade choice. All three colours use the identical vegan leather-based end, they usually’re ones we noticed final 12 months with the Razr Plus (2024). All of them nonetheless look improbable (notably Mocha Mousse), nevertheless it’s definitely the least inventive of the bunch.

The baseline Razr (2025), in the meantime, has much more going for it. It is available in three finishes (vegan leather-based, a nylon-inspired choice, and Acetate) and 4 new colours. Gibraltar Sea and Lightest Sky are darkish blue and white-ish shades, respectively, every with a singular sample. Parfait Pink and Spring Bud ditch the patterns for extra vibrant pink and inexperienced colours, every trying completely fitted to the spring season.

I’m undecided why Motorola went so laborious with the “low cost” Razr colours this 12 months, however I’m all for it. The corporate might have simply phoned it in after going all out with the Razr Extremely design, nevertheless it didn’t, and I commend it for that.

Taking a look at this 12 months’s Razr 2025 household — and particularly on the Razr Extremely — I actually couldn’t be happier with Motorola’s design crew. When’s the final time a telephone was accessible in 4 distinctive supplies? When’s the final time you noticed a telephone with a picket again? A telephone made out of Alcantara? It didn’t exist till the Razr Extremely got here alongside.

Motorola was a grasp of smartphone design within the 2010s. The final couple of years have been proof that the corporate continues to be very expert in that division, and the Razr Extremely erases any lingering doubt we could have had that Moto stays an skilled at its craft.

There are causes to criticize the Razr Extremely, particularly the questionable AI options and ultra-high worth, however the design isn’t one in every of them. It’s simply my favourite factor about Motorola’s latest foldable, and I can’t wait to get my fingers on it — particularly that new wooden again.