If you told me five years ago that Motorola would be the company to get foldables right, I would’ve checked your temperature.
However, that’s exactly where we are, and I’d recommend the Motorola Razr 2025 and Razr Ultra to anyone looking to try a clamshell device, because Motorola did the best job of identifying why people buy foldables.
I’m expecting more of the same from the company’s rumored thin phone. It has been leaked that Motorola will market the Motorola Edge 70 with an emphasis on its thinness.
We’ve seen Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge and the new iPhone Air, but neither one is an easy recommendation. I’m more open to a thin Motorola phone. Here’s why.
Motorola provides just enough performance
Nothing more than what we need
The Galaxy S25 Edge is powered by the impressive Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and the iPhone Air is fitted with its A19 Pro silicon — both flagship-grade processors that will handle anything you throw at them.
Unfortunately, fitting all that power into a phone raises the price, and both devices carry price tags north of $1,000.
Like the company did with the Razr 2025, Motorola is adept at providing enough horsepower for a smooth experience without breaking the bank. I get all the fun and style of a clamshell foldable for hundreds less than the competition.
I’d expect more of the same from the Motorola Edge 70, with the company making smart compromises to keep the price point reasonable. The less expensive something is, the more likely people are to buy it, which is important with niche form factors.
Making battery life a priority
I want an entire day of use
Almost every discussion surrounding the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air mentions battery life.
They aren’t devices meant for heavy users, with one of the compromises of a thin chassis being a smaller battery. For some, it’s expected, and heavy users will know to steer clear of buying one. However, I think you can have the best of both worlds.
There are numerous reasons to criticize Motorola, and I particularly dislike the company’s software update policy. Still, it’s hard to argue with the battery performance of its devices. I typically get two days of use from several Motorola phones.
I’d expect Motorola’s thin offering to cost no more than the Razr 2025.
Yes, Motorola does include larger batteries in its devices, but when you have a less powerful chipset, it consumes less power. If the Motorola Edge 70 features midrange power, expect better battery life than you’ll get from the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge.
Motorola’s also made a point of beefing up durability in 2025. The iPhone Air can absolutely take a beating, but I’d look for an IP69 rating or military drop testing on Motorola’s thin phone.
Leaked images suggest the device will have a plastic frame, another area where Motorola has cut costs and weight, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a thin phone without spending a lot.
Picking up a thin phone without breaking the bank
Expect the Motorola Edge 70 to cost less
Even if I disagree with some of the company’s initial MSRPs for its devices, Motorola smartphones consistently become excellent value. Between frequent sales and deep carrier discounts, there are always ways to save on the Moto you’ve been eyeing.
I’d expect Motorola’s thin offering to cost no more than the Razr 2025. I think the sweet spot for buyers looking to take a chance is between $500 and $700.
Motorola includes some of the best displays on midrange phones, and if it can pair a gorgeous OLED screen with a thin chassis for under $700, it’ll have a winner on its hands.
Still, I wish the company would provide more software support, but there’s an opportunity for Motorola to do for thin phones what it did for folding clamshells.
I haven’t been motivated to buy
I’ve only been mildly tempted to pick up the recent crop of ultra-thin phones. It’s impressive that so much power and performance can be squeezed into such a thin chassis, but I don’t feel the value is there.
Why would I buy a device with a worse camera and reduced battery life for the price of a premium flagship? I make that compromise with clamshell foldables because the form factor adds value. I don’t see that yet with thin phones.
However, if Motorola can bring one to the market at a more attractive price point, with excellent battery life, I might finally be tempted to try one out.
