The Vergecast The Razr Ultra proves flip phones are almost ready
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May 20, 2025 
Allison Johnson, a tech reviewer with a flair for retro gadgets, shares her insights on the new Motorola Razr Ultra. She discusses its stylish features and how flip phones might be staging a comeback, albeit gradually. Alex Heath then weighs in on Snapchat's paradox of rising popularity while struggling to monetize effectively. The conversation raises questions about user experience versus advertising and the future of messaging apps in a competitive landscape. It's a vibrant discussion on nostalgia, tech evolution, and the challenges of keeping users engaged.
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Motorola's Outside Screen Edge
- Motorola leads flip phone manufacturers in making the outside screen functional and customizable.
- Users can perform many tasks without opening the phone, blending smartwatch-like simplicity with phone capabilities.
Manage Outer Screen App Access
- Users should selectively enable apps on the outer screen to avoid distractions, especially social media.
- Keeping social apps off the outer screen maintains a barrier to mindless use, reserving full phone opening for deeper interactions.
AI Features Overload on Razr Ultra
- Motorola integrates many AI features prominently on the Ultra with a dedicated app and AI button.
- The AI features can feel overwhelming and intrusive, especially the phone’s proactive listening when approached.