Flip phones. For years, they’ve been touted as ‘the next big thing,’ a promise that seemed perpetually just out of reach. While foldable and flip phones have improved in speed, durability, and design, they’ve always come with significant compromises—and hefty price tags. But the Motorola Razr Ultra might finally be changing the game.
The Verge’s Allison Johnson recently reviewed the Razr Ultra, and her findings are encouraging. She highlights its compelling design, calling it one of the most attractive flip phones to date. While acknowledging that some aspects aren’t quite perfect, Johnson’s review offers a cautiously optimistic perspective on the future of flip phones. She delves into the specifics of what Motorola did right and where the phone still falls short, ultimately explaining why she’s not quite ready to declare the flip phone era fully upon us, but definitely closer than ever before. This includes a discussion of Motorola’s sometimes brilliant, sometimes baffling, approach to integrating AI functionality.
Beyond the Razr Ultra, the Vergecast podcast episode also explores the ongoing struggles of Snapchat to translate its massive popularity, especially among young users, into sustained financial success. Despite its widespread use, Snapchat hasn’t yet cracked the code to becoming a reliable money-making machine, hindering its ambitious augmented reality projects. This discussion leads to a broader conversation about the challenges of monetizing chat-based platforms and the implications of increasingly intrusive advertising within our daily communication.
Finally, the podcast tackles a hypothetical scenario sparked by a listener question: What if Google, facing potential government pressure to divest its Chrome browser, chose to shut it down instead? This thought experiment prompts a fascinating discussion about the potential consequences and the implications for the future of web browsing.
Overall, this Vergecast episode offers a compelling look at the evolving landscape of mobile technology, the challenges of building a successful social media business, and the potential disruption of a major tech giant. It’s a valuable listen for anyone interested in the future of technology and the ever-shifting dynamics of the tech industry. For those interested in learning more, here are some additional resources:
* Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) review: [Link to Review]
* The best folding phones: [Link to Best Foldable Phones]
* Android’s new design language: [Link to Android Design Language]
* Snapchat’s redesign issues: [Link to Snapchat Article]
* Zuckerberg’s Snapchat offer: [Link to Zuckerberg Article]
* Evan Spiegel on Snap’s Spectacles: [Link to Spiegel Interview]
* DOJ’s plan to end Google’s search monopoly: [Link to DOJ Article]
* Why companies want to buy Chrome: [Link to Chrome Article]
