Motorola is gearing up to enter the flagship smartphone arena with a new device codenamed "Urus" powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. This move follows Qualcomm’s recent launch of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and its standard version, signaling robust competition in the smartphone market in 2025.
Qualcomm has confirmed that Motorola is preparing a model equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, although the company has yet to make an official announcement. Technology insider Evan Blass, known for accurate leaks, revealed that the Urus will likely be a flagship non-foldable phone, possibly succeeding the Motorola Edge Ultra lineup.
Motorola’s Flagship Strategy: Two Tiers
Motorola appears to be organizing its flagship portfolio into two distinct categories:
- Motorola Edge Ultra – flagship non-foldable smartphones
- Motorola Razr Ultra – flagship foldable devices
Blass also indicated that the Razr 70 Ultra might utilize the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, representing the higher-tier foldable flagship. This dual approach aligns with Motorola’s recent ambition to strengthen its foothold in both premium foldable and traditional flagship markets.
Context from Motorola Edge 70
Understanding the potential of the Urus benefits from examining the recently launched Motorola Edge 70. The current Edge 70 is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset and features a 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a substantial 4,800mAh battery, and a triple-camera setup with 50MP sensors. Although positioned below flagship class, the Edge 70 highlights Motorola’s emphasis on delivering solid mid-to-premium user experiences.
What to Expect from Motorola Urus
The Urus is expected to deliver significant upgrades over the Edge 70, including:
- High-performance Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset with improved power efficiency and AI capabilities
- A premium design featuring likely enhancements in screen refresh rate and overall display quality
- Advanced camera systems that surpass those of the Edge 70 to compete strongly with flagship competitors
- Fast charging technology and other flagship-tier features
Experts predict that if positioned as the Motorola Edge 70 Ultra, the Urus will target heavyweight rivals such as Samsung Galaxy S25, Xiaomi 15, and OnePlus 15 Pro.
Implications for the 2025 Flagship Market
Qualcomm’s unveiling of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and the typical Gen 5 chipset just days apart signals an intensified race amongst smartphone makers to offer top-tier performance and efficiency. Motorola’s adoption of these chipsets could mark a critical push to reclaim or expand market share in the high-end segment.
While official details on Motorola’s Urus remain sparse, the mix of reliable rumors and Qualcomm’s confirmation suggests a near launch. This device may well mark Motorola’s return to the flagship spotlight with a model that leverages cutting-edge technology and competitive specifications.
Consumers and industry observers alike await further news as Motorola prepares to reveal how the Urus will stack up in the increasingly competitive flagship landscape of 2025.
