Motorola Razr (2023) review: A midrange foldable that underwhelms

While Motorola’s pricier Razr+ beat Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 to the punch with its expansive exterior show, the Razr (named the Razr 40 in different areas just like the UK) was pitched as a extra budget-friendly foldable. For now, pricing and availability within the US haven’t been confirmed, however within the UK it’s priced at £800 (roughly $1,025) whereas the Razr+ retails at £1,050 within the UK and $999 within the US.

The brand new Razr is cheaper, but it surely’s additionally extra restricted. In display screen phrases, it is comparable with foldable telephones from a couple of years in the past. Nevertheless it has an even bigger battery and seemingly higher cameras. Because the fanfare from Samsung’s Unpacked reveal dies down (and we familiarize yourself with the Z Flip 5), the Moto Razr begs the query: What do you actually get from a less expensive foldable cellphone?

Design and shows

Let’s begin with some Razr household resemblances. Each the Razr and Razr+ have the identical physique and inner versatile 6.9-inch show, and there’s no extra Razr ‘chin’ on both machine. No corners have been reduce on the foldable display screen, with a crisp 413 pixels per inch and as much as 1,400 nits of brightness. This can be a flagship show. Internally, not less than.

Nevertheless, the cheaper Razr has a a lot smaller 1.5-inch exterior panel, which places it someplace between Samsung’s unique Z Flip and the Z Flip 3. You realize it can really feel constrictive when it’s smaller than the primary two Samsung flip smartphones. That is all exacerbated by the truth that its personal sibling the Razr+ has a 3.6-inch exterior display screen. 

The Razr’s panel takes up about 20 p.c of the decrease entrance of the machine, with a 64-megapixel and 8MP digicam duo to its proper. It has an IP52 ranking, which is best than nothing, however received’t shield in opposition to greater than a weak splash or gentle rain.

I do just like the Razr’s vegan, fake leather-based texture, a lot in order that regardless of my worry of breaking or damaging foldable units, I risked utilizing the cellphone with out the arduous shell case that got here within the field. I significantly favored the grey-green sage colorway, too. Just like the Razr+, Moto’s middleweight cellphone folds fully closed, with no gaps when it from the facet.

The small exterior display screen is restricted to primary cellphone capabilities. You possibly can swipe sideways by means of your calendar, climate forecasts, whereas a drag up from the clock will present all of your notifications. Swiping down will get to fast toggles for issues like WiFi and Bluetooth. It’s practical, however just a little dated. That is what we bought with the very first flip smartphones; I would like just a little extra. Even in comparison with final 12 months’s Z Flip 4 — more likely to be discounted to an analogous value as this Razr now that its successor is right here – Samsung’s machine gives extra to do and see on its exterior display screen.

The Razr’s second display screen is most useful while you’re utilizing exterior cameras for selfies. Double urgent the ability button quick-launches the digicam app, and you may faucet to seize pictures with a timer, swipe up and down to modify between the ultra-wide and commonplace lenses and swipe sideways to swap between video, picture and portrait modes. You possibly can even summon a cartoon character to distract youngsters when taking images, in each unfolded and folded modes.

The Razr’s 2,640 x 1,080 display screen can refresh at as much as 144Hz, just a little shy of the Razr+’s 160Hz. That mentioned, if you happen to’re coming from smartphones with refresh charges of 90Hz or much less, you’re nonetheless going to sense the improved smoothness. The panel is shiny, responsive — it’s a smartphone display screen. Anybody serving within the Crease Police, sure it’s there, however in comparison with older foldables, operating your finger over it doesn’t really feel prefer it’s testing the display screen’s sturdiness. Foldable hinges (and the screens protecting them) proceed to get higher however if you happen to’re in search of seen hints of a folding show, they’re nonetheless there.

Efficiency and software program

With a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip, the Razr reveals its midrange hand just a little. It’s not a flagship processor, however this isn’t a flagship foldable. I seen the Razr lagged just a little after I was attempting to edit a prolonged video file, however it will definitely managed to finish the duty.

A nice shock with this Razr was its 4,200mAh battery. That is a lot bigger than the three,800mAh battery within the Razr+ and the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s 3,700 mAh cell. In our video rundown take a look at, it lasted simply past 18 hours, a very good three hours longer than the Razr+ and higher than final 12 months’s Z Flip 4.

The Razr may fast-charge at 30W with the included adapter included (outdoors of the US not less than). I used to be capable of get the Razr to succeed in 100% in below an hour. There’s additionally assist for slower 5W wi-fi charging, however alas, no reverse charging, if you happen to have been hoping to prime up any wi-fi earbuds.

I’ve already famous the restricted utility of the Razr’s exterior show, however software-wise it’s simply not adequate. Customization choices solely lengthen to completely different fonts and colorways for the clock. It’s particularly jarring on condition that we all know Motorola is able to extra, because of the Razr+.

Cameras

One of many large spec variations between Motorola’s duo of foldables this 12 months are the cameras. Whereas the Razr+ has a pair of 12MP cameras just like the Galaxy Z Flip sequence, the usual Razr has a 13MP wide-angle lens alongside a 64MP main lens with optical picture stabilization. Ah, so this will likely be the place the Razr shines, proper? Sadly, no.

In virtually each shot I took, the Razr didn’t attain the requirements of the Razr+ and even final 12 months’s Galaxy Flip 4. Motorola’s claims of ultra-fast and correct laser auto-focus don’t actually bear out in actuality, particularly with video. The Razr twitches and struggles to maintain constant focus. I struggled to see many pictures the place the 64MP sensor outperformed the pricier units, both. I wasn’t getting notably extra element, actually I used to be getting much less. Seems, except you activate high-res seize mode (which is hidden away within the furthest reaches of the digicam’s menu), the first 64MP sensor is aggressively pixel-binned, stripping away element with out enhancing general picture high quality all that a lot.

Wrap-up

Are foldables going to be the brand new smartphone regular? Uncertain. Motorola’s bid for a less expensive (if not that less expensive) flip cellphone tries to broaden their enchantment, however sadly misses the mark. Its exterior show merely lacks sufficient utility in 2023. And I’m undecided who’s prepared to spend this a lot cash on a cellphone that is already two years behind the curve.

Nevertheless, Motorola has but to announce pricing or a launch date within the US. If the Razr have been to price $800 or decrease, which might be nearer to a Galaxy S23 or iPhone 14, it might discover an viewers. However for most individuals intrigued by a foldable flip-phone, they’d be higher served searching down a reduced Galaxy Z Flip 4.