Motorola Razr 50 review
The Motorola Razr 50 is a foldable flip phone that stands out from its counterparts with a mid-range level chipset and lower price tag. Unlike most other flip phones, this device boasts a large cover screen with near-full functionality, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a more affordable alternative to flagship models. With better water resistance and good battery life, the Razr 50 has its strengths, but also some notable drawbacks, including subpar camera quality and the absence of a charger in the box.
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola Razr 50's build quality and design are notable improvements over its predecessor. The phone features a vegan leather exterior, which gives it a premium look and feel. The frame is made of glossy 6000-series aluminum, adding to the device's sleekness. When folded, the phone lies flat with no gap between the two halves, creating a compact and durable design. One of the standout features of the Razr 50 is its use of a mid-range Mediatek Dimensity 7300 chipset. While this may be a compromise compared to more powerful flagships, it's surprising to see how well the phone performs during regular use. The thermals are also better managed than other foldables, which helps prevent overheating. The battery life is another notable aspect of the Razr 50. With a 4200mAh capacity, the phone delivers respectable results in our tests, with an overall active use score of 11 hours and 46 minutes. Additionally, the phone supports 33W wired charging, although it's worth noting that the charger is no longer included in the box. In terms of build quality, the Razr 50 feels solid and well-constructed. The hinge mechanism is smooth and precise, making it easy to open and close the device. The phone's weight distribution is also well-balanced, with the battery and other components evenly distributed throughout the device. The design of the Razr 50 is a mix of style and functionality. The large cover screen is a major selling point, offering a range of useful features and making it easy to interact with the phone without opening it up. However, some users may find the phone's size and weight to be slightly larger than expected. Overall, the Motorola Razr 50's build quality and design are significant improvements over previous models. While there may be some compromises in terms of performance and features, the phone delivers a premium feel and solid construction that's hard to match at its price point.
Battery Life
One of the most impressive aspects of the Motorola Razr 50 is its battery life. With a massive 4200mAh battery, this foldable phone has been designed to last all day and then some. In our tests, we were able to achieve an overall active use score of 11 hours and 46 minutes, which is respectable for a flip-foldable device. In terms of video playback and web browsing, the Razr 50 outperformed its competitors. We were able to watch videos for over 10 hours on a single charge, and browse the internet for hours without needing to recharge. This is impressive considering the phone's large 6.7-inch cover screen. The battery life is further enhanced by the phone's power-efficient mid-range Mediatek Dimensity 7300 chipset. While not as powerful as some of its competitors, this chip helps to minimize heat and throttling during extended use. Wireless charging is also supported on the Razr 50, with a compatible adapter allowing for up to 15W wireless charging speeds. However, it's worth noting that no charger is included in the box, which may be a minor inconvenience for some users. Overall, the Motorola Razr 50's battery life is a major strength of this phone, and makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and long-lasting device.
Display
The display is one of the standout features of the Motorola Razr 50, with a large cover screen that offers nearly full functionality for your quick settings, notifications, and even full apps. The 3.6-inch display boasts a high-resolution design with a 90Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. This means you can enjoy smooth scrolling and snappy performance without worrying about scratches or cracks. One of the notable improvements over previous Razr models is the use of a mid-range level MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip, which may not offer top-of-the-line performance but does provide improved thermals compared to other foldables. Despite this, regular usage doesn't feel underpowered, and during our stress tests, we noticed less throttling than on other similar devices. The cover screen also doubles as a viewfinder for taking selfies with the rear cameras, which can produce better results in terms of detail and color accuracy. However, the real star of the show is the 6.7-inch inner screen, which boasts a crisp and vibrant display that's perfect for watching videos or browsing through your favorite apps. In terms of performance, the Razr 50 delivers smooth animations and snappy interactions, making it a joy to use. While some may notice a slight lag in certain situations, overall the experience is seamless and enjoyable. The battery life is also impressive, with an overall active use score of 11 hours and 46 minutes, which is respectable for a flip foldable. Overall, the display on the Motorola Razr 50 is a major highlight, offering a large and vibrant cover screen that's perfect for quick interactions, as well as a stunning inner display that's ideal for watching videos or browsing through apps.
Camera
The camera system on the Motorola Razr 50 is a mixed bag. The main 50-megapixel camera produces decent daylight photos with sufficient detail, but the processing leaves much to be desired. Excessive sharpening and jagged lines are noticeable, making the images look artificial. The dynamic range is wide, and colors are vibrant, but not overdone. Shots of people appear relatively good, with mostly accurate skin tones. However, there's a toggle in the viewfinder for two times digital zoom, which doesn't impress with its low detail level. In low light, the main camera produces like images with well-balanced exposures, preserved highlights, and decent shadow development. The ultrawide 13-megapixel camera struggles with dynamic range limitations and often produces results that are too cold or greenish. Macro close-ups are possible using the ultra-wide camera, but it's not as effective in low light, producing gloomy and underexposed photos with soft shadows. Selfies taken using the dedicated camera within the inner screen are decent, with good-looking colors and skin tones. However, taking selfies using the rear cameras with the cover screen acting as a viewfinder produces better results, with more saturated colors, natural bokeh, and improved detail. Video recording capabilities on the Razr 50 are limited to up to 4K resolution at 30 FPS using all three cameras. The main camera's video quality is good for its class, but not mature in terms of processing. Footage is contrasty, and low-light videos are noisy with a limited dynamic range. Electronic video stabilization does well to smooth out pans, but there's still some shakiness left over while walking. Overall, the camera system on the Motorola Razr 50 is average for its class, lacking in certain aspects like processing and ultra-wide camera performance. While it gets the job done, it's not exceptional in any way.
Price and Value
The Motorola Razr 50 is an intriguing addition to the foldable flip phone market. Priced competitively, this device offers a mid-range level chipset, which may raise some eyebrows. However, considering its price point, it's not entirely surprising. The Motorola Razr 50 is positioned as a more affordable alternative to other high-end foldables, and in that regard, it succeeds. Its pricing varies depending on the market, but assuming it's cheaper than the competition where you live, this phone becomes an attractive option. One of the significant advantages of the Razr 50 is its battery life. With an overall active use score of 11 hours and 46 minutes, it outperforms some of its competitors in video playback and web browsing tests. Additionally, support for 33 W wired charging and 15 W wireless charging is a welcome feature. The camera quality, however, is not the Razr 50's strongest suit. While daylight photos from the main camera are decent, with enough resolve detail, excessive sharpening and jagged lines detract from the overall image quality. Low-light performance, too, leaves room for improvement. Despite these drawbacks, the Motorola Razr 50's value proposition is hard to ignore. Its price point makes it a more accessible option for those interested in foldable phones without breaking the bank. While not the best performer in its class, the Razr 50 offers a good balance of features and affordability. Ultimately, if you're looking for an entry-point into the world of foldables or simply want to try out this form factor without committing to a high-end device, the Motorola Razr 50 is worth considering. Its price and value make it an attractive option in a competitive market.
Performance
The Motorola Razr 50's performance is a mixed bag. Despite its mid-range level chipset, the Dimensity 7300, the phone doesn't feel underpowered during regular use. However, benchmark scores are towards the bottom of the foldable pack, trailing behind devices like the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Moto Razr 50 Ultra. One notable advantage is that the thermals on this device are better than on other foldables, with less throttling observed during stress tests. This suggests that the chipset isn't pushing too hard, which can be beneficial for battery life. The phone's performance in our tests was respectable, earning an overall active use score of 11 hours and 46 minutes. In video playback and web browsing tests, it outperformed its competitors. However, it's worth noting that there is no turbo mode or boost available on this device to help push performance when needed. One change from last year is the removal of a charger in the box, with support for 33W wired charging instead. While a compatible adapter was provided, users will still need to purchase a separate charger. Wireless charging at 15W is supported as well. While the camera capabilities are not the strongest point of this device, performance-wise, it's a decent all-around device that doesn't feel underpowered in regular use. However, those looking for top-notch performance may want to consider other options like the Galaxy Z Flip 6 or the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra.
Pros
1. A mid-range level chipset that doesn't feel underpowered during regular use
2. Good battery life with an overall active use score of 11 hours and 46 minutes
3. Better water resistance compared to last year's model
4. A large cover screen with all sorts of functionality
Cons
1. Mid-range level chipset that puts it behind other foldables in terms of benchmark scores
2. Lack of a charger in the box, requiring an additional purchase
3. Camera quality isn't the best around, with excessive sharpening and jagged lines
4. Pricing varies depending on the market, which might make it more expensive than competitors