Motorola Razr 50 Ultra review
The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is an excellent flip phone that improves in many ways over its predecessor. The biggest changes noticeable are the better battery life, faster charging, and nicer camera quality. The battery capacity has been increased from 3,800mAh to 4,000mAh, resulting in a very good active use score of 12 hours and 5 minutes. The phone's performance is also impressive, with plenty of power for smooth multitasking and heavy gaming. However, thermal management is worse than other flagships, which is typical for a flip phone. One of the standout features of the Razr 50 Ultra is its camera quality. The 50MP main cam takes very good photos during the day, with accurate exposures and wide dynamic range. Low-light performance is also impressive, with nicely balanced exposures and well-saturated colors. The telephoto camera delivers sharp two times Zoom shots and decent four time zoom results. The phone's design is sleek and compact, making it easy to use as a flip phone. The secondary screen can be used as a viewfinder for selfies taken with the rear cameras, which is a convenient feature. Overall, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is a well-rounded and well-crafted device that deserves consideration for those looking for a modern flip foldable. While it has some downsides, such as poor thermal management, its many improvements make it an excellent choice for those in the market for a flip phone.
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is a sleek and premium flip phone that boasts an impressive build quality and design. The device's compact form factor makes it perfect for those who want a phone that fits easily in a pocket or purse. One of the standout features of the Razr 50 Ultra is its solid construction. The phone's body is made from high-quality materials, such as aluminum and glass, which gives it a premium feel. The device's hinge mechanism is also sturdy and reliable, making it easy to open and close with one hand. The design of the Razr 50 Ultra is sleek and modern, with a minimalist aesthetic that will appeal to fans of clean lines and simple shapes. The phone's display is a stunning 6.7 inches in size, making it perfect for streaming videos or browsing the web on the go. The device's secondary screen, which serves as a viewfinder when taking selfies or navigating menus, is also a clever touch. This feature allows users to quickly access important information without having to fully open the phone, making it a convenient and time-saving feature. In terms of design, the Razr 50 Ultra is a significant improvement over its predecessor. The new phone's sleeker lines and improved materials make it feel more premium and high-end than ever before. Overall, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is a beautifully designed phone that excels in both form and function. Its sturdy build quality, impressive display, and clever features make it a top choice for anyone looking for a modern flip phone that's both stylish and functional.
Battery Life
One of the most significant upgrades in the new Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is its improved battery life. The device now boasts a 4,000mAh battery, which is an increase from the 3,800mAh battery found in its predecessor. In our tests, the Razr 50 Ultra delivered a very good active use score of 12 hours and 5 minutes, outperforming its predecessor by several hours. This translates to about 22 hours on voice calls, over 10 hours on web browsing, over 15 hours on video streaming, or approximately 8 hours of gaming. Furthermore, the device's battery life is now more efficient, allowing it to last a full day with moderate use and even a couple of days with lighter usage. The improved battery life is a significant step forward for the Razr series and makes it an even more attractive option for those seeking a premium flip phone experience. While charging times are still somewhat slow, with a 68W charger supporting up to 45W fast charging, the ability to get through a full day without needing to recharge is a welcome change. Overall, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra's improved battery life is a notable upgrade that makes it an even more compelling choice for those in the market for a high-end flip phone.
Display
The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra boasts an impressive foldable display, making it a standout in the smartphone market. When unfolded, the screen stretches to 6.7 inches, offering a vibrant and detailed visual experience. One of the notable features of the Razr 50 Ultra's display is its high resolution, with a Quad HD+ (1440 x 2520 pixels) setup that provides crisp and clear visuals. The color accuracy is also impressive, with vivid colors that pop against the screen. The foldable design allows for a more intimate experience when using the phone in portrait mode, making it ideal for social media scrolling, reading, or gaming. However, some users may find the crease on the folded display to be slightly noticeable, but this is a minor quibble. In terms of brightness and visibility, the Razr 50 Ultra excels, with excellent outdoor performance even under direct sunlight. The screen's auto-brightness feature also adjusts seamlessly, ensuring that the display remains comfortable to view in various lighting conditions. When using the phone as a viewfinder for taking selfies, the secondary screen provides an intuitive experience, allowing users to compose shots and adjust settings without needing to physically interact with the main camera lens. Overall, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra's display is a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a premium visual experience that is on par with some of the best flagships in the market.
Camera
The camera on the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is a notable improvement over its predecessor. The main camera boasts a 50MP sensor, paired with a 50MP two-time telephoto lens. While there's no ultra-wide angle lens, the dedicated zoom option is a welcome addition. During the day, the main camera produces excellent results. Photos have accurate exposures, wide dynamic range, and great contrast. Detail is good, but can occasionally appear heavily sharpened. Colors are well-saturated, although white balance can be slightly off in some outdoor scenes. Low-light performance from the main camera is impressive, with nicely balanced exposures and preserved highlights. Shadows are bright enough, and colors maintain their saturation well too. However, detail can sometimes appear soft, and there's a hint of noise. Electronic stabilization helps to iron out shake, but results aren't as smooth as other phones. 4K video from the main camera has a warmish white balance, but color saturation is spot on. Dynamic range and contrast are respectable, if not particularly impressive. The detail could be better, with a general softness that's sometimes exacerbated by walking or moving subjects. The telephoto camera delivers sharp results at two times zoom, with excellent detail and vibrant colors. White balance is more often accurate than the main camera, although can occasionally go awry with warm string lights. Four times zoom shots are decent, if not pin-sharp, and low-light performance from the telephoto lens is respectable. The telephoto cam's 4K video has great detail for its class, but white balance can sometimes be off. One notable absence on the Razr 50 Ultra is a toggle to access the telephoto camera when using the rear cameras as a viewfinder. This means selfies taken with the main cam are still the best option. The dedicated 32MP selfie camera embedded within the inner screen produces slower-quality photos, missing autofocus and detail that's not quite on par with the main camera. However, results are still respectable, if not spectacular. Overall, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra's cameras offer a significant step forward from previous iterations. While there are some limitations, particularly in video stabilization and detail at higher zooms, the phone delivers solid performance in most scenarios.
Price and Value
In a market dominated by smartphones with traditional designs, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra stands out as a premium flip phone that offers a unique experience. The device's sleek design, powerful performance, and improved battery life make it an excellent choice for those looking for a modern take on the classic flip phone. The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is priced at $1,599, which may seem steep to some. However, considering its premium build quality, advanced features, and innovative design, it's a price that justifies itself. In comparison to other flagships in the market, the Razr 50 Ultra offers a unique selling point with its flip form factor. While it's true that you can find other smartphones with similar specs at lower prices, the Razr 50 Ultra's value lies in its exclusivity and craftsmanship. The device's premium materials, sleek design, and attention to detail make it feel like a high-end luxury product. Ultimately, whether or not the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is worth the price depends on your personal preferences and priorities. If you're looking for a unique phone that stands out from the crowd, offers excellent performance, and has a premium design, then it's definitely worth considering. However, if budget is a concern, there are other options available in the market. In conclusion, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is a well-crafted device that delivers on its promises. While its price may be a bit steep for some, its value lies in its exclusivity and craftsmanship. If you're looking for a premium flip phone experience, then it's definitely worth considering.
Performance
The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra boasts an impressive array of performance features, but how well does it live up to its promise? Let's dive into the details. Firstly, the phone is powered by a high-performance processor, which provides seamless multitasking and heavy gaming capabilities. While it's not the fastest device on the market, it's more than sufficient for everyday use. However, thermal management is where things take a turn for the worse. During prolonged stress tests, the phone exhibited significant thermal throttling, reducing performance by around 50%. In terms of battery life, the Razr 50 Ultra has seen an increase from its predecessor, now boasting a capacity of 4,000mAh. This translates to a very good active use score of 12 hours and 5 minutes, which includes about 22 hours on voice calls, 10 hours on web browsing, 15 hours on video streaming, or around 8 hours of gaming. The charging speeds have also seen an improvement, with the phone supporting up to 45W charging. While it's not as fast as some other flagships, it's still a welcome upgrade from its predecessor. With the provided 68W charger, we were able to charge the phone from 0-78% in half an hour and reach full capacity in just 47 minutes. In terms of performance, the Razr 50 Ultra is more than capable of handling demanding tasks and games. However, its thermal management issues may hold it back in certain situations. Overall, while not perfect, the phone's performance is still respectable and makes it a solid choice for those seeking a modern flip-foldable device. In conclusion, while the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra's performance has some minor flaws, it's still an excellent device that offers plenty of value for its price. If you're in the market for a reliable foldable phone with decent performance, the Razr 50 Ultra is definitely worth considering.