Folding the Future into the Present
The flip phone is back! But this ain’t your grandma’s Razr. The Motorola Razr 2024 has arrived in Australia, and it’s bringing foldable phone technology to the masses with a sleek design, improved durability, and a surprisingly affordable price tag. After putting this futuristic flip phone through its paces, I’m ready to share my thoughts on whether it lives up to the hype.
First Impressions
The Razr 2024 is a head-turner. It’s a phone that sparks conversations and elicits “oohs” and “ahhs” wherever it’s unfolded. Motorola has clearly addressed some of the concerns of previous foldable phones, with a more robust hinge, a larger cover screen, and a focus on practicality. While it might not be perfect, the Razr 2024 is a compelling option for those seeking a unique and stylish smartphone experience.
Design and Build
The star of the show is undoubtedly the foldable design. Motorola has refined its hinge mechanism, resulting in a smoother and more satisfying folding action. The phone closes with a satisfying snap and unfolds to reveal a spacious internal display.
- Materials: The Razr 2024 is crafted with a combination of Gorilla Glass Victus and a vegan leather panel on the back, adding a touch of sophistication.
- Dimensions: When folded, it’s compact and pocketable, measuring 73.99 x 88.08 x 15.85mm. Unfolded, it transforms into a regular-sized smartphone with a 6.9-inch display.
- Weight: At 188g, it’s surprisingly lightweight for a foldable phone, making it comfortable to hold and use.
Compared to its main competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, the Razr 2024 feels more refined and polished. The hinge mechanism is smoother, and the overall build quality is excellent.
Displays
The Razr 2024 boasts two displays:
- Internal Display: A 6.9-inch pOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, 1440 x 3168 resolution, and HDR10+ support. It’s bright, vibrant, and offers smooth scrolling and animations.
- Cover Display: A 3.6-inch pOLED display on the outside of the phone. This larger cover screen is a significant upgrade from previous Razr models, allowing you to interact with notifications, widgets, and even some apps without unfolding the phone.
The crease on the main display is noticeable, especially when viewing it from certain angles or running your finger across it. However, it’s less prominent than on some other foldable phones and doesn’t significantly detract from the viewing experience.
Performance
The Razr 2024 is powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 processor, a flagship-level chip that delivers impressive performance. Combined with 8GB of RAM, the phone handles everyday tasks with ease. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is smooth, and there’s no noticeable lag or stutter.
- Gaming: The Razr 2024 is a capable gaming device, handling demanding games with smooth frame rates and good graphics quality. The 165Hz refresh rate enhances the gaming experience, making it feel more responsive and immersive.
Camera
The Razr 2024 features a dual rear camera system:
- Main Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilisation (OIS)
- Ultrawide Camera: 13MP, f/2.2 aperture
Image quality is generally good, with the main camera capturing detailed photos with accurate colours in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is decent, but not class-leading.
- Camera Features: The Razr 2024 offers various camera features, including Portrait mode, Night Vision, and Auto Smile Capture. You can also use the cover screen as a viewfinder for taking selfies with the main camera.
Software and User Experience
The Razr 2024 runs on Android 14 with Motorola’s My UX skin on top. My UX is a clean and close-to-stock Android experience with a few added features and customisations.
- Foldable Features: Motorola has included some software features specifically designed for the foldable design, such as Flex View mode, which allows you to use the phone in a half-folded position for hands-free video calls or watching videos.
The overall user experience is smooth and intuitive. The foldable design adds a fun and unique element to using the phone, and the larger cover screen enhances its practicality.
Battery Life
The Razr 2024 is equipped with a 4,200mAh battery, which is decent for a foldable phone. Battery life is generally good, lasting a full day with moderate use. However, heavy users might need to top up before the end of the day.
- Charging: The phone supports 30W wired charging, which is reasonably fast but not the fastest in its class. Wireless charging is also supported.
Durability
Motorola claims to have improved the durability of the Razr 2024’s hinge mechanism. The phone feels robust and well-built, and the hinge mechanism seems sturdy. However, long-term durability remains to be seen.
Price and Value
The Motorola Razr 2024 is priced at AU$1,699, making it one of the more affordable foldable phones on the market. It offers excellent value for the price, especially considering its sleek design, improved durability, and larger cover screen.
Conclusion
The Motorola Razr 2024 is a stylish and capable foldable phone that offers a unique and fun user experience. It’s a significant improvement over its predecessors, with a more robust hinge, a larger cover screen, and a competitive price tag.
Strengths:
- Sleek and stylish foldable design
- Improved durability
- Larger and more functional cover screen
- Good performance
- Competitive price
Weaknesses:
- Crease is still noticeable on the main display
- Battery life could be better
- Camera performance is good but not class-leading
Recommendation:
The Motorola Razr 2024 is a great choice for those seeking a stylish and affordable foldable phone. It’s a fun and unique device that’s sure to turn heads