Motorola has just launched the Razr 40 Ultra, a clamshell foldable phone that boasts a huge 3.6-inch external display, a 6.9-inch internal display with 165Hz refresh rate, and a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. But is it worth the premium price tag? Here are our thoughts after spending some time with the device.
Design and display
The Razr 40 Ultra looks similar to its predecessor, the Razr 2022, but with some refinements and improvements. The hinge system has been updated to reduce the gap between the two halves of the phone when closed, and to make the crease on the foldable screen less noticeable. The phone feels premium and lightweight, with a glass or vegan leather back, an aluminum frame, and a stainless steel hinge.
The main attraction of the Razr 40 Ultra is the external display, which is the largest and fastest among clamshell foldables. The 3.6-inch pOLED screen has a resolution of 1056 x 1066 pixels, a refresh rate of 144Hz, and a peak brightness of 1100 nits. It can run a handful of apps that are optimized for it, such as Netflix, Disney+, and Spotify. You can also use it as a viewfinder for the main camera, or as a mini keyboard for quick replies.
The internal display is also impressive, with a 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED panel that has a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels, a refresh rate of up to 165Hz, and HDR10+ support. The screen can adapt its refresh rate according to the content, saving battery life. The bezels around the screen have been trimmed down, giving it a more immersive look.
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Performance and battery
The Razr 40 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, which is a flagship processor that can handle any task you throw at it. The phone comes with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, and either 256GB or 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. There is no microSD card slot for expansion, though.
The phone supports both eSIM and dual SIM cards, as well as 5G connectivity. It also has Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and a side-mounted fingerprint reader. The stereo speakers are loud and clear, and there is no headphone jack.
The battery capacity of the Razr 40 Ultra has been increased to 3800mAh, which should be enough for a day of moderate use. The phone supports both wired and wireless charging, but only at 30W and 5W respectively, which is not very fast compared to other flagships.
Cameras
The Razr 40 Ultra has two cameras on the back: a 12MP main camera with f/1.5 aperture, OIS, and PDAF; and a 13MP ultra-wide camera with f/2.2 aperture, autofocus, and a 108-degree field of view. The main camera can record videos at up to 4K@60fps with HDR10+ and gyro-EIS, while the ultra-wide camera can also shoot macros.
The camera performance is decent in good lighting conditions, but not exceptional. The main camera captures sharp and detailed shots with accurate colors and exposure, but struggles in low light situations. The ultra-wide camera offers a wider perspective, but suffers from distortion and noise at the edges.
The front-facing camera is located on the inside of the phone, and has a resolution of 32MP with f/2.4 aperture. It can also record videos at up to 4K@60fps. The selfie quality is good enough for social media purposes, but not very flattering in terms of skin tones and details.
Verdict
The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is a stylish and unique foldable phone that stands out from the crowd with its large external display and sleek design. It offers a great viewing experience on both screens, as well as smooth performance and decent battery life.
However, it also has some drawbacks that might deter some buyers. The cameras are not very impressive for the price range, the charging speed is slow compared to other flagships, and there is no water resistance or microSD card slot.
If you are looking for a clamshell foldable phone that can do more than just flip open and closed, the Razr 40 Ultra might be a good option for you. But if you are looking for the best camera performance, battery life, or durability, you might want to look elsewhere.
