Updated: October 5, 2020 2:06:17 pm
The Razr 5G is basically a foldable phone that turns into a fully functional smartphone. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia / Indian Express)
The Motorola Razr 5G, Motorola’s second generation foldable phone, has a better cover display and adds 5G connectivity with an improved design, processor and cameras. Still, the Motorola Razr isn’t for everyone and is clearly aimed at the wealthy who want to show off a unique and expensive phone. I spent two days with the Razr 5G and here are my first impressions.
Motorola Razr 5G price in India: Rs 1,24,999
Classic design is back and we love it
The power of nostalgia is strong, and Motorola knows how to capitalize on classic design. Like the first generation folding Razr, the new Razr 5G immediately reminds us of the original Razr, the iconic folding phone from 2004. But there are subtle differences between the first and second generation folding phone models.
I really liked the second-gen model for its solid, premium build. Gone is the plastic back and the square design. The new model is constructed from aircraft grade aluminum, has curved edges and polished 3D glass on the front and rear.
Motorola Razr 5G (left), Apple iPhone 11 (right). (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia / Indian Express)
The power button is on the left side of the device while the volume rocker is on the right. A USB-C port and speaker are at the bottom, but there is no headphone jack. The fingerprint sensor is now located on the back of the phone, within the Motorola logo.
The new Razr is also thicker and heavier than the first generation model. When open the Razr is 7.9mm thick and when closed the phone is 16mm thick (including the chin).
The chin supports the 5G antennas of the Razr. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia / Indian Express)
For me, the biggest draw of the new Razr 5G’s design over the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is that this foldable-style foldable form factor allows the user to fit a phone the size of a large screen into their shirt pocket. As in the case of the Fold 2, Samsung is trying to create a phone that behaves more or less like a tablet. But for Motorola, the idea is to create a folding phone that has the same screen as a normal phone but that folds in half like a folding phone. Clearly, both companies have a different view of folding phones.
Improved hinge, but the same foldable POLED screen
Although I used the new Razr 5G for only 48 hours, I felt much more confident in its durability. During the time I spent with the new Razr, the review unit opened and closed, smoothly and quietly. I can’t comment on the long-term durability of this phone, but in my limited experience, the new Razr never gave the impression of using a fragile device.
The Razr 5G uses a proprietary hinge mechanism, called a ‘zero gap hinge’. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia / Indian Express)
Inside, the new Razr 5G comes with a 6.2-inch POLED display, which is plastic and not glass. However, it is bright and colorful and yes, the crease in the middle of the folding screen is visible. But it disappears when watching a video or reading an article on the web. There is no IP rating, although Motorola has added a water-repellent coating, which means the phone can survive minor splashes of water.
The 2.7-inch Quick View screen can be used to view notifications or access applications without having to open the phone. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia / Indian Express)
And, on the outside, there’s a 2.7-inch, 800-by-600-pixel external display. The “fast display” is one of the best features of the new Razr. Although the 2.7-inch external screen is the same as the first generation, it is more functional. In addition to displaying the date, time, and notifications, you can also access applications such as Gmail, Google News, YouTube, and Messages without opening the phone. In fact, I responded to many emails using the quick view screen and even watched a few videos, easily switching to the main screen for a full viewing experience.
Agile performance and greatly improved cameras
One of the biggest flaws of the first-gen folding Razr was its questionable performance. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 710 was a good processor, but many reviewers had issues in terms of performance. With the second-generation model, Motorola has opted for a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone felt fast and fast with fast loading apps. I didn’t find any lag when playing resource-intensive games like Alto’s Odyssey.
The fingerprint scanner now moves from front to back. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia / Indian Express)
This is a 5G phone, but I was unable to test it as India’s non-telecom operator currently supports the next generation of mobile broadband that will replace 4G LTE. The phone runs Android 10.
And battery-wise, Motorola has used a 2,800 mAh cell, which is small but an improvement over the 2500 mAh cell used in the first-gen model. At the moment, it is very difficult to comment on how long the battery can last, but from what I could tell, the phone should easily last a day.
Personally, I’m more excited about the Razr 5G’s improved cameras. This version has a 48MP camera with f / 1.7 aperture and laser autofocus on the outside, and a 20MP camera with f / 2.2 aperture on the inside. The Razr 5G’s camera is fun to use and provides consistently detailed and colorful images in good lighting. But honestly, no one will buy a Razr 5G for their cameras. But I’m glad the Razr’s camera isn’t disappointing like its predecessor.
Take a look at some of the photos I took with the Razr 5G’s 48 MP camera.
Motorola Razr 5G: first impressions
At Rs1,24,999, the Razr 5G is a fashion statement and that might be the only reason to buy a foldable phone in 2020. But the Razr 5G appears to be a capable performer with a premium design, better cameras, and 5G. Your screen, of course, will attract consumers. Its high price makes the Motorola Razr 5G really hard to sell, but there is a growing market for folding phones in India.
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