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Foldable smartphones continue to evolve, offering users the perfect blend of nostalgia and cutting-edge technology. One such device is Motorola’s latest flip phone, the Moto Razer 50, also known as the Moto Razer 2024 in North America. Designed to be a mid-range alternative to the premium Moto Razer 50 Ultra, this phone provides many of the features of its flagship sibling while maintaining a lower price point. But does it offer enough to be your next smartphone? Let’s dive into the details.
Design and Build Quality
The Moto Razer 50 retains the iconic clamshell design with a modern twist. Its exterior is adorned with vegan leather, which not only adds a premium feel but also provides a better grip. The orange colorway is particularly striking, making the phone stand out in the crowd. Complementing the leather finish is a glossy 6000-series aluminum frame, adding durability and elegance.
One of the standout design features is the hinge mechanism. Made of stainless steel, the hinge allows the phone to fold flat without any gaps between the two halves. This design choice makes the phone compact and easy to carry. Additionally, the hinge supports different angles, enabling laptop-like functionality and features like a camcorder mode.
Another notable upgrade this year is the improved waterproofing. The Moto Razer 50 now boasts an IPX8 rating, meaning it can withstand water submersion. This is a significant improvement over last year’s model and brings it closer to competing with flagship foldables.
Display: A Big Leap Forward
The Moto Razer 50 features a much larger 3.6-inch cover display compared to its predecessor’s tiny ticker-style screen. This nearly edge-to-edge display wraps around the dual-camera setup and stops just short of the hinge. Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, the cover screen supports a 90Hz refresh rate and offers impressive brightness levels, peaking at 1,300 nits in auto mode. This makes it perfect for quick interactions, notifications, and even running supported apps like Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Photos.
The main display is a 6.9-inch foldable LTPO OLED panel with a 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. While it falls short of the 165Hz refresh rate of the Ultra model, it’s still smooth enough for most users. The display supports HDR10+ but lacks Dolby Vision. Brightness levels are commendable, reaching 1,300 nits in auto mode, making it usable even under direct sunlight. Though a crease is visible upon close inspection, it doesn’t detract significantly from the overall viewing experience.
Performance: A Mid-Range Proposition
Under the hood, the Moto Razer 50 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset. While this mid-range processor lags behind the flagship-grade chipsets found in devices like the Galaxy Z Flip 6 or the Razer 50 Ultra, it holds its own during day-to-day use. Benchmark scores place it towards the lower end of the foldable spectrum, but regular tasks like web browsing, app usage, and social media scrolling are handled smoothly.
One advantage of the mid-range chipset is better thermal management. During stress tests, the Moto Razer 50 exhibited less throttling compared to flagship foldables, ensuring a more consistent performance over prolonged periods.
The phone comes with 256GB or 512GB of non-expandable storage, catering to users with varying needs. Running on Motorola’s Hello UI over Android 14, the software experience is clean and intuitive, with minimal bloatware. Motorola promises three years of OS updates and four years of security patches, ensuring the phone stays relevant for years to come.
Battery Life and Charging
The Moto Razer 50 is equipped with a 4,200mAh battery, the same capacity as last year’s model. In our tests, it delivered an impressive overall active use score of 11 hours and 46 minutes, outperforming many competitors in the flip phone category. This includes excellent performance in video playback and web browsing tests.
Charging support remains at 33W wired and 15W wireless. However, Motorola has decided not to include a charger in the box this year. Using a compatible adapter, the phone charges from 0 to 59% in 30 minutes and takes just over an hour for a full charge. While this is not groundbreaking, it’s sufficient for most users.
Camera Performance
The camera setup on the Razer 50 includes a 50MP main sensor and a 13MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus. Unlike the Ultra model, there’s no telephoto lens, but the ultra-wide sensor doubles as a macro camera.
Daylight photos from the main camera offer decent detail and vibrant colors, though the processing leans heavily on sharpening, resulting in artificial textures. Dynamic range is wide, and skin tones in portrait shots are generally accurate. The 2x digital zoom is usable but lacks detail compared to optical zoom.
Low-light performance is respectable, with well-balanced exposures and good color saturation. However, shadow details could be improved. The ultra-wide camera struggles with dynamic range and often produces cold or greenish tones, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Its low-light performance is subpar, but the ability to take macro shots adds versatility.
Selfies are decent when using the dedicated front camera, but the best results come from using the main camera with the cover screen as a viewfinder. These selfies offer better detail, natural bokeh, and vibrant colors.
In terms of video, the Razer 50 supports 4K recording at 30fps on all cameras. The main camera’s video quality is good, with plenty of detail and contrasty footage. However, low-light videos suffer from noise and limited dynamic range. Electronic stabilization does a decent job but isn’t flawless.
Audio and Biometrics
The Moto Razer 50 features stereo speakers with good loudness and lively audio quality. While it lacks the bass richness of the Ultra model, the overall sound performance is satisfactory for a mid-range device.
The fingerprint scanner is integrated into the side-mounted power button. It’s quick and reliable, ensuring seamless unlocking and authentication.
Pros and Cons
Pricing and Verdict
Pricing for the Moto Razer 50 varies depending on the market, but it’s positioned as a more affordable alternative to flagship foldables. If priced competitively in your region, it offers great value with its large cover display, improved water resistance, decent battery life, and unique design.
That said, there are compromises. The mid-range chipset may deter power users, and the camera quality falls short of premium standards. Additionally, the lack of a charger in the box is a disappointment.
Alternatives
If you’re considering alternatives, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 offers flagship-grade performance, while the Moto Razer 50 Ultra delivers better cameras and a more powerful chipset for a higher price. If your budget allows, these models might be worth exploring.
Final Thoughts
The Moto Razer 50 is an intriguing addition to the foldable phone market, striking a balance between features and affordability. It’s ideal for those who want a stylish, compact flip phone with decent functionality without breaking the bank. Let us know your thoughts on the Moto Razer 50, and stay tuned for more reviews!
