Motorola‘s second-generation foldable is here — the Motorola Razr 2 or, as it’s being officially named, the Motorola Razr 5G.
The phone is a follow up to the Motorola Razr, which reached the market earlier back in 2019. It features a refined design, expanded functionality, and 5G to set it apart from the first-gen product.
Do these changes go far enough to make the Razr 5G worth lots of your hard-earned dollars? We have all the basics covered in this Android Authority buyer’s guide to help you on your decision-making journey.
The Motorola Razr 5G is technically a sequel to a sequel. It doesn’t stray far from the idea behind the original, which was to merge nostalgia for the flip phones of old with the folding display technology of 2020. The phone is a compact device when folded and a normal-sized smartphone when opened. It has one direct competitor in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 as well as tertiary competitors in other folding phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and, to a certain degree, the LG V60 and LG Velvet.
Motorola’s goal with this phone was to create a desirable, premium device that appeals to those who hold a fondness in their hearts for the personality of phones from ages past. But Motorola is also trying something new here. The folding form is in its infancy and none of the products in the market have truly found their footing.
So what is the Motorola Razr 5G? It’s a refined experiment, a second take, a chance to get things (more) right while serving as the shiny hero of Motorola’s lineup.
Keep in mind that this isn’t the latest Razr phone from Motorola. The company announced the Razr 2022 back in August, but the phone is exclusive to China.
The Razr 5G is as much a phone of the future as it is of the past. While it steals its basic approach from the famous 2005 smash hit, it showcases some of the latest innovations from Motorola and beyond. Despite having been in the market two years now, folding screens are still fresh tech. They have yet to scale down from pricey showpieces to more mainstream, affordable fare.
The Motorola Razr 5G is for people who are bored with current phone designs, who long for something different and new, who want something to show off to their friends in order to stir discussion. With a launch price of $1,400, it’s a high-end purchase that’s out of reach for most people. That makes the Razr 5G a luxury item.
It’s also for people willing to take chances. The first Razr was widely panned for its creaky hinge. Motorola says the hinge of its new phone has been completely redesigned and is stronger than ever. As always, that will need to bear out in the real world before we believe what Motorola is pitching. Moreover, folding display tech has yet to prove itself of real value to consumers. This could be a fad that fades into oblivion — or it could be the next big thing. We just don’t know yet.
Whatever your reasons for ditching the standard slab, the Motorola 5G is first and foremost for those who can afford it.
The Motorola Razr 5G sports a folding design with two displays: a 2.7-inch outer “quick view” display and the main inner screen. The external screen allows you to access small snippets of apps such as your messages, music player, and Google Maps. Up to eight apps can be pinned to the quick view screen for easy access. The 6.2-inch inner screen is a more traditional Full HD+ affair, but it’s decidedly low on pixels at less than Full HD.
A chin sets the design apart. Motorola says it tapered the chin on this second-generation product to make it easier to grip and interact with when it comes time to balance the phone. (The company moved the fingerprint reader from the chin to the rear of the phone, which makes it easier to reach and interact with.) The chin holds the phone’s four 5G antennas. Speaking of 5G, the phone adds support for sub-6GHz 5G, which means it is compatible with the current 5G networks of AT&T and T-Mobile.
Motorola is excited about the 48MP camera, which can be used as the main camera or a high-end selfie shooter. There’s also a dedicated selfie camera for when you’re holding the phone normally. The Razr 5G can record video at a maximum of 4K at 60fps.
In order to keep costs down, Motorola opted for a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset. This is not the 865 premium chip that powered most other 2020 flagships. Instead, it’s a more affordable option that Motorola says still delivers plenty of performance across the board. Some potential owners may be disappointed by this spec, but keep in mind there’s balance in everything. Rounding out the chipset, you’ve got an Adreno 620 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.
Last, there’s the battery. The phone has a meager 2,800mAh power cell inside. That’s not a lot by modern standards. Most flagships have batteries in the 4,000-5,000mAh range. Hopefully, the more frugal 765G combined with the Full HD+ resolution will keep power demands to a minimum.
