Change is a constant in the tech world, and Motorola, a company with a rich history, has embraced it with the evolution of its iconic Razr series. The latest addition, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, brings a refreshing take on foldable smartphones, challenging norms and pushing boundaries. This device not only captivates with its sleek design but also introduces innovative features that set it apart in the competitive smartphone market.
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra design
The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra boasts top-notch specifications, rivaling the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. It features a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Additionally, it has Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and support for multiple 5G bands. The phone has a single physical nano-SIM card slot and a secondary e-SIM functionality, both of which can be used in dual-standby mode. It also has a USB 2.0 Type-C port and a 3,800mAh battery that can be charged with the included 30W charger.
The Razr 40 Ultra runs on Android 13 and offers extensive customization options, including font, wallpaper, and theme choices. There’s minimal bloatware, with only a few pre-installed apps such as Family Space, Moto, Moto Secure, and Moto Notifications.
One of the standout features of the Razr 40 Ultra is its external display, which allows for fluid customization and interaction. Users can change or customize elements of the external display directly from that display or from the inner display. Additionally, the external display works well with regular casual games, and Motorola has included a number of pre-installed mini games specifically designed for the external display.
Another unique aspect of the Razr 40 Ultra is its ability to view notifications and run full apps on the external display. Motorola’s MyUX allows for per-app settings when transitioning from the external display to the internal one or vice versa, which works smoothly with many third-party apps. Furthermore, users can choose whether to view apps in full-screen mode or the default view, which avoids the cameras. While there are some limitations with certain apps, such as note-taking apps, the external display remains an impressive feature.
Overall, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers a compelling combination of hardware and software features, making it a strong contender in the foldable smartphone market. Its sleek design, powerful processor, and advanced software capabilities make it an appealing choice for those looking for a high-end foldable device.
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra specifications and software
The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is a top-notch foldable smartphone that offers a range of impressive specifications and software features. In terms of core specs, it surpasses the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, which previously offered the best specs in this segment.
The Razr 40 Ultra is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, which may seem a bitdated, but still delivers sufficient power for gaming and everyday app use. It also comes with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, with no expandable memory option. However, the additional storage compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s base model (which retails at the same price) makes the Razr more attractive.
The phone supports Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and multiple 5G bands. It has a single physical nano-SIM card slot and a secondary e-SIM functionality, allowing for dual-standby mode. Charging is done via a USB 2.0 Type-C port, and the phone is powered by a 3,800mAh battery that can be quickly charged with the included 30W charger.
The Razr 40 Ultra’s software is based on Android 13 and offers numerous customization options, including font, wallpaper, and theme choices. There’s minimal bloatware, with only a few pre-installed apps like Family Space, Moto, Moto Secure, and Moto Notifications.
What sets the Razr 40 Ultra apart is its external display, which allows for seamless customization and interaction. Users can change or customize elements of the external display directly from that display or from the inner display. Additionally, the external display works smoothly, which is a departure from the usual separate customizations for the outer display found in other foldables.
The external display also enables users to play casual games like Subway Surfers in full screen, and Motorola has included some addictive mini games designed specifically for the external display. Moreover, users can view notifications and run full apps on the external display, thanks to Motorola’s MyUX. This feature works impressively well with most third-party apps.
While the two cameras on the cover display can obstruct app views, Motorola allows users to choose between a full-screen view or a default view that cuts out the cameras, providing a rectangular display for apps. Although this view is minimal, it’s still impressive how much work can be accomplished on the cover display, given that they are full-blown apps. However, there are some limitations when using note-taking apps like Evernote, as the keyboard pops up and blocks the view and selection.
In summary, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers a compelling package of specifications and software features, making it a strong contender in the foldable smartphone market. Its powerful processor, ample storage, advanced software capabilities, and innovative external display make it an attractive option for those seeking a premium foldable device.
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra performance
The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers solid performance, with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Benchmark scores were as expected, with 9,76,130 points in AnTuTu and 1,826 and 4,703 points in Geekbench’s single and multi-core tests, respectively.
Gaming performance was impressive, with no notable dropped frames or lag during gameplay. The device did get warm after extended playtime, but this didn’t affect performance. The camera app, however, caused the device to heat up significantly, leading to slower performance and sluggish behavior.
The dual speaker setup provided immersive audio, suitable for gaming and movie streaming. However, the left speaker was slightly louder than the right speaker when held horizontally.
The main display is a pOLED panel with a full-HD+ resolution, offering a 165Hz maximum refresh rate and a 360Hz touch sampling rate. Colors appeared vibrant, but the default ‘Saturated’ color setting seemed excessive. The ‘Natural’ setting provided a more accurate color representation. Outdoor visibility was adequate, and the new hinge made the display crease nearly invisible.
The display typically operated at 1Hz for battery conservation, but could be forced to 165Hz in games using Motorola’s Gametime tools. Unfortunately, Netflix didn’t recognize the display’s HDR capabilities, limiting HDR content availability.
Durability-wise, the Razr 40 Ultra’s folding display felt sturdier than the Find N2 Flip but not as robust as Samsung’s ultra-thin glass on the Galaxy Z Flip 4. After two weeks of use, including extensive gaming, the display sustained only a minor dent.
The external display boasts a 1:1 aspect ratio, 3.6-inch diagonal measurement, and a crisp 413ppi resolution. It offers a 144Hz refresh rate that adjusts dynamically according to content, ranging from 60Hz to 120Hz. Reflectivity made the outer display appear slightly duller, but it remained sufficiently bright outdoors. Call of Duty: Mobile ran smoothly on the cover display, and switching between displays was seamless.
Battery life was excellent, lasting 18 hours and 27 minutes in the video loop test with the display’s refresh rate set to High. Casual use easily yielded a full day’s worth of battery life, and the external display helped conserve power. However, the camera app proved to be a significant battery drain. Adaptive battery optimization required a three-day break-in period for optimal performance.
Charging speeds were satisfactory, reaching 50% in 30 minutes and fully charging in an hour and nine minutes. Wireless charging is available, albeit at a slow 5W speed, compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s 15W capability.
In conclusion, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra delivers commendable performance, impressive gaming capabilities, and long battery life. While the camera app’s heat issues and limited HDR content availability are drawbacks, the device’s overall package makes it an enticing option for those seeking a high-end foldable smartphone.
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra cameras
The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra features a dual-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 12-megapixel primary camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera with a 108-degree field of view (FOV). The ultra-wide-angle camera can also capture macro photos. On the front, there’s a 32-megapixel camera embedded into the inner folding display. Both the front and rear cameras can shoot video at 4K 60fps.
The dual displays allow for some unique camera features. The rear cameras can be used for selfies when the phone is folded, and the cover display can serve as a viewfinder. Additionally, the external display can be propped up in tent mode for hands-free selfies or selfie videos.
Daylight camera samples show good detail and contrast, but slightly limited dynamic range. Images tend to be saturated, and there’s some purple fringing in brighter scenes. Low-light photos taken with Night mode deliver better dynamic range and sharpness, but there’s visible noise in darker areas.
Ultra-wide-angle camera samples exhibit good colors, sharpness, and dynamic range in daylight. However, low-light performance suffers from soft or out-of-focus images, although tapping the screen to lock focus helps improve quality. This camera also serves as a capable macro camera.
Selfies taken with the front camera are sharp, clear, and well-exposed, but low-light selfies suffer from flat textures. Primary camera selfies are better in all lighting conditions.
Video recording maxes out at 4K 60fps, but auto-exposure adjustments cause flickering. HDR10+ video at 4K 30fps is available but lacks stabilization and encounters other issues. Recording in low light produces dark, contrasted, and noisy footage, with subpar stabilization.
Verdict
Motorola’s Razr 40 Ultra is a standout device in the crowded foldable smartphone market. It successfully introduces novel features without resorting to gimmicks, making it a compelling choice for tech-savvy consumers.
The cover display is a highlight, ranking among the best in its class. Its fluidity and optimized software result in a seamless user experience. Additionally, the device boasts a competent camera system, complete with a macro mode.
However, the Razr 40 Ultra isn’t perfect. It tends to overheat when using the camera app, which might be a concern for avid photographers. That said, it’s challenging to find another foldable smartphone that matches its feature-rich offerings and sleek design at the price point. As such, the new Razr flagship should attract plenty of interest from high-end Android users seeking a fresh and exciting smartphone experience.