The Motorola Razr is a name synonymous with the early days of mobile phones. Known for its iconic foldable design, the Razr has captured a nostalgic audience for years. In 2023, Motorola revived the Razr with a modern twist, and the Motorola Razr 40 builds upon that foundation. Let’s delve into the specs, features, and whether this phone might be the right fit for you.
Design: A Blend of Classic and Modern
The Razr 40 retains the signature folding design that made the original Razr famous. It folds in half vertically, offering a compact form factor that easily slips into pockets or small bags. Unlike the chunky phones of the past, the Razr 40 is surprisingly thin and lightweight thanks to modern materials and engineering.
The phone boasts two displays. The main display, unfolded, is a large 6.9-inch AMOLED panel with a smooth 144Hz refresh rate for a buttery-smooth user experience. When folded, a smaller 3.6-inch external AMOLED display sits on the outer shell. This allows for quick access to notifications, messages, and other functions without having to unfold the phone.
Motorola offers the Razr 40 in three colors: Infinite Black, Glacier Blue, and the eye-catching Viva Magenta, the Pantone® Color of the Year 2023.
Performance: Mid-Range Powerhouse
The Razr 40 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, a mid-range chipset that offers good performance for everyday tasks like browsing the web, social media, and streaming videos. It’s paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking.
While it might not be the most powerful phone on the market, the Razr 40 is capable of handling most games at moderate settings. However, if you’re a hardcore gamer who demands top-of-the-line performance, you might want to consider a different option.
Camera System: Focus on Everyday Snaps
The Razr 40 features a dual-camera system on the back. The main sensor is a 64MP lens that captures decent photos in good lighting conditions. However, low-light performance is a bit underwhelming. The secondary camera is likely an ultrawide sensor, though details about its megapixel count are currently unavailable.
The front-facing camera for selfies is embedded in a small punch-hole cutout on the main display. While the resolution details are unknown, it should be sufficient for basic video calls and selfies.
Overall, the camera system on the Razr 40 is decent but not outstanding. If you prioritize exceptional camera capabilities, there are other phones on the market that excel in this area.
Battery Life: Room for Improvement
The Razr 40 packs a 4200mAh battery, which seems adequate on paper. However, real-world usage might tell a different story. The large foldable display and powerful processor can drain the battery quickly, especially with heavy use. The phone supports 30W fast charging, which helps with quick top-ups, but wireless charging is noticeably absent.
Software: Stock Android with Some Motorola Tweaks
The Razr 40 runs on a near-stock version of Android 13. This means you get a clean and bloatware-free experience with all the latest features and security updates from Google. Motorola adds a few of its own customizations, including Moto Actions for gesture controls and a few pre-installed apps.
Price and Availability
The Motorola Razr 40 starts at around $840 (US) for the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant. There’s also a 12GB RAM option that might come at a slightly higher price. The phone is currently available for purchase in select regions, including the United States and India.
Should You Buy the Motorola Razr 40?
The Motorola Razr 40 is a phone that caters to a specific niche. If you’re a fan of the classic Razr design and want a modern take on the foldable phone concept, the Razr 40 is a compelling option. It offers a good balance of performance, design, and functionality.
However, if you prioritize factors like top-tier camera performance, the longest battery life, or the most powerful processor, you might be better off looking elsewhere.
