At a lookSkilled’s Score
Execs
- Unimaginable 4-inch exterior show
- Daring color choices
- Improved cameras from earlier era
- Distinctive software program options
- Spectacular battery life for a flip
Cons
- Not as lengthy software program assist as Samsung
- Will get heat with intensive use
- Weaker inner digital camera
Our Verdict
The Motorola Razr 50 Extremely makes huge enhancements to its digital camera and battery life in comparison with the earlier era, all whereas preserving prices under its greatest rival. If you would like a flip cellphone in 2024, that is the one to purchase.
For the reason that launch of the reimagined Razr in 2019, Motorola has come a good distance.
Final yr’s Razr 40 Extremely beat its greatest rival, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, to win our crown as one of the best folding cellphone.
There have been some hiccups stopping it from perfection, together with an older chipset and a barely underwhelming digital camera for the worth. Nevertheless, this yr Motorola has managed to include {hardware} upgrades and a aggressive value for 2024’s launch, the Razr 50 Extremely – also called the Razr+ (2024) within the US.
There are compromises, however they’re all in the best areas – making this flip cellphone the cream of the foldable crop, and top-of-the-line smartphones I’ve ever reviewed.
Design & Construct
- 4 colors
- IPX8 score
- Matching leather-based case and strap
At first look, the Razr 50 Extremely appears like final yr’s mannequin. It retains the identical curved edges that permit it to suit comfortably in your palm when closed. That stated, Motorola has outdone itself this yr with the quilt show, which is the biggest we’ve seen on a flip cellphone at 4-inches.
The hinge on the cellphone permits it to open and shut easily, leaving barely any hole between the 2 halves. When shut, the cellphone is simply 15.32mm thick, 73.9mm lengthy and weighs simply 189g, so it matches completely in pockets – even the minuscule ones on ladies’s denims (game-changing, of us).
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Because of the digital camera bump, the cellphone doesn’t lie absolutely flush with the show going through up, however that’s a standard gripe of many flagship smartphones. Motorola claims that the revamped hinge permits customers to shut and open the cellphone one-handed extra simply. It’s doable, but it surely nonetheless takes a little bit of fiddling round.
There’s a minimal crease, particularly after simply unfolding the system. Nevertheless, not like cheaper foldables just like the Nubia Flip 5G, it’s barely noticeable and doesn’t destroy my expertise watching YouTube or streaming Netflix.
The cellphone is available in 4 colors: Scorching Pink, Spring Inexperienced, Peach Fuzz and Midnight Blue, which I examined. These tones are current on each the aluminium chassis and the vegan leather-based rear a part of the cellphone. The blue model has a refined stripe down the center, including a little bit of a aptitude to probably the most understated color within the vary.
It matches completely in pockets – even the minuscule ones on ladies’s denims (game-changing, of us)
The Razr 50 Extremely packs an IPX8 score, which implies it could survive a 1.5-metre dunking for as much as half-hour. Whereas that’s the next water resistance than final yr’s mannequin, the cellphone has no mud safety, although Motorola did inform Trusted Opinions that the construct and hinge are designed to minimise letting this in.
There’s additionally now Gorilla Glass Victus on the quilt display screen, so it’s extra protected in opposition to drops. However after all, I’d advocate nonetheless utilizing a case as a result of nature of its construct.
The amount rocker and energy button sit on the right-hand aspect, with the USB-C port on the backside. The ability button has a fingerprint scanner inbuilt, and it really works constantly effectively. Face recognition can be out there.
This premium cellphone comes with an identical vegan leather-based forged and non-compulsory strap, so you possibly can carry the cellphone on a lanyard or crossbody model. I liked the purple colourway on my mannequin, although it typically had hassle gripping the cellphone when first placing it on.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Display screen & Audio system
- Enormous 4-inch exterior show
- 6.9-inch inner show
- Stereo audio system
As a result of its foldable nature, there are two shows to debate on the Razr 50 Extremely. Let’s begin with that massive previous 4-inch FHD+ pOLED 120Hz exterior one.
This daring, vibrant and spectacular outer show stretches across the cameras, so you possibly can run any app on it. It is a distinction to many different flip rivals that solely embody smaller screens predominantly for studying notifications.
Meaning you possibly can watch YouTube movies, use Google Maps and reply to chats on Messenger, all with out unflipping the cellphone. There are additionally devoted widgets for the exterior show, akin to a Spotify participant.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Apps which are opened on the outer show principally default to working smaller, leaving a niche on the backside. Some apps akin to Messenger supply the choice of a ‘Fullscreen editor’ when typing on the keyboard, which eliminates the chat above for a cleaner viewing expertise. Others, such because the climate, lengthen to the underside – although the digital camera bump does cowl over some icons.
Utilizing the show closed whereas travelling is extraordinarily helpful. I can management my music and reply messages, all whereas having a safer grip on my cellphone. It’s additionally helped me handle my display screen time higher, as I’m much less prone to scroll by social media as soon as the Razr is closed. Which may be a psychological factor, after all.
…you possibly can watch YouTube movies, use Google Maps and reply to chats on Messenger, all with out unflipping the cellphone
Shifting onto the interior show – you get a 6.9-inch pOLED show, with a decision of 2640 x 1080 and a refresh fee of as much as 165Hz. That’s the joint-highest refresh fee of any cellphone.
There’s solely the choice to pick out between ‘excessive’ and ‘customary’ moderately than placing the show completely on any particular quantity. Nevertheless, the LTPO tech means it could drop all the way in which all the way down to 1Hz to preserve battery life when not required.
You additionally get a peak brightness of 2400 nits, leading to a shiny, vibrant display screen that’s simple to view underneath daylight and is a pleasure to observe movies on. Nevertheless, as a result of it’s longer than the common sweet bar mannequin, you’ll get letterboxing on the perimeters of content material from the likes of Netflix, which makes use of the 16:9 ratio. It’s conscious of faucets and swipes, although, with no sluggishness in sight.
The Razr 50 Extremely has stereo audio system, with assist for Dolby Atmos. The audio isn’t as vibrant or punchy as I’ve seen on different flagships, but it surely’s moderately loud so first rate for podcasts and movies. There’s additionally no headphone jack, however that’s customary today on telephones of this value.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Specs & Efficiency
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
- 12GB RAM/512GB price of storage
Final yr’s Razr 40 Extremely ran on an previous Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor – that’s not the case anymore. The Razr 50 Extremely is filled with the newest Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 which launched in 2024. That is paired with 12GB RAM and 512GB price of storage within the UK. US customers solely get 256GB, sadly.
This chipset might not be as highly effective because the 8 Gen 3, purchase you possibly can nonetheless count on speedy efficiency day-to-day. The cellphone is fast in addition up, and has no issues switching between app and between the 2 shows. It’s additionally able to some work and gaming, do you have to want it.
Motorola Razr 50 Extremely benchmarks
As you possibly can see, it’s not fairly flagship-level efficiency. If you would like that in a clamshell foldable, we advocate the Galaxy Z Flip 6. That’s additionally the higher system for energy customers, because it provides a vapour chamber system for cooling. Throughout lengthy video calls, I seen that the Razr 50 Extremely acquired fairly sizzling.
…you possibly can nonetheless count on speedy efficiency day-to-day
Cameras
- 50Mp principal digital camera
- 50Mp telephoto
- 32Mp selfie
Motorola has opted for a beefed-up digital camera setup for this era, however to try this it needed to ditch a serious part. Motorola has swapped out the ultrawide for a 50Mp telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom so customers can get higher zoomed-in pictures and improved portrait pictures. That is paired with a 50Mp principal snapper.
Some could disagree with the choice to take away the ultrawide digital camera. Nevertheless, I’d argue that almost all of those have a drop in high quality in comparison with the primary one, and solely are available helpful a handful of occasions. I’d a lot favor to have a set-up that prioritises zooms for the likes of journey and concert events.
The principle digital camera on this cellphone is basically spectacular. The Razr 50 Extremely captures an distinctive quantity of element, together with nice textures akin to fur and hair. Shadows additionally seem dynamic, with cloudy pictures trying simply as spectacular as these taken in vibrant sunshine.
Colors pop loads on the Razr, albeit erring barely on the over-processed aspect. Nevertheless, when you love a very good filter and like daring and vibrant photographs, this gained’t be a problem.
Portrait mode is equally strong, with simply sufficient of a blur to look skilled. There’s the choice to make use of this in 4 completely different focal lengths, although the closer-up pictures are extra correct in capturing nice particulars.
The Razr 50 Extremely captures an distinctive quantity of element, together with nice textures akin to fur and hair
The 2x optical zoom is superb, with solely a slight shift in colors. As you veer into digital territory, particulars start to melt and begin to look ropey previous 10x zoom. Nevertheless, that’s a compromise of choosing a cellphone with a flippy construct, moderately than one thing that prioritises the cameras just like the Pixel 8 Professional.
Night time mode captures an excellent stage of element, with processing working to minimise mild glare in comparison with the primary digital camera. Nevertheless, it doesn’t fairly elevate topics as clearly as rivals – see the bush under on the Razr (first) in comparison with the OnePlus 12 (second):
For selfies, I’d advocate simply taking them with the cellphone folded shut. You possibly can see the distinction right here utilizing the primary snapper (first) versus the interior 32Mp one (second) which is similar as final yr’s. This loses the aptitude and blurs pores and skin particulars.
It’s a disgrace that the entrance digital camera isn’t one of the best, however when you will have such a viable different, I don’t see this as a dealbreaker.
Motorola has additionally included loads of distinctive flip digital camera options. This consists of the exterior show digital camera preview, which is especially helpful for recording vlogs because it acts as a preview window.
There’s a setting to allow a cartoon preview, which will help get kids’s consideration for photographs. Lastly, there’s the retro camcorder mode, which routinely begins to file video once you fold the cellphone at a 90-degree axis.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Talking of video, the Razr 50 Extremely can file in each 4K and 1080p, in 30fps and 60fps, with assist for HDR10 when you movie in FHD high quality. Adaptive stabilisation additionally helps to minimise undesirable shakes and labored fairly easily throughout my testing.
Battery Life & Charging
- 4000mAh battery
- 45W wired charging
- 15W wi-fi charging
Motorola has elevated the battery on the Razr Extremely from 3800mAh to 4000mAh.
That’s nonetheless smaller than many different flagship rivals, however for a flip cellphone, I used to be impressed with the battery on the Razr 50 Extremely. On common I’d get a few day and a half’s price of utilization, watching movies, listening to Spotify, messaging and taking calls.
In comparison with the day-long battery lifetime of the Razr 40 Ultra, this is quite game-changing.
Wired charging has also been improved from 30W to 45W. This juices the phone from zero to 59% in 30 minutes. Plus, there’s also 15W wireless charging support, should you need it.
…for a flip phone, I was impressed with the battery on the Razr 50 Ultra
Software & Apps
- Android 14
- Three years of software updates
- Plenty of exclusive foldable features
One of the benefits of getting a Motorola phone is that you get a clean software experience – with this phone shipping with the latest OS at the time of writing, Android 14. That means there’s minimal bloat and app duplications, which brands such as Oppo and Samsung have.
There are all the usual Google apps and settings, plus plenty more features exclusive to this phone. This includes gesture controls such as twisting your wrist twice to open the camera when the phone is closed, and the ability to keep apps open when you transition between displays.
And as this is a flip phone, you can open the device to answer a call when it rings – a feature that will appeal to my fellow millennials. For videos and visual calls, the phone can be used in laptop, stand or tent modes, with apps such as YouTube adjusting to the orientation.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Any app can be used on the outer display (Maps, Instagram, YouTube etc), but they aren’t all completely properly optimised – some just work better on the full screen, as otherwise information can be cramped. Google and other developers will probably not work on dedicated versions of these apps until there are more devices with this unique flip-style build.
Motorola has made a big shout about including Gemini AI on the external display, and support for Moto AI, with Magic Canvas that can create custom wallpapers. I’m not that enthused by gen-AI features, but the Razr has plenty of other customisation options for fonts, wallpapers and themes, so you can make this phone your own.
One of the benefits of getting a Motorola phone is that you get a clean software experience
The Razr 50 Ultra comes with three years of software updates and four years of security updates. While this is standard compared to most of the market, it’s well behind the promises of Google and Samsung, which offer seven years of each.
Price & Availability
The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra/Razr+ starts from £999/$999. That price remains flat in the US, but it’s a £50 drop in the UK compared to the previous generation.
You can buy it outright from Motorola, Amazon and Currys within the UK, and pre-order it from Motorola and Finest Purchase in America – when you do this, you’ll get $100 off the RRP, making it an actual steal.
The cellphone goes on sale within the States on 24 July. UK readers may register their curiosity for the Scorching Pink colourway, which hasn’t hit cabinets but on this nation.
In case you’d favor to purchase the cellphone on contract, then it’s out there from the likes of O2, Carphone Warehouse and Vodafone in Britain, and T-Cell within the US. We’ve acquired one of the best month-to-month UK offers out there under.
And when you’re within the US, the choices under have not less than 5GB of information:
The newest Samsung Z Flip 6 clocks in £50/$100 dearer than that. Whereas it provides cooling, a greater processor and longer software program assist, it doesn’t have a telephoto lens and contains a smaller exterior show.
Due to this fact, until your precedence is working probably the most highly effective apps and video games, the Razr 50 Extremely provides extra on your cash – particularly when you’re within the UK. You possibly can verify our round-up of one of the best foldable telephones for extra choices.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Must you purchase the Motorola Razr 50 Extremely?
The Motorola Razr 50 Extremely has made strong enhancements on the 2023 foldable whereas managing to undercut its greatest rival, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Its improved battery life means it may be used for a day and a half on a single cost, whereas the extra highly effective principal digital camera means the cellphone will not be far behind sweet bar flagships. Motorola’s choice to chop the ultrawide lens is a good trade-off.
The massive exterior show is a pleasure to make use of, as are all of the quirky options of this distinctive construct. All these parts make this flip cellphone a really distinctive piece of tech – one which has even tempted a few of my Apple loyalist associates.
Positive, not all of the apps are optimised for this display screen, the interior selfie digital camera isn’t one of the best and the cellphone will get a bit sizzling right here and there. Nevertheless, that is the strongest Razr but, and one of the best clamshell foldable in the marketplace proper now contemplating the worth you pay.
Specs
- 4-inch, 165Hz pOLED cowl show
- 6.9-inch, 1-165Hz LTPO pOLED principal show
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
- 12GB RAM
- 256/512GB storage
- Cameras:
- 50Mp, f/1.7, OIS principal digital camera
- 50Mp, f/2.0 telephoto digital camera
- 32Mp, f/2.4 selfie digital camera
- 4000mAh
- 45W wired charging
- 15W wi-fi charging
- Stereo audio system
- IPX8
- Gorilla Glass Victus
- 5G
- 73.99 x 171.42 x 7.09 mm (open)
- 189g
- Android 14
