Motorola Razr 50 Review: Is a Foldable Smartphone Worth $900?
The Motorola Razr 50 is the cheapest foldable smartphone. While the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Motorola Razr 50 Ultra are sold at 1200 euros, this one is available for "only" $900. The manufacturer has managed to make technical concessions to offer a folding screen that falls below the symbolic 1000 euro mark. But is it a good idea?
In brief
Pros of the Motorola Razr 50
- The large external screen
- The overall design
- The panel system
- Screen quality
- Slightly downgraded performance
- Disappointing ultra-wide-angle sensor and night mode
- Short software support
- Overheating during gaming
Nevertheless, when considering major brands and launch prices, the cheapest is the Motorola Razr 50. To offer such a price, Motorola made technical choices: are they minimally impactful enough to keep the experience as good as that of the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra? That is the question posed by our review.
Technical Specifications:
| Model |
Motorola Razr 50 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions |
73.99 mm x 171.30 mm x 7.25 mm |
| Manufacturer Interface |
Hello UI |
| Screen Size |
6.9 inches, 3.6 inches |
| Resolution |
2640 x 1080 pixels |
| Pixel Density |
413 ppi |
| Technology |
OLED |
| SoC |
Mediatek 7300X |
| Internal Storage |
256 GB |
| Rear Camera |
Sensor 1: 50 Mp Sensor 2: 13 Mp |
| Front Camera |
32 MP |
| Video Recording Resolution |
4K @ 30 fps |
| Wi-Fi |
Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth |
5.4 |
| 5G |
Yes |
| NFC |
Yes |
| Fingerprint Sensor |
Side |
| Connector Type |
USB Type-C |
| Battery Capacity |
4200 mAh |
| Weight |
188 g |
| Colors |
Orange, Gray, Sand |
A Design That Truly Changes, for the Better
The Motorola Razr 50 represents a significant design evolution from its predecessor, the Razr 40, simply because it resembles last year's Motorola Razr 40 Ultra.On the back, we face a two-part design. The lower section is a simple faux-leather covering with the brand logo and range engraved into it, presenting a rather attractive effect. The upper part features a small strip of faux leather and supports the large external screen that defines this model: a 3.6-inch display with very rounded corners and slightly curved sides. It even extends to encompass the camera lenses and flash, adding a very pleasing touch.
Like the Ultra version, this is what gives the Motorola smartphone its charm, distinguishing it significantly from the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 in this aspect. The Xiaomi Mix Flip also offers a giant screen. It’s a real gem, even with the colored strip that reduces the display area. The 100% screen is reserved for the Razr 50 Ultra.
On the other side, there is a large 22:9 screen with fairly thick and slightly raised borders. This is quite normal for foldable models, as a frame is necessary to protect the foldable panel. Although this slightly diminishes immersion, it does not detract from the user experience or aesthetics. At least there is no "chin" effect with a wider lower border.
Unlike Samsung, Motorola has opted for relatively thin and notably rounded edges. In contrast to the back, these edges are shiny: a somewhat unusual two-tone effect that is not too noticeable. Overall, the finish is quite acceptable.
When folded, the smartphone measures 73.99 x 88.08 x 15.85 mm. When unfolded, its dimensions are 73.99 x 171.30 x 7.25 mm. With less than 8 mm thickness and rounded edges, it offers a very pleasant grip and a nice sense of slimness, even if that is not entirely the case. The total weight is approximately 188 g, which is relatively light.
Finally, in terms of durability, the external screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. Not the highest grade, but a reliable choice. As for fluid resistance, it has only an IPX8 rating: no official dust resistance, just water resistance under certain conditions. Samsung does slightly better with an IP48 rating on its Galaxy Z Flip 6. This highlights one of the concessions made by Motorola to reduce the manufacturing cost of the Razr 50.
Hinge and Fold:
This year, Motorola has made some improvements to its hinge. Thinner and more reliable, it shows a good degree of flexibility. Indeed, you can tilt the screen to almost any angle, but at the beginning and end of the movement, there is a kind of spring that completes the unfolding or folding.This is quite practical and the angles are well-chosen, enough not to be bothersome. The brand claims a durability of 600,000 openings/closings for its hinge.
As for the fold, yes, it is visible and yes, it can be felt to the touch. However, it tends to be somewhat forgotten in everyday use. Today, all manufacturers manage to offer this on foldable models.
What is slightly unsettling is that the two parts of the phone can be slightly misaligned: there seems to be a small play that can be felt in the hand. There is no cause for concern, but it is worth noting.
The Motorola Razr 50 in Hand:
The clamshell format proves very practical in hand. The Motorola Razr 50 fits into all pockets, even the smallest, thanks to its well-reduced length and not-too-great thickness. It is a pleasure to easily pull the phone out of your pocket.When folded, the grip is very good with the external screen quickly accessible and the buttons falling easily under the fingers. When opened, it is less convenient as it is much longer and the buttons are located much higher.
Folding and unfolding the smartphone is very easy, provided you use both hands. It is possible to do it with one hand, but it is quite complicated and requires dexterity.
While Motorola does better than Samsung with its curved edges that allow you to slide your fingers, it is less complicated than with a Galaxy Z Flip. Moreover, in the wider and narrower angles, the phone completes its folding or unfolding as mentioned earlier.
Two Bright, Beautiful, and Well-Calibrated Screens: Motorola Confirms Its Expertise:
The internal screen of the Razr 50 is a large AMOLED panel with a 22:9 aspect ratio: not everyone will appreciate such a long screen that is so narrow. This 6.9-inch diagonal screen covers 85.33% of the body; it's a small percentage, but remember, we are talking about a foldable phone that needs protection.This AMOLED panel offers an FHD+ resolution (2640 x 1080 pixels), resulting in a pixel density of 413 ppi. It is an LTPO model with a refresh rate that gradually scales up to 120 Hz. Note that this screen is HDR10+ compatible and is supposed to cover the DCI-P3 color gamut fully. Motorola claims a maximum brightness of up to 3000 cd/m².
In practice, colors are rather cool with the default mode, as is common with many smartphones, but it is quite standard. As for brightness, I was not at all bothered even in direct sunlight, whether with the external or internal screen, thanks to effective automatic brightness.
Like every smartphone tested by us, the Motorola Razr 50 was examined with the CalMAN Ultimate software from Portrait Displays.
With the default color mode, called "Vivid Colors," we measured a color temperature of 7006 K. Generally, we aim to approach that of the sun, which is 6500 K. Here, the colors are relatively cool.
In this same color mode, we observed a color coverage of 181% of sRGB, 121% of DCI-P3, and 82% of BT.2020, which is very good. Other color modes do not perform as well.
Regarding color accuracy, the average delta E measured is 3.59 in SDR and 6.17 in HDR, which is quite good: below 3, the human eye is unable to distinguish between what the display shows and what it is supposed to show.
Only the "Vivid Colors" mode performs better, with a delta E of 2.4 in SDR and 5.53 in HDR. Overall, the internal screen of the Motorola Razr 50 is good and well-calibrated.
Finally, concerning brightness, we measured a maximum brightness of 1190 cd/m² in SDR and a maximum brightness of 2091 cd/m² in HDR. This is very good and typical of a high-end smartphone.
What About the External Screen?
On the external screen side, it is less luxurious but still interesting.This AMOLED panel measures 3.63 inches diagonally and is interrupted by the two camera lenses in the bottom right. It is slightly larger than the external screen size of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 but obviously smaller than that of the Razr 50 Ultra.
The screen offers a resolution of 1056 x 1066 pixels, with a pixel density of 413 ppi. It also provides full coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut. However, where this panel falls short compared to its counterpart is in the refresh rate: no LTPO and "only" 90 Hz. In reality, this is more than sufficient.
As for maximum brightness, it is paradoxically lower than that of the internal screen even though the external screen is likely to be used more outdoors. Our measurement showed 1207 cd/m² in SDR and 1241 cd/m² in HDR. This is still quite good for a secondary screen and even under sunlight.
Hello UI: Motorola’s Interface with Good Ideas but Limited Longevity:
Less well-known than its competitors, the Hello UI is the interface running the device: a skin naturally based on Android 14. The major drawback we see is software support: three years of Android updates and four years of security patches. At €900, few offer so little. Especially since Google and Samsung now offer up to seven years of updates (Android + security), including on the Galaxy Z Flip 6.Motorola has installed a range of applications, including Family Space – a parental control app – as well as tools for securing files, focusing, etc. However, there are also a few pre-installed advertising apps.
Customization Options:
Here, it’s very conventional, but Hello UI offers the customization options of Android 14. You can naturally change the appearance of menus, the shape of icons, the color of buttons, and add widgets, including on the lock screen.The Monet feature is also included: it synchronizes the wallpaper colors with the interface, adding a touch more aesthetics to an Android that can otherwise appear harsh in its color scheme.
External Screen and Its Features:
The major strength of the Motorola Razr 50 (and its Ultra version) is the external screen and the possibilities it offers. Simply put: the possibilities are endless. The secondary screen allows you to launch any application. Of course, many will be in formats that are unsuitable and difficult to use, but for some tasks, such as checking directions or reading a long message in full, it proves very convenient: it avoids having to unfold the device.More generally, this panel works with a system of panels that can be added or removed. There is a home panel with four shortcut applications, the applications panel, weather, calendar, a few small games (reminiscent of games installed on old flip phones), music, and a final panel where you can place any widgets you want (the same ones used on the home screen).
Camcorder Mode and Photography Capabilities:
In photography, when you partially tilt the internal screen, the controls are placed at the bottom of the screen to allow more space for the preview at the top. When the smartphone is held horizontally, you can use the Razr 50 as a camcorder, zooming in and out using your finger on the unused part of the screen.The big advantage of this format is that for selfies, you can use either the main sensor or the ultra-wide sensor. This is very practical and offers better image quality. To activate the camera, simply rotate your wrist quickly twice. To trigger the camera remotely, you can just show your hand. Another gesture function: shaking the Motorola Razr 50 twice turns on the flashlight, and shaking it twice again turns it off.
Somewhat Disappointing “Flex” Mode:
Unfortunately, the “flex” mode that is prevalent on the Galaxy Z Flip is almost entirely absent on this Razr 50. In fact, when you fold the smartphone halfway, it… does nothing.An exception is YouTube. With this app, the video player displays only on the upper part of the screen, leaving a control panel at the bottom.
The camera is also an exception, as previously mentioned, whereas on Samsung, other apps like Spotify are “compatible.” Ultimately, the folding feature of this model’s internal screen is (almost) useless.
To add nuance, you can still set the smartphone in “tent” or “easel” mode to display text, images, or a clock. This allows the smartphone to be used as an alarm clock, for example.
Performance Adequate but Not for a €900 Smartphone:
This device does not feature a Qualcomm chip but instead uses a MediaTek SoC, specifically the Dimensity 7300X built on a 4nm process, which is currently exclusive to this model. It is paired with 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 8 GB of virtual RAM.In Fortnite, the game unfortunately seems limited to a maximum of 30 FPS in settings. With Turbo mode enabled, you can play at 30 FPS with maximum graphical quality in a stable manner, which is what we expected.
In Genshin Impact, you can play at about 40 FPS during combat with graphics set to medium; it can be higher during quieter moments. In short, it is somewhat disappointing for a €900 model; it feels more like a mid-range smartphone at €500. This is one of the technical compromises Motorola made to offer a foldable smartphone under €1000.
In everyday use, the Razr 50 performs quite well, similar to any mid-range smartphone today. Apps launch quickly, with no issues. However, the camera shutter can be slow, especially with the ultra-wide sensor. This is particularly frustrating for a device priced at €900, as less expensive models perform better in photography.
Storage:
The device offers 256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage.Photography: An Insufficient Ultra-Wide Sensor
The Motorola Razr 50 features three camera sensors:- A 50 MP main sensor, f/1.7, 0.8 µm, QuadPixel
- A 13 MP ultra-wide sensor, f/2.2, 1.12 µm, 120° field of view
- A 32 MP selfie sensor, f/2.4, 0.7 µm, QuadPixel
Main Sensor:
Naturally, the main sensor of the Motorola Razr 50 is the best of the three. Overall, it provides good photos with accurate colors and proper exposure. However, it is not without flaws.In the corners, there are some blurry areas, which is quite frustrating, especially since where there is no blur, there can sometimes be a lack of sharpness. Additionally, the dynamic range can be limited: darker areas could benefit from more nuance, as well as the most exposed spots.
Ultra-Wide Sensor:
This ultra-wide sensor offers nice colors, mainly in the center of the image. In the corners, detail is lost, resembling an impressionist painting, as is often the case. Under artificial lighting, the sharpness is present but sometimes due to software processing, which is noticeable.There are some slight chromatic aberrations in high-contrast areas (mainly on glass), but they are not severe. Also, the sensor occasionally overexposes small areas, which is unfortunate. Overall, the ultra-wide sensor on the Motorola Razr 50 is relatively poor compared to competitors.
Selfie Sensor:
Another cost-cutting measure by Motorola for the Razr 50 is the selfie sensor located in the internal screen. While the photos are satisfactory, they do not meet the expectations for a €900 smartphone. The device struggles to capture skin details and can sometimes produce a grayish veil over the subject.In slightly challenging lighting conditions, sharpness and color accuracy suffer. There is nothing majorly wrong, but better results can be found elsewhere.
Night Mode:
What immediately stands out with the Motorola Razr 50’s night mode is the inconsistency in color reproduction between the two sensors. The main sensor produces images that are quite gray compared to reality, while the ultra-wide sensor produces photos that are greenish, or even very green.In reality, photos from the main sensor are quite nice, and the light sensitivity (ISO) does not overly affect the colors (though they tend toward yellow and blue). However, photos from the ultra-wide sensor are lacking: details are lost and some areas are blurry.
Portrait Mode:
The portrait mode is quite aggressive with edge detection, sometimes making mistakes. In the examples below, parts of the shirt are blurred when they should not be, and the blurring effect on the hair is harsh.Despite these issues, the portrait mode remains reliable, though it falls short for a €900 device. As always, the foldable format increases costs, and to keep them down, compromises have to be made in certain areas.
Video:
The Motorola Razr 50 can record in 4K UHD at 30 FPS and in FHD at 60 FPS.Audio and Microphone:
This Motorola smartphone features two speakers, providing stereo sound and compatibility with Dolby Atmos. While the audio quality is quite good, the Motorola Razr 50 has a major drawback in this area: a lack of bass and, therefore, depth in sound. Unlike current high-end smartphones that manage to offer well-audible bass, this is almost not the case here.Network and Communication:
For calls, there are three microphones available. In a busy street with pedestrians, bikes, and cars, the Razr 50 performs well. The voice is well transmitted, and our conversation partner can understand everything we say. Engine noise is well covered. The smartphone emphasizes the voice a lot, so sometimes, the voices of passersby are also picked up. Even in the presence of wind, calls remain clear, with no comprehension issues. Additionally, the Razr 50 offers 5G, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, and Wi-Fi 6E. It supports two SIMs simultaneously: a nano-SIM card and an eSIM.Adequate Battery Life and Charging: Nothing Much to Say:
Nothing surprising here; it has a 4200 mAh non-removable battery. In a 20-minute Fortnite gaming session with maximum graphic settings and brightness at 50%, the battery level dropped by 6%. On Genshin Impact under the same conditions, the battery loss is lower: 5% less. For a smartphone with a small battery and decent performance, this is quite satisfactory. In more "classic" and daily use, the endurance of the Motorola Razr 50 is adequate, but not exceptional. It can last a day, or even a good day (long and with sometimes intensive use), but it's impossible to go further without making some restrictions (on brightness or chip usage).Charging:
On the charging front, the Motorola Razr 50 can be charged at a maximum power of 30 W wired and 15 W wirelessly, all via USB-C. Unfortunately, the charger is sold separately (another area where Motorola could save some costs). Here’s a charging speed test with a 68 W Motorola charger (with proprietary TurboPower technology), starting from 10% battery remaining:- 10 minutes: 27%
- 20 minutes: 43%
- 30 minutes: 57%
- 40 minutes: 70%
- 50 minutes: 83%
- 60 minutes: 94%
- 66 minutes: 100%