At a look
Skilled’s Ranking
Professionals
- Inexpensive
- Two-day battery
- Vegan leather-based design
- Person-friendly software program
Cons
- Middling digital camera efficiency
- Solely water-repellant
Our Verdict
It won’t break any new floor when it comes to {hardware} and it gained’t knock your socks off with efficiency both, however the Motorola Razr 40 does one thing no different folding flip telephone has accomplished earlier than and that’s enchantment to the plenty because of a steadiness of value, design and specs.
Having first launched a contemporary foldable telephone again in 2019, Motorola is without doubt one of the extra skilled producers on this space of the cellular market. For 2023, the Razr is again once more with a brand new design and a sexy value.
The 2023 Razr is a variety of two fashions for the primary time and in most markets, the common version known as the Razr 40 in an try to tie the telephones in with the Motorola Edge 40 collection. There’s additionally the Razr 40 Extremely we’ve already reviewed.
Nevertheless, within the US they’re referred to as the Motorola Razr and Razr+.
I’ve been testing the Razr 40 (which is what I’ll be calling it) for some time and though it has a smaller outer display in comparison with the Extremely together with a number of spec downgrades, it’s nonetheless an important flip telephone and, maybe most significantly, the value makes it your best option for most individuals.
Design & Construct
- Vegan leather-based in three colors
- Small cowl display
- Water-repellent coating
The Razr 40 shouldn’t be just like the earlier three Razr foldables, with Motorola moving into a unique path with the design of this telephone.
It seems to be much less like the enduring Razr designs of outdated in favour of a squared-off form remarkably much like the Samsung Galaxy Flip collection. The primary couple of Razr foldables had some design points – particularly the chin getting in the best way.
I felt the Razr 2022 hit a candy spot though my colleague Lewis stated it had “much less of a Razr really feel” in his evaluate. The Razr 40, although, has barely a hint of that Razr attraction and appears, at the least at a look, indistinguishable from the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Chris Martin / Foundry
There are variations, after all, such because the orientation of the cameras. Nevertheless, look nearer and the vegan leather-based rear cowl on the Razr 40 does give it some character. I’ve all the time favored vegan leather-based telephones and this one other on the listing.
Not solely does it look good – accessible in Sage Inexperienced and Vanilla Cream together with the Summer time Lilac I’ve examined – nevertheless it provides good grip and is stain resistant in response to Motorola. Foldables are delicate sufficient, so it’s good to not have to fret about rear glass.
The metallic body is available in an identical color aside from silver on the Cream mannequin (as does the exhausting plastic case within the field) so total, the Razr 40 seems to be very fashionable certainly. The style ingredient accomplished very nicely, in my view, even when extra colors can be welcome.
Motorola solely provides a water-repellent coating with an IP52 ranking – the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is IPX8 – and foldables nonetheless really feel fragile in numerous methods.
Positive, Motorola touts a gapless design when the telephone is closed however even getting the telephone out of my pocket after some gardening resulted in some crunchy sounds when unfolding and shutting. This went away with some strategic blowing, nevertheless it doesn’t instil a lot confidence.
Chris Martin / Foundry
If I used to be going to the seashore, I might really feel just like the Razr 40 would want to remain at house or spend the day in a sealed bag – hardly preferrred for taking images of the day.
Those that stay a extra city life gained’t want to fret a lot and the Razr 40 hinge is a factor of magnificence. The interior display neatly disappears right into a teardrop form inside to allow the gapless design and the hinge can maintain the display at nearly any angle you need so it’s not merely closed or absolutely open.
Curiously, I didn’t expertise the identical downside we discovered with the Razr 40 Extremely, which wouldn’t absolutely open to put flat.
Haptic suggestions isn’t significantly crisp, however I didn’t discover myself noticing it being weedy both. A fingerprint scanner hides within the energy button on the facet and works very nicely certainly.
Display screen & Audio system
- Compact cowl display
- ‘Creaseless’ inner show
- 144Hz LPTO AMOLED
The Razr 40 modifications tact in the case of the setup of the 2 screens. Sometimes, Motorola has gone for a big outer show however here’s a small 1.5in model very similar to the olders Galaxy Z Flip 3 and 4.
Motorola advised me that is partly a method of serving to homeowners use their telephone much less. You need to use the duvet display to get key bits of data and perform numerous duties, saving you from opening the telephone up and getting tempted by shiny apps.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Open the Razr 40 up and also you get nearly the identical 6.9in pOLED display because the Razr 40 Extremely. The distinction with the extra premium mannequin is that it has a a lot bigger 3.6in exterior show.
Internally, the principle distinction is that the Razr 40 has a 144Hz refresh charge reasonably than 165Hz however this doesn’t actually matter within the grand scheme.
At 6.9in there’s loads of actual property, though the 22:9 facet ratio may be very tall and means reaching the highest one-handed is sort of an effort. The Full HD+ decision of 2640 x 1080 is a pleasant steadiness of crispness with out sacrificing battery life unnecessarily.
Distinction and color are each strong and I measured the brightness at a good 515 nits with computerized brightness off. Motorola claims the telephone can hit a peak of 1400 nits.
Chris Martin / Foundry
There aren’t any main downsides to the interior display, though the agency calling it ‘creaseless’ is a stretch. You may undoubtedly see and really feel the place the show folds nevertheless it’s not a distraction in use. The blue tint you get when viewing the display at an off angle was extra of an issue in my time with the telephone.
With the hinge capable of maintain the telephone open at completely different angles, the Razr 40 can do some intelligent break up display tips equivalent to splitting the digital camera app in two providing you with much more scope for angles in addition to taking selfies with out holding the telephone.
No headphone jack isn’t a shock, and the stereo audio system aren’t something to write down house about. They’re positive for the odd YouTube video or taking a name on speakerphone however don’t anticipate to get something immersive or cinematic from them.
Specs & Efficiency
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB storage
It’s within the core specs the place the Razr 40 considerably reveals why it’s a lot cheaper than the Extremely and sometimes different foldable telephones. It’s a return to the outdated methods of the Razr foldable the place the processor isn’t flagship tier.
As a substitute of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 discovered within the Extremely, you get a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. Within the UK, there’s just one model accessible with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage – and there’s no microSD card slot right here.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Efficiency is a combined bag and by chance the unhealthy facet of it’s short-lived as a result of it’s a kind of telephones that’s awkwardly laggy once you first boot it up. Nevertheless, give it a little bit of time to calm down and issues run completely positive.
It’s not lightning-fast, however efficiency is sweet sufficient that it’s not one thing that stands out. Even the chip contained in the Extremely is a 2022 flagship so in order for you high efficiency, look to the Galaxy Z Flip 5 with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
Motorola Razr 40 benchmarks
The Razr 40 benchmarks are expectedly decrease than rivals, however don’t allow them to put you off, particularly when it’s comprehensible at this value level.
There’s no scrimping on connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC and 5G all onboard.
Cameras
- 64Mp major digital camera
- 13Mp ultrawide/macro
- 32Mp selfie
The digital camera setup on the Razr 40 is a little bit completely different from the Extremely mannequin. They’ve the identical 32Mp selfie (inner) digital camera and a 13Mp ultrawide/macro on the surface, however the Extremely’s subject of view is oddly narrower at 108 levels vs 120.
The principle digital camera right here is 64Mp so is greater decision than the 12Mp on the Extremely however has a slower aperture of f/1.7 as an alternative of f/1.5. Total, although you’ve basically acquired the identical three cameras when it comes to what they do.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Efficiency is a combined bag with the principle digital camera (which pixel bins to 16Mp) doing a fairly good job in first rate lighting with sharp and vibrant outcomes however even earlier than reaching low mild, begins to wrestle. For me, this was significantly when it comes to focus – regardless of having OIS (optical picture stabilisation) and laser autofocus.
Acceptable ends in low mild are doable however you’ve acquired to have the time and endurance to carry the telephone regular whereas it does its factor. I’ll sound like a damaged file already, however portrait mode pictures are hit or miss.
The ultrawide digital camera makes for a helpful addition in sure conditions however in comparison with the principle digital camera seems to be washed out in most pictures. This additionally will get used when you choose the macro mode within the app and takes some poise to get good outcomes.
To my shock, it’s the interior 32Mp selfie digital camera that I discovered to be essentially the most constant and dependable. It pixel bins to 8Mp and this offers you a pleasant steadiness of element with out giant recordsdata to add to social media or clogging up cloud storage.
Impressively, this digital camera can shoot video at as much as Extremely HD high quality at 30fps. Nevertheless, you’ll in all probability wish to make use of the principle digital camera for video as OIS helps to maintain issues clean, though it additionally provides the identical high quality settings.
Battery Life & Charging
- 4200mAh battery
- 30W wired charging
- 5W wi-fi charging
At 4200mAh, the battery contained in the Razr 40 isn’t breaking any longevity information nevertheless it’s not simply the scale that counts. In our standard PCMark battery take a look at the telephone managed a strong, however center of the highway, 10 hours and quarter-hour.
Nevertheless, the true headline right here is that it constantly acquired me two days of utilization. I’m sometimes not a heavy person however I used to be utilizing the telephone greater than I might usually be because of testing it out.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Motorola provides a 33W quick charger within the field, however the Razr 40 is rated barely decrease at 30W. Not significantly quick by trendy requirements however nonetheless, this could get you a good 60% with a 30-minute cost.
Pleasingly, the Razr 40 has wi-fi charging. I used to be not anticipating this at this value level on a folding telephone. Granted, it’s tremendous gradual at simply 5W nevertheless it’s there should you want it and that pace isn’t a difficulty should you’re placing it on a charger in a single day.
Software program & Apps
- Android 13
- Clear with useful additions
- Three Android model updates
The Razr 40 runs on Android 13 out-of-the-box and Motorola has promised an affordable however not trade main three model updates taking you to Android 16. You’ll additionally get 4 years of safety updates so it’s solely a 12 months off Samsung on each fronts.
As Motorola has been doing for years, the working system may be very near inventory (what you’d get on a Google Pixel telephone) with just a few easy and useful additions. Personalisation is a spotlight, as are the bodily twist and chop gestures which make issues like launching the digital camera and switching the flashlight on tremendous simple – an actual boon once you’re holding a child within the different arm, let me let you know.
Chris Martin / Foundry
The principle factor you would possibly wish to know concerning the Razr 40’s software program is how the exterior display works.
It’s simple to make use of and you may choose which ‘panels’ you wish to use on it such because the clock, climate, media playback, calendar and extra (though not many extra).
I discovered it very helpful with out being intrusive, although it has limitations past the accessible panels. Notifications are a first-rate instance the place you may as well see a lot of a message. An e-mail reminder to place my bin out acquired minimize off simply earlier than it stated which color bin was being collected.
Chris Martin / Foundry
You may also use the display as a stay preview of the digital camera, that means you should utilize the ‘rear’ cameras for selfies. A neat trick nevertheless it’s very troublesome to border the picture correctly with the 2:1 facet ratio and tiny measurement.
The Razr 40 Extremely with its bigger exterior display is likely to be tempting as you’ll be able to run any Android app on it, nevertheless it’s not with out its quirks.
Value & Availability
Among the best issues concerning the Motorola Razr 40 is the value. It’s simply £799 within the UK which locations it within the common flagship vary reasonably than the usually £1,000+ mark requested for foldables.
The truth is, it’s cheaper than many common candybar flagships and is the most affordable folding telephone thus far. For comparability, the freshly introduced Galaxy Z Flip 5 begins at £1,049 which matches the Razr 40 Extremely.
This value will get you the 8/256GB mannequin within the UK with no different choices on the official retailer. You may also purchase it from Amazon, Very and Currys.
Oddly, it’s not wherever to be seen on the US retailer the place the Razr 40+ is $999.
Take a look at our rating of the very best foldable telephones to see how the Razr 40 compares to its friends.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Verdict
Motorola might have misplaced among the Razr attraction by going with a Galaxy Flip-esque design nevertheless it doesn’t matter a lot on what’s in any other case a really profitable folding telephone.
What was a luxurious buy within the smartphone world is now a standard possibility because of the Razr 40’s £799 asking value. That makes it cheaper than many common flagships.
And regardless of this value, the Razr 40 has some spectacular specs together with first rate AMOLED shows, lengthy lasting battery life and a strong software program expertise. There’s even wi-fi charging, albeit very gradual.
There are, after all, downsides to think about right here when evaluating to the Razr 40 Extremely and rivals. The Snapdragon 7 chip isn’t the quickest, there’s no correct waterproofing and the cameras aren’t overly spectacular.
Nevertheless, all of that is acceptable to get a flip telephone at an affordable value, that means the Razr 40 is at the moment the very best folding telephone for the plenty.
Specs
- Android 13
- 1.5in, OLED cowl show
- 6.9in, 144Hz LTPO pOLED, Full HD+ major show
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB storage
- Cameras:
- 64Mp, f/1.7, OIS major digital camera
- 13Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digital camera
- 32Mp, f/2.4 selfie digital camera
- 4200mAh
- 30W wired charging
- 5W wi-fi charging
- Stereo audio system
- Facet fingerprint scanner (energy button)
- IP52 Water-repellent
- Gorilla Glass Victus (exterior)
- 5G
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Wi-Fi 6E
- GPS
- Nano-SIM
- USB-C
- 73.95 x 170.83 x 6.99mm (open)
- 184.5/188.5g
- Launch colors: Sage Inexperienced, Summer time Liliac, Vanilla Cream