LikeRefined designQuick View show functionalityUpdated specs and camerasBetter battery life
Don’t LikeThe quieter “squeak”Back glass simply scuffsPoor digital camera efficiency in low-lightHigh value
The new Motorola Razr 2020 addresses many of the points I had with the Razr (2019) that got here out in February. Overall it is a greater telephone. The new Razr will get a slew of upgraded specs, however lacks the highest of the road ones discovered within the Motorola Edge Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. But neither of these telephones can fold into one thing extremely small.With the Razr you are paying $1,400 (£1,399, which is about AU$2,470) for a foldable display screen. And that is vital to recollect as a result of there is not wi-fi charging or a excessive refresh price show, or a huge battery or IP-rated water and dirt resistance, or a headphone jack or headphones or probably the most highly effective Snapdragon processor. If you wish to fold a 6.2-inch telephone into one thing the dimensions of a small drink coaster in 2020, you are going to pay some huge cash. The Razr’s refined foldable flip telephone feels incredible to make use of. With the brand new cameras, addition of help for 5G and all of the helpful enhancements to the exterior show, the Razr appears like a “normal” telephone that may do “normal” on a regular basis stuff with its “anything but normal” foldable construct. If I have been to check the Razr to a automotive, it might be a enjoyable two-seat convertible.But not every little thing is rosy with this new Razr. The speaker within the chin is OK, however would not produce great-sounding audio at louder volumes. The glass on the again of my evaluate unit has collected a couple of scuffs over 10 days. They’re barely seen, however they’re there. A case might have prevented these and Motorola will promote a nifty $50 case for the Razr.
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Also, once I opened and closed my 2019 Razr evaluate unit in February it made this bizarre loud squeak. For probably the most half, this new one did not. I say for probably the most half as a result of once I was filming the unboxing video for the Razr, I did not hear a squeak. But when reviewing the footage, one in every of my video producers observed that my mic picked up a small squeak.Aside from the squeak (extra on that beneath) my expertise total has been good with the brand new Raz. I’ve to present Motorola a ton of credit score for all of the adjustments and implementations they made.As far as the worth, this is not a telephone for everybody, particularly with the monetary hardship so many individuals are enduring proper now. If you have been significantly contemplating the Motorola Razr (2019) and did not get it and you’ve got the money, it is best to contemplate this model. It’s a refinement in almost each means over that telephone. But know that you just’re paying some huge cash for a telephone that folds in half.The physique of the brand new Razr is fabricated from aluminum and Gorilla Glass 5.
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The new Razr’s aluminum and Gorilla Glass 5 physique feels solidDuring my time with the brand new Razr, I used it like an everyday telephone. I did not really feel the must be cautious with it. I wiped the foldable display screen on my denims. I maintain the telephone in my pocket or in my bag.Some of that assurance comes from its construct. When you shut the telephone, the perimeters sit flush, encompassing and defending the show. But a few of that’s my notion. I wish to be assured that if the Razr is in a pocket with my home keys, that it will not get destroyed. That confidence and belief is large, and I did not really feel that all-the-time once I reviewed the 2019 Razr. The new Razr is constructed from aluminum and Gorilla Glass 5 and feels stable in comparison with the prototype really feel of the February model. Also that plastic again is gone!To reinforce the telephone’s robustness, Motorola invited me to go to one in every of their testing labs and see one of many 40 completely different testing machines it makes use of to check the Razr (sporting a masks and socially distanced, after all). I obtained to see a machine that folds the Razr in half to simulate years of use in only a matter of days. The thought is most individuals won’t ever fold this telephone sufficient to hit Motorola’s 200,000-fold lifespan.Read extra: Motorola claims the Razr can fold 200,000 occasions. We get a peek at how the telephone is examinedThis is one in every of 4 new Motorola Razr telephones on a machine that opens and closes it as soon as each 4 seconds. Over the course of 10 days the telephones might be folded 200,000 occasions.
Patrick Holland/CNET
My time with the Razr has largely been squeak-free… till Friday. I do not know if it is the humidity or what, however there’s just a little squeak anytime I open or shut it. The solely time I do not hear it’s once I flick the Razr open one-handed. The squeak is not as loud because the 2019 Razr. But once I hear it, I really feel conflicted. I really feel disenchanted.I requested a buddy how they felt concerning the squeak they usually stated it did not hassle them. I assume relating to display screen notches, foldable display screen creases and now foldable telephone squeaks, a few of you’ll get used to those issues whereas others might be wildly aggravated. I ought to add that the squeak comes from the hinge mechanism, however would not point out any mechanical issues.
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Quick View show separates the Razr from the Galaxy Z Flip 5GPerhaps my favourite function is the Quick View show which obtained much more helpful with the brand new Razr. Fundamentally that is the place the Razr and the Galaxy Z Flip could not be extra completely different. There are principally three modes to the surface show: The first is a Peek Display mode that allows you to see notifications simply by urgent and holding on an icon. The subsequent is sort of a Peek Display plus mode the place you’ll be able to press and maintain an icon, then swipe as much as reveal a number of notifications and reply to them. The keyboard principally takes up the whole display screen, however after a couple of makes use of I obtained higher at typing on it.But it is the third mode — let’s name it mini-Android mode — the place the true energy of the Quick View show will get unleashed. When the Razr is closed and unlocked, you’ll be able to swipe right down to get to the management panel, swipe as much as see one thing just like the notification shade, swipe to the left to go to the digital camera and swipe proper to see a grid of apps and swipe to the fitting once more, to see contact favorites.The Quick View show on the Razr is formally the smallest display screen I’ve ever performed PUBG Mobile on.
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The telephone can curate a listing of apps that work nicely on the smaller exterior display screen. Apps like Gmail, YouTube and Messages can be utilized full with a mini keyboard. Also, you’ll be able to travel between the Quick View show and the inside show and decide proper up the place you have been at.You can even do what I did and go into the Manage apps setting and activate limitless which allowed me to attempt just about any app I wished on the Quick View show. So I made a decision to attempt PUBG Mobile. I might barely make out the controls, however it’s potential to play PUBG on the Quick View show. I additionally performed Alto’s Odyssey and Super Mario Run. Not each app is optimized for that small of a show. But this iteration of the Quick View show marks an unlimited step in the fitting path for Motorola.Razr has a brand new 48-megapixel predominant digital cameraThen there are the cameras each of which obtained a stable improve. The selfie digital camera atop the inner show is significantly better and works nice for Zoom conferences and taking selfies. Though video recording on the selfie digital camera does high out at 1080p.The exterior digital camera has 48-megapixels and makes use of pixel-binning to create good 12-megapixel images. This digital camera is significantly better than the 2019 Razr. And due to the optical picture stabilization and a time-of-flight sensor, I obtained a suitable price of in-focus and sharp images.The HDR mode works reasonably nicely with out it being too heavy-handed. It saved the pale blue of the pickup excellent.
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This was taken with the digital zoom at 2x. It’s outstanding the element it was capable of seize. It additionally exhibits off the lens’ pure bokeh.
Patrick Holland/CNET
Here’s one other photograph the place the Razr went into HDR mode.
Patrick Holland/CNET
This is a selfie I took with the outside 48-megapixel digital camera with the telephone closed.
Patrick Holland/CNET
But the Razr’s cameras aren’t on the identical stage because the iPhone 11 or Google Pixel 4A. Unless Motorola added a Note 20 Ultra-sized digital camera bump onto the Razr (please do not try this) there’s solely such room for a sensor and lens inside one thing this small.Low-light and zoomed in images are tender and seem like a portray due to noise discount. There is a Night Vision mode that may assist, however I discover it really works finest in medium-to-low lighting versus conditions the place it is darkish.Here is a 5x digital zoom of the John Hancock constructing off within the distance. The particulars are positively tender.
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This photograph was taken within the common photograph mode.
Patrick Holland/CNET
This photograph was taken with Night Vision. This is the most effective Night Vision photograph I took with the Razr. That stated, the sky appears painted on.
Patrick Holland/CNET
The predominant digital camera additionally shoots 4K video and the standard is first rate. Video positively would not have the identical dynamic vary as images and suffers from picture noise and artifacts. But I’m pleased with the clips I used to be capable of document. Check some out video clips I shot beneath:OK battery life, sub-6 5G and Snapdragon 765GMotorola claims a good thing about utilizing the Quick View show extra is it would not tax battery life as dangerous as utilizing the principle show. And that is excellent news. In my use, the brand new Razr will get me barely by a day. I sometimes discover myself topping off at time for dinner. And that is whereas I’m linked to 5G. I’m getting about 7 hours, 30 minutes of screen-on time and in a check with steady video playback on Airplane mode the Razr lasted 15 hours, 53 minutes, that is 1 hour, 50 minutes greater than the 2019 Razr lasted in the identical check. And that is 53 minutes greater than the Galaxy Z Flip.The new Razr has a bigger battery than the 2019 Razr and a few of that’s to compensate to be used on 5G, which might eat up battery life. The Razr can work on sub-6 flavors of 5G like on AT&T and T-Mobile. I’ve been testing this Razr on T-Mobile’s 5G right here in Chicago. Sometimes I get speeds over 100Mbps for downloads (that is outside) and different occasions I get speeds which are 4.55Mbps (that is additionally outside). Both of these outcomes have been nicely throughout the 5G protection on T-Mobile’s map and speaks extra to T-Mobile’s 5G community than it does the telephone.Powering all that is 8GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 765G processor. There might be some who will write the brand new Razr off as a result of it would not have a Snapdragon 865 processor. But as we have seen in different Android telephones this 12 months, the 765G is a stable processor. In the Razr, it dealt with gaming, movies, photograph edits, multitasking very well. And in benchmark assessments, the Razr scored proper on par with the LG Velvet.3DMark Slingshot Unlimited
Note:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Geekbench v.5.0 single-core
Note:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Geekbench v.5.0 multicore
Note:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Even with all these enhancements, it is exhausting to advocate a $1,400 particularly one that’s nonetheless very a lot an idea ready to reside as much as its hype in the actual world. The similar might be stated concerning the Galaxy Z Flip 5G. That stated, I’m excited for Motorola and hope they make as massive a step ahead with the subsequent Razr as the corporate did with this one.Motorola Razr (2020) specs verus Motorola Razr (2019), Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
Motorola Razr (2020)
Motorola Razr (2019)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
Display measurement, decision
Internal: 6.2-inch, foldable pOLED; 2,142x876p pixels (21:9) / External: 2.7-inch glass OLED, 800×600-pixels (4:3)
Internal: 6.2-inch, foldable pOLED; 2,142x876p pixels (21:9) / External: 2.7-inch glass OLED, 800×600-pixels (4:3)
Internal: 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED; 2,636×1,080-pixels / External: 1.1-inch Super AMOLED; 300×112-pixels
External 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED; Internal: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED; External: 2260 x 816 pixels Internal: 2208 x 1768
Pixel density
373ppi (inner display screen)
373ppi (inner display screen)
425ppi (inner) / 303ppi (exterior)
386ppi + 373ppi
Dimensions (Inches)
Folded: 2.86×3.61×0.63 in, Unfolded: 2.86×6.66×0.31 in
Unfolded: 6.8×2.8×0.28 in / Folded: 3.7×2.8×0.55 in
Folded: 2.99×3.44×0.62 ~ 0.68 in / Unfolded: 2.99×6.59×0.27 ~0.28 in
Folded: 2.67×6.26×0.6 in (Hinge) ~ 0.54 in(Sagging), Unfolded: 5.04×6.26×0.27 in(Frame) ~ 0.23 in(Screen)
Dimensions (Millimeters)
Folded: 72.6×91.7x16mm, Unfolded: 72.6 x 169.2 x 7.9mm
Unfolded: 172×7 2×6.9mm / Folded: 94x72x14mm
Folded: 73.6×87.4×15.4 ~17.3 mm / Unfolded: 73.6×167.3×6.9 ~ 7.2 mm
Folded: 68.0×159.2×16.8mm (Hinge) ~ 13.8mm(Sagging), Unfolded: 128.2×159.2×6.9mm(Frame) ~ 6.0mm(Screen)
Weight (Ounces, Grams)
6.77 oz; 192g
7.2 oz; 205g
6.46 oz; 183g
9.95 oz; 282 grams
Mobile software program
Android 10
Android 9 Pie
Android 10
Android 10
Camera
48-megapixel (exterior)
16-megapixel exterior (f/1.7, twin pixel AF), 5-megapixel inner
12-megapixel (wide-angle), 12-megapixel (extremely wide-angle)
12-megapixel (predominant) + 12-megapixel (large angle) + 12 megapixel (telephoto)
Front-facing digital camera
20-megapixel (inside)
Same as predominant 16-megapixel exterior
10-megapixel
10-megapixel, 10-megapixel
Video seize
4K
4K
4K
4K
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 710
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus
Snapdragon 865 Plus
Storage
256GB
128GB
256GB
256GB
RAM
8GB
6GB
8GB
12GBRAM
Expandable storage
No
None
None
No
Battery
2,800 mAh
2,510 mAh
3,300 mAh
4,500 mAh
Fingerprint sensor
Back
Below display screen
Power button
Side
Connector
USB-C
USB-C
USB-C
USB-C
Headphone jack
No
No
No
No
Special options
5G enabled, Foldable show, Dual SIM, Time of flight sensor, OIS exterior digital camera, splashproof
Foldable show, eSIM, Motorola gestures, splashproof
Foldable show; wi-fi PowerShare; wi-fi charging; quick charging
5G enabled, Foldable show, 120Hz refresh price, wi-fi charging help,
Price off-contract (USD)
$1,400
$1,499
$1,380
$2,000
Price (GBP)
£1,399
£1,000
£1,300
£1,799
Price (AUD)
Converts to AU$2,470
AU$1,799
AU$1,999
AU$2,999
Originally printed Sept. 14