Knowledgeable's Score
Professionals
- Reasonably priced
- Two-day battery
- Vegan leather-based design
- Consumer-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 cellphone has executed earlier than and that’s attraction to the plenty due to a steadiness of worth, design and specs.
Having first launched a contemporary foldable cellphone again in 2019, Motorola is likely one of the extra skilled producers on this space of the cell market. For 2023, the Razr is again once more with a brand new design and a lovely worth.
The 2023 Razr is a spread of two fashions for the primary time and in most markets, the common version is named the Razr 40 in an try to tie the telephones in with the Motorola Edge 40 sequence. There’s additionally the Razr 40 Extremely we’ve already reviewed.
Nevertheless, within the US they're known 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 cellphone and, maybe most significantly, the worth 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 is just not just like the earlier three Razr foldables, with Motorola getting in a unique course with the design of this cellphone.
It seems much less like the enduring Razr designs of previous in favour of a squared-off form remarkably much like the Samsung Galaxy Flip sequence. The primary couple of Razr foldables had some design points – particularly the chin getting in the way in which.
I felt the Razr 2022 hit a candy spot regardless that my colleague Lewis stated it had “much less of a Razr really feel” in his evaluation. The Razr 40, although, has barely a hint of that Razr appeal and appears, not less than 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 appreciated 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 – however it presents 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 steel body is available in an identical color aside from silver on the Cream mannequin (as does the exhausting plastic case within the field) so general, the Razr 40 seems very fashionable certainly. The style aspect executed very nicely, in my view, even when extra colors can be welcome.
Motorola solely presents 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 cellphone is closed however even getting the cellphone out of my pocket after some gardening resulted in some crunchy sounds when unfolding and shutting. This went away with some strategic blowing, however it doesn’t instil a lot confidence.
Chris Martin / Foundry
If I used to be going to the seaside, I'd really feel just like the Razr 40 would wish to remain at house or spend the day in a sealed bag – hardly very best for taking photographs 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 inner 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 totally open.
Curiously, I didn’t expertise the identical drawback we discovered with the Razr 40 Extremely, which wouldn’t totally 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’ inside show
- 144Hz LPTO AMOLED
The Razr 40 adjustments tact relating to the setup of the 2 screens. Usually, Motorola has gone for a big outer show however here's a small 1.5in model very like the olders Galaxy Z Flip 3 and 4.
Motorola informed me that is partly a manner of serving to house owners use their cellphone much less. You should utilize the duvet display to get key bits of knowledge and perform numerous duties, saving you from opening the cellphone 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 fairly 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 stable and I measured the brightness at an honest 515 nits with automated brightness off. Motorola claims the cellphone 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 however 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 cellphone.
With the hinge in a position to maintain the cellphone open at totally different angles, the Razr 40 can do some intelligent break up display tips equivalent to splitting the digital camera app in two supplying you with much more scope for angles in addition to taking selfies with out holding the cellphone.
No headphone jack isn’t a shock, and the stereo audio system aren’t something to put in writing house about. They’re fantastic for the odd YouTube video or taking a name on speakerphone however don’t count on 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 previous methods of the Razr foldable the place the processor isn’t flagship tier.
As an alternative 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 blended bag and fortunately the dangerous facet of it's short-lived as a result of it’s a type of telephones that’s awkwardly laggy while you first boot it up. Nevertheless, give it a little bit of time to quiet down and issues run completely fantastic.
It’s not lightning-fast, however efficiency is nice sufficient that it’s not one thing that stands out. Even the chip contained in the Extremely is a 2022 flagship so if you'd like 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 worth level.
There’s no scrimping on connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC and 5G all onboard.
Cameras
- 64Mp foremost digital camera
- 13Mp ultrawide/macro
- 32Mp selfie
The digital camera setup on the Razr 40 is a bit of totally different from the Extremely mannequin. They've the identical 32Mp selfie (inside) digital camera and a 13Mp ultrawide/macro on the skin, however the Extremely’s discipline of view is oddly narrower at 108 levels vs 120.
The principle digital camera right here is 64Mp so is larger 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 primarily acquired the identical three cameras when it comes to what they do.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Efficiency is a blended bag with the principle digital camera (which pixel bins to 16Mp) doing a fairly good job in respectable 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 leads to low mild are potential however you’ve acquired to have the time and endurance to carry the cellphone 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 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 probably 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 most likely need to make use of the principle digital camera for video as OIS helps to maintain issues clean, regardless that it additionally presents 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 data however it’s not simply the dimensions that counts. In our normal PCMark battery take a look at the cellphone managed a stable, however center of the highway, 10 hours and quarter-hour.
Nevertheless, the actual headline right here is that it persistently acquired me two days of utilization. I’m sometimes not a heavy consumer however I used to be utilizing the cellphone greater than I'd usually be resulting from 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 fashionable requirements however nonetheless, this will get you an honest 60% with a 30-minute cost.
Pleasingly, the Razr 40 has wi-fi charging. I used to be not anticipating this at this worth level on a folding cellphone. Granted, it’s tremendous sluggish at simply 5W however it’s there in the event you want it and that pace isn’t a problem in the event 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 business 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 cellphone) 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 while you’re holding a child within the different arm, let me let you know.
Chris Martin / Foundry
The principle factor you may need to know concerning the Razr 40’s software program is how the exterior display works.
It’s simple to make use of and you'll choose which ‘panels’ you need 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 primary instance the place it's also possible to see a lot of a message. An e mail reminder to place my bin out acquired lower 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 however it’s very tough to border the picture correctly with the 2:1 facet ratio and tiny dimension.
The Razr 40 Extremely with its bigger exterior display could be tempting as you'll be able to run any Android app on it, however it’s not with out its quirks.
Value & Availability
Top-of-the-line issues concerning the Motorola Razr 40 is the worth. It’s simply £799 within the UK which locations it within the common flagship vary fairly than the customarily £1,000+ mark requested for foldables.
In reality, it’s cheaper than many common candybar flagships and is the most cost effective folding cellphone to this point. For comparability, the freshly introduced Galaxy Z Flip 5 begins at £1,049 which matches the Razr 40 Extremely.
This worth 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 anyplace to be seen on the US retailer the place the Razr 40+ is $999.
Try our rating of the perfect foldable telephones to see how the Razr 40 compares to its friends.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Verdict
Motorola could have misplaced a few of the Razr appeal by going with a Galaxy Flip-esque design however it doesn’t matter a lot on what's in any other case a really profitable folding cellphone.
What was a luxurious buy within the smartphone world is now a standard possibility due to the Razr 40’s £799 asking worth. That makes it cheaper than many common flagships.
And regardless of this worth, the Razr 40 has some spectacular specs together with respectable AMOLED shows, lengthy lasting battery life and a stable software program expertise. There’s even wi-fi charging, albeit very sluggish.
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 cellphone at an affordable worth, that means the Razr 40 is at present the perfect folding cellphone for the plenty.
Specs
- Android 13
- 1.5in, OLED cowl show
- 6.9in, 144Hz LTPO pOLED, Full HD+ foremost show
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB storage
- Cameras:
- 64Mp, f/1.7, OIS foremost 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
- Aspect 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