The second generation Motorola Razr 5G from Motorola is here. The phone is a sequel to the Motorola Razr that launched earlier this year. It has a nifty design, advanced features and 5G to set it apart from the first generation product. Are these changes going far enough to make the Razr 5G worth much of your hard-earned dollars?
We’ve covered all the basics in it Android Authority Buying guide to support you in your decision-making.
Motorola Razr 5G: what is it?
The Motorola Razr 5G is a new foldable device, although technically it’s a continuation of a sequel. It doesn’t deviate far from the idea behind the original of blending nostalgia for the old flip phones with 2020’s folding display technology. The phone is a compact device when folded and a normal-sized smartphone when opened. It has at least one direct competitor in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and tertiary competitors in other folding phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and, to some extent, the LG V60 and LG Velvet.
Motorola’s goal with this phone was to create a highly desirable premium device that would appeal to those who have a penchant for the personality of phones from yesteryear. But Motorola is trying something new here too. The folding form is still in its infancy and none of the products on the market has really gained a foothold.
What is the Motorola Razr 5G? It’s a refined experiment, a second mindset, a chance to get things (more) right while being the shining hero of the Motorola lineup.
For whom is that?
The Razr 5G is both a phone of the future and the past. While it steals its basic approach from the famous 2005 hit, it shows off some of the latest innovations from Motorola and beyond. Even though they’ve been on the market for a year, folding walls are still a new technology. You still have to downsize from expensive showpieces to more mainstream, affordable prices.
The Motorola Razr 5G is for people who are bored with current phone designs, crave something different and new, and want to show their friends something to stimulate discussion. At $ 1,400, this is a high-end purchase that is out of reach for most people. That makes the Razr 5G a luxury item.
It is also for people who are willing to take risks. The first Razr was popular because of its creaky hinge. According to Motorola, the hinge on its new phone has been completely redesigned and is stronger than ever. As always, this has to make itself felt in the real world before we can believe what Motorola is up to. In addition, folding display technology has not yet proven to be of real value to consumers. This could be a fad that’s being forgotten – or it could be the next big thing. We just don’t know yet.
Whatever your reasons for ditching the standard platter, the Motorola 5G is primarily for those who can afford it.
What are the features of the Razr 5G?
The Motorola Razr 5G has a collapsible design with two displays: a 2.7-inch exterior screen and the main interior screen. Motorola is one of the few phone manufacturers that gives its foldable display such a powerful external display. For example, the Microsoft Surface Duo and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip do not have such a screen. With the Razr 5G, you can access small snippets of apps like News, Music Player and Google Maps from the external screen. Up to eight apps can be pinned for easy access to the quick view screen. The 6.2-inch indoor screen is a more traditional Full HD + affair, but with less than Full HD it has significantly fewer pixels.
A chin distinguishes the design. According to Motorola, the chin of this second generation product has been tapered to make it easier to grasp and interact with when it comes to balancing the phone. (The company moved the fingerprint reader from the chin to the back of the phone to make it easier to reach and interact with.) The chin holds the phone’s four 5G antennas. Speaking of 5G, the phone supports 5G below 6 GHz, which means that it is compatible with the current 5G networks from AT&T and T-Mobile.
Motorola is thrilled with the 48MP camera that can be used as a main camera or high-end selfie shooter. There is also a dedicated selfie camera if you hold the phone normally. The Razr 5G can record videos with a maximum of 4K at 60 fps.
To keep costs down, Motorola opted for a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset. This isn’t the 865 premium chip that powers most other modern flagships. Instead, it’s a cheaper option, which Motorola says still offers plenty of performance across the board. Some potential owners may be disappointed with this spec, but remember that there is a balance in everything. The chipset is rounded off by an Adreno 620 GPU, 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.
Finally there is the battery. The phone has a meager 2,800 mAh power cell. That’s not a lot by modern standards. Most flagships have batteries in the 4,000 to 5,000 mAh range. Hopefully the more economical 765G in combination with the Full HD + resolution will reduce the power consumption to a minimum.
Motorola Razr 5G specifications
| Motorola Razr 5G | |
|---|---|
| display | Main line: 6.2-inch P-OLED, Full HD + External: 2.7-inch G-OLED |
| processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G Adreno 620 GPU |
| R.A.M. | 8 GB |
| camp | 256 GB |
| battery | 2,800 mAh 15W TurboPower charging |
| camera | Back: 48MP quad pixels for 12MP output, 1: 1.7 aperture, 1.6 μm pixel size, OIS Front: Video: |
| Connectivity | 5G: NR Sub-6GHz 4G: LTE (DL Cat 18) 3G: UMTS / HSPA + 2G: GSM / EDGE Bluetooth 5 Wi-Fi 6 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| Dimensions and weight | Unfolded: 72.6 x 169.2 x 7.9 mm Folded: 72.6 x 91.7 x 16 mm 192 g |
| Colours | Polished graphite, liquid mercury, blushing gold |
Competition and alternatives
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G is the most direct competitor of the Motorola Razr 5G. Samsung’s Flip first hit the market in February. Much like the Razr, it’s a modern plate that bends in half at the waist to reduce its size to something more pocketable. The Z Flip is available in standard and 5G variants. The 5G version is the newer and most widely used of the two. The biggest advantage of the Razr over the high-quality Z Flip is the external display. The Z Flip is limited to a tiny window that does little more than check the time and incoming notifications.
The Z Fold 2 is a separate type of folding device in that it is the size of a regular phone and expands into a tablet when opened. LG’s Dual Screen-enabled V60 and Velvet do not have bending screens per se, but they do offer a two-screen experience with the accessory screens. The devices from LG are the cheapest.
Where to buy the Motorola Razr 5G
Motorola will offer the Motorola Razr 5G, which has been activated in North America, via Motorola.com and the rest of the world in the fall. According to Motorola, other retailers will eventually sell the device, including Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H. It will also be sold in AT&T and T-Mobile stores.
stay tuned Android Authority Pre-order details!
Top Motorola Razr 5G Questions and Answers
Q: Does the Motorola Razr 5 support 5G?
A: It’s in the name! But not all 5G are created equal. The Razr 5G supports 5G below 6 GHz, which means that when it launches it will work with the mid-band networks of AT&T and T-Mobile.
Q: Does the Motorola Razr 5 have a headphone jack?
A: No, the Razr 5G does not have a headphone jack. You need to use bluetooth headphones or wired USB-C headphones with the phone. The good news is that it comes with a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.
Q: Does the Motorola Razr 5 support wireless charging?
A: No it doesn’t. It is charged at a speed of 15 W via a USB-C cable and the included power adapter.
Q: Does the Motorola Razr 5 have dual SIM capabilities?
A: Technically yes. The unlocked version of the Razr 5G supports both a physical nano SIM and an eSIM. No two physical SIM cards are supported.
Q: Does the Motorola Razr 5 have a microSD card slot?
A: No, the phone does not support expandable memory.
Q: In which memory variants is the phone available?
A: The phone is only available in an 8 GB / 256 GB version.
Q: Does the device have stereo speakers?
A: No, the Motorola Razr 5G has a single bottom-firing speaker.
Q: What colors will the Motorola Razr 5 be available in?
A: The phone will be available in three colors: Polished Graphite, Liquid Mercury, Blush Gold. There is no word on whether any of these colors only applies to certain regions or markets.
Q: Will there be cases for the Motorola Razr 5G?
A: We can only assume that third parties will deliver for the phone. Nothing is sent in the box.
Q: What came with the Motorola Razr 5?
A: You will find the Motorola Razr 5G, a 15 W power adapter, a USB-C cable, a SIM tool, a headphone adapter and the usual documents.