Motorola’s latest release, the Razr 50 Ultra, brings a fresh approach to foldable smartphones, blending high performance, stylish design, and impressive displays.
Priced competitively at £1,000, it’s not only eye-catching but also a worthy rival to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, especially for users seeking a phone that’s as practical as it is cool.
Sleek Design and Build
The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is more than just a throwback to the classic Razr; it’s a modern, vibrant flip-phone available in unique colors like Spring Green, Midnight Blue, Peach Fuzz, and a bold Hot Pink reminiscent of the iconic Razr V3.
The design is refined, with a “vegan leather” (soft plastic) back that adds a premium feel and grip. The folding mechanism is smooth, snapping shut with a satisfying click that’s bound to become a habit.
With an IPX8 water-resistance rating, the Razr 50 Ultra handles splashes and submersion with ease, making it durable enough for daily use.
Impressive Displays Inside and Out
One of the Razr 50 Ultra’s standout features is its massive outer cover display, which surpasses the Galaxy Z Flip6’s. At 2,400 nits brightness, the screen is vivid and highly responsive, ideal for quick interactions, app use, and even some light gaming.
However, the dual camera cutouts can interfere with certain apps, like Roku’s TV remote, requiring some adjustments.
Inside, the foldable display is even brighter at 3,000 nits, with minimal creasing that’s only visible at specific angles. The seamless fold enhances the user experience, making it feel close to a regular smartphone screen once opened.
Enhanced Motorola Android Experience
Running on Motorola’s version of Android, the Razr 50 Ultra keeps its customizations light, allowing a Google Pixel-like experience. However, Motorola only promises three major OS updates, falling short of the five offered by Samsung and Google.
What sets the Razr 50 Ultra apart are Motorola’s handy gesture shortcuts. Users can open the camera by twisting their wrist or toggle the flashlight by making a chopping motion. These shortcuts work even when the phone is closed, adding convenience and fun to everyday tasks.
Motorola has also included an AI-powered wallpaper generator, which promises customization but stumbles in execution.
The AI-generated images show stereotypical bias, such as generating only certain types of people in response to vague prompts. There’s a cap on monthly wallpaper renders, too, which may frustrate users hoping for more flexibility.
Camera Features for Casual Photographers
The Razr 50 Ultra is designed for fun photography. You can snap selfies with the cover display without opening the phone, and the hinge allows the phone to stand on its own for hands-free shots. Additionally, in “camcorder mode,” users can half-fold the phone for easy, stabilized video recording.
Photos taken with the Razr 50 Ultra are vibrant in color, but close-ups can struggle with focus accuracy. Bokeh effects may look slightly artificial, but for casual use, the camera is enjoyable and reliable.
Powerful Performance and Long Battery Life
Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, the Razr 50 Ultra offers solid performance, even if it falls slightly short of the Galaxy Z Flip6’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Scoring lower in benchmarks doesn’t impact daily use—apps, games, and even gesture-based functions operate smoothly.
Motorola’s AI features, like photo and text editing, occasionally lag, and tasks sometimes fail. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 provides significant AI processing power, but the software may need further refinement in future updates.
Battery life is another win for the Razr 50 Ultra. Its 4,000mAh battery provides over 14 hours of screen time, outlasting competitors like the Galaxy Z Flip5 by nearly 50%. Fast 45W charging is supported, though a charger isn’t included in the box.
Wireless charging is available, but users may encounter screen flickers during charging, an issue that may be resolved in a future update.
A Foldable That Redefines Cool
If you’re ready to leave traditional smartphone designs behind, the Razr 50 Ultra is a compelling choice. Its colorful design, practical outer display, and satisfying folding mechanism make it a standout among modern foldables.
Despite some quirks in its AI features, the Razr 50 Ultra performs well, offers solid battery life, and has appeal beyond its unique looks.
While some may wait for a price drop or new colors, the Razr 50 Ultra is already a great buy for anyone looking for a unique, powerful, and stylish foldable phone.
