Breaking with the past that tickles the nostalgic fancy of the blockbuster Razr of the 2000s (a model that sold over 130 million units), it projects itself into the future with a foldable smartphone devoted to usability and with a unique form factor. Because if the clamshell design is the same as Samsung‘s Z Flip 4, the differences are many and visible: from the dimensions to the autonomy to the external display.

Motorola’s good work can be seen in many aspects, such as the fold that is there but not visible, as it is much less noticeable than in the past and in other foldable models thanks to the redesigned hinge. Only some things are perfect. Indeed, there are several details to be fixed in the future, but the Razr 2022 Motorola draws a line and sets itself up as a first-class alternative for those planning to buy a phone with a flexible display.

Everything is bigger

If you don’t use it constantly all day, mostly in multitasking and use it as a work tool, the Razr 2022 can be a good companion because it is beautiful to look at, easy to handle and comfortable to carry around, despite its record width for the new category. In Motorola’s signature growth operation, the size, thickness and weight (79.79 x 166.99 x 7.62 mm when closed, 79.79 x 86.45 x 16.99 mm when open for 200 grams) have increased compared to the last model two years ago, although everything has been designed to make the smartphone easier to use.  

Made of metal with Gorilla Glass 5 protective glass on the front and back, with a satin finish on the B side that doesn’t retain fingerprints, unlike the front (if you’re a cleaning maniac, equip yourself with a special cloth because you’ll be using it a lot). Splashproof, as indicated by the IP52 certification, the new Razr loses the notch at the top and the curved bottom edge in favour of a division into two identical halves that overlap each time the phone is closed. Thus, the squat shape stands out, which you can feel when you put it in your pocket because we have never before seen a clamshell model so generous in width (increased from 72.6 to 79.8 mm).

The importance of the smaller screen

The advantage can be felt when opening the smartphone, which offers a 6.72-inch P-OLED display with a 144 Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support that reproduces vivid colours without overdoing it. More than the main display, however, the plus is the 2.7-inch Quick View external screen, which allows users to keep track of notifications, quickly reply and send messages, take photos while previewing selfies and make payments without having to open the phone. In addition, you can choose which apps to include, so WhatsApp, social and Telegram make it very easy to chat with friends, family and work colleagues.

Cameras could be done better

The camera block protrudes just to the far right of the bottom edge when the smartphone is closed and consists of a 50-megapixel main camera, with f/1.8 aperture and optical stabilisation, and a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens, with f/2.2 aperture and 120 degrees viewing angle. On the front is a 32MP camera for fun selfies afforded by the flexibility of the screen. Remaining on the rear, even though these are top cameras for foldable smartphones in terms of numbers, in practice, there is no wow effect since foldable are at the beginning of the journey and certainly cannot offer the advanced technology and performance now standard on classic smartphones.

Indeed, daytime shots render better than night shots, where in particular, the wide-angle lens struggles to render details, while for videos. However, it is possible to film in 8K at 30 fps; the advice is to opt for 4K at 60 fps with the main camera in order to obtain better results overall. Also, because we are not looking at a cameraphone, those interested in shooting should look beyond the Razr and foldable in general.  

Battery chip, a consuming combination

Motorola has chosen to rely on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, the best processor on the market that guarantees speed, fluidity, and significant power consumption. For this reason, the 3500 mAh battery (a step up from 2800 mAh of the last Razr) often stutters in the face of continuous use throughout the day, struggling in some cases to make it through the evening without breaking down. With the 30W charger included in the elegant package (in which there is also the Usb-C cable and plastic cover), it takes about 35 minutes for a full charging cycle.

There is, however, no wireless charging, a shame as is the availability of the only black colour, an aspect in this that penalises the Razr compared to the Z Flip 4 in 75 colour combinations between the Bespoke Edition and the four basic colours offered by Samsung. 

Do I buy it or not?

With Android 12, with an update to the next version scheduled for early next year, the Razr 22 relies on Moto gestures to personalise shortcuts. There’s a desktop mode option and the ability to expand RAM virtually. Finally, an important detail is Motorola’s support, with 3 OS updates and four years of security patches. Perfect if it had been launched at 100-150 euros less, the Motorola Razr 2022 in the version with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage is on sale for 1199.99 euros and is undoubtedly a good starting point for those who want to approach the foldable world.