The Motorola Razr series has long been one of the most iconic phone lines in history. It gained significant popularity and success over the years, particularly with its distinctive flip design. In 2020, Motorola embraced the foldable flip concept, and the series is now in its fifth generation. This year, Motorola introduced two new models: the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra and the Motorola Razr 50. While the Razr 50 Ultra comes with premium features and a higher price, the Razr 50 offers a more affordable option with significant design upgrades over its predecessor, the Razr 40.
Motorola Razr 50: Design and Build Quality
The Motorola Razr 50 is priced at ₹64,999 in India and is available in only one configuration with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The design of the Motorola Razr 50 sets it apart from the Razr 40, especially from the front, where it sports a distinct look. Although it shares similarities with the Razr 40 Ultra in terms of design elements, it’s positioned as a more budget-friendly option.
The phone has a stylish and functional design, with dimensions of 73.99 x 88.08 x 15.85mm when closed and 73.99 x 171.30 x 7.25mm when opened, weighing 189g. It is available in eye-catching colors like Beach Sand, Koala Grey, and Spritz Orange. The back panel is partly covered with a vegan leather finish, which not only gives it a premium feel but also enhances grip. The top half of the phone’s back has a thinner strip of vegan leather, while the lower part is more substantial.
Motorola has retained the button layout from previous models, with the volume rocker and power button (which doubles as a fingerprint scanner) located on the right side of the top half of the phone. On the left, you’ll find the SIM tray, and the USB Type-C port along with the speaker and microphone are placed on the bottom edge.
A standout feature of the Razr 50 is its hinge. Motorola claims that the hinge has been redesigned to be 30% smaller, while also being more durable and offering better dust protection. The hinge has an IPX8 rating, providing enhanced water resistance, though care must still be taken to avoid getting dust on the inner display when closing the phone. The hinge cover is made from stainless steel, while the phone’s frame is built with 6000 series aluminum, giving it a smooth, satin finish that feels high-end.
Although Motorola claims the phone is “nearly creaseless,” a crease is still visible on the foldable display, though it’s only noticeable when viewed at certain angles or when running a finger over the display. The hinge’s flexibility allows the display to remain open at specific angles, but once the angle is exceeded, the phone automatically opens or closes, making it easier to operate with one hand.
Display: Big Upgrade
The Motorola Razr 50 brings significant improvements in the display department, particularly with its outer screen. Unlike the Razr 40’s smaller display, the Razr 50 boasts a 3.63-inch OLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate, up to 1,700 nits of peak brightness, and HDR10+ support. This larger, more vibrant outer display allows for better visibility outdoors and is suitable for basic tasks, though it might not be ideal for extended video watching.
On the inside, the Motorola Razr 50 has a 6.9-inch OLED LTPO panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,000 nits of brightness. The inner display has a 22:9 aspect ratio, making it ideal for watching movies, though less optimized for 16:9 content like YouTube videos. The internal panel offers Widevine L1 support, allowing users to stream content in full HD on platforms like Netflix.
Software Experience
Running on Android 14 with Motorola’s Hello UI skin, the Motorola Razr 50 offers a near-stock Android experience with some Motorola-specific customizations. There are several useful features, such as Moto Secure, Family Space, and Moto Unplugged. Motorola also includes AI-powered tools like Style Sync and Magic Canvas for creating personalized wallpapers.
You can use most apps on the outer display, and Motorola includes pre-installed games that run smoothly on the cover screen. Google’s Gemini AI is also supported, with three months of free Gemini Advanced access offered to Razr 50 buyers.
Motorola promises three years of Android updates and four years of security patches, ensuring that the phone will stay up-to-date for a long time.
Performance: Room for Improvement
The performance of the Motorola Razr 50 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300X chipset, paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM. While the phone handles day-to-day tasks like browsing, messaging, and video playback smoothly, there are occasional lags, especially when multitasking or switching between apps on both the inner and outer displays. The Dimensity 7300X is capable of running games like BGMI and Asphalt 9, but its performance is somewhat underwhelming compared to more powerful chipsets found in competitors like the Snapdragon SoC in the Razr 50 Ultra.
Benchmark tests reveal that older models like the Tecno Phantom V Flip perform slightly better, which is surprising given the Razr 50’s price. The phone remains relatively cool during gaming sessions, but there are occasional lags when using the Camera app or switching between different cameras.
Camera Performance
The Motorola Razr 50 features a 50MP main camera with OIS, a 13MP ultrawide lens with a 120-degree field of view, and a 32MP inner selfie camera. The camera setup allows for 4K 30fps video recording, and daylight shots are vibrant with good detail. However, the ultrawide lens doesn’t perform as well in video mode, and stabilization can sometimes struggle with motion.
The selfie camera produces solid results in good lighting conditions, but it’s often better to use the primary camera for selfies.
Battery Life and Charging
The 4,200mAh battery in the Motorola Razr 50 provides excellent battery life for a foldable phone, offering around 7 hours of screen time. Most users will find that the phone can easily last a full day with moderate use. The phone supports 30W fast charging, taking about 1 hour and 10 minutes to charge fully. Wireless charging is also supported at 15W.
Final Verdict
At ₹64,999, the Motorola Razr 50 offers a unique blend of style, nostalgia, and functionality. While its performance is somewhat held back by the MediaTek chipset, it excels in areas like design, display, and battery life. It’s a great option for users looking for a flip phone experience without spending too much on premium models like the Razr 50 Ultra. Though alternatives like the Oppo Find N3 Flip and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip offer better performance, the Razr 50 stands out with its sleek design, impressive battery life, and excellent display quality.