Moto Razr 50 Ultra Review: A Foldable Phone with a Giant Cover Display & Flagship Power

The Moto Razr 50 Ultra is a statement device in the foldable phone market. Its standout feature is the expansive cover display, which goes beyond notifications and offers a unique smartphone experience. Here’s what I found:

Design & Build:

The Razr 50 Ultra is a beautiful phone, even when closed. The vegan leather back feels premium, and the aluminum frame adds a touch of durability. The hinge is robust, and the phone feels solid when unfolded. The water-resistant design (IP52) is a welcome addition, though it’s not fully waterproof.

Display:

The 3.6-inch pOLED cover display is the star of the show. It’s the largest cover display on a flip phone, allowing you to do almost everything you can on the main screen. You can run apps, reply to messages, watch videos, and even play games. The 6.9-inch pOLED main display is equally impressive, offering vibrant colors, a 165Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support.

Performance:

Powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip and 8GB/12GB of RAM, the Razr 50 Ultra handles everything you throw at it with ease. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and even demanding games run without a hitch. It’s a true flagship performer.

Camera:

The 12MP main camera captures detailed photos with good dynamic range in daylight. The ultrawide lens offers a wider perspective, but image quality isn’t as good. Low-light performance is decent, thanks to the large pixels and night mode. The 32MP front-facing camera takes sharp selfies, and you can even use the main cameras for selfies when folded, thanks to the cover display.

Battery Life:

The 3800mAh battery is smaller than most non-folding phones, but it’s enough for a full day of moderate use. Heavy users might need to top up in the afternoon. The 30W wired charging is fast enough, but there’s no wireless charging, which is a bit disappointing for a flagship.

Software & User Experience:

The Razr 50 Ultra runs Android 13 with Motorola’s My UX interface. It’s a clean and near-stock Android experience with a few thoughtful additions like gestures and customizability. The software is well-optimized for the foldable form factor, with apps seamlessly transitioning between the cover and main displays.

Connectivity & Additional Features:

The phone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC. It has stereo speakers that sound surprisingly good for a flip phone. There’s no headphone jack or expandable storage, which might be a dealbreaker for some.

Buying Recommendation:

Who’s it for? The Moto Razr 50 Ultra is perfect for early adopters, fashion-conscious users, and those who want a unique smartphone experience. It’s also a good choice for anyone who wants a powerful phone that’s compact when folded.

Pros:

• Massive and useful cover display
• Sleek and stylish design
• Powerful performance
• Decent camera system
• Smooth and responsive software

Cons:

• Below-average battery life for a non-folding phone
• No wireless charging or headphone jack
• Crease in the main display is noticeable
• Pricey

Overall:

The Moto Razr 50 Ultra is a well-rounded foldable phone that pushes the boundaries of what a flip phone can do. Its innovative cover display, flagship performance, and stylish design make it stand out from the crowd. While it has some drawbacks, it’s a compelling option for those willing to pay a premium for a unique and powerful smartphone.