Motorola Razr 50 Review

If you’re looking for a stylish flip phone at a more affordable price, the Motorola Razr 50 offers the flagship experience for ₹64,999. As a successor to the Razr 40, it features notable updates like a larger cover display, a 50 MP main camera instead of the previous 64 MP, and a Dimensity 7300X processor in place of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1.

Design

The Razr 50 is undeniably a head-turner. Our review unit arrived in the striking Spritz Orange color, guaranteed to attract attention. Motorola has clearly focused on detail, using 6000 series aluminum for the frame and stainless steel for the outer hinge cover, both finished with a sleek satin look that conveys premium quality. The vegan leather on the lower half of the back panel feels luxurious and pleasant to the touch.

In terms of ports and buttons, Motorola opts for a minimal yet functional approach. The bottom edge houses a USB Type-C port, flanked by a speaker grille and dual microphones. The power button, which also serves as a fingerprint sensor, along with the volume rocker, is conveniently placed on the right side when the phone is unfolded. The SIM tray is located on the left side.

Weighing around 188 grams, the Razr 50 is impressively lightweight. Its curved edges and compact design make it easy to carry throughout the day. The included two-part hard case offers added protection without bulk, featuring a textured matte finish that resists fingerprints and enhances grip. Additionally, the device boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating, a significant upgrade over its predecessor. While it’s not dustproof, this feature provides reassurance for everyday use.

Display

The phone features a 6.9-inch LTPO pOLED main display and a 3.63-inch cover screen. The main display has a Full HD+ resolution (1080x2640 pixels) and a 120 Hz refresh rate. It supports HDR10+, although Dolby Vision is reserved for the pricier Razr 50 Ultra. The display can reach an impressive brightness of 3,000 nits, ensuring visibility even in bright outdoor settings. While there is a subtle crease at the fold, it’s barely noticeable during regular use.

The tall 22:9 aspect ratio is great for vertical scrolling, although watching horizontal content like videos may feel less immersive due to gray or white borders. Nonetheless, the display offers excellent color accuracy, and users can adjust the color profile to their preference. Streaming on platforms like Netflix is a pleasure, thanks to the FHD+ support and vibrant HDR10+ visuals.

The cover display also stands out, offering a 90 Hz refresh rate and 1,700 nits of brightness. Though slightly smaller than the Razr 50 Ultra’s, it still provides significant functionality, allowing users to check notifications, access productivity apps, and respond to messages without unfolding the phone—ideal for quick tasks on the go.

OS

Running on Android 14 with Motorola’s Hello UI, the Razr 50 offers a near-stock Android experience with useful enhancements. Motorola commits to three years of OS updates and four years of security patches.

The phone truly excels with its smart use of the cover display. Users can access the quick settings panel and notification tiles, managing their device without opening it. A variety of apps, including Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Photos, can be accessed directly from the outer screen.

Additionally, Motorola has integrated Google’s Gemini AI assistant into the cover display, enabling quick queries and AI interactions without the need to unfold the device.

Processor

The Razr 50 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300X SoC, designed for dual-screen phones. This octa-core processor is built on a 4nm process, featuring four Cortex-A510 efficiency cores and four Cortex-A78 performance cores, along with a Mali-G610 MC4 GPU. It comes with 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage.

On paper, these specifications promise decent everyday performance, but power users may find it underwhelming. In our Geekbench 6 tests, the Razr 50 achieved scores of 1,016 in single-core and 3,004 in multi-core performance, aligning more with phones in the ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 range.

In daily usage, the Razr 50 performs admirably. Apps launch quickly, and multitasking is generally smooth, aided by the efficient use of the cover display. The device handles graphically demanding games well, maintaining decent frame rates, although you may need to adjust graphics settings for optimal performance in more intensive titles.

Camera

The Razr 50 features a dual-camera setup with a 50 MP primary sensor that includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and a 13 MP ultra-wide/macro lens. The inclusion of OIS enhances stability in low-light or fast-moving scenarios, improving overall photo clarity.

In well-lit conditions, the 50 MP main camera captures vibrant, detailed images with commendable dynamic range. Colors appear natural, and the detail level is impressive. Portrait shots are particularly noteworthy, with effective subject-background separation that creates a pleasing bokeh effect. The 24mm portrait mode is excellent for close-ups, while the 35mm mode offers more framing flexibility.

The 13 MP ultra-wide camera performs adequately, providing a wider field of view for landscapes or group photos. While it may struggle in challenging lighting, especially with white balance and dynamic range, it remains versatile, especially with its macro functionality.

In low-light scenarios, the main camera holds up fairly well, with the night mode delivering decent brightness and color accuracy, though some images may exhibit a slight warm hue. The OIS and software optimizations help minimize noise and balance shadows and highlights.

Selfies are managed by a 32 MP front camera that produces satisfactory social media-ready shots. Colors are natural, skin tones appear lifelike, and the dynamic range is good. Additionally, users can leverage the primary 50 MP rear camera for selfies, thanks to the cover display, allowing for higher-quality self-portraits.

Battery

The Razr 50 houses a 4,200 mAh battery, which may seem modest, but it is sufficient for a full day of typical use. The efficient processor and smart cover display use help extend battery life.

Charging options include 30W wired and 15W wireless charging. The included 30W charger can recharge the phone from 10% to 100% in about 1 hour and 25 minutes—not the fastest but certainly respectable.

Verdict

The Motorola Razr 50 is undeniably a device that makes a statement. With its stylish clamshell design, premium materials, and striking color options, it stands out as a fashionable choice for those seeking something different from conventional smartphones.

While it excels in style and design, performance may leave power users wanting more. The processor, while adequate for everyday tasks, feels average compared to the more powerful chipsets available in similarly priced competitors.