Revolutionizing Flexibility: The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra Redefines the Foldable Experience

Transformations can be positive or negative, and though Motorola has navigated through various shifts as a brand, the Razr phone line, initially launched in 2004, has undergone significant changes. Enthusiasts of the classic RAZR V3, predominantly millennials (myself included), may perceive the less “edgy” aesthetic of the current Razr 40 Ultra as iconic, but it represents a crucial advancement in the world of foldable smartphones. After using Motorola’s premium flagship phone in India for approximately two weeks, I believe it marks a pivotal moment in the smartphone market.

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra pricing in India

The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra comes with a price tag of Rs 89,999 in India, featuring 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It is available in two colors – Viva Magenta and Infinite Black. I received the Infinite Black variant for evaluation. Inside the packaging, Motorola includes a 33W charger, a transparent TPU hard case, and a Type-A to Type-C USB cable for charging.

Design of the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra

The Razr 40 Ultra boasts a sleek, rounded profile, appearing slim whether it’s folded (15.1mm) or open (6.99mm). I appreciate how both halves of this foldable phone align perfectly with no gap between them, enhancing its overall slender look when closed, especially in contrast to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, which is noticeably bulkier.

The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra features Gorilla Glass Victus on both front and back

 

Motorola has excelled with the design of the rear dual cameras, which are almost flush with the cover display’s glass. This cover display is remarkable, constructed from Gorilla Glass Victus just like the back. Motorola has skillfully integrated the two cameras with precise cutouts for each lens and the LED flash. In addition, the screen features 3D curved-edge glass that extends over the top edges of the metal frame, giving the Razr 40 Ultra an elegant and high-end appearance.

What’s particularly interesting about this edge-to-edge cover display is that it allows for customization, simply by changing the wallpaper. However, Motorola omitted an LTPO panel for the front display, so keeping a wallpaper on constantly (like on an iPhone 14 Pro) would have permanently altered the look of the top section. The display does support an always-on feature, but it activates only for a few seconds when the phone is moved before reverting to its reflective black appearance.

The hinge of the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra does not allow a full 180-degree opening

 

The back of the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a matte texture that can be quite slippery. Fortunately, the frame and hinge feature a glossy finish, which provides better grip on the device. Most of the time, I felt uneasy trying to hold the phone with one hand due to its slippery surface. Using one hand to open it is a precarious task, but it can be done by first moving the top half away from the bottom half and then flicking the top half open with a twist. It almost feels as if this phone was designed to be used this way, bringing back memories of the old Razr V3.

If you prefer a vibrant color, I would suggest opting for the Viva Magenta version as it sports a faux-leather textured back, making it easier to grip.

The fingerprint reader of the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is integrated into the power button on the right side

 

The Razr 40 Ultra has an IP52 rating, which is among the few foldables offering dust protection, although its water resistance is quite limited. In contrast, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 provides an IPX8 rating, which excels in water resistance but lacks dust protection. Conversely, Oppo’s Find N2 Flip does not offer either, at least officially.

The new water-drop hinge on the Razr 40 Ultra reduces the crease on the inner folding display, but since it doesn’t fold completely flat, the phone retains a slightly concave shape when opened.

Specifications and software of the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra

In terms of core specs, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra stands out, even when stacked against the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, which previously had the best specifications in this foldable segment. The Razr 40 Ultra features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, which, while perhaps appearing somewhat dated today, still delivers ample power for gaming and regular app usage.

It includes 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, with no option for expandable memory. The extra storage compared to the base model of the Galaxy Z Flip 4, which has 128GB and is priced similarly, makes the Razr more appealing in terms of available space. Oppo also offers 256GB of storage at the same price point with its Find N2 Flip, but it employs a MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ processor.

Communication features encompass Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and compatibility with various 5G bands. The device has a single physical nano-SIM slot and includes e-SIM functionality, allowing both numbers to operate in dual-standby. A USB 2.0 Type-C port is located at the base of the phone, which houses a 3,800mAh battery that can be charged with the included 30W charger.

The Retro mode of the Razr 40 Ultra evokes nostalgia for the old Razr V3

 

Motorola’s software approach, which generally leans towards a near-stock Android experience, is further enhanced with the Razr 40 Ultra by the introduction of an additional cover display.

The software is based on Android 13 and is loaded with customization options, allowing users to select from various built-in fonts, wallpapers, and matching themes. Even the icons can be modified like those on a Pixel device. There’s minimal bloatware, primarily consisting of Family Space, Moto, Moto Secure, and the Moto Notifications applications.

Unlike most foldables that treat the inner and outer displays separately, with customization options often hidden within the Settings app, Motorola allows for direct modification of the external display elements from either display, which I find convenient. Additionally, the outer display operates very smoothly, an area where both Samsung and Oppo’s current clamshell models fall short.

You can even play regular casual games on the cover display in full-screen mode

 

The external display of the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra brings to mind a Nintendo Gameboy Advance or a Playdate while gaming. Motorola has preinstalled several mini-games that are engaging and fun, specifically designed to utilize the external display. It’s also possible to play regular casual games like Subway Surfers seamlessly.

Distinct from other vertical folding phones available in India, Motorola’s MyUX permits users to view notifications and run full apps on the external display. There are dedicated settings for each app when switching between the external display and the internal one, which is quite remarkable and functions well with most third-party applications I tried.

Instagram displayed in full-screen mode (left) on the external display compared to the default view (right), which avoids the cameras

 

While the two floating cameras on the cover display lend the Razr 40 Ultra a futuristic aspect, they can interfere with app usage. To address this, Motorola allows users the option to choose between viewing apps in full-screen mode or the default view, which eliminates the two cameras and leaves a rectangular viewing area (similar to the previous Razr 2022). Although it’s still a minimalist view, I was impressed with how much I could accomplish on it, as these are indeed full-fledged apps operating on the cover display.

However, there are limitations when utilizing note-taking apps such as Evernote, where selecting text from a note on the external display is not feasible, as the keyboard appears, obstructing your view and selection.

Performance of the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra

In benchmark assessments, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra delivers the expected performance for a device powered by Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. It achieved 9,76,130 points in AnTuTu and scored 1,826 and 4,703 points in Geekbench’s single and multi-core tests, respectively.

Gaming performance was surprisingly robust for a foldable device. The phone does get warm after five minutes of playing Call of Duty: Mobile at ‘Very High’ graphics settings, yet I did not notice any performance drop while gaming.

The camera app was the only one that really caused the device to heat up. Using the camera for just five minutes was enough to make the device noticeably hot. Once it reaches this peak temperature, the camera app’s performance suffers, exhibiting sluggishness when capturing pictures and stuttering in videos that would otherwise record smoothly under optimal conditions.

The dual speaker arrangement produced immersive sound quality for both gaming and video playback. I found the left speaker to be slightly louder than the right one when held horizontally.

The main display of the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is a pOLED panel with full-HD+ resolution, offering a maximum refresh rate of 165Hz and a touch sampling rate of 360Hz. The 22:9 aspect ratio main display, measuring 6.9 inches diagonally, feels spacious enough (when held vertically) for content consumption and text reading. It is bright enough for outdoor usage, though the colors appear a bit overwhelming at the default ‘Saturated’ color mode. I preferred the ‘Natural’ option as it seemed more accurate. Additionally, the new hinge design makes the display’s crease hardly noticeable.

The main inner display of the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is sharp and vibrant

 

I observed that the display frequently drops to 1Hz for power saving, but it generally remained capped at 120Hz most of the time. The only instance in which you can force the display to 165Hz is within games, utilizing Motorola’s Gametime options. Motorola claims that the main display supports HDR content, but this option was only available on YouTube, as Netflix did not acknowledge the feature.

In terms of durability, the folding display of the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra does not feel as robust as Samsung’s ultra-thin glass on the Galaxy Z Flip 4, but it surpasses the Find N2 Flip, which was quite fragile. During my two weeks of use, which included substantial gaming, I only managed to cause one small dent on the Razr 40 Ultra’s display, which was nearly unnoticeable.

The external display sports a 1:1 aspect ratio, measures 3.6 inches diagonally, and boasts an impressive resolution of 1,066 x 1,056 pixels with a crisp 413ppi, comparable to the internal display. It features a 144Hz refresh rate that dynamically adjusts based on the content viewed. In my experience, it typically refreshes between 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz, only achieving 120Hz during high-performance games like Call of Duty: Mobile. While the reflective quality of the outer display renders it somewhat duller than the inner one, it still achieves adequate brightness in sunlight.

Call of Duty: Mobile performs well on the cover display. It’s also possible to switch between displays while gaming

 

Battery life is remarkably good for such a slim device. Given the practicality of the outer display, I found myself opening the phone less frequently. The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra operated for 18 hours and 27 minutes in our video loop test with the display refresh rate set to High. With light usage, the phone easily lasts more than a day, often finishing a day with 25-30 percent remaining after 45 minutes of intensive gaming, which was the most significant source of battery drain (alongside the camera), that didn’t seem optimized enough.

Bear in mind, this phone (with its adaptive battery optimization) requires a break-in period of around three days to start producing the aforementioned battery life figures. The external display can also save battery when the device is low, as it consumes less power while allowing you to perform nearly all functions.

Charging the device is efficient, achieving a 50 percent charge in 30 minutes, and fully charging in an hour and nine minutes. Though wireless charging is an option, it only charges at 5W on the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, making it significantly slower than the Galaxy Z Flip 4, which charges at 15W.

Cameras on the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra

The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is equipped with dual rear-facing cameras integrated into its cover display. This setup includes a 12-megapixel primary camera with OIS and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 108-degree field of view (FOV), capable of capturing macro shots. Selfies are managed by a 32-megapixel camera embedded within the inner folding display. Both front and rear camera systems can record video at 4K 60fps.

The dual displays offer several advantages for the camera application. When folded, the rear cameras can also be utilized to take selfies, which can be captured in either a square 1:1 aspect ratio or the standard 4:3 ratio. Additionally, the cover display can function as a viewfinder, and the external display can be propped up in tent mode for hands-free selfies or selfie videos.

Daylight camera samples from the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra (tap to view full size)

 

In bright lighting, images from the primary camera exhibit good detail, albeit with somewhat constrained dynamic range. This is particularly noticeable in shadows and when the camera is directed towards light sources. However, the camera’s HDR feature manages darker areas more effectively than brighter ones, which can often become overexposed in tricky lighting conditions. Overall, the images tend to have a slightly enhanced contrast. Colors are also vivid, though some users may prefer this style. I also observed minor purple fringing in brighter scenes.

Low-light camera samples from the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra (tap to view full size)

 

In low-light conditions, photos taken with Night mode prove surprisingly effective. I found it preferable to use this mode over the primary camera’s Auto setting, as it provided better dynamic range while maintaining detail despite longer exposure times. In scenarios with street lighting, the dynamic range is excellent, though the tiny details in grass and other foliage appear slightly reduced. Colors also look good compared to photos taken in Auto mode, although images captured in very dim lighting show noticeable noise in darker areas.

Ultra-wide-angle camera samples from the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra (tap to view full size)

 

The ultra-wide camera excels at capturing daylight images, producing sharp and vibrant photos with commendable colors and dynamic range. It generally shows more consistent color performance from shot to shot than the primary camera. Lens distortion is well managed, and details are impressive. However, in low-light situations, detail quality drops, and the camera struggles with focus even in well-lit street environments, sometimes resulting in softer or out-of-focus images. Locking focus by tapping the screen before shooting yields better outcomes.

The ultra-wide camera also doubles as a macro camera, capable of capturing impressive close-up images with good color accuracy and dynamic range.

Selfie camera samples from the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra (tap to view full size)

 

Selfies are sharp, clear, and well-exposed with accurate edge detection. In contrast, the quality during night shots is significantly poorer, yielding mostly flat textures that look painted. I preferred capturing selfies with the primary camera as the results were better across all lighting conditions.

When it comes to 4K video recording at 30fps, it strikes a nice balance with good detail and stabilization. However, the auto-exposure adjustment can be problematic, resulting in flickering footage. Recording at 4K 60fps shows less detail and increased contrast, along with unstable frame rates. The Razr 40 Ultra can also record HDR10+ video at 4K 30fps, but these are unsteady and exhibit various issues.

Low-light video recording isn’t impressive, as 4K 30fps clips can turn out dark, high in contrast, and noisy. Stabilization is lacking, and similar exposure-related issues appeared as during daytime footage. Meanwhile, 4K 60fps videos appear darker and noisier, although they maintain a steadier frame rate.

Conclusion

Motorola truly has a standout device in the Razr 40 Ultra. It makes strides in a highly competitive market filled with innovative technology while managing to do so devoid of apparent gimmicks. Its cover display is currently the best available, although this could change rapidly. The smooth display and software optimization further enhance this cover display’s practical user experience within its category. Its camera setup is capable, including a macro mode.

Nevertheless, the Razr 40 Ultra has its shortcomings. The heating issue when utilizing the camera app is a prominent concern. Despite this, at Rs. 89,999, it’s hard to find a foldable phone that offers such a wealth of features along with an attractive design. This new flagship Razr is likely to appeal to many high-end Android users looking for something distinctive and invigorating in their smartphones.

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