Getting started with the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra: the folding device that will freak out the competition

As Samsung prepares to present its own folding smartphones, Motorola has got a head start. The Lenovo brand is launching its Razr 50 series on June 23. A rather special release, since it marks the 20th anniversary of the Razr V3, the firm’s legendary flip phone. While waiting for our lab tests, we were able to try the Ultra version of the Razr 50.

A folding device that bursts the screen

The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is pleasant in the hand, with dimensions and weight barely greater than its predecessor, while benefiting from even more premium finishes. When closed, the back of the phone benefits from a lightly textured vegan leather covering, while the front glass is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. It features an Amoled screen with LTPO technology allowing a variable refresh rate of up to 165 Hz, which at the same time increases in size, going from 3.6 to 4 inches, the largest on the market currently. This display occupies almost the entire exterior surface and allows access to numerous applications without opening the phone, with an announced maximum brightness of 2400 cd/m². The two photo modules fit discreetly into the screen space.

Inside, we find a 6.9-inch Full HD+ pOled screen with thin bezels and a selfie camera integrated into a center punch. This LTPO screen, also capable of reaching 165 Hz, promises a peak brightness of 3000 cd/m², a point that we will verify during our tests. Note that the screen fold is practically invisible and is not felt when touched, which considerably improves the user experience.

Still allergic to dust

With a thickness of 15.32 mm when folded, this smartphone is not the thinnest of the foldable models – Honor’s Magic V2 remains the thinness champion in its category – but it slips easily into a pocket. Unlike the Razr 40 Ultra which had IP52 certification, this new model benefits from the IPx8 standard. Jeff Snow, Motorola’s chief product officer, told us that even if the phone is waterproof, it’s difficult to ensure complete protection against dust infiltration at the hinge. The latter, thinner but robust, prevents the mobile from opening accidentally.

In terms of connectivity, the smartphone supports 5G, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4 and the very recent Wi-Fi 7. Like the previous model, the Razr 50 Ultra does not offer a 3.5 mm mini-jack socket or storage expansion. via MicroSD. A USB-C port for charging is present on the lower edge, accompanied by a speaker. The second speaker is placed on the upper edge. The volume control buttons and the power button with fingerprint reader are located on a single edge and fall quite well under the thumb.

Power and AI

Motorola has opted for the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip to power the device, a fast SoC that can handle the most demanding AI features. The device also integrates Google’s AI, Gemini, as well as its own AI elements under the Moto AI banner. However, some of these features will not be immediately available in French and it is currently difficult to get an idea. In use, the choice of the new chip from Qualcomm pays off, and the device is very fluid, supported by a discreet interface and a well-refreshed display. The smartphone also inherits AI-assisted photo tools from the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, such as scene detection or automatic subject tracking while shooting videos.

In terms of photography, the Razr 50 Ultra is equipped with two rather engaging 50-megapixel sensors, one equipped with a wide-angle lens, the other with a 2x telephoto lens, accompanied by a 32-inch selfie camera. Mpx. The 4000 mAh battery, an improvement over the 3800 mAh of the previous model, gives hope for better autonomy. Delivered with a charging pad in a scented box, the smartphone also offers 15W wireless and 5W reverse charging.

Finally, the Razr 50 Ultra is released under Android 14, with a promise of three years of OS updates and four years of security patches, which is not much for this price range. Fortunately, the improvements made to this Razr 50 Ultra do not result in a price increase. Offered in green, blue, peach or pink, with an unfortunately impractical shell, the model with a 12/512 GB configuration is available at €1,199, the same price as the previous 8/256 GB version launched in 2023.