REVIEW: Moto Razr 50 Ultra is a stylish foldable with good cameras

With a slightly larger external screen compared to its predecessor (Moto Razr 40 Ultra), dual 50 MP main camera system and the possibility of using the Google Gemini when the smartphone is closed, the Motorcycle RAZR 50 Ultra is the direct competitor of Galaxy z flip6, Samsung. See the analysis of the model Motorola.

Design

With a reduction of 10 grams compared to its predecessor, (189 grams) the Motorcycle RAZR 50 Ultra stands out as a smartphone of unquestionable elegance from day one. We received the color version Peach Fuzz, the Pantone color of 2024, but the model will also be available in Brazil in the options Midnight Blue (blue), spring green (green) and Hot Pink (pink)

The company has a case sold in the device's colors and which can prevent the original case from being exposed. But it will be necessary pay R$ 113,50. See the example:

In this launch, we have the arrival of IPX8 certification (water resistance) which now places the model as a waterproof foldable smartphone, instead of just being resistant to splashes (the case of the Motorcycle RAZR 40 Ultra). This increases the durability of the device; however, dust protection is still missing as it would provide an additional layer of security for the model. But, compared to the last generation, this is a good point of improvement.

In our review of the Moto RAZR 40 Ultra of 2023, We had said that the device's hinge left the screens close together, leaving that relief considered a nuisance by some users when viewing the device from the side. The same happens with the device Moto Razr 50 Ultra: the screens really stay together when the smartphone is closed, without spacing caused by the hinge.

In the review of Galaxy z flip 6, we observed that the design of the device makes it difficult to open with just one hand. In this aspect, the Moto RAZR 50 Ultra stands out, as its rounded edges allow the user to open the smartphone with just one hand, which makes daily use much easier. This way, you can start interacting with an app while your phone is still closed and continue using it on the larger screen, all with a single hand.

There are only three buttons on the Motorcycle RAZR 50 Ultra: two for volume control (which can be used to capture content) and one more to turn the screen on and off, which is also where the fingerprint sensor is located.

An interesting configuration is that Motorola's operating system detects when the cell phone screen is rotated and automatically adjusts the order of the volume buttons. These simple details contribute significantly to a more intuitive and practical everyday use experience.

The model's design allows it to deliver interesting usability. The more rounded edges, although not my favorite, allow us to open the cell phone and continue using an application started on the smaller screen, also on the large screen.

external screen

O Motorcycle RAZR 50 Ultra it now has a 4,0-inch screen, a 0,4″ gain over its predecessor. This smaller screen features a peak brightness of 2.700 nits, a refresh rate of up to 165 Hz, and a 1272 x 1080 resolution. The best part is that this screen has almost no bezels, so there's good use of the wallpaper.

When we compare the Moto RAZR 40 Ultra with the Galaxy Z Flip5, it was clear to see that companies have different proposals when using the external screen of their foldables. While the Samsung is more positioned to allow owners of models in the Galaxy Z Flip line to see simpler information on the smaller screen, the Motorola wants to allow more complete use. And that works to a certain extent.

All applications installed on the device can run on the smaller screen, but it is worth remembering that 90% of them are optimized to run on “traditional” size screens. The most famous, like Spotify, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube, they run well, but making good use of other options is limited.

This isn't a big problem, Motorola It's ahead of its time and delivering a use that many people who buy a foldable don't even imagine would be possible. Google apps like gmail, Maps and itself Gemini, also run well on this screen.

have access to Google Gemini on the smaller screen it is very practical: you just need to unlock the screen with the fingerprint sensor and say “Hey Google” to receive answers quickly and easily.

In addition to placing shortcuts for applications installed on smartphones, the Motorola allows live tiles to be displayed on the smaller screen. They are: weather, timer and stopwatch activation, games, calendar, Google Finance and one just for Spotify.

Customization of the external screen has 20 wallpaper options. Although it allows you to create wallpapers via text command for the larger screen natively via Moto AI, this is not available for the smaller screen.

Additionally, there are five themes dedicated exclusively to customizing the music player on the smaller screen. In my opinion, the space-focused theme is the most appealing, but it's worth experimenting with each one to find the one that best suits your personal taste.

In addition to the themes offered by Motorola, you can upload a photo from your gallery to use on the lock screen or home screen when your foldable smartphone is unlocked. Although the use of the smaller display was well done, the low availability of applications that run on the smaller screen can be somewhat frustrating.

Despite this, the Motorola strived to deliver greater application availability relative to the Motorcycle RAZR 40 Ultra. Now, we can only hope that more developers adapt their applications so that this use makes more sense.

Internal screen

A Motorola continued using the same 6,9-inch OLED display with a variable refresh rate from 01 Hz to 165 Hz, peak brightness of 3.000 nits and FHD+ resolution (2640 x 1080) seen in the last generation.

However, the company has renewed the hinge, which makes the fold smoother and reduces creasing in everyday use. As it is a foldable device, it is worth remembering that the crease will become more apparent over time, but for the two weeks that I used the device, this was not noticeable.

The new hinge allows the screen to remain open at practically all angles as it is very consistent, something that the model from Samsung does not deliver. Due to the high peak brightness, outdoor use of the screen is quite assertive, but, due Unless we have an anti-reflective layer, some applications in dark mode can reveal that mirror effect.

The ambient light sensor works well, but without an extra increase in brightness beyond the standard that the screen already offers, it will be necessary to go into the shade to make more assertive use. It's not necessarily bad, but it could be better.

Videos on YouTube they are watched with great quality, even if the screen has “only” FHD+ resolution. It's worth leaving the brightness at maximum when watching content, as this way you can take advantage of the OLED screen in its best configuration.

The only wish is that the model could have a larger screen with an anti-reflective layer so that outdoor use is even better. This is an improvement pointed out by me both in the Motorola, as in the model of Samsung, then we'll see what the foldable smartphone industry brings for the future.

processor and performance

The processor of Motorcycle RAZR 50 Ultra is Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a recently launched, simplified version of the company's top-of-the-line processor Qualcomm, which is slightly below that used in models such as the Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra. It's worth remembering that this is the same processor seen in the Moto Edge 50 Ultra.

The processor can run all everyday applications without problems, such as Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp. Despite being a version below the best processor on the market, the device runs several software at the same time due to the good performance management being well optimized. Games like Genshin impact e Fortnite, even at their maximum settings, were also tested and passed the tests.

I was able to run two applications at the same time, without any crashes. This is the limit: due to its interface, the Motorcycle RAZR 50 Ultra does not support applications in mode Picture-in-picture (PiP). However, it would almost certainly not present any problems if it were possible to do this as well.

Despite having a processor that doesn't show any crashes in everyday tasks, here we don't have a vapor chamber to manage hot air, which consequently means that the device will heat up after a while, especially when using the camera.

This also leads to a decrease in performance, causing problems for those who use the model for hours for recording or just taking photos.

System and interface

Speaking about the operating system, the Motorola brought the Android 14 factory installed and promises that your device will be updated at least until the Android 17. Three years of updating for a premium model with a suggested starting price of over R$7 is very little when we compare the Motorola model with the Samsung model, which will receive up to Android 21.

Despite this, the device has the Android seen for years on Moto smartphones, but there are some modifications that leave the manufacturer's mark. Gestures to open the camera (two turns to the right) and turn on the flashlight (two shakes up and down) continue to be seen here.

The customization section in Settings allows you to generate wallpapers for the larger screen, change fonts and even default application icon formats for more personalized use, where you can also change colors, screen themes and more.

The option of Motorola to put the Android Pure is welcome, especially given the fact that it is well optimized and has good integration with native applications. Google. But as a person who used the Galaxy z flip6 recently, it is impossible not to say that the company could have taken advantage of the use of its foldable smartphone more fully to offer interesting differences.

Using Moto AI

Debuting with Moto Edge 50 line at the beginning of 2024, the Motorola has a number of artificial intelligence features in its smartphones. But despite this, something still seems to be missing. This is because despite delivering personalized wallpapers, image and video editing features (in addition to those available in Google Photos), they would be very welcome.

As Google Photos is used as the native file gallery, it is quite difficult to implement proprietary features developed by Motorola. Therefore, with the exception of the camera and automatic photo correction features, which we will talk about below, Motorola only offers the basics for its users in everyday use.

Moto AI can recognize photos and provide movements as we move the phone, activated with a simple configuration. It's not something very amazing, but it's nice to have. Another highlight is the weather animations on the wallpapers. Are they: Zoom, Swing, Wave, Snow and Rain. See some examples below:

Users can also add realistic filters via AI to have unique photos, but it's clear that everything was created by AI when we check the result. Look:

Personalizing your wallpaper according to the outfit you're wearing that day is pretty cool, but do users really want that, instead of more useful things, like the conversation translation feature or more new features that would take advantage of the device, be it open or closed?

Nothing prevents the Motorola develop and launch new features not only for the 2024 model, but also for the 2023 model. Adding value is one of the concepts of artificial intelligence, so we will see what the future holds for those who buy the Moto Razr 50 Ultra.

Memory and storage

All variants of Motorcycle RAZR 50 Ultra arrive in Brazil with 512 GB Internal Storage and 12 GB LPDDR5X type RAM, which can be expanded to up to 24 GB through the RAM Plus feature, which takes advantage of a free part of the internal storage to deliver more performance.

There was a generational gain of 4 GB of RAM, as the Moto Razr 40 Ultra a version with 256 GB of internal storage and 8 GB of RAM was launched. In any case, having up to 24 GB of RAM means you can open games and several applications at the same time without worrying about crashes.

The 512 GB version is also a good option for those who like to take a lot of photos and record videos. You definitely won't have to worry about internal storage and you'll be able to record the moments you want without having to lower the quality. As standard: we do not have an SD memory card slot.

Connectivity

The device connects to 5G networks and Wi-Fi 7, premium standards of the smartphone category. A Bluetooth antenna that follows the 5.4 standard was included in the device. The foldable has a tray to receive a physical chip, but it is also possible to install eSIMs. Here, we have the best of all worlds in terms of connectivity.

Battery and charging

A Motorola is known for delivering good battery life on its devices and that would be no different here. The battery with 4.000 mAh do Moto Razr 50 Ultra It stands out for being able to last all day.

I was able to use the model for 12 hours without needing to reach for the charger. It only needed a small charge at night, to use the device for a while longer before going to sleep.

A 65W charger is shipped in the box and allows the battery to go from 0% to 50% in 25 minutes, a percentage that will be enough for you to have full capacity before leaving home.

Only one thing was missing here: the device does not support reverse charging. Of course, those who have devices like smart watches or headphones always make a point of charging before leaving home, but if they run out of battery, it would be nice to use their smartphone for that. Who knows in the next generation.

Cameras

O Moto Razr 50 Ultra It has a 50 MP main wide lens and a 50 MP telephoto lens. Did you understand? There is no ultrawide lens.

In everyday life, the wide lens can capture photos with great assertiveness, giving interesting highlights to lighter colors. There is an AI that automatically enhances photos so you don't need to do any automatic corrections, which is great for those who don't know much about photography.

But in some cases, I've noticed that lighter shades are lighter than they should be. Improving content capture works like washing lighter tones, so, as we mentioned in the review of Moto Edge 50 Ultra: An update to resolve this is the best way. See the two examples below:

As for selfies, the skin correction is very assertive and I, who have slightly darker skin, didn't notice the washing effect. Quite the opposite: with the support of the resource Smart High Resolution, just tap the screen to take a good selfie.

The telephoto lens is enough to deliver great photos with up to 2x optical zoom or 30x digital zoom, but there's no point in overdoing it: once you go beyond 10x, the results start to become depixelated. Before the final display, the AI ​​also recognizes and improves images, even when zoomed, so you have a better record. The photo below is zoomed in at 4x:

Videos, using the front camera, can be recorded in FHD or Ultra HD 4K resolution, both at 60 fps. The best thing about this part is the excellent stabilization, already seen on other Motorola devices and which also worked very well on this model.

One feature that I really liked is audio capture via artificial intelligence: in practice, the device can improve the sound captured in the area of ​​the screen that the user selects.

The big icing on the cake is in the way Video camera. When the camera app is open and you fold the phone, a video recording starts automatically. The big difference between the Galaxy z flip6 and Moto Razr 50 Ultra is that making the zoom control is easier, as the Motorola added a touchpad that allows you to change the zoom with your thumb. Something simple, but what Samsung Didn't put it in your foldables.

The content capture add-on is even better in special modes. I highlight the high-resolution mode, but Highlight Color is also super interesting.

We also have support for Night Vision, both in videos and photos, which helps to improve the recordings during the night.

And it's worth remembering that it shoots videos in slow motion, reaching an impressive 960 fps in FHD quality. It's not something I use a lot in my daily life, but having it present makes the model more complete. Dual capture, which allows you to use two cameras at the same time (both video and photos) is another great addition.

In conclusion to this topic: the 50 MP cameras present in Motorola's foldable smartphone may be powerful and have great color capture, but their automatic correction algorithm makes the experience a little disappointing.

It's not completely bad, but it's not completely good. An update for this and other models of the brand is more than necessary for the camera to be better.

Frontal camera

Image correction is more assertive on the lens 32 SM. The device can take good selfies and there is no washing effect.

The 0.6x and 1x zoom are available here, giving that increase in the field of view when necessary. The device cannot record videos in portrait mode, but photos with blurred backgrounds are well corrected after quick processing via AI.

Video recording happens in the same way as on the main cameras: FHD or Ultra HD 4K resolution, but you can choose between 30 or 60 fps. The coolest thing is that you can record videos in different aspect ratios: 9:16, 9:22 or 1:1.

Flex mode also avoids having to buy a tripod and, with the support of the optical stabilizer present in the larger screen camera, videos have excellent quality, even recorded with a 32 MP lens.

At the end of testing the three camera options, I liked the 32 MP lens more than the two 50 MP lenses. Autocorrection isn't overkill and selfies do much better here. The blurred background has a good cut, delivering good results ready to be posted on social media.

Price and availability

O Moto Razr 50 Ultra has a suggested price of R$ 7.199. The device can be purchased from July 15, 2024 in the following stores:

• Magazine Luiza for BRL 7.199
• Free Market for BRL 7.999

The model has a suggested price below that of its competitor Galaxy Z Flip6, (R$ 7.999) but devices tend to see their price drop as the months go by. For example, it is now possible to find the Galaxy Z Flip6 for R$6.240 on Mercado Livre.

What's in the box?

the box of Moto Razr 50 Ultra It comes with basic items so you can start using the device as soon as you turn it on. Are they:

• Instruction manual
• 68W charger
• USB-C cable
• Chip tray eject key

Conclusion

Looking at the past generation, the 50 MP rear cameras are the big news of the Moto Razr 50 Ultra, as they can deliver good photos when we consider high-resolution capture. But automatic correction via AI still needs improvements so that the results are more assertive and the washing effect is a thing of the past.

Despite talking a lot about the Moto AI platform, the feeling that remains is that the Motorola you need to invest more in this if you want to win the race for the best foldable smartphone of 2024. Using Google Gemini on the smaller screen it's quite a hit, but when we look at the Galaxy z flip6, the option of Samsung is much further ahead in terms of AI resources that really help us in our daily lives.

If you're looking for a foldable with a long battery life and fast charging, the power to support apps and also offers everyday style, the Moto Razr 50 Ultra and to you.

But if you value camera features, a vapor chamber so that the model doesn't heat up too much, more years of updates and good use of AI, it's recommended to opt for Galaxy z flip6. We can only hope that the Moto Razr 50 Ultra drops in price or receives updates that make it more complete.

Technical specifications

Trademarks	Motorola
Model	Motorcycle RAZR 50 Ultra
Fabric	Main screen: 6,9″ FHD+ pOLED screen with FHD+ resolution (2640 x 1080) and refresh rate of up to 165 Hz 3.000 nits peak brightness External screen: 4,0″ pOLED screen with 1272 x 1080 resolution and 165 Hz refresh rate 2.700 nits peak brightness
Camera	Rear cameras: Main lens with 50 MP sensor (OIS, f/1.7) Telephoto lens with 50 MP sensor (2x zoom, f/2.0) Under-screen camera: 32 MP front camera (f / 2.4)
Processor (AP)	Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
Memory and Storage	12GB RAM + 512GB
Battery	Capacity: 4.000 mAh Wired charging up to 68W Fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare 68W power supply shipped in the box
Operating System (OS)	Android 14 (Will be updated up to Android 17)
Network and Connectivity	5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v5.3 Requires optimal 5G network connection, available in select markets. LTE model availability varies by market and operator. Wi-Fi 6E network availability may vary depending on market, network provider and user environment.
Security	MotoSecure
Water Resistance	IPX8 rating: Water resistant in up to 1,5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes
Cores	Peach Fuzz (Pantene Color of the Year 2024) Midnight Blue (blue) spring green (Green) Hot Pink (pink)
Price	Magazine Luiza for BRL 7.199 Free Market for BRL 7.999 Casas Bahia for BRL 7.199 Motorola for R$7.199
Availability in Brazil	As of July 15, 2024

Do you have any questions about using Motorola's foldable smartphone? Tell us Comment!

Text revised by Vanessa Alves on August 6, 2024.

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