The 2019 Motorola Razr (stylized motorola razr, also known as RAZR 2019) is an Android foldable smartphone produced by Motorola Mobility. Unveiled on November 14, 2019, it was released on February 6, 2020.[1][2] The device is designed to be reminiscent of the original Motorola Razr feature phone series and features a horizontally foldable screen (in contrast to other recent folding smartphones which are designed to be folded vertically).[3][4][5] An updated version of the phone, Motorola Razr 5G, was announced on September 9, 2020, and released on September 15 of that year.[6]

Motorola Razr
Motorola Razr 5G
ManufacturerMotorola Mobility
SloganUnmistakable. Unexpected. Unparalleled
First released4G: 14 November 2019; 5 years ago (2019-11-14)
5G: 9 September 2020; 4 years ago (2020-09-09)
Availability by region4G: 6 February 2020; 4 years ago (2020-02-06)
5G: 15 September 2020; 4 years ago (2020-09-15)
SuccessorMotorola Razr 2022
Form factorClamshell
Dimensions
  • Unfolded (4G)
  • 172 mm (6.8 in) H
  • 72 mm (2.8 in) W
  • 6.9 mm (0.27 in) D
  • Unfolded (5G)
  • 169.2 mm (6.66 in) H
  • 72.6 mm (2.86 in) W
  • 7.9 mm (0.31 in) D
  • Folded (4G)
  • 94 mm (3.7 in) H
  • 72 mm (2.8 in) W
  • 14 mm (0.55 in) D
  • Folded (5G)
  • 91.7 mm (3.61 in) H
  • 72.6 mm (2.86 in) W
  • 16 mm (0.63 in) D
Weight205 g (7.2 oz)
Operating systemOriginal: Android 9.0 "Pie" (4G), Android 10 (5G)
Current: Android 10 (4G), Android 12 (5G)
System-on-chip4G: Qualcomm Snapdragon 710
5G: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
CPU4G: Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz and 6x2.42 GHz) Kryo 360 Gold & Silver
5G: Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz and 6x2.42 GHz) Kryo 360 Gold & Silver
GPU4G: Adreno 616
5G: Adreno 620
Memory6 GB (4G/LTE only) or 8 GB (5G only)
Storage128 GB (4G/LTE only) or 256 GB (5G only)
Removable storagenon-expandable
Battery4G: 2510 mAh
5G: 2800 mAh
ChargingFast charging 15W
Rear camera4G: 16 MP, f/1.7, 1.22μm, Dual-pixel PDAF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama, gyro-EIS
4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
5G: 48 MP, f/1.7, 0.8 μm, Dual-pixel PDAF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, auto HDR, panorama, gyro-EIS
4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps
Front camera4G: 5 MP, f/2.0, 1.12 μm, HDR, 1080p@30fps
5G: 20 MP, f/2.2, 0.8 μm, auto HDR, 1080p@30/60fps
DisplayFoldable P-OLED, 876 × 2142, 6.2 in (16 cm), ~22:9 aspect ratio, 373 ppi
External displayExternal G-OLED, 600 × 800, 2.7 in (6.9 cm), 4:3 aspect ratio, 370 ppi
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.0

Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac

3G/LTE/5G, Direct, Hotspot, GPS
Data inputsSensors:
ModelXT2000-1
Websitewww.motorola.com/us/products/razr

Specifications

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The Razr is inspired heavily by the original feature phone line of the same name, and uses a clamshell design to conceal a 6.2-inch 21:9 OLED display. The device's exterior features a secondary 2.7-inch "Quick View" display to access selected features (such as notifications) when the device is closed. The screen is protected by a stainless-steel frame, is "scuff resistant", and has no visible crease at its folding point, with a fingerprint sensor located in the lower bezel. In response to concerns surrounding the Galaxy Fold, Motorola Mobility stated that it had "full confidence" in the durability of the phone's screen, that it would last the "average lifespan of a smartphone", and that they were "not going to go out there and say, consumers should be cautious of how they use the phone".[4][7] The device was initially sold in a black finish. A second "Blush Gold" option was announced in February 2020.[8][9] The Razr does not support physical SIM cards, and requires use of eSIM.[4][7]

It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 system-on-chip and Adreno 616 GPU, with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of non-expandable internal storage. It uses two batteries which have a total capacity of 2510 mAh, and fast charging is supported at up to 15W over USB-C. A single camera is present on the rear with a 16 megapixel lens, while the front-facing camera has a 5 megapixel lens and is housed within a notch at the top of the display.[4][7]

The Razr shipped with Android 9.0 "Pie", and received an update for Android 10 in mid-May 2020, adding theme support (carried over from the Motorola Edge+) and additional functionality to the Quick View display, such as virtual keyboard support, video calling, and Google Maps support. Motorola Mobility committed to supporting Android 11 as well.[10] The software has a "Retro Razr" mode easter egg which changes the home screen to a recreation of the menu screen and keypad of the original Razr series.[11]

Razr 5G

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In September 2020, Motorola Mobility released an updated revision of the Razr branded as the Razr 5G, also known as the Razr 2 5G. Its design is nearly identical to the original model, but the fingerprint reader is re-located to the rear of the device. It now uses a Snapdragon 765G system-on-chip, with 8 GB of RAM and support for sub-6 GHz 5G wireless networks. Its cameras were also upgraded, with a 20 megapixel front-facing camera, and 48-megapixel rear-facing camera with laser autofocus and optical image stabilization. In the United States, the Razr 5G is exclusive to AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile.[6][12]

Reception

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The Razr was met with mixed reviews at launch, with several reviewers making comparisons to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. Common criticisms included the price, poor battery life and camera, sub-flagship level performance, Verizon exclusivity and bloatware, and an unrefined hinge and display, while praise went to the compact form factor, retro design and stock software. Patrick Holland of CNET gave the device a 7.5/10, praising the design, form factor and usability. Holland was impressed with the secondary Quick View display, but noted that the wide aspect ratio caused pillarboxing for apps and movies, and that the user interface was not well optimized for one-handed use.[13] Sascha Segan of PC Magazine gave the device a 2.5/5, additionally panning the device for weak wireless performance, concluding that "Motorola [Mobility]'s gorgeous folding Razr doesn't deliver the performance you expect from a $1,500 phone".[14]

Julian Chokkattu of Wired gave the Razr a 4/10, stating that "Motorola [Mobility]'s first foldable smartphone makes a good case for the return of the clamshell design, but the Razr is still stuck in the past".[15] Dieter Bohn of The Verge gave the device a 4/10, stating that "if this phone didn't fold, I wouldn't recommend it at one-sixth of its current price".[16] Adam Ismail of Tom's Guide likewise stated that “[the Razr’s] myriad shortcomings — from its fragility, to its performance, to its camera and battery life — mean it's not worth the $1,500 plunge.”[17]

iFixit gave the Razr a repairability score of 1/10, deeming it "the most complicated phone-based contraption we've ever taken apart".[18]

Versions

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This information may be incomplete

Razr model numbers
Model Number Year Band Memory Network Info/Color
XT2000-1 2019 4G 128GB Verizon Noir Black, Blush Gold (sometimes "XT20001G")
XT2000-2 2019 4G 128GB Unlocked Noir Black
XT2071-2 2020 5G 256GB AT&T Polished Graphite (also Blush Gold and Mercury)
XT2071-3 2020 5G 256GB Verizon Polished Graphite (also Blush Gold and Mercury)
XT2071-4 2020 5G 256GB "International" (Dual Sim) Polished Graphite (also Blush Gold and Mercury)
XT2071-5 2020 5G 256GB T-Mobile Polished Graphite (also Blush Gold and Mercury)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Amadeo, Ron (13 November 2019). "Moto Razr 2019 is official: A foldable smartphone with no display crease". Ars Technica. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  2. ^ Krol, Jacob (14 November 2019). "Don't flip out: Motorola's Razr returns in 2020 as a $1,499 foldable". CNN Underscored. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  3. ^ Cheng, Roger (13 November 2019). "Motorola's $1,500 foldable Razr is a Verizon lifetime exclusive". CNET. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  4. ^ a b c d Gartenberg, Chaim (13 November 2019). "Motorola resurrects the Razr as a foldable Android smartphone". The Verge. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
  5. ^ Velazco, Chris (13 November 2019). "Motorola's revived RAZR is a fashion-forward foldable". Engadget. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
  6. ^ a b Holland, Patrick (9 September 2020). "Motorola Razr is back (again): $1,400 for 5G, new cameras and 2020 specs". CNET. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Lowe, Mike (14 November 2019). "Motorola Razr review: The flip phone is back for 2019". Pocket-lint. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  8. ^ "Motorola Razr Blush Gold version coming this spring, company confirms". GSMArena.com. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  9. ^ Carman, Ashley (2020-02-10). "Motorola confirms a gold-colored Razr is coming this spring". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  10. ^ Gartenberg, Chaim (2020-05-11). "Motorola's foldable Razr gets some new features with its Android 10 update". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  11. ^ Gartenberg, Chaim (13 November 2019). "Party like it's 2004 with the new Motorola Razr's secret "Retro Razr" mode". The Verge. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  12. ^ Gartenberg, Chaim (9 September 2020). "Motorola's second-gen foldable Razr adds 5G, better cameras, and a chance at redemption". The Verge. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  13. ^ Holland, Patrick (10 February 2020). "Motorola Razr review: It's one of my favorite phones, but I won't buy it". CNET. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  14. ^ Segan, Sascha (10 February 2020). "Motorola Razr (2020) Review". PC Magazine. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  15. ^ Chokkattu, Julian (12 February 2020). "Motorola Razr Review: A Cheap Phone in an Expensive Body". Wired. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  16. ^ Bohn, Dieter (13 February 2020). "Motorola Razr review: folding flip phone flops". The Verge. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  17. ^ Ismail, Adam (10 February 2020). "Motorola Razr review: A stunningly mediocre $1,500 phone". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  18. ^ "Motorola Razr Teardown". iFixit. 13 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
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