2023-09-28 15:34:42
Sold for €899 in stores, the Moto Razr 40 is the cheapest foldable smartphone model on the market.
For a “foldable” smartphone, you generally need a budget of €1200 to €1900, depending on the model. A salty note that many young people do not know how to honor. However, it is for them that these new folding screen models, with such a “fun” look, are intended. Good news, Motorola is marketing an affordable model, below €900.
However, we keep repeating it since the marketing of the first foldable models, we should not expect a revolution. There are mainly two types of foldable smartphones with on one side the XL models which have a screen which folds on itself laterally and the XS models equipped with a screen which folds on itself vertically. The Razr 40 belongs to this second category.
The first category has some interest if you’re looking for an extra-large screen and are a heavy media consumer. The second mainly focuses on style, with a construction reminiscent of flip phones from the 2000s. In other words, you shouldn’t expect a deluge of features. A foldable smartphone of this type has two advantages: looking cool when you fold it and slip it into your pocket, and using the external micro-screen to display the time, weather or notifications once placed on the table . And that’s about it.
In other words, it is a very classic smartphone, which only stands out from other models by its design.
The question many people ask is of course why it is sold less expensively than other models? The question is answered at the component level. First of all, we find an external screen that is much smaller than on the other models, only 1.5″, enough to display the weather, notifications or the time, and that’s about it. Navigating on this tiny screen is not very practical. On the other hand, it must be admitted that it integrates nicely with the design of the smartphone.
On the technical sheet side too, we feel that the Razr 40 is in reality a high-end model from a year ago. We find a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor (instead of 2) and only 8 GB of RAM under the hood. Nothing dramatic in itself, it is even a judicious choice on the part of Motorola since we do not feel the difference with a flagship.
The Razr 40 thus fills all the boxes that needed to be filled with its 30W charger, its 4200 mAh battery which can last a day, its 256 GB of storage by default, its very pretty 6.9″ screen, which we will only blame its fold – still very apparent in the middle. And of course its excellent combination of 3 photo sensors. Here we find a 64-megapixel main sensor (f/1.7) which uses pixel-binning technology very aggressively, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor (f/2.2) and a 32-megapixel front sensor (f/ 2.4) for selfies. You will not be entitled to 64 megapixel images but only 16 megapixels and the rendering is rather good, even if we criticize the images for a certain lack of clarity or contrast sometimes. The captured photos include a large number of details, with correct exposure. It does almost as well as its rival the Samsung Flip 5, although offered at a significantly higher price. So no, you shouldn’t expect miracles. Compared to an S23 Ultra for example, we remain a few notches lower, particularly for the portrait, but the rendering is convincing for “common” use. This includes a few selfies, a few vacation photos and photos of his dog. However, don’t expect to zoom in x10 with it or to make brilliant short films. That is not the goal.
Ultimately, Razr 40 buyers will get exactly what they’re looking for. A functional high-end smartphone, with a very particular design and very successful in itself. The Razr 40 stands out as one of the best foldable models available and ranks right off the bat as the cheapest on the market.
The +:
A nice design A fair price (€899) Good performance Captures quality photos
THE – :
A very frustrating external screen The very visible fold on the screen
So, are we cracking?
The Moto Razr 40 is the cheapest foldable smartphone on the market. In addition to its price (3 to 400€ cheaper), it stands out from its competitors by its very stylish design. However, you shouldn’t expect much from its 1.5″ external mini screen, which is only used to display notifications and weather. The device owes its low price to its slightly dated technical sheet. An intelligent choice on the part of the manufacturer, which opted for the perfect compromise between performance, elegance and accessibility. The Razr 40 even manages to pleasantly surprise in photos, for common use. It is mainly aimed at buyers who want a smartphone that fits easily in their pocket and which adopts a different design.
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