[Review] Motorola Foldable 'Razr 40 Ultra'... Compared with Samsung Phones

Easy to carry... Selling for 999,000 KRW
Wider external screen for various functions
Available for unlocked purchase or Hello Mobile subscription

A new challenger has emerged against Samsung Electronics, which has bet on foldable smartphones. It is Motorola's 'Razr 40 Ultra,' released domestically last month. The Razr 40 Ultra has a square shape that folds vertically, similar to the Galaxy Z Flip5.

After personally using the Razr 40 Ultra, its greatest advantage was portability. It felt comfortable to grip with one hand. The fact that it can be securely stored in a pants pocket or a small pouch was also a merit. However, to view the main screen, you need to open the phone with both hands. Opening it with one hand was very difficult because you have to push it out with finger strength. It is a misconception to think it can be opened with a simple one-touch like the Motorola Razr feature phone, famously nicknamed the 'Beckham phone' over 10 years ago. However, like Samsung's new product, this Motorola new model also increased the size of the external screen and eliminated the gap in the folding part (hinge).

Various Functions Usable While Folded

At first glance, the Razr 40 Ultra's exterior design was so similar to the Z Flip5 that it was hard to distinguish. Comparing the sizes of the two devices when folded, the Motorola product was slightly longer in width and height. The width was 2 mm longer, and the height was 3 mm longer. Both devices had the same thickness of 15.1 mm. Completely eliminating the gap when the phone is folded is also a feature shared with the Z Flip5.

The main display visible when the phone is opened is also slightly larger on the Motorola device. The screen size is 6.9 inches for the Razr 40 Ultra and 6.7 inches for the Z Flip5. It is equipped with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and supports Dolby Atmos sound, fast charging (33W), and runs on Google Android 13.

Comparing the size of the external display, named 'Flex Window' by Samsung, the Razr product is also slightly larger at 3.6 inches compared to the Z Flip5's 3.4 inches. Motorola also promotes it as "the largest external display size among existing flip smartphones."

Swiping across the external screen allowed access to frequently used functions such as taking selfies and videos, watching YouTube, using maps, gaming, and checking emails on a clear display. It seems designed to enable the use of as many functions as possible without opening the phone. Shaking the phone with a wrist snap turns on the camera, and shooting can be done simply by showing the palm or touching the screen. After turning on the camera, applying mirror mode allows it to be used as a mirror with 3x zoom for makeup.

Connects to Desktop... Sold for 999,000 KRW

The Razr 40 Ultra offers the Ready For feature, which wirelessly connects the phone to a TV or external monitor. You can put the phone down and use its functions on a larger desktop screen. Tasks such as using the phone as a webcam, running Android on a PC desktop, file sharing, mobile gaming, and video calls are possible.

The unlocked Razr 40 Ultra is priced at 1,299,000 KRW (256GB), but it is currently being sold on Coupang for 999,000 KRW as a promotion. A Motorola official stated, "To activate the foldable market, we are preparing a pricing policy that allows consumers to easily access foldable products." It is also possible to subscribe and purchase with a device plan through the Hello Mobile official mall. The product comes in two colors: Infinite Black and Viva Magenta, a red tone selected by the global color research institute Pantone. Free after-sales service (AS) is provided for two years at 46 service centers nationwide.

Motorola 'Razr 40 Ultra'