Motorola's Razr 2020 incorporates a flexible 6.2-inch screen. - CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES

  • The Motorola Razr was the best-selling clamshell mobile in the world in the mid-2000s with 130 million copies sold.
  • Now a brand of the Lenovo group, the manufacturer is reissuing it, this time with a state-of-the-art flexible screen.
  • But the 1,700 euros claimed to offer a little nostalgia are disproportionate especially given the limited technical characteristics of the new smartphone.

Reminder for the flip mobile. While waiting for Huawei, two manufacturers are already putting it back in the saddle: Samsung and its Flip, but also Motorola and its Razr which offers it for pre-order (delivery mid-March). Special feature: these two terminals now include a flexible screen. 20 Minutes was able to take over the new generation Razr.

A flexible screen in cinema format

The product is beautiful and envies. Resembling a classic powder compact when folded, the Razr 2020 has much more modern features once opened. From then on, the iconic ex-mobile which became a trendy smartphone sports a foldable screen of 6.2 '' / 15.74 cm over its entire interior surface. His eldest had a screen at the top and a physical keyboard at the bottom. "We wanted to combine nostalgia and the best of technology", enthuses one at Motorola France.

Unfolded, the Razr displays a foldable 6.2 inch screen. - CHRISTIOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES

Nostalgia, because the Raz was in its time (2003 - 2007) the most sold flap mobile in the world: 130 million pieces sold. The best of technology, because flexible OLED screens are according to the manufacturers a future solution for our smartphones. Samsung and Huawei in particular are betting on it. For the reissue of its Razr Motorola (brand of the Lenovo group) therefore chose a screen in 21: 9th format (2144 x 876 pixels). This is the usual cinema format. Le Raz allows you to view films without black bands at the top and below the image. A few brief tests reveal a bright and contrasted display.

When folded, the screen leaves no space between its two panes. - CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES

In addition, Motorola indicates to have patented a system which allows the folded screen to be face to face, without the least space. We are however a little afraid of what could happen if a grain of sand interfered between the two flaps of the smartphone…

Its pocket size fits like a glove

In hand, the Razr seduces with its small footprint (72 x 172 x 6.9 mm folded). Its weight (205 g) more or less corresponds to that of any smartphone. But whatever the manufacturer says, opening it with one hand is practically impossible. The terminal hinge is very firm and lacks flexibility so that a simple gesture of the thumb allows the device to unfold naturally. In our opinion, the large low border can also hinder the grip.

Significant point during our manipulations: a small almost invisible OLED screen of 2.7 '' / 6.85 cm (800 x 600 pixels) integrated into the shell of the Razr displays time and notifications when the smartphone is folded. It is very practical when the device is placed on a table in front of you.

On the front, a 5 megapixel photo module for selfies. - CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES

Another advantage: this secondary screen acts as a viewfinder for selfies, with a lens just below. Coiled in the palm of your hand, the Razr is thus very practical for taking self-portraits… even if its front sensor is only 5 megapixels.

The small front screen is very practical for taking selfies. - CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES

At the back, there is a simple 16 megapixel camera (f / 1.7) whose relevance we could not verify. But we already know that it only films in Full HD. The choice of this single module seems a bit against the current trend which requires three or even four photo sensors to ensure optimal shooting quality ...

A tariff inversely proportional to its technical capacities

Other biases of Motorola also surprise for a Razr which wants to offer "the best of technology": its memory of 128 GB is not expandable; the capacity of its battery is only 2510 mAh, and the manufacturer has chosen a smartphone with a single e-SIM card, a virtual card that only Orange currently offers in France. Launched at 1,700 euros, the Razr 2020 is excessively expensive. It seems all the more that apart from its flexible screen, its technical specifics are not in line with its claims. How can he make the match against the Samsung Galaxy Z-Flip, which we know is clearly better provided, and announced at 1500 euros? Nostalgia will probably not be enough.

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