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Irish Mirror

Lifestyle

Mark Kavanagh

'Best flip phone' contender Razr 40 Ultra launched as Motorola takes aim at Samsung crown

Motorola Moto (Organization) Samsung Spotify Amazon Currys Harvey Norman

The Motorola Razr bridged the gap between fashion and technology when it became one of the first handheld devices to launch.

Now, Motorola introduces the next generation of Razr, with an innovative design that should redefine the smartphone experience and challenge Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 for its crown.

At a glitzy launch event in Madrid, the tech firm took the wraps off two new flippable devices that fuse style and high-end specs.

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra

The flagship handset is the new Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, which the company said is the thinnest flippable smartphone in the industry when flipped closed. The device includes the powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform, efficient battery, and the largest external display of any flip phone.

Users can stand the device on its own at multiple angles thanks to Flex View technology, which means you can easily view recipes while cooking, follow an exercise coach online or video chat with friends.

The device can also be used as a tripod to capture stunning images and videos with hands-free recording, benefitting from the high-quality cameras, AI face tracking, and previews on the super-large external display.

Users can also frame their shot and capture the perfect pose using gesture capture and auto-smile capture.

The firm said it has enhanced what's possible on the external display so users can do more with the device flipped closed. Responding to messages, getting directions, and staying up to date has never been easier thanks to unique features including:

Panels: Custom panels allow users to prioritise what matters most. Swipe left or right to easily access games, Google News, weather, contacts, Spotify, and view notifications at a glance. Plus, an Apps panel gives you access to almost any app, like Google Maps or Google Wallet, right from the external display.
Customisation: Users can choose from an assortment of colourful live wallpaper designs and a range of Moto clock styles. The panels on the Home screen can also be dragged and dropped so they’re arranged to fit the needs of every unique razr user.
Game: Choose from a number of highly engaging games from Motorola and GameSnacks that work perfectly on the external display. Play through mysterious lands in Golf Adventures, help a feline friend escape to freedom in Tiger Run, or have fun playing Marble Mayhem.
Dedicated Spotify Panel: Spotify users can control playback from the device’s external display. Without unfolding the device, users can tap to continue listening where they left off or start playing something brand new. Or if they are not feeling the current mood - users can tap to switch to a new personalised recommendation.

Users can enjoy all of these features on a 3.6in OLED external display with refresh rates up to 144Hz, so scrolling through websites is fluid and fast.

The camera system packs in a powerful 12MP main camera sensor using Instant Dual Pixel PDAF for what should be a faster, more accurate performance no matter the lighting conditions. And the company said it can capture photos with beautiful soft focus backgrounds thanks to its wide f/1.5 aperture that lets in more light to deliver photos with beautiful soft focus backgrounds. You also get OIS to eliminate unwanted shakes so photos are always crystal clear.

Users can also flip open the Ultra and use the 32MP camera for selfies and video calls, or keep their hands free by folding the phone into the ideal view for the perfect selfie. Rounding out the cameras is a 13MP ultrawide and macro vision lens that allows for wide angle shots which fit three times more into the frame than a standard lens.

Other features include Dolby Atmos sound and Spatial Sound by Moto,

Motorola is bringing bold colour options to the Razr 40 ultra including the Pantone Colour of the Year 2023, Viva Magenta, Infinite Black and Glacier Blue.

Razr 40

Razr 40 features the same incredibly smooth and vivid internal display, teardrop hinge and iconic form factor as the Razr 40 ultra. The most noticeable difference is the smaller external display. However, it maintains all the features expected from a high-end smartphone.

It features the highest resolution sensors on any of Motorola’s foldable devices for both front and rear camera systems. Capture crystal-clear photos and selfies in any light with a 64 MP main camera and OIS, or take everything from breathtaking wide-angle shots to extreme close-ups with a 13MP Ultrawide snd Macro Vision lens. There's a 32 MP front camera for high-quality video calls.

Edge 40 Viva Magenta edition

Also newly launched is the addition of the motorola edge 40 Viva Magenta edition, concluding the edge 40 family line-up which boasts advanced features like a curved display, IP68 dust and water protection, a powerful 50MP camera and fast charging in a sleek, stylish design.