Razr 2023 9-Month Thoughts

[Tractorlegs]

I got my Razr 2023 on October 21, 2023, and was prety excited about the new device. I came off of an iPhone 13, so the switch to Android was a bit of a challenge, but I had used Adroid before so it wasn't that bad of a switch. Anyway, here's my "almost" 9 month review -

First the positives:

• The screen is awesome. It's bright, the colors are rich, and it's great in sunshine, The colors are really vibrant when I play games or stream, even more so than the Eye Phone 13 that preceeded it.
• Also, no problems physically with the folding screen at all. With semi-heavy use, it folds/straightens with ease and with no issues. I thought at first that this would be its weak spot - but 8-1/2 months after purchase it's still good.
• The phone's build quality is very good. Three, maybe four drops have not damaged or scratched the device. It has a real "feel" of quality when the clamshell is shut, with the vegan leather and the alminum frame/stainless steel hinge. When I first got it, I got a pouch-style case for it (see my previous posts) but now for 6 months or so I haven't felt the need for a case at all.
• Comm is all excellent and intuitive. Phone calls are clear, and messages send/receive with ease. I like being able to just open the flip to answer a call, and then just snap it closed to hang up - I don't have to slide buttons across the screen.
• Battery life is the best I've ever seen in a smartphone. I'm usually between 70-80% after a full day of use. It has a 4200mAh battery, which is really unusual for a less expensive (not flagship) phone, and I would assume that's the reason. I charged it overnight last night, and it's still 88% at almost 6pm.
• The fingerprint sensor is really, really good -
• The 128 gig storage along with the 8 gb ram is great for a second-tier device.
• I LIKE that the phone is so small when folded. It's so nice to just drop the little critter into a pocket - any pocket. It's just a cool little square that fits anywhere.
• Clamshell style phones = less screen scratching. In my case, no scratches.
• Finally, I get a lot of positive comments from people - clamshells are still pretty rare. And it really blows them away when I say "$599 at Best Buy, dude!"

And now the negatives:

• Weak processor. It's got the Snapdragon 7, which was pretty good in its day, but it makes complicated gaming a bit draggy. I play a lot of Roblox games along with Minecraft and the processor slows these games down a bit when the screen gets complicated. For most purposes, though, the processor is plenty fast - streaming, messaging, Bookface, YouTube etc. work really well.
• No bezel. When I use the phone, I frequently accidentally touch the edge of the screen and delete what I'm doing, or sttart some kind of process lol - I know bezels are not popular these days, but I'd like somewhere to hold onto the thing.
• No Android 14 (yet). My cheapo Samsung Galaxy Tablet A9+ already has 14, why can't I have it on my Razr?

I guess that's all - I prolly forgot to mention a couple of things. But I definitely recommend this machine if you don't want to go over $1000 with your next phone purchase!

 

[bkeaver]

I think android 14 will only hit after the 2024 series comes out. They want a compelling reason for people to pick up the new devices

 

[bmetelsky]

Android 14 is already rolling out to some with this phone. I've seen posts on Reddit about this, specifically some that have Cricket as their carrier.

 

[bkeaver]

Android 14 is already rolling out to some with this phone. I've seen posts on Reddit about this, specifically some that have Cricket as their carrier.

A mnvo carrier get 14 first? I question that

 

[bmetelsky]

A mnvo carrier get 14 first? I question that

I know ..... It is a repeated statement on the Reddit groups there. I don't have one yet, that is why I've been scouring the Internet as part of my own prepurchase diligence. I'm interested in the upcoming Razr + 2024.

 

[Tractorlegs]

Ironically, just a couple of days after I wrote the OP Android 14 is available! Downloading right now . . . . I'll report later

 

[Laura Knotek]

Ironically, just a couple of days after I wrote the OP Android 14 is available! Downloading right now . . . . I'll report later

That's great news.

 

[Tractorlegs]

I think android 14 will only hit after the 2024 series comes out. They want a compelling reason for people to pick up the new devices

And that's exactly what happened! The RAZR 2024 dropped on June 25, then **BOOM** the Android 14 update for the 2023 less than two weeks later.

 

[nexxoexxon]

Nice review. I got my Motorola Razr+ 2024 a couple of months ago and I'm still blown away by the quality. This phone gets so much attention that everywhere I go people's instant reaction is WOW.