Razer Phone review

11 November 2017
It is always refreshing to see a new face, especially one as reputable as Razer, a major player on the thriving PC gaming scene. You don’t necessarily have to appreciate Razer's style and portfolio, but you’ll most likely agree that the "PC master race" is a tough audience to please. One way or another, Razer has managed to do just that, catering to the fickle gamer crowd’s whims and fancies.

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OnePlus 5 is not a noteworthy alternative than this? Sure, 5T is just around the corner but... I mean seriously, this phone looks like a fail OP 5 in most important parts.

Sure, it's mainly targeting Razer FanBoy who wants to brag about their 'ULTRAMOTION' display, 120 hz, and don't forget those free pair of stickers *cough Apple.
In order to do that, they make such gross trade-off. Poor implementation of dual-camera (My ZenFone 3 Zoom can do better despite its worse ISP), and... their trademark 'ULTRAMOTION' takes such a huge toll on battery life (despite it's massive 4Ah capacity we're talking about here), sunlight legibility and even color accuracy (seriously razer, wide color gamut but bad color accuracy?)

So conclusion, this phone is not worth to buy (except if this phone turns to be Essential Phone v2, poor sales then its got huge discount) than the OP5 (or even OP 5T)

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • EKW
    • 12 Nov 2017

    This seemed really good on paper, especially things like the battery and sound, but it seems that those aspects didn't come out as good as they sounded like they would. It's a shame -
    this could be a serious flagship challenger if it delivered its standout features better.

      • C
      • CM3
      • X{v
      • 12 Nov 2017

      Anonymous, 12 Nov 2017So basically razer comes with worst IPS panel even worst br... moreiPhone X can't do 120Hz. OLEDs aren't capable of it.

        • K
        • Kangal
        • rAu
        • 12 Nov 2017

        Excellent review, very Objective, thanks!
        This phone is great on paper, good but not so great in real life.

        The lack of 3.5mm aux port, ingress protection, thick top-bottom bezels, and the below-average battery life really hurt this device. I say its only in the same league as the ZTE Axon 7, Samsung S7, LG G6, Essential Phone, and the OnePlus 5/5t. Not worth more than US$350-$500, or €350-€400, so it is a little overpriced now.

          • D
          • AnonD-711468
          • 6jr
          • 12 Nov 2017

          Bezels from the previous decade, bad battery, IPS screen ... yuck.

            • I
            • IQ
            • 3Y2
            • 12 Nov 2017

            Anonymous, 12 Nov 2017WTF are they thinking? They must think we are complete fool... moreWant gaming buy an iPad Pro or iPad 10 both comes with 120fps refresh rate.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • 3Y2
              • 12 Nov 2017

              So basically razer comes with worst IPS panel even worst brghtiness than Lg g3 what a fail. iPhone X has 120fps refresh rate and Apple interouced first on iPad Pro so why should i buy this crap.

                • C
                • CM3
                • X{v
                • 12 Nov 2017

                In his official FB page, Min did say that they didn't have time to pay attention to the camera before launch and that the upcoming updates would increase its performance quite a bit. Also, this is the first time a mainstream company like Razer put a 120Hz display on a phone. It'll take a while for the games to get optimized for it. The battery life is also something that can be fixed with software updates.

                And, unlike other CEOs, Min is actually very active on social media and listens to the community (other than the toaster part). I'm quite certain that the aspects that can be fixed with software updates, will be fixed soon.

                So............I think it'd be wise to give them some time. After all, this is their first phone, you really can't expect them to match the flagships from the other well seasoned companies, right away. Besides, they have the hardware, they only need to fix the software.

                And I'm really surprised that the haters didn't learn from their past mistakes. People laughed at their first laptop release. Look at them now, the blades are easily some of the best laptops on the market.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • 0BG
                  • 12 Nov 2017

                  AnonD-598916, 12 Nov 2017I did see it, that's exactly why I wrote that I'll be waiti... moreWell QC 2 doesn't use that much power. But the latest i think is too much. I already see plenty of complains from Samsung and Xiaomi users about swelling batteries.

                  Really i think manufacturers need to concentrate on removing of longer lasting batteries to the point where charging times won't matter. If your phone can always last for a day, they you just charge it during the night and there will always be enough time for that.

                    • D
                    • AnonD-598916
                    • Iw@
                    • 12 Nov 2017

                    Anonymous, 12 Nov 2017LOL did you see the endurance rating? What's the point of t... moreI did see it, that's exactly why I wrote that I'll be waiting for the other manufacturers to implement it. As for battery degradation, well, I've been using QC2.0 with phone for almost 1.5 years and I'm seeing no noticeable battery degradation so I'm rather optimistic about this technology.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • 0BG
                      • 12 Nov 2017

                      AnonD-598916, 12 Nov 2017Quite unexpectedly, the best feature of this smartphone see... moreLOL did you see the endurance rating? What's the point of the "big" battery that still performs so poorly?

                      As for quick charge, it'll degrade the battery in no time, so this is another disadvantage, unless you want to replace your phone every 1 year at best.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • 0BG
                        • 12 Nov 2017

                        WTF are they thinking? They must think we are complete fools. Maybe because too many people really have too low standards/expectations and they'd buy anything? But still, this phone is targeted at gamers...i imagine most potential buyers will watch/read a review or two before buying. So the real fools are manufacturers like them.

                        This thing is not even worth $150.

                          • D
                          • AnonD-598916
                          • EtF
                          • 12 Nov 2017

                          Quite unexpectedly, the best feature of this smartphone seems to be the QC4.0+. I mean, charging a 4000mAh battery to 70% in just 30 minutes is just crazy! It seems that I have now something good to look forward to in 2018 as hopefully more phone makers will embrace the new standard.

                            • d
                            • djst
                            • 0xM
                            • 12 Nov 2017

                            [deleted post]Or you aren't smart enough ;) Smartphone OLED displays can't work 120Hz, so that's why they took IGZO

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • n3X
                              • 12 Nov 2017

                              What the...wow, even $150 are too much for this thing. Companies really think we are complete morons...maybe theyhave a point? Most buyers have extremely low standards/expectations and don't care enough for all the huge compromises. A powerful cpu is simply not enough for a decent phone. Not even close.

                                The 2nd flop of 2017 after the essential trash
                                Both overpriced and horrible phones but razer has good things going for it like the speakers and ......... half-assed 120hz display?
                                400$ would be a good deal for this phone but over 500$? pushing it too far

                                  • M
                                  • MdN8
                                  • mCq
                                  • 12 Nov 2017

                                  It looked like such a cool phone - and I'm not even a gamer. It's a shame that it doesn't have much else except the coolness. Better luck next time?

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-114814
                                    • JF3
                                    • 12 Nov 2017

                                    Anonymous, 11 Nov 2017lol so much for the 120hz display, u can have it the batter... moreoverpriced chinese phone

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-715091
                                      • Ir}
                                      • 12 Nov 2017

                                      that battery life is terrible.

                                        • b
                                        • ben
                                        • r@n
                                        • 12 Nov 2017

                                        That awful "brightness maxes out at just 223 nits. " and average at best camera is a deal breaker for me.