Is a Flip Phone Worth It? What a Year with the motorola razr 50 Taught Me
For anyone who wants a phone that’s fun to carry, not just fast — this one’s for you.
Official site: https://moto-bu.motorola.co.jp/
Where to buy: See on Amazon Japan
“Does a phone really need to fold?”
Honestly, I bet a lot of people think that.
I was a bit skeptical too. I wasn’t sure folding would really make that much of a difference.
But after about a year with the motorola razr 50, I found plenty of things that only a folding phone can do.
My favorites: the gorgeous design, how easy it is to carry, and the outer display you can use without opening it.
If you care about design and feel, I’d really recommend picking one up in a store.
Big screen when open, fits a small bag when closed
Fold it, though, and it fits right in your palm.
Even closed, it’s not as thick as I expected. It slips easily into small pockets and compact bags.
Getting a big screen and real portability — that’s the magic of a folding phone.
The outer display is seriously useful
It turned out to be way more handy than I thought. You can check calls, messages, and notifications without opening the phone.
At work, for example, I just leave it closed on my desk and glance at what matters.
You can also use supported apps on the outer screen, so small tasks often don’t need the phone opened at all.
Never miss the shot: Motorola’s gestures
Just twist your wrist twice and the camera opens, so you can shoot the moment you want to.
It’s especially great for things that move — kids, pets, you name it.
Even the wallpaper animation when you open the phone feels nice. Little touches like that are very Motorola.
You use your phone every day, so these small “feels good” moments really matter.
No phone stand needed
Watching videos? No stand needed.
For photos and video too, you can set it on a table, adjust the angle, and shoot.
It’s great for video calls and self-timer shots, and handy when you’re out and don’t want to carry extra stuff.
That’s an easy-to-get advantage a regular phone just doesn’t have.
Specs that hold up against the Galaxy Z Flip6
The bigger outer display and roomier battery are real pluses. I’d compare them on usability and design too, not just specs.
Case, or show off the design?
Covering up that leather-like finish and the color feels like a bit of a waste.
Personally, I think putting a screen protector on the outer display and enjoying the design as-is could work well.
That said, a screen protector alone won’t do much if you drop it, so pick a case that fits how you use your phone.
Still think folding is pointless? Then maybe it’s not for you
If you think “opening and closing is a pain” or “a normal phone is fine,” it might not click for you.
But after a year, I felt the benefits go way beyond just being compact.
Checking notifications without opening it, watching videos without a stand, more freedom when taking photos.
And more than anything, it just makes me a little happier to carry it around.
Now that most phones look pretty much the same, I think there should be room for something with personality like the motorola razr 50.
If you want something stylish and practical, give this one a try.
As an Amazon Associate, Hidenori Kimura earns from qualifying purchases.
This story was originally published (in Japanese) on Yahoo! News Japan Expert.
