After announcing sequel foldables last month, Motorola has finally provided an Android 14 update to its 2023 Razr and Razr+ devices.
Motorola first launched the Razr+ in June 2023 to wide praise from critics and users alike. The later release of the more affordable Razr (2023) in the second half of the year was similarly met with good impressions. However, one worry was Motorola’s iffy track record in software support.
Despite offering a solid timeline for updates, Motorola left a long delay in bringing the next major version of Android to its 2023 Razr foldables. As we pointed out recently, Motorola still hadn’t pushed or even really talked about Android 14 for its previous Razr models.
That’s finally changed.
As spottedbysome users, Motorola has started rolling out Android 14 for the Razr+ (2023) and Razr (2023) in the US. The update is rolling out to both devices and carries the May 2024 security patch along with it. For the larger Razr+, the update brings various upgrades for the cover display that are present on the 2024 models. There’s also now support for AOD.
The update doesn’t seem to be widely available to all users just yet, but is starting to appear. One user who bought a Razr and also bought one for their spouse says that one of the two has received the Android 14 update, but the other has not.
Motorola seems to be rolling out Android 14 to 2023 Razr models gradually. We’ve not been able to get the update on our Razr+ (2023) yet.
YTechB also spotted that Motorola has quietly put up a support page detailing new features in Android 14 on the Razr 40 series, though the international update doesn’t seem to be available yet.
This comes almost immediately after Motorola launched the Razr (2024) and Razr+ (2024) with Android 14 available out of the box, but around nine months after Google first released the update on Pixel phones.
The Motorola Edge 30 is a slim, light, good-looking phone with a great screen and an attractive price tag. Its camera is also competitive, given the phone’s price, and the Edge 30 isn’t too shabby when it comes to performance either, whether thumbing through the interface, browsing the web, or blasting your way through games.
What holds back the Edge 30 from being an across-the-board champ is its battery. It’s smaller than we’d expect from a phone today, and that compromise is no doubt how Motorola achieved the phone’s 6.8mm profile.
The Edge 30’s camera is also noteworthy. It combines a high-resolution 50MP primary camera with OIS, and the ultra-wide camera crams in autofocus. This ensures it captures a range of quality shots – from close-up macro snaps to landscapes, mid-range photos, and more. While Motorola’s photo processing is heavy-handed, at the price, the Edge 30 is still a solid camera phone.
If you’re not a power user who uses your phone non-stop and needs a battery that can keep up, the Motorola Edge 30 is a mighty option. It’s perfect if you’re after a brilliant, big screen, a decent camera mix, and very slender styling.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
MOTOROLA EDGE 30 REVIEW: DESIGN
Exceptionally thin and light
No headphone jack
Water repellent design
The Motorola Edge 30 is nothing short of waif-like. Its skinny profile measures just 6.8mm, and it weighs 155g. For context, an iPhone 14 Pro Max measures 12.03mm when including the camera bump, and weighs 240g. Motorola’s slender contender still sports an ample footprint, thanks to its ample 6.5-inch screen.
When it comes to build quality, the Edge 30 feels about right for a midrange, relatively affordable phone. It’s made of plastic around the sides and back, so definitely isn’t super premium. But still feels relatively special, with a frosted finish around the back and that super-thin body.
The Motorola Edge 30 is splashproof, with a water-repellant design, and the display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. In the box, you get a case to help add a little extra life-proofing, and thanks to the plastic back, only one side of the phone is likely to smash if you drop it. This all means it probably isn’t as fragile as some glass-on-glass phones like the Nothing Phone 1.
Unsurprisingly for a phone this thin, there’s no headphone jack, and ports are limited to a single USB-C port at the base. On the right side are all the buttons – volume and power, and around the back is a modest camera bump.
Thanks to easy-to-grip, flat sides, we didn’t find the Edge 30 slippery or fiddly to use despite being so thin, and the slightly rounded sides add a pleasant, soft quality to the hold.
So while Motorola’s thin phone isn’t the most premium around, we’d say it strikes the right notes given its price. Could its style be a bit more refined? Absolutely. Does it feel like it’s made of plastic? Definitely. But it also still feels unique, a great balance of life-proof, slender, and fit-for-purpose.
MOTOROLA EDGE 30 REVIEW: SOFTWARE AND PERFORMANCE
Runs Android 12
Basic Motorola Ready For support
Snapdragon 778G+ chipset
In-display fingerprint scanner
With Motorola‘s interface being the same across all its phones, if you’re coming from an old Moto phone, you’ll know what to expect. It’s clean and simple, with much less added software than in rival phones from Xiaomi, Realme, and Samsung. What you might not have seen before, though, is Ready For – a way of pairing the phone to an external display wirelessly via Miracast.
The Ready For feature also enhances the pairing experience with a PC, so your Edge 30 can double up as your webcam, and you can easily manage your mobile life from a Windows device. This worked well in our tests and is a fantastic value add at the price. One point to note, the phone doesn’t support video out via the USB-C port, so Ready For projection can only be fired up via Miracast, or when hooked up to a PC.
There’s a Moto app to turn the handful of Moto extra features on and off, a Motorola Notifications app (this one is largely bloatware), and Dolby Atmos, which is behind the phone’s audio optimization.
What are those extra Moto features? Peek Display, Attentive Display, and Gestures. Peek Display is a custom lock screen that lights up when you pick up the phone while in standby. It shows the time, battery life, and icons, to denote any recently received notifications.
At the heart of the Motorola Edge 30 experience is Google’s Android 12 operating system, and the light approach to software skinning means you get to see the visual changes Google made in this version of the OS. Feature toggles in the drop-down menus sit in colorful blocks, for example, and you can choose the color to alter Android’s personality a bit.
The interface experience isn’t let down by the hardware on the Edge 30, thanks to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ chipset. This isn’t a speedster when it comes to 3D gaming, but for general day-to-day tasks, it hits the mark. What makes the Edge 30 feel even more premium is its 144Hz screen, which takes UI smoothness to another level.
Anyone who games will probably want to know how the phone benchmarks, and the Motorola Edge 30 scores fairly for the price, with a Geekbench multi-core score of 2677, and a 3D Mark score of 2791 on the Wild Life benchmark.
This all means that while performance is far from flagship – a little worse than top-tier phones from a couple of years ago, it’s still good enough for most apps and games to run smoothly.
Also handy, the phone has an in-display fingerprint scanner, which is not always seen at the price, and it worked quickly for secure unlocking.
MOTOROLA EDGE 30 REVIEW: CAMERA
50MP primary camera with OIS
50MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus
2MP depth sensor
The Motorola Edge 30 has three rear cameras, though only two actually take pictures – the primary and ultra-wide cameras. The third camera is a depth sensor, so should help with cleaning up portrait mode style photos (the ones with blurry backgrounds and sharp foregrounds), but you won’t take pictures using it standalone.
MOTOROLA EDGE 30 REVIEW: BATTERY LIFE
Small 4,020mAh battery
Supports 33W charging
Ships with fast charger
The Moto Edge 30 battery story has wins and woes. The wins come in the form of the charging speeds, times, and the fact you get a fast charger in the box. Powering up at 33W, while the phone isn’t the fastest charger at the price, it powers up in around 45 minutes – great going.
As for the Edge 30’s battery woes – that comes in the form of how long it lasts with intensive use.
One hour of playing a simple 2D game, Marvel Snap, at 60 percent brightness drained the battery by 35 percent – so if you want a long-haul flight gaming phone, pack a charger.
A power-hungry day of being a tourist, roaming, using 5G, photo and video capture, and map usage will likely leave you needing a top-up by the early evening. Moderate use, though, did surprise us. We were able to get through a full day when we used the phone normally. That means Spotify listening on the commute, occasional YouTube watching, messaging, and replying to emails.
If you don’t consider yourself a power user, therefore, and appreciate a sleek profile over the possibility of two-day battery life, the Edge 30’s modest milliamp hours could suffice.
SHOULD I BUY THE MOTOROLA EDGE 30?
Buy it if…
You want a thin phone
There’s nothing on the market at the Motorola Edge 30’s price that’s as thin, feature-packed, and sports such a great display.
You’re a Windows user
Motorola’s Ready For software makes connecting your phone to your PC a mighty experience, with the Edge 30 doubling up as a webcam and more. The feature, however, doesn’t work when the phone’s hooked up to a computer running MacOS.
You want a great screen
Whether you’re watching, scrolling, browsing or gawking – looking at the Edge 30’s screen is fun. Between the zingy colors, smooth motion, great viewing angles and customizable settings, it represents great value.
Don’t buy it if…
You need two-day battery life
It shouldn’t come as any shock that the slender Motorola Edge 30 – a very slim phone, won’t keep you going beyond a day of regular use. After all, its battery has been shaven down to shrink its profile. Still, light to moderate users shouldn’t have trouble getting through a day comfortably with the phone.
If you want wireless charging
There are no new phones in the Edge 30’s price point that pack wireless charging, though the slightly pricier Nothing Phone 1 does, so if you really need that cable-free life, you’ll need to spend more and look further afield.
You’re a 3D game enthusiast
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 780G+ is capable enough to run most games – we enjoyed hours of Marvel Snap, and even Injustice 2 was handled okay. But for the best-looking results, save your pennies and pick up a phone with a mightier processor.
Remember when smartphones were competing to be the thinnest around? The Edge 30 is a throwback to that thin-for-the-win era. It combines sleek styling and a flourish of fancy features – a fantastic-looking screen, a capable camera system, and nippy performance for the price. Its battery won’t blow you away, and may struggle to make it through a busy day – but for casual users, this could be the best, slimmest option around.
The first couple of Moto G iterations were competitive, well-rounded and adequately priced. Things have changed since then, and the market is moving fast, that Motorola is forced to play catch-up. The Moto G30 and G10 are this year’s low-end smartphones in the company’s portfolio and are dangerously close to each other, price-wise.
The subject of this review is the Moto G10, the one that starts at around €150. It offers a budget Snapdragon 460 chipset, 4GB/64GB base memory configuration and a low-res 720p+ screen but big enough 6.5-inch diagonal by today’s standards. All the essentials are in place, too, such as a versatile camera setup with 48MP main and 8MP ultrawide cameras and a big 5,000 mAh battery.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct. Read more
You may think that this is what most of the other manufacturers will be offering too for such a low price, but you will be surprised by the set of features competitors have to offer in the sub-€200 category these days.
The Moto G10 advantages include the main 48MP camera with a fairly bright f/1.7 aperture, NFC for all markets, the water-repellent coating and the clean Android 11 experience with a few nifty extra features. But are they enough to convince the mass consumer? We investigate on the following pages.
Unboxing the Motorola Moto G10
The Moto G10 comes in a standard retail box containing the usual user manuals along with a USB-A to USB-C charging cable and a travel charger rated at 10W. There’s also a transparent silicone protective case that snuggly fits around the phone.
The charger is not very fast, but 10W is the most the Moto G10 will take anyway. In contrast, the higher-tier Moto G30 comes with faster charging support and a corresponding 30W charger.
Competition
Unlike in the US market, where Motorola is one of the few makers to offer decent low-end to mid-range phones, the company is facing quite a bit of competition elsewhere. And since the Moto G10 can’t be found on US soil, at least for now, we can go on with competition originating from Asia, which is absent from the US, too.
The first phone to consider in the €140 ballpark would be the recently released Xiaomi Redmi 9T. To be honest, though, this is where we should probably end this review because the 9T has so much to offer for the same asking price. It has a brighter, higher resolution display, great-sounding stereo speakers, bigger battery (although it scored just a little better than the G10), faster charging, undoubtedly better camera performance and a set of useful features like an IR blaster, dedicated microSD card slot (not shared) and reverse wired charging to take full advantage of the huge 6,000 mAh unit. The overall design of the phone and ergonomics are also better, but that’s strongly subjective.
Another Chinese competitor worth mentioning is the Realme 7i, which matches the Moto G10’s screen resolution but offers a more fluid 90Hz panel giving you the impression of smoother operation. NFC is out of the question, and it’s a bit pricier, too, asking around €160-170.
A more popular choice comes straight from South Korea – the Galaxy A21s. This device offers comparable hardware with superior camera performance and more mature One UI software. A considerably brighter screen is also ensured. Sadly, here’s where the advantages end because the Moto G10 excels in battery endurance and edges out in memory. The Galaxy A21s would give you just 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage for the same asking price. The Moto will give you double that.
And then we have the Moto G30 representing in-house competition. The handset is priced just about €30 more, but we definitely think it’s worth it as long as you are dead set on getting a Moto-branded phone. The more expensive sibling offers a snappier chipset, similar battery life, brighter display with a higher refresh rate, faster charging and overall better camera performance. In short, despite being a bit pricier, the Moto G30 offers better value for your money. Lowering the price tag on the G10 will separate the two enough so users may start considering the G10 over the G30, but at this point in time, it makes no sense to prefer the former over the latter.
Want to stick with the burden-less Android feel? Why not give the OnePlus Nord N100 a try. We found this one outside of OnePlus’ official store for a lot less than €189. It’s priced just around the €140 mark at third-party retailers and offers similar hardware – 6.52-inch, 720p screen, Snapdragon 460, 4GB/64GB memory configuration and 5,000 mAh battery. But the devil is in the details. The display is 90Hz, the storage is of the snapper UFS 2.1 kind, the battery supports faster 18W charging, the front panel is protected by a Gorilla Glass 3, and there’s a set of stereo loudspeakers as a bonus. It’s hard to tell whether the camera experience would be any better given that we haven’t tested it, but we would guess it’s going to be about the same or somewhat inferior due to the aged 13MP main sensor with smaller f/2.2 aperture. There’s also no ultrawide camera, although that would not be enough to tip the scales seeing how the Moto G10’s ultrawide snapper performs.
Verdict
The Moto G10 would have been a great all-rounder some time ago. But even the low-end smartphone market has evolved, and now the hardware at hand doesn’t impress. In fact, it seems to be lacking against some of the competition. And we are not talking about the pressure from the Chinese brands only. Sure, the Redmi 9T and the OnePlus Nord N100 are viable options to pursue, but we are mostly puzzled by the decision to space the Moto G30 and the G10 pricing by just €30.
Spending a few more bucks for the Moto G30 will get you a long way as it has a better camera, faster charging and a more capable chipset. That’s, of course, if you are dead set on Motorola. Otherwise, the Realme 9T offers a lot more for the same price as the Moto G10. So if Motorola wants this handset to sell well, it needs to introduce a price cut before we can recommend it to buyers over the competition.
Pros
Nice, unorthodox design
Amazing battery life
Dependable main camera in daytime
Clean Android 11 experience with a few value-adding extra features
Video recording is above average for the class
Cons
UI feels rather slow
Slow charging
You can get better performing chipsets in the same price segment
Disappointing main camera performance at night
Camera resolution management in the camera app is a mess
The cheaper end of the smartphone market is increasingly cluttered, but Motorola‘s latest effort, the Moto G31, is keen to make a mark among the best cheap phones. It doesn’t entirely succeed thanks to being respectable if unremarkable, but it’s certainly cheap at $200/£170 (around AU$280).
As it lacks 5G it’s a complete miss for anyone looking for a budget 5G phone, and there are definitely similar offerings that provide that. But if you’re not too fussed about 5G, you could do a lot worse than the Moto G31.
That’s aided by the fact that the Moto G31 offers a relatively clean Android experience. Besides the use of Moto gestures, it’s a fairly pure form of Android 11, which is certainly appreciated.
Elsewhere, a competent if unremarkable set of cameras means you’ll gain reasonably sharp images even if the color is a little off. Don’t count on a great macro lens here, but its wide and ultra-wide lenses are suitably effective, with HDR doing its best.
The Moto G31 is available in either baby blue or mineral gray colors. It’s the build of the phone that will likely delight you most though. Offering curved edges and a textured rear, it feels good to hold and suitably secure in our hands too.
The phone’s 6.4-inch AMOLED display looks bright and vibrant most of the time, even if it misses out on having a refresh rate any higher than 60Hz. The rest of the build is fairly standard, with volume, power, and a fingerprint reader all on the right edge of the phone.
A 5,000mAh battery also proves useful, as it’s reasonably long-lasting, but don’t count on speedy charging. We found the phone to be pretty sluggish at getting back up to full power, but at least you won’t need to recharge too often.
Performance is similarly sluggish. The Moto G31 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 chipset with 4GB of RAM, and while it’s not the slowest of phones out there it’s still woeful if you expect too much of it.
Despite that, there’s a certain sense of reliability to the Moto G31. It certainly won’t wow you but if you’re looking for a cheap and competent phone, it does the job.
Lack of 5G and wireless charging, along with subpar performance, means this isn’t a phone for future proofing, but for a cheap purchase right now, you could do a lot worse.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct. Read more
The Moto G31 is available in the US and the UK, starting at $200/£170. It’s availability in Australia at the time of writing is very limited, currently available only via Officeworks, priced at AU$297. Elsewhere the Moto G31 is available from many third-party retailers as well as direct from Motorola.
It’s only recently been launched at the time of writing, so there are no discounts just yet, but it seems likely we will see some price cuts further down the line. Two color schemes are available – baby blue and mineral gray. It’s also possible to buy it with either 64GB of internal storage or 128GB.
Design
Plastic body
No significant water resistance
Comfortable grip
The Moto G31 feels good in your hands. Even in this reviewer’s fairly small hands, the phone feels comfortable. That’s thanks to a textured back with curved edges, so it feels simple to grip. It’s also relatively slim at 8.6mm, with full measurements of 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.6mm. Weighing 181g also means this isn’t a hefty phone by any means either.
We had the mineral gray model to review, and it looks quite classy. It might have a plastic body, but it doesn’t look that way. Instead, it looks rather smart.
The right-hand side of the phone is the ‘action’ side. On that side you’ll find buttons for volume and power, along with the fingerprint reader. The latter might have felt more comfortable on the back, but it means that the back of the phone looks suitably minimalist, other than the camera lenses in the top left-hand corner.
The textured plastic body means no risk of fingerprints either, so it looks good no matter how long you’ve been using it for. A punch-hole at the top of the screen offers up the selfie camera lens, but it truly takes up the bare minimum of space – it’s literally just the lens.
On the bottom there’s the USB-C charging port and a speaker. There’s no headphone jack on this budget-ranged phone, alas.
There’s also minimal water resistance, with a mere IPX2 rating meaning you don’t want it anywhere near water if you can help it.
Display
6.4-inch AMOLED screen
1080 x 2400 resolution
Vibrant colors
Thanks to its AMOLED display, the Moto G31 offers fairly vibrant colors and deep blacks. It’s ideal for watching Netflix or similar, capturing all the colors how you’d like them to be.
A reasonably sharp resolution of 1080 x 2400 helps too, although the lack of a 90Hz refresh rate is a shame. Still, at this price, it’s not massively surprising you’re stuck with a typical 60Hz refresh rate instead, although other brands might offer more. We didn’t notice any considerable visual lag when playing games or watching videos at least.
It could be a little brighter in bright sunlight, but other than that, it’s all pretty sharp and exactly what you’d like from this kind of phone.
Camera
50MP + 8MP + 2MP rear camera
13MP selfie camera
Plenty of software functionality
The Moto G31 has three lenses on the back, with one at the front for selfies and video calls. Its main camera has a 50MP sensor, and there’s also an 8MP ultra-wide lens (that also works as the depth sensor when taking photos in Portrait mode) and a 2MP macro camera.
Predictably, the main camera is its strongest. For the most part, photos taken in daylight offer natural colors and reasonable dynamic range. At times, the HDR makes things look a little too vibrant, but it’s certainly eye-catching.
Where things falter is with the other lenses. The ultra-wide one may help with portrait shots, but it produces ultra-wide shots that tend to look a bit blurry.
Blurriness is also the theme for low-light photos. Switch night mode on and things improve, and certainly look brighter than you might expect, but the results don’t always look realistic.
The macro camera is pretty pointless too, but that’s often the case with cheaper phones.
Elsewhere, selfies come out fairly well here at least, ensuring this is a camera that’s fine if nothing special.
On the plus side, the Moto G31 does offer plenty of great software options that are easily picked out as and when you might want to use them.
Battery life
5,000mAh battery
No wireless charging support
Slow charging
The Moto G31 has a battery of 5,000mAh, which means it lasts a good couple of days without too much trouble, unless you’re using it a lot.
That’s lucky as recharging is pretty slow going at 10W, and there’s no wireless charging support. So it’s not the most convenient of devices to top up, but at least with such strong battery life, that isn’t something you need to do too often.
Should you buy the Moto G31?
Buy it if…
You want a comfy phone The Moto G31 feels good in your hands. Easy to grip firmly and comfortably, it’s a nice phone to hold if you’re prone to clumsy moments.
You want an easy-to-use camera Working well as a point and shoot camera, the Moto G31 might lack the finer details and refinements, but it offers some easy-to-use software features that mean this is ideal for the average snapper.
You don’t need the latest tech If you don’t need 5G any time soon and wireless charging is inessential, the Moto G31 will cover all the bases you need while on a budget.
Don’t buy it if…
You need 5G 5G is likely to be far more commonplace in 2022 and beyond. The Moto G31 lacks it, and you may come to regret your choice.
You want speed The Moto G31 isn’t the slowest phone out there but it’s not great either. If you’re an avid gamer or multitasker, steer clear.
You need ruggedness With limited water resistance and no dust resistance to speak of, it’s going to be tough to keep the Moto G31 safe in many situations.
Motorola’s foldable Razr is set to come back in a big way this year, and it seems we might be getting even more than expected. Apparently, there are two Motorola Razr devices in the pipeline, with the “Razr Lite” showing up in new renders.
It’s been confirmed time and time again that a new Motorola Razr foldable is in the works, with leaks showing off the big outer display, and even Motorola itself explicitly confirming the new device is coming. Apparently, that device will be called the “Razr+,” based on other recent leaks.
Now, MySmartPrice is showing off a device referred to as the Motorola “Razr Lite,” with prototype design renders from @OnLeaks confirming there are two foldables from Motorola coming up. Where the “Plus” version has a large display on the outside, it seems the “Lite” variant will have one that’s much smaller, even compared to prior models.
So… Today, I can reveal #Motorola isn't going to launch 1 but 2 #Razr phones this year!
And here comes ur very 1st look at this flip phone which I assume will be unveiled as vanilla #Razr2023 or more likely #MotorolaRazrLite!
The small outer display takes up the full width of the device, but only the bottom 25% or so. Like on the leaked images of the “Plus,” the display wraps around the cameras. It’s a design not all that different from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4, at least in terms of workable area
How else this “Lite” model could differ isn’t clear, but it seems reasonable to expect perhaps a less powerful chipset, or less memory. In any case, the most interesting thing will be the difference in pricing on Motorola’s upcoming foldables. The release window Motorola is aiming also unclear at this point, but June has been mentioned.
Motorola ‘Razr+’ foldable to have faster charging than Galaxy Z Flip 4, but a smaller battery
According to a regulatory listing, Motorola’s 2023 Razr foldable will have speedy charging that well outpaces Samsung’s current offerings.
The “Motorola Razr+” recently passed through 3C, a regulatory authority in China (via MySmartPrice), as well as through the FCC. While neither leak offered a new look at the foldable, they both confirmed new details.
In the case of the FCC leak, the “Motorola Razr+” was found to be packing a dual battery system. This puts one battery in part of the device, with another, smaller battery in another part of the device. In this case, there’s a 2,850 mAh battery paired with a 790 mAh. Together, that measures 3,640 mAh, a boost of 140 mAh from the previous Razr. That’s slightly smaller than the 3,700 mAh battery found in the Galaxy Z Flip 4, but not by enough to make a major impact.
Beyond that, the 3C listing mentions support for 33W charging for the “Motorola Razr+.” That’s not even close to the fastest charging out on the market today, but it’s much faster than what Samsung offers on the Galaxy Z Flip 4. That device is limited to 25W, which was even new to that device. Prior Samsung Flip models were limited to a mere 15W.
The “Motorola Razr+” leaked earlier this month with a unique outer display design that effectively turns the entire cover into a screen, right down to wrapping around the camera modules. A specific release date is not entirely clear, but expected to be in June.
Possible Motorola Razr Lite Leaked in 5K Renders Showing Full Design; May Launch Soon
Motorola is gearing up for the launch of the Razr Plus 2023 later this year. The new clamshell-style foldable phone is tipped to launch with a bigger cover display and some key upgrades under the hood. It will be Motorola’s most premium foldable offering. The company is also working on an affordable version of its Razr foldable phone. MySmartPrice has learnt about the launch of a new foldable phone called the Motorola Razr Lite.
The upcoming Razr Lite, as the name suggests, will sit below the premium sibling Razr Plus 2023. It is likely that the phone might alternatively debut without the “Lite” moniker at the end and the company might simply call it the Motorola Razr 2023. There are no official details about the phone’s launch timeline. Meanwhile, we bring to you some exclusive details about the Razr Lite 2023. Tipster OnLeaks, who recently revealed the exclusive design renders and details about the Google Pixel 7a, has now collaborated with MySmartPrice to give you the first look at the Motorola Razr Lite.
Let’s take a look at the Motorola Razr Lite design renders, specifications and other details leaked ahead of the launch.
The Motorola Razr Lite 2023 will be launching soon. The foldable phone will sit below the Razr Plus 2023, which is also expected to debut soon. OnLeaks, our reliable source for the leak, has revealed the key design details of the Razr Lite 2023 foldable phone.
As seen in the design renders below, the Razr Lite 2023 will have a clamshell-style folding mechanism. The foldable display of the Razr Lite 2023 has a hole-punch cutout at the top centre. We can also see the bezels around the display being fairly thin, which should help offer an immersive viewing experience.
On the outside, there is a tiny cover display. The design renders show that the cover display might be useful for a limited number of tasks, such as displaying the time or maybe checking notifications or incoming calls.
The display is quite small compared to the likes of the Oppo Find N2 Flip and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. The upcoming Vivo X Flip also seemingly has a bigger display than the one seen in the Razr Lite 2023.
There is a dual-camera setup next to the cover display of the Razr Lite 2023. The LED flash module is also placed below the camera sensors. The frame is curved and has antenna lines of it, suggesting the use of metal.
It is worth noting that the design renders are based on low-quality, real-life pictures of a testing stage prototype. Therefore, it is likely that some details depicted in these renders may differ a bit compared to the final product.
Also, as mentioned above, the device might be called the Razr Lite 2023 or simply Razr 2023. At the time of writing this, we cannot confirm the official marketing name of the device. Other details about the upcoming foldable phone from Motorola are under wraps. We will share more details about the device as and when available.
Lenovo has found an abundance of success with the ThinkPad lineup, built as a tough solution for business professionals. Now, Motorola – owned by Lenovo – is coming up on its release of the perfect match, the ThinkPhone. Newly unveiled details suggest the ThinkPhone will be a legitimate contender once it comes to market.
The “Think” lineup takes the least flashy approach. Lenovo has for a long time designed these devices to take on a basic look, with minimal distracting touches. Regardless, those devices have always proven to be true professional products.
Looking to continue that pattern, Motorola is allegedly coming up on the release of its newest endeavor, the ThinkPhone (via TheTechOutlook). The ThinkPhone comes in at 158.7 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm, which results in a display footprint of 6.6 inches. That panel is a POLED display with a punch-hole camera centered at the top. Behind the cutout less a 32MP selfie camera with AF.
What really makes it a “Think” branded product is the subtle and simple design. The body of the ThinkPhone is rumored to be aluminum with an “Aramid Fiber Inlay” back plate, to give it some durability sans case. As far as the camera array goes, the Motorola ThinkPhone will come with a triple-lens system. That setup includes a 50MP primary sensor, 13MP wide-angle lens, and a 2MP depth sensor.
Under the hood, the latest leaks from SnoopyTech suggest the ThinkPhone will sport a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, giving it quite the edge in capability. With that, the device will have fast charging capabilities of up to 68W, which should theoretically get you a full battery in around an hour or even less. On top of that, it’s equipped with wireless charging.
The ThinkPhone is also rumored to run Android 13 out of the box, though there’s no word on reliability over a longer period of time and whether or not Motorola will promise future updates for the ThinkPhone.
Other uncovered tidbits include an under-display fingerprint sensor, a face-down do not disturb mode, and even apparent IP68 water and dust resistance certification.
Overall, the ThinkPhone is set to be a powerful device, whether you’re on the road or working from home. The takeaway point is that the ThinkPhone specs scream “competent” on paper, but only time will tell if Motorola’s version of Android 13 will play nice enough for the hardware to shine.
Motorola unveiled an exciting trio of Edge 20 smartphones with a few shared key features – HRR OLED screens, 108MP primary shooters, 5G connectivity, and 30W fast charging.
Today, we will be exploring the Motorola Edge 20. With a powerful Snapdragon 778 chipset and a 3x tele camera, the regular Edge 20 model is the most balanced one of the trio. There is a Pro model with a flagship Snapdragon 870 SoC and 5x periscope camera, while the Lite model runs on the basic Dimensity 720 platform and has no zoom camera.
Before we continue, we want to warn you not to confuse this Motorola Edge 20 with the US-exclusive Motorola Edge (2021) that is a reworked Edge 20 version, or the India-exclusive Motorola Edge 20 Fusion, which is based on the international Edge 20 Lite model.
So, the first thing you will immediately notice about this new Motorola Edge 20 is that it is not a curved smartphone like the original Edge, just on the contrary. It has lovely flat sides, screen and rear panel and is incredibly thin at 7mm. As usual, the Edge 20 is splash-proof thanks to its water-repellent build.
The Motorola Edge most impressive feature is the 6.7″ OLED screen with 10-bit colors and 144Hz refresh rate. It supports a dynamic refresh rate too, but we will talk more about this in our display section. For now, let’s say it sure looks great on paper.
This Edge 20 model is based on the Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, which offers a powerful processor and GPU. It should be enough for smooth HRR gaming, and there is 5G connectivity, too. The Edge 20 Pro is the one with the flagship-grade Snapdragon 870 SoC, but it sure sounds like a bit overkill for a 1080p screen, don’t you think?
Anyway, the rear camera of the Edge 20 is thoroughly interesting. It has a 108MP primary snapper with Samsung’s ISOCELL HM3 sensor, followed by an 8MP camera with 3x optical zoom and a 16MP ultrawide shooter with autofocus for cool macro photos. The selfies are handled by a front 32MP camera. The Pro model offers 5x zoom instead of 3x, while the Lite model has no tele camera.
The Motorola Edge 20 also shines with 30W fast charging and clean-ish Android 11 with some cool Moto tricks.
Video capture:Rear camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS; Front camera: 1080p@30fps.
Battery: 4000mAh; Fast charging 30W.
Misc: Fingerprint reader (side-mounted); NFC.
Looking at the specs of the Motorola Edge 20, we can think of only two possible issues – the omission of stereo speakers and the battery capacity. Other mid-range smartphones are offering dual speakers and 4,500mAh or more capacity, especially larger phones like the Edge 20.
Without further ado, here is the Motorola Edge 20.
Unboxing the Motorola Edge 20
Motorola Edge 20 ships within a thin blue box, which contains a 30W power adapter with a USB-C port and a USB-C cable.
The phone also arrives with a transparent silicone case, and it’s already put on for your convenience.
The competition
The Motorola Edge 20 seems like a great smartphone with thoughtfully picked features and a competitive price of €480. It is one of the few devices to offer 144Hz refresh rate support for its OLED screen; there is powerful enough hardware, a versatile camera on the back, and a clean Android package with a cool Ready For desktop-like experience.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of €500 smartphones with flagship-grade features ready to fight for a spot on the market. Let’s look at some of these and see if the Motorola Edge 20 can stand its ground next to them.
The first offer that comes to mind is the nubia Red Magic 6R – the only handset that can offer a similar 144Hz OLED screen at €500. It trumps the Edge 20 with a flagship Snapdragon 888 5G chip, pressure-sensitive shoulder triggers for gaming, stereo speakers, and faster charging. It omits splash protection, a zoom camera and a Ready For alternative. We guess you should decide on which package makes more sense to you.
The Realme GT Master Explorer is about to launch in Europe at about €500, and it’s one of the best phones you can get at that price with one of the worst names. The GT ME has a unique design, the current second-best chip in the world – the Snapdragon 870, and a tri-camera rear setup with an impressive 50MP primary with OIS with good 2x lossless zoom and 4K at 60fps capturing. There are also stereo speakers and impressively fast 65W charging. The Edge 20’s inferior in almost all aspects but the splash resistance, the longer zoom, and the Ready For support. If you like the Realme GT ME, but you don’t want to wait for its release, the Realme GT is even faster but not as fancy as far as cameras are concerned.
The recently launched Galaxy A52s by Samsung runs on the same Snapdragon 778G 5G SoC and offers a large 120Hz Super AMOLED screen. Its quad-camera omits a zoom snapper, but the 64MP primary has OIS, which helps a lot at night. The Galaxy A52s is fully water-resistant, packs two loudspeakers, an under-display fingerprint scanner; then there are rarities like a 3.5mm jack and a microSD slot. If only the A52s had DeX support, it would have been the better choice. Alas, it doesn’t, so once again, it’s up to you to weigh on the pros and cons.
Finally, the €300 splash-proofed Poco F3 is a budget offer worth considering. It packs a couple of flagship essentials such as a 120Hz AMOLED and Snapdragon 870 5G chip, loud stereo speakers, and long-lasting battery life. It cannot match the Edge’s software experience and camera versatility, but at that price, it’s something you should at least consider.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 6R • Realme GT Explorer Master • Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G • Xiaomi Poco F3
Obviously, no other than Motorola can offer Read For support, so let’s see the in-house competition.
The Moto G100 was the Ready For pioneer, and it’s still quite attractive. It has a slower 90Hz LCD screen but has a more powerful Snapdragon 870 5G chip and a much better battery life. There is no zoom camera on the G100, but you do get a second ultrawide selfie camera for what’s that worth. The G100 costs about the same as the Edge 20, so unless you need the more powerful SoC or you find the G100 at a bargain price, we’d choose the Edge 20.
The other two Edge 20 phones are good alternatives. The Edge 20 Lite relies on the budget Dimensity 720 5G chip with support for up to 90Hz refresh rate and drops the zoom camera, but it is about €150 cheaper at €340 and offers much better battery life. We are not sure if we’d be okay with that entry-level chip, but the price difference is sensible, and the Lite should be considered for that.
Motorola Edge 20 Plus and Motorola Edge 20
Then there is the Edge 20 Pro, which will bring three upgrades for €200 on top of the Edge 20 – a more powerful Snapdragon 870 chip, a 5x telephoto camera, and a beefier battery. Seems a bit overpriced, though, doesn’t it?
Motorola Moto G100 • Motorola Edge 20 Lite • Motorola Edge 20 Pro
Our verdict
The Motorola Edge 20 seems like the most balanced smartphone among the Edge 20 trio. It has the most reasonable pick of features – a 144Hz OLED, powerful but not overkill Snapdragon 778G 5G chip, a versatile triple camera going from 0.5x up to 3x, and a large enough battery with fast charging.
We loved the display, and it is indeed a flagship-worthy one, the Edge 20 can handle games very well, including high framerate ones, and its camera is dependable despite its weird resolution handling.
One of the key features of this Motorola Edge 20 is the vanilla-like Android OS with Ready For desktop-like experience, and it runs well, delivers on the promises, and can be a powerful tool for those of you who multi-task heavily on a number of devices.
The Edge 20 is not ideal – it doesn’t have stereo speakers, the battery life is subpar, and the camera app and processing are in need of a few tweaks.
But even that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is the best offer within the Edge 20 trio, and among the best €500 phones you can get.
Pros
Attractive splash-proofed design.
Excellent 144Hz OLED display.
Fast charging.
Clean Android 11, and Ready For is not a gimmick.
High-framerate gaming supported and dependable sustained performance.
Good photo camera quality, day and night.
Great daylight videos.
Cons
No stereo speakers.
Average battery life.
Poor low-light videos.
Photo resolution settings don’t make a lot of sense.
The famed Moto G has gone double-digits this year – Motorola is offering three numbered entrants in the lineup to go with the G Stylus, G Power and G Play from January, and we now have the Moto G10, G10 Power and Moto G30. Abandoning continuity in search for diversity, the trio occupies different levels of the midrange, with the Moto G30 being the highest-specced one. Let’s start with that one then.
The Moto G30‘s standout feature in this confusing crowd of phones is the high-refresh-rate display – moderately high at 90Hz, but certainly higher than the others. Otherwise, it’s not really a head-turner – an LCD with a 720p resolution on a 6.5-inch diagonal is about as pedestrian as they come.
You could say the same of the Snapdragon 662, though we prefer to frame it more positively – as a balanced mid-tier performer that’s both powerful and frugal, and a noticeable step up from the SD460s of the G10s.
The 64MP main camera, too, puts the Moto G30 above its immediate family, which top out at 48MP. The 8MP ultra-wide appears to be shared with the G10, G10 Power, and the G Stylus, going strictly by the numbers though there could be nuances to that. In any case, we have a G10 for side-by-side comparisons – all in due time.
Video capture:Rear camera: 1080p@30/60fps; Front camera: 1080p@30fps.
Battery: 5000mAh; Fast charging 20W.
Misc: Fingerprint reader (rear-mounted); NFC; FM radio; 3.5mm jack.
Other less standout but still feel-good bits on the Moto G30 include the 5,000mAh battery (which, it seems, has quietly become the standard capacity across many segments) and the 20W charging capability. A classic rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is a nice throwback to simpler times, as are the FM radio and headphone jack. Additionally, you’d be getting Android 11 out of the box, which remains something worth pointing out even some six months after the OS’ release. Speaking of that box.
Motorola Moto G30 unboxing
The Moto G30 ships in Motorola‘s default one-piece navy packaging. Inside lies the phone, already in the supplied transparent soft case – protected even before you take it outside of the box.
You get a 20-watt charger (compare that to the 10W one supplied with the G10) that’s rated at 5V/3A, 10V/2A, and 12V/1.67A. Also included is a USB-A-to-C cable. There is no headset in the bundle, as has been the norm with recent Motos.
Competition
The Moto G30 retails for about €180 in Europe (where you can find one) for a model with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, up to €220 for the top-spec 6GB/128GB version. Meanwhile, at the time of reviewing, the base 4GB/64GB version is priced at INR11000 in India, a discounted number from the INR15K MSRP.
The Realme 7 starts at around €180, but that sum will only get you 64GB of storage, albeit 6GB of RAM. The Realme wins for display resolution and fast charging, but it’s a tie for display quality and battery life. Perhaps most importantly, however, the Realme has a vastly more powerful chipset, and that should settle it if you’re into gaming, or 4K recording. The Moto does counter with a newer Android and a more stock look, if that’s your thing. The Realme 7 is comparatively more expensive in India, where it’s the 7i that sells for Moto G30 money, and that’s mostly a tie all around unless you count small victories like Android 11 in the G30’s favor vs. the 7i’s dedicated microSD slot.
The Poco X3 (NFC) is another compelling counter-offer if you’re looking at the Moto G30. It’s got a beefier chipset and a higher-res display, too, but spices things up further with an even higher refresh rate than the Moto’s, plus stereo speakers. The Moto has slightly better battery life and Android 11 already, while the Poco charges faster and has an IR blaster. Again, the Poco X3 NFC makes more sense in Europe for Moto G30 money, while the non-NFC version sold in India is pricier than the G30.
Another Xiaomi, the Redmi 9T, is an interesting alternative as well. It may not have a high refresh rate display, but it’s 1080p. The Redmi also scores points for its stereo speakers and dedicated microSD slot and, in typical Xiaomi fashion, the IR emitter. The Moto, while not flawless, would still be our choice if the camera quality is a priority.
If you’re looking to get a Samsung around the Moto G30’s price point, the Galaxy A21s is perhaps the closest. The Moto wins for performance, for a change, and has the better display (higher contrast, high refresh rate), while battery life and charging speeds are similar, as is camera performance. The Galaxy has the brand name going for it, and perhaps the dedicated microSD slot.
The Moto G30 is not the Moto G from late 2013, which you could recommend as the universal best option for a full-featured smartphone on a budget. The Moto G gradually evolved from that one phone to an entire lineup, and none of the lineup members today is the no-brainer purchase that the original was.
But as current Moto Gs go, the G30 is, in fact, a rather reasonable buy. It stands out from its stablemates thanks to its 90Hz display, which also happens to be one of the highest-contrast LCDs we’ve tested. Photo quality, while not great at night, is actually pretty pleasing in good light, and it’s not like competitors in the price range have spectacular low-light performance anyway. Add to that the current, near-stock Android 11, with just the right amount of features added on top, and the top-notch battery endurance, and the Moto G30 is looking like a very well-rounded package for the money. We wouldn’t straight-up recommend it, but we’d keep it on our shortlist.
Pros
High-contrast, high-refresh rate display.
Excellent battery life.
Solid camera performance in good light.
Clean Android 11 experience with a few nice proprietary features on top.
Bottom line: Samsung’s Galaxy S21 is a great overall package, delivering 5G, the latest hardware, and all the extras you could ask for in a 2021 flagship.
Display
6.2-inch AMOLED, 2400×1080, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
RAM
8GB
Storage
128 or 256GB
Cameras
12MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide, 64MP telephoto
Charging
25W wired, 15W wireless
Battery
4,000 mAh
Water Resistance
IP68
Dimensions
151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm
Weight
172g
Pros:
Compact and lightweight design
Snapdragon 888 is a performance beast
120Hz AMOLED display
Very capable cameras
All-day battery life
Cons:
Doesn’t have expandable storage
No MST for Samsung Pay
In 2021, Samsung has released a smaller and more affordable smartphone in the regular Galaxy S21. For shoppers that want a fully-fledged smartphone experience without completely breaking the bank, it’s well worth your consideration.
One of the best things the Galaxy S21 has going for it is the display. It’s a Full HD+ AMOLED panel, and when paired with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, it is nothing short of excellent. It’s not quite as sharp as the Quad HD+ resolution found on the S21 Ultra, but the picture still looks really crisp thanks to a smaller 6.2-inch display size. Combine that smaller display with plastic construction, and the S21 ends up being a really comfortable phone to use thanks to its small size and lightweight design.
Another highlight is performance; the Galaxy S21 features the Snapdragon 888 and 8GB of RAM. No matter what tasks you throw at the phone, it’ll handle them with ease. There’s also a 4,000 mAh battery for all-day endurance, an IP68 dust/water resistance rating, and your choice of 128GB or 256GB of storage. The camera experience isn’t as jaw-dropping as what you’ll find with the S21 Ultra, though it is a bit better than the S20 FE. Once again, it’s a nice middle-ground between the two.
You get three guaranteed Android updates and four years of security patches on the software front, making the Galaxy S21 one of the best phones for long-term use. That said, the Galaxy S21 shares the same cons as the S21 Ultra, meaning there’s no expandable storage or MST for Samsung Pay. Those are two features you do get with the S20 FE, but the S21 still manages to stand out thanks to its improved cameras, faster performance, nicer design, and more pocketable form factor.
Bottom line: The S21 Ultra stands out as the phone to get if you don’t want to spare any expense. Everything from the display, performance, cameras, and more are among the very best you can get — just be prepared for it to cost you a pretty penny.
What Samsung achieved with the Galaxy S20 FE is nothing short of amazing, and for the vast majority of you reading this, it’s the phone you should probably buy. But if you’re itching for a device that has even more to offer and you’re OK spending more to get that kind of experience, you’ll want to turn your attention towards the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
This is Samsung’s top-of-the-line flagship for 2021, and in virtually every regard, the premium nature of the S21 Ultra is easy to see. Starting first with the display, you’re treated to a massive 6.8-inch panel that’s capable of running a Quad HD+ resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate at the same time — something very few smartphones are capable of doing. This means you get razor-sharp text, buttery smooth animations, and the stunning colors of Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED screen technology.
Powering the S21 Ultra is the Snapdragon 888 chipset, paired with either 12 or 16GB of RAM. In real-world use, that means the Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of the fastest phones money can buy. Keeping with the theme of high-end specs, other niceties include a 5,000 mAh battery, up to 512GB of storage, an IP68 water/dust resistance rating, and a larger in-screen fingerprint sensor that’s much faster and easier to use than the one found on the S20 FE.
As if that wasn’t enough, the tour de force of the Galaxy S21 Ultra is its camera system. The primary camera is a 108MP sensor that captures extremely detailed and colorful shots. The 8MP ultra-wide lens is a strong performer. The two telephoto cameras — featuring 3x and 10x zoom distances — allow for some of the very best zoom pictures we’ve ever seen.
There’s no denying the impressiveness of the S21 Ultra, but that’s not to say it’s without its faults. Samsung got rid of expandable storage and MST for Samsung Pay, two hallmark features of Galaxy phones before it. If you’re alright with losing out on those features, the Galaxy S21 Ultra experience is well well worth the price of admission.
Bottom line: The OnePlus 9 Pro delivers a gorgeous new design combined with top-notch internal hardware, cameras tuned by Hasselblad, and clean software. OnePlus finally has a phone that measures up to Android’s best, and the OnePlus 9 Pro is an affordable alternative to the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
The OnePlus 9 Pro is gunning straight for the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The phone features the latest hardware you’ll find today, including the Snapdragon 888 chipset, along with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage modules, and a marquee addition this year is the cameras.
OnePlus always nailed the hardware, but it just couldn’t deliver cameras that held up to Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi. That has changed with the OnePlus 9 Pro. The device comes with an upgraded 48MP camera at the back that takes fantastic photos. OnePlus also partnered with German camera giant Hasselblad to deliver outstanding photos to capture every moment. The result: the OnePlus 9 Pro takes amazing shots in just about any lighting condition. There’s also a 50MP wide-angle lens that may just be the best on any phone today, and you get an 8MP module that offers 3x digital zoom.
The OnePlus 9 Pro is one of the fastest phones you can buy today, and a new 120Hz AMOLED display joins the top-notch hardware. The phone uses an LTPO display to dynamically change the refresh all the way from 1Hz to 120Hz, allowing it to conserve battery life while delivering a smooth and fluid user experience in daily use.
You’ll also find clean software without any bloatware at all in the Android 11-based OxygenOS 11. The interface has plenty of customizability, and unlike Samsung’s One UI, you will not find any errant ads anywhere. The clean UI combined with a focus on performance and customization make OxygenOS the default choice for enthusiasts.
The phone doesn’t miss out in other areas either — you get IP68 dust and water resistance, 5G connectivity over both Sub-6 and mmWave, and dual-band GPS along with NFC. But a key highlight is around battery tech — the OnePlus 9 Pro offers 65W wired charging along with 50W wireless charging, with the phone taking just 29 minutes to fully charge using the bundled charger. OnePlus also recently announced that its flagship phones would begin receiving three major Android updates — up from the two promised previously.
While it’s exciting to see the gains in this area, the one downside is that battery life itself isn’t on par with other Android flagships. For example, the OnePlus 9 Pro barely manages to last a day with heavy use, so you may want to take the charger along if you’re heading out.
That said, the OnePlus 9 Pro is a great overall package that nails the fundamentals. So if you’re not sure about the Galaxy S21 Ultra and are looking for an alternative, you will love what the OnePlus 9 Pro has to offer.
Bottom line: There are many good smartphone deals out there, but none of them are as amazing as the Pixel 4a. From its flagship-grade cameras, reliable performance, all-day battery life, and long-term software support, no other phone gives you this much for so little.
Display
5.81-inch OLED, 2340×1080, 60Hz refresh rate
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G
RAM
6GB
Storage
128GB
Cameras
12.2MP primary
Charging
18W wired
Battery
3,140 mAh
Water Resistance
❌
Dimensions
144 x 69.4 x 8.2mm
Weight
143g
Pros:
Flagship camera on a budget phone
Easy to use in one hand
AMOLED display looks great
Snappy performance
Three years of software support
Cons:
Boring design
The Pixel 4a is the best phone value available today, period. Google’s packed most of what makes the Pixel 4/5 series good into a smartphone that costs over 50% less. You also get a compact device that, despite its size, excels in the battery life department. Seriously, this phone lasts all day and then some.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the 4a is its camera, which is nearly on par with the Pixel 4 that preceded it. The main camera shoots exceptional photos in all lighting conditions, with Night Sight really showing its strength in poor lighting. Google even added Astrophotography mode this time around and improved the already impressive Portrait Mode. The front-facing camera is also tack-sharp and focuses more quickly than on the Pixel 3a from 2019. Both front and back, you’re getting flagship-level camera quality out of a phone that’s a fraction of the price. Google’s also improved the video quality on the 4a, thanks to an improved Snapdragon 730 chipset and 6GB of RAM standard.
So what do you lose by spending a third of the price of a more traditional flagship? Well, the Pixel 4a is made of plastic and lacks both water resistance and wireless charging, features you can take for granted at a higher price point. It also only comes in one size, a 5.8-inch variant, and one color, black. There are no storage size options, either: you get 128GB of internal memory, which should be plenty for most people, but a lack of microSD expansion may be a problem for the content collectors out there. Also, there’s no 5G support here.
All of these limitations shouldn’t impede your desire to buy the Pixel 4a, which proved to be one of the best smartphone surprises of 2020 — even if it did launch a few months late. Google’s latest budget phone is a winner, from the size to the performance to the battery life and camera quality.
Bottom line: They say that the best camera you have is the one you have with you, so make sure it’s the best it can be. Google’s Pixel 5 takes incredible photos in virtually any setting, and thanks to the company’s top-notch image processing, you don’t even have to be a pro photographer to get impressive shots.
Display
6.0-inch OLED, 2340×1080, 90Hz refresh rate
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
RAM
8GB
Storage
128GB
Cameras
12.2MP primary, 16MP ultra-wide
Charging
18W wired, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wireless
Battery
4,080 mAh
Water Resistance
IP68
Dimensions
144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0mm
Weight
151g
Pros:
Among the best cameras on the market
Compact and comfortable to hold
90Hz AMOLED display
Great battery life
Three years of software updates
Cons:
Might be too small for some users
The Pixel 5 is Google’s latest flagship smartphone that you can buy. Compared to past releases, it’s a huge departure. Rather than trying to have the absolute best specs possible, the Pixel 5 focuses on offering a great all-around user experience at a competitive price. And, in just about every regard, it succeeds.
First thing’s first, we have to talk about the Pixel 5’s camera performance. Simply put, if camera quality is a key priority for you, the Pixel 5 should be at the very top of your shopping list. The 12.2MP primary and 16MP ultra-wide cameras may not look all that impressive on paper, but combined with Google’s unmatched image processing, they kick out truly incredible results. The detail is sharp, colors are true-to-life, and the Pixel 5 handles low-light environments without a hitch. The best part? The Pixel 5 does all of this more reliably than any other smartphone.
Outside of killer cameras, the Pixel 5 has a bunch more to offer. We’re in love with its design, which is refreshingly compact and is made entirely out of aluminum. The paint job gives it an exceptional in-hand feel, and if you ask us. The Sorta Sage color is one of the best we’ve ever seen on a phone. Period.
Rounding out the Pixel 5 experience is a 90Hz AMOLED display, fast performance thanks to the Snapdragon 765G processor, and long-lasting battery life. For considerably less money than a lot of other flagships, the Pixel 5 is well worth your consideration.
Bottom line: Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE is a solid, affordable 5G phone that offers most of what makes Samsung flagships so good in a cheaper, colorful package.
Display
6.5-inch OLED, 2400×1080, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
RAM
6GB
Storage
128GB
Cameras
12MP primary, 8MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide
Charging
15W wired, Qi wireless charging
Battery
4,500 mAh
Water Resistance
IP68
Dimensions
161.6 x 71.1 x 9.3mm
Weight
190g
Pros:
Flat 120Hz display is terrific
All-day battery life
Promised three years of software updates
Impressive cameras with 3x optical zoom
Sturdy design with fun color options
Cons:
Not every color option is available everywhere
Camera can be slow to load
Samsung clearly understands that this is a time for people to pare back their expenses because the Galaxy S20 FE is a value flagship that really doesn’t skimp. It’s based on the successful foundation of the Galaxy S20+, featuring a spacious 6.5-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a luxurious 120Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 865, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and an all-day 4,500mAh battery.
Of course, to hit its affordable price point, Samsung needed to make some sacrifices, so it traded the Galaxy S20 series’ back glass for colorful plastic — the FE is available in six delicious colors — and cut back on the quality of the triple-camera setup ever-so-slightly.
Still, the S20 FE has everything you’d expect in a high-end phone and performs just as well. We especially love the IP68 water resistance and wireless charging, two features rare in this price bracket. Plus, it shares the same primary camera sensor as the Galaxy S20 and S20+, ensuring beautiful results in good light and bad.
Samsung’s One UI 3.0 is also on-board, and the company’s promising three years of platform and security updates, ensuring that you’ll be getting the latest Android features well into the next decade.
Finally, Samsung includes sub-6Ghz 5G in all variants of the Galaxy S20 FE, and we found performance to be excellent on both AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s 5G networks. If you want a Verizon version that supports mmWave, it’s also available for purchase.
Bottom line: The Moto G Power 2020 has reliable hardware combined with outstanding battery life and clean software. There are a few downsides — it’s limited to 10W charging and will only get one Android update, but you are getting a great entry-level package overall.
Display
6.4-inch LCD, 2300×1080, 60Hz refresh rate
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
RAM
4GB
Storage
64GB
Cameras
16MP primary, 8MP wide-angle, 2MP macro
Charging
10W wired
Battery
5000mAh
Water Resistance
❌
Dimensions
159.9 x 75.8 x 9.6mm
Weight
199g
Pros:
At least two-day battery life
Clean software
Reliable hardware
Large 1080p display
3.5mm jack
Cons:
Will get only one Android update
Charging limited to 10W
Average cameras
If you’re in the market for an entry-level phone, the Moto G Power 2020 is still a great choice in 2021. Motorola has nailed the basics here, delivering a robust phone with all the features you’re looking for in a budget option.
The standout feature on the Moto G Power 2020 is the battery: featuring a large 5000mAh battery, the phone manages to last over two days without fail. The charging situation isn’t ideal, though; the Moto G Power 2020 has 10W wired charging, so you will want to plug in the device overnight.
The phone holds up pretty well in other areas too. You get a 6.4-inch 1080p LCD that’s decent enough in its own right, and the Snapdragon 665 is a reliable performer in normal use. The phone has stereo sound, a 3.5mm jack, a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a microSD card slot. And as the phone is officially sold in the U.S., it works on all the major carriers.
In fact, it’s a better option than the Moto G Power 2021 in key areas — the 2021 model has fewer LTE bands, a lower-resolution 720p display, and a less powerful chipset. You’ll find positives on the software side as well, with Motorola offering a clean interface without any bloatware. The downside here is that the phone will get just one Android update — to Android 11 — and if you’re okay with that, the Moto G Power 2020 has plenty to offer in 2021.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for a value flagship and want a phone with a gorgeous design, the latest hardware, stellar cameras, fast charging, and clean software, the OnePlus 9 is the obvious choice.
Display
6.5-inch AMOLED, 2400×1080, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
RAM
8GB/12GB
Storage
128GB/256GB
Cameras
48MP primary, 50MP wide-angle, 2MP portrait
Charging
65W wired, 15W wireless
Battery
4500mAh
Water Resistance
❌
Dimensions
160 x 74.2 x 8.7 mm
Weight
192g
Pros:
Sublime 120Hz AMOLED display
Top-tier hardware
Clean software with no bloat
Standout cameras
65W wired / 15W wireless charging
Three years of Android updates
Cons:
Single-SIM in the U.S.
With the OnePlus 9, OnePlus sets its sights on the Galaxy S20 FE. The phone delivers on the same fundamentals as Samsung’s value flagship, offering the latest internal hardware, a 120Hz AMOLED display, reliable cameras, and many extras from the OnePlus 9 Pro.
The 120Hz AMOLED display on the OnePlus 9 is one of the best you’ll find in this particular category, and thanks to the Snapdragon 888 chipset, the phone handles anything you throw at it without breaking a sweat. You also get 5G connectivity over Sub-6, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, AptX HD audio codecs, and an excellent vibration motor.
The phone has the same 4500mAh battery as the OnePlus 9 Pro, and you get 65W wired charging. What’s new this generation is the addition of 15W Qi wireless charging. It may not be quite the same as the insane 50W wireless charging on the 9 Pro, but the upside is that the OnePlus 9 works with any Qi-enabled wireless charger available today. This particular feature is missing on the Indian and Chinese models, but you’ll find it on the OnePlus 9 variants sold in North America and Europe.
Coming to the software, OxygenOS 11 continues to set the standard in terms of customizability. The bloatware-free UI is a delight to use, and recently OnePlus announced that it would begin supporting its flagship phones with three years of Android platform updates.
Overall, the OnePlus 9 is a solid contender to the Galaxy S20 FE. It has the latest hardware, great cameras, clean software, and fast charging, and for what it costs, you are getting a great overall value.
Bottom line: The ASUS ZenFone 8 is a bit of a departure from its predecessors, but it is the best smallest Android flagship you can buy right now. It has an excellent build, clean software, great cameras, 5G, and the powerful Snapdragon 888 SOC.
Display
5.9-inch OLED, 2400×1080, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
RAM
6/8/16GB
Storage
128/256GB
Cameras
64MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide
Charging
30W wired
Battery
4,00 mAh
Water Resistance
IP68
Dimensions
148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm
Weight
169g
Pros:
Easy to use one-handed
Gorgeous screen with 120Hz refresh rate
Solid cameras
3.5mm headphone jack
Killer price
Cons:
Boring design
No wireless charging
No telephoto camera
If you’re one of those people who still pines for a smaller, flagship-level phone, then we have some good news for you. The ASUS ZenFone 8 delivers one of the best Android experiences that you can get in mid-2021 for much less than the competition. Plus, it’s one of the smallest Android flagships around.
Unlike the ZenFone 6 and 7 series and the ZenFone 8 Flip, the ZenFone 8 has done away with the flipping camera module in favor of a more traditional design. While this new (older) form factor makes the device more pocketable, ASUS was able to retain an excellent camera setup nonetheless. It also means that it is now IP68 water-resistant. The ZenFone 8 features a gorgeous AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and it even retains an old-school fan favorite with its 3.5mm headphone jack.
The ZenFone 8 has top-notch internal specs, too, including the powerful Snapdragon 888 processor, fast 20W wired charging, and one of the cleanest builds of Android we’ve seen this year. However, you miss out on wireless charging, and ASUS’s track record for updates has left us wanting in the past.
This is the perfect phone for someone who admires the size and capabilities of something like the Google Pixel 4a but who also wants a more premium and performant Android phone.
Bottom line: Folding phones are here, and the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is the best one we’ve seen yet. It’s basically a smartphone and tablet in one device, and while it is costly, it’s also the best attempt yet we’ve seen for this form factor.
Cover Display
6.23-inch AMOLED, 2260×816, 60Hz refresh rate
Inner Display
7.6-inch AMOLED, 2280×1768, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
RAM
12GB
Storage
256GB
Cameras
12MP primary, 12MP telephoto, 12MP ultra-wide
Charging
25W wired and 11W wireless
Battery
4,500 mAh
Water Resistance
❌
Dimensions
159.2 x 128.2 x 6.9mm (unfolded) and 159.2 x 68 x 16.8mm (folded)
Weight
282g
Pros:
Bleeding-edge design
Puts a mini-tablet in your pocket
Excellent displays
Great cameras and battery
Well-optimized software
Cons:
Price tag
App compatibility issues
Just like any piece of technology, smartphones evolve and change as time goes on. We’ve seen screens get bigger, cameras get a lot more capable, and processors rival those found in computers. The next big thing for phones is the folding form factor, and so far, the best yet in this niche is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2.
The best way to think about the device is as a phone and tablet in one. When the Z Fold 2 is closed, you’re treated to a 6.23-inch AMOLED display that you can use for anything you’d like — checking email, scrolling through Twitter, watching YouTube videos, you name it. Should you find yourself wanting a larger canvas, however, all you need to do is open up the Z Fold 2 up. There, you’re treated to a larger 7.6-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s a lot like having an iPad Mini that you can fold up and take with you wherever you want, and if you ask us, that’s pretty amazing.
As you might expect for a new technology like a folding phone, the Z Fold 2 does come with some unique dilemmas. For example, the Ultra-Thin Glass for the tablet display is prone to scratches more than traditional glass. The folding design raises questions about long-term durability, and not all apps are properly optimized for that larger display size. There’s also the matter of price, with the Galaxy Z Fold 2 costing more than two OnePlus 8 Pros.
This isn’t a phone that we recommend everyone go out and buy right now, but as far as folding phones go, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is the best we’ve seen to date. If you’re willing to spend the money and put up with those quirks, the Z Fold 2 has a lot to offer.
Bottom line: The Galaxy A52 5G gives you amazing hardware in the form of a 120Hz AMOLED screen and a Snapdragon 750G chipset with 5G connectivity. Although the design looks similar to the S21 series, you also get great cameras and all-day battery life, which is much more affordable.
If you want to switch to a 5G phone but don’t want to pay too much money, then the Galaxy A52 5G may just be the ideal option for you. Samsung has always delivered value packages with the Galaxy A series, and it is taking things to a whole new level in 2021.
The Galaxy A52 5G offers considerable upgrades over its predecessor; the 6.5-inch AMOLED panel now has a 120Hz refresh rate, giving you a level of immediacy during daily interactions that was missing in last year’s Galaxy A51. The internal hardware has also received a boost, and the Snapdragon 750G chipset is faster in almost every day-to-day scenario.
The camera has received some attention as well, with the A52 5G now offering a 64MP lens at the back. There’s even a MicroSD slot and a 3.5mm jack, two features you won’t find on the Galaxy S21 series. And thanks to a generous 4500mAh battery and 25W fast charging, you don’t have to worry about battery life.
Samsung added IP67 dust and water resistance to the Galaxy A52 5G, making it just that little more enticing. Oh, and there’s, of course, 5G connectivity here, so if you’re thinking of switching to a 5G plan this year and need a mid-range phone, the Galaxy A52 5G ticks all the right boxes.
Bottom line: The ASUS ROG Phone 5 is designed for gamers. It has an incredible build, a stunning 144Hz AMOLED display, and is paired with a massive 6,000mAh battery and 65W wired fast charging. There are also great accessories and extras to help you get the most out of your mobile gaming experience.
Display
6.78-inch AMOLED, 2448×1080, 144Hz refresh rate
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
RAM
8/12/16/18GB
Storage
128/256/512GB
Cameras
64MP primary, 13MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro
Charging
65W wired
Battery
6,000 mAh
Water Resistance
❌
Dimensions
172.8 x 77.2 x 10.2mm
Weight
238g
Pros:
Huge battery (6,000mAh)
144Hz refresh rate
3.5mm headphone jack
Gaming inspired design
Fast and fluid performance
Cons:
This phone is BIG
No wireless charging
No water resistance
Gaming phones are definitely a niche category, but the folks who are interested in these devices really care how they perform. ASUS knows this subset extremely well and has been cranking out heavy-duty gaming phones for several years now. Its ROG line of phones complements its gaming PCs quite well, and there is undoubtedly a lot of crossover between owners of these computers and phones.
The latest in the vaunted ROG series is the ROG Phone 5. It boasts one of the largest capacity batteries we’ve seen (6,000mAh) for extended play sessions, as well as a brilliant AMOLED display with an high 144Hz refresh rate to make your content fly. You also get a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you don’t have to worry about audio latency, and it’s all powered by the latest and greatest Snapdragon 888 chipset.
There are several great accessories that you can purchase separately to help you get even more out of the experience, such as gamepads, coolers, and cases, but the phone looks great au naturale. The biggest drawbacks of the phone are that it doesn’t have wireless charging or an official IP rating, and it is quite a big and heavy device.
Bottom line: The Redmi Note 10 Pro takes things to a whole new level in the budget segment. The phone has a 120Hz AMOLED display, robust internal hardware, a 64MP camera that takes great photos in any lighting, and a gigantic 5020mAh battery with 33W fast charging. You can’t ask for much more in a budget phone.
Xiaomi knows how to deliver a value-focused package, and with the Redmi Note 10 Pro, it is setting a new standard for budget phones. The phone has features previously only seen on flagships, including a 120Hz AMOLED display that makes an immediate difference in day-to-day use.
The Snapdragon 732G delivers decent performance for most tasks, including intensive gaming. The phone also has generous memory and storage options, and you get a 3.5mm jack, microSD slot, NFC, and even an IR blaster that lets you control your TV or other AV gear. The phone also has IP53 dust and water resistance to withstand the occasional splash of water or be submerged in a pool without any issues.
The 5,020mAh battery on the Redmi Note 10 Pro easily delivers over a day’s worth of use as for battery. When you need to charge the phone, the bundled 33W charger ensures the battery is full in just over an hour. You won’t find wireless charging here, but honestly, the battery life is good that you don’t need to plug it in during the course of a day.
The 64MP camera is also new, and it takes great photos in just about any lighting condition. This may just be one of the best cameras you’ll find for under $300, making the Redmi Note 10 Pro that much more enticing. Xiaomi has made a lot of changes on the software front as well. MIUI 12 comes with Android 11 out of the box, and the UI is cleaner than earlier iterations. You get more customization options than you’ll end up using, and there are genuinely useful features here.
Ultimately, the main drawback is that the phone isn’t available officially in the U.S. You can pick up the global version of the Redmi Note 10 Pro from Amazon, but you miss out on the warranty.
How to pick the best Android phone
Android phones have never been better than they are right now. So regardless of how much or little money you can spend, you can go out and buy a phone that you’ll be thoroughly happy with. Out of every single phone on the market in 2021, however, we have to give our top recommendation for the best Android phone to the Samsung Galaxy S21.
Samsung makes amazing phones every year, but you need to pay out the nose for the privilege of owning one more often than not. With the Galaxy S21, you get a top-tier Samsung experience for less than previous years, and that makes it a better overall value.
Compared to a more expensive Galaxy handset like the S21 Ultra, the standard S21 does an admirable job of holding its own. It has a 120Hz AMOLED screen, excellent performance, great battery life, and the same One UI software experience. Even wireless charging and an IP68 rating are here, and the only area it misses out on is the Quad HD+ display and a glass back.
There are plenty of other options on this list if something about the Galaxy S21 just isn’t clicking for you, but we think it’s easy to see why it has our highest recommendation at the end of the day.
1. What size screen should I get?
You should consider many different things when buying a new Android phone, and it all starts with the display. This is the component you interact with more than anything else, so you must get one that you’ll enjoy using. Things like the resolution and refresh rate of a screen are worth talking about, but more so is the size.
Smartphones come in different shapes and sizes, and the biggest determining factor for that is the display. A 6.8-inch screen results in a much larger phone than one with a 5.8-inch one, and because of that, you need to know how big or small you’re willing to go.
Take the Galaxy S21 Ultra, for example. It has the largest display on this list (outside of the Z Fold 2, but that’s different), and because the screen is so huge, it’s a phenomenal canvas for watching movies, playing games, and browsing the web. Basically, any kind of content consumption you do looks better on a larger display because the more room you have, the bigger and easier to see your media is. The downside to this, however, is that phones like the S21 Ultra can be rather unwieldy. Especially if you’re someone with smaller hands, managing a phone like that can be a pain in the butt.
Then there are smaller-sized phones, such as the Pixel 4a. It’s substantially easier to manage and can actually be used with one hand, but you have less room for your movies and games on the flip side. It also means you can fit less content on the screen at one time, and if you’re someone who likes to increase your font size, things are easier to read, which could result in you having to do a lot of scrolling.
And, of course, there are plenty of phones that fall somewhere in the middle between these two extremes. If you’re really concerned about whether or not a phone will be too big or small, your best bet is to honestly go hands-on with it yourself at your local carrier store or Best Buy before making your purchase.
2. Are software updates important?
It’s easy to compare displays, processors, and cameras, but something that’s just as important to talk about is software updates. Android is constantly evolving and getting better, and unfortunately, only certain phones are backed by a few years of software support.
As it currently stands, Google, Samsung, and OnePlus are the best in the business when supporting their phones with long-term updates. All of the Pixels, Galaxy devices, and OnePlus phones mentioned on this list are backed by three years of major OS updates from their initial release, which is by far the best support any Android phone maker has to offer. Google even goes a step further with three years of guaranteed monthly security patches, and while Samsung does the same for its flagships, it is now starting to follow suit for its mid-range devices.
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, you have a company like Motorola. Take the Motorola G Power, which is only promised to get a single update to Android 11. Security patches are even worse, with Motorola having a track record of falling multiple months behind on updates.
So, how important is it that your phone gets software updates? That ultimately depends on how much you care about new Android features. Google releases a new version of Android every year, and while these updates don’t tend to be that drastic from year to year, they give your phone important features and security settings that help keep it running in tip-top shape for a long time. It also ensures that your phone stays compatible with all the apps and games on the Play Store because as Android versions become too outdated, app developers eventually drop support.
A phone like the Motorola G Power won’t be unusable two years down the road just because it’s running Android 11 and not Android 13, but it’s also a bit disheartening to buy a product and know it’s backed by such a small window of post-purchase support. This divide in updates is something Android has been faced with for years, and while companies are gradually getting better in these regards, we still have plenty of room to grow.
3. How many cameras and megapixels do I really need?
Over the last couple of years, there’s been a trend going on with certain phone companies where they throw as many cameras onto their devices as possible. As it’s become more common for phones to ship with two, three, or even four cameras, there’s something of an expectation that phones have to have multiple camera sensors to be any good.
Spoiler alert — this isn’t true.
Let’s look at the OnePlus Nord 9, for example. It has a 48MP primary camera, 50MP ultra-wide, and a 2MP monochrome portrait camera. Compared to the single 12.2MP camera on the Pixel 4a, one would assume that the OnePlus 9 takes better photos, but that’s not always the case.
Having those extra camera sensors can be a lot of fun, but only if they’re high-quality. Far too often, we see companies throw in a bunch of extra cameras on their phones only to have these secondary lenses not be very good. The primary camera sensor is always the most important, so that’s the one you want to be concerned about the most.
On a similar note, more megapixels (referred to as MP) don’t always mean you’re getting a better camera. As mentioned above, the 48MP camera on the OnePlus 9 sometimes takes photos that aren’t as good as those taken from the 12.2MP camera found on the Pixel 4a. There are so many other factors that come into play with phone cameras, so don’t let the megapixel count be your only factor for judging them when you’re out shopping. Read reviews, look at camera samples, and you’ll have a much better understanding of what kind of camera you’re dealing with.
4. What size battery should I get?
Battery life isn’t the most fun thing to talk about with smartphones, but ultimately, it’s one of the most important components. Your phone can have the best display and processor around, but if it’s constantly dying throughout the day, what’s the point?
There are many different battery capacities for all of the phones on this list, and if you don’t regularly keep up with them, it can be difficult to know what a good size is and what isn’t. So, here’s a general rule of thumb. If you’re buying an Android phone in 2021, the ideal capacity is 4000mAh or larger. As phones move toward larger displays with faster refresh rates, more battery is needed to keep them powered throughout the day.
Of course, this can vary a bit depending on the type of phone you’re buying. The Pixel 4a, for example, only has a 3140mAh battery but can still get through a full day of use without a hitch. What gives? It has a small display by 2021 standards and only has a 60Hz refresh rate, resulting in substantially less power use.
These are factors you’ll need to consider when shopping for your phone, but generally, more mAh means more battery life.
5. What smaller features should I look out for?
Last but certainly not least, there are a few smaller features and specs that can be easy to overlook when doing your shopping — a prime example being NFC. NFC stands for Near Field Communication, and it’s the chip in most phones that allows you to pay with your smartphone with Google Pay at grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Most of the phones on this list support NFC, but many cheaper Motorola phones often lack the feature. You may not care about Google Pay, but if you do, it’s worth double-checking that the phone you want to buy does, in fact, have NFC.
Another spec to check for is an IP68 rating. This is a seal of protection many phones have, and it ensures they’re protected from a certain amount of dust and water. If you happen to get caught outside in the rain or take your phone to the beach, an IP68 rating is nice peace of mind that your phone should survive just fine.
Some phones lack this IP rating yet boast water resistance or have a water-repellent coating. Those devices are also probably fine to get splashed with water here and there, but you don’t have that same guaranteed protection. The best-case scenario is to avoid getting your phone wet whenever possible, but if you happen to be around the water a lot, it’s probably worth getting something with that IP68 protection.
We should also address a trend that’s been going through the smartphone space for a few years now — the death of the headphone jack. The vast majority of new phones coming out these days no longer have the port, but few holdouts continue to offer it. It’s certainly nice to have if you’re someone that primarily uses wired headphones or earbuds, but if you’ve moved on to the wireless bandwagon, it’s not something you need to be all that concerned with.
Motorola has announced which of its phones will receive an update to Android 11, along with some of the new features to expect. The list of phones is long; if you purchased a Motorola device in the past 12 months or so, chances are you’re covered.
Here’s the full list:
motorola razr 5G
motorola razr 2019
motorola edge
motorola edge+
motorola one 5G
motorola one action¹
motorola one fusion
motorola one fusion+
motorola one hyper
motorola one vision
moto g 5G
moto g 5G plus
moto g fast
moto g power
moto g pro
moto g stylus
moto g9
moto g9 play
moto g9 plus
moto g9 power
moto g8
moto g8 power
Lenovo K12 Note
According to Motorola, Moto users should expect features like Chat Bubbles, streamlined device and media controls, and improved privacy settings. We also confirmed earlier this month that as part of Motorola’s Android 11 update, some of its phones will support a new Desktop Mode.
It’s unclear which Motorola devices will support the new mode, but we got a brief glimpse at it possibly running on the Moto G 5G Plus. Either that or it was the company’s upcoming Snapdragon 865-powered “nio” handset.
The plan right now is for Motorola to roll out Android 11 “in the coming months.” Unfortunately, we have no exact dates, and Motorola warned that its current plans could change. “This information communicated is not a commitment or an obligation to deliver any product, product feature, software update or functionality and Motorola Mobility reserves the right to change the content and timing of any product, product feature or software release,” Motorola wrote in a blog post.
Motorola said that the rollout of Android 11 is also influenced by partner support. Hopefully, we’ll see Motorola release Android 11 sooner rather than later. There’s a long list of devices expected to get the update, and we’re hoping Motorola can hit every one on the list.
Motorola released a list devices it plans to update to Android 11.
All of the phones on the list came out in either 2019 or 2020.
After all the disappointment 2020 brought with it, you might have hoped a company like Motorola would have tried to end the year on a high note. But that’s not to be the case. The company shared its Android 11 upgrade plans, and they’re no better than anything Motorola has put together over the past couple of years.
As you can see from the list below, if you own a Motorola phone that came out before 2019, don’t expect the company to push the latest version of Google’s operating system to your device. What’s more, even if you own a Moto phone from 2019 or 2020, you may end up waiting a while to get anything. Motorola says it will begin rolling out Android 11 “starting in the coming months, pending partner support.” In other words, expect a potentially long wait, particularly if you don’t own one of the higher-end devices on the list like the Razr 5G or Edge.
If you happen to own a Motorola One Action you bought in North America, you’re also out of luck. Motorola only plans to update the Latin American and European variants of that phone to Android 11 since it’s included in Google’s Android One program in those places. Even by Motorola’s lacklustre support standards, this is not a great showing for the company.
Thankfully, update lists like the one above may become less common in the future. Google and Qualcomm recently announced a partnership to deliver four years of support to future Snapdragon-equipped devices. That pledge is likely to help low-end and mid-range devices the most.
Thank you for using
Themify Popup
This is a sample pop up. Themify Builder or Builder Lite (free) plugin is recommended to design the pop up layouts.
