Razer Phone 2 hands-on: A solid Android gaming-phone evolution, not a revolution

Razer Phone 2

Razer is a brand familiar to many gamers, whether they're on PC, console or as of 2022, mobile. While the company is known for making gaming-focused laptops, the Razer Phone was the company's first foray into the pocket computer and truly portable gaming.

The offset Razer Phone was very skillful from the mindset of a mobile gaming fan. A high refresh charge per unit display paired with top-of-the-line internals and a beastly battery was just what the medico ordered. Merely it came with its share of faults.

Fast-forward a year, and Razer is dorsum with the second act. Razer Phone 2 doesn't do much differently than the outset one, simply that isn't a bad thing. Instead of chasing market trends or jumping on bandwagons, Razer stuck to its guns and simply tried to brand its phone improve.

Razer Phone 2: Hardware evolution and no notches

Razer Phone 2

The first thing you notice about the Razer Phone, from the front at least, is information technology looks identical to the first one. Razer hasn't jumped on the latest bandwagon, so one thing that isn't constitute hither is a notched display. It isn't even an extended, eighteen:nine ratio. It'southward the same, "regular" sixteen:ix 5.vii-inch brandish as the offset Razer Phone, and it's the same 1440p resolution.

What's also returning in the Razer Phone 2 is the incredible 120Hz refresh rate and impact polling with Ultramotion sync. Having spent about a year using the commencement Razer Phone, it's easily ane of my favorite features, especially since there are enough of pinnacle mobile games supporting it.

The beginning Razer Phone had a nifty looking brandish, but it wasn't very brilliant and outdoors viewing took a hit. The Razer Phone 2 panel is a full 50 percentage brighter, and while I've merely seen it indoors under artificial light, in that location was a noticeable improvement over its predecessor when positioned side by side. The improved brightness will as well help with HDR content, and the Razer Phone two remains Netflix HDR certified.

The design is similar to its predecessor, with those 2 giant speakers on the front and a metallic chassis. Two big changes are the improver of a glass back, which comes hand-in-mitt with wireless charging and Blush, and it's IP67 water-resistant. Large front speakers and h2o resistance don't normally become together but Razer fabricated it happen this time effectually, which is good news for anyone that gets rained on a lot. The speakers seem to be suitably loud, once more, with Dolby Atmos back up.

Yeah, the Razer Phone 2 has Chroma in its logo on the rear. And, aye, information technology lights up and supports the sort of effects you'd look. Is information technology necessary? Not really. Is information technology awesome? Most definitely. And information technology has real-world uses, like being able to pulse for notifications when the telephone is face down. Razer'southward new wireless charger as well has Blush.

The important affair is that the Razer Phone 2 improves on the original. Much remains the same, similar the core thought behind the display, the form cistron, and the 24-bit THX DAC in the headphone dongle, just it'south peppered with improvements throughout.

Razer Phone 2: Power and operation

Razer Phone 2

It goes without saying that the Razer Telephone ii packs the hardware y'all'd expect from a gaming hardware maker. Just as with its Blade laptops, Razer'southward latest telephone crams the highest-end hardware inside.

The fundamental specs are:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 CPU with Adreno 630 GPU.
8GB RAM.
64GB internal storage with microSD expansion.
4,000 mAh bombardment with Quickcharge 4+ and wireless fast charging.
12MP dual rear cameras.
8MP front end camera.
Android 8.1

Addressing the software start, no, the Razer Phone 2 doesn't launch with Android Pie, and there's no confirmation on when it can exist expected. For some, that'll no dubiety exist a problem, merely equally with the first Razer Phone, while information technology looks stock, there's a lot to be done underneath, most notably to support the brandish technology.

Moving on to the more than impressive parts, at to the lowest degree for gamers and fans of loftier-end hardware, it's no surprise to see a Snapdragon 845 in the Razer Phone 2. Pretty much everything else is on par with the outset phone, though, with the same amount of RAM and storage, and the same capacity battery. Razer could hands accept added more internal storage, and yous could argue it really should have. But with that would likewise come up an inflated cost.

Razer Phone 2

The battery may also exist the same capacity as last year'southward phone, but Razer claims to have made some improvements in efficiency. Claims on the old phone were based on the display being set to 90Hz, while the Razer Phone 2 should deliver the same battery life with the display running at 120Hz.

During my brief fourth dimension with the Razer Phone 2, I played a lilliputian PUBG Mobile and the results are impressive. For starters, it's one of the games that support the display on the Razer Phone fully, and with then much ability inside information technology truly is a joy to play. If you're already playing PUBG on a Razer Phone, the differences are subtle, but if you're coming in fresh, information technology'southward like no other mobile gaming experience.

Razer Telephone 2: Improved camera promises

Razer Phone 2

Ane of the major criticisms of the outset Razer Phone was the camera. And Razer was listening. The camera at launch was tiresome and depression quality, and while it did improve over time, to this solar day information technology'southward far from a stiff shooter.

The Razer Phone 2 has an all-new dual camera setup fabricated of two 12MP sensors. I is a wide-bending, ane is a ii-time zoom just as before, but the sensors are upgraded, there'south OIS this year, and we're promised that Razer is taking the camera seriously.

Whether that pans out, only time will tell.

Razer Phone two: A skilful starting time impression

Razer Phone 2

Despite its imperfections, the Razer Phone was my favorite smartphone of the last 12 months. It's not a "gaming phone," equally you'll see from the likes of ASUS with the ROG Telephone. It's a Gaming Flagship, a combination of traditional loftier-cease smartphone with features that gamers, Razer's core customer base of operations, volition dear.

What's impressed me nigh with the Razer Phone 2 is the company's arroyo to simply making the existing device better. Information technology would accept been really piece of cake to follow the crowd and toss out something similar. But instead of doing that, Razer listened to feedback from its fans and fix about making the phone amend.

Razer'south phone squad is committed to its process, and first impressions of the Razer Phone 2 are positive. It looks bang-up, especially from the dorsum, and the display is noticeably brighter. The jury is out on the camera, but Razer heard the criticism, so hopefully it translates into results.

The Razer Telephone ii is an development, non a revolution. And that'southward fine. At that place was and then much packed into the starting time one, it'd exist hard to make a huge leap forrad. The Razer Phone isn't here to beat Apple or Samsung; information technology's hither to deliver a smartphone that gamers volition bask. And on that note, information technology'southward going to be difficult to ignore. Once again.

The Razer Phone will retail for $799 and go on auction in tardily October. Pre-orders will open October 11.

Run across at Amazon

We may earn a committee for purchases using our links. Learn more than.

The best Razer keyboards for your gaming PC

For gamers by gamers

The all-time Razer keyboards for your gaming PC

Razer makes a lot of neat keyboards, but there are some that ascent above the rest. If you're going to buy a new Razer gaming keyboard, these are the ones to get.