Smartphone Razer Phone 2 - advantages and disadvantages

In 2019, a fierce debate continues between fans of video games on desktop computers and lovers of the mobile lifestyle. A few years ago, it was impossible to imagine a serious gaming battle on laptops, which simply lacked the power and cooling compared to a PC. But today we see a huge industry of gaming laptops that millions of gamers around the world have switched to.

A very similar situation is developing with the development of technologies for games on smartphones. For a decade now, many IT-manufacturers associated with professional gaming have been trying to solve the problem of transferring popular virtual worlds and game streaming to a phone that has practically turned into an additional mechanical part of its owner's body.

According to analysts, over the next two years, the video game market will account for about 50% of sales on tablets and smartphones. To understand how far mobile gaming technology has advanced, let's analyze its best example, which has just entered the market from Razer.

Games and smartphones

In recent years, several attempts have been made to combine a phone screen and a classic gamepad (for example, from the legendary Nokia company), but the result was disappointing with the low quality of the game. The response speed and the picture suffered. Serious strategies simply could not be reproduced in a decent performance. However, the developers are well aware that the transfer of social connections and game reality for a specific user into one gadget is the future of the industry. Therefore, new attempts to create more powerful, specially designed for working with the game, smartphones do not stop.

Moreover, a strategy for selling mobile games has been practically formed, which differs significantly from previous years. If earlier the same Nokia released a library of games that could be used by all gamers who bought a smartphone from it, now the manufacturer's approach has become more pragmatic. Almost all Android-focused manufacturers allow free games, but any significant advancement in the level of the game will cost money.

As a result, gambling excitement will do its job and the amount of small investments to continue the game can quickly turn into decent financial costs. A striking example is schoolchildren, who most actively use the new technology of mobile games. Often there is not enough pocket money to participate in a virtual show, and you can often hear indignant exclamations of parents from whom their child took money from the card and spent it on a toy.

About Razer

At the mention of the Razer brand, associations with cool peripheral equipment that the most advanced gamer dreams of will immediately pop up in the head of any gamer. It's the specialized gaming mice, speakers, and keyboards that have made the manufacturer the flagship of the gaming industry, but they're only part of the spectrum of hardware and software it makes.

The company's takeoff began in 2005 when its founders, Singapore State University alumnus Min Liang Tan and former Kerna CEO Robert Krakoff, received a hefty investment from a Singaporean millionaire and a Hong Kong-based company to acquire the Razer brand.

A year later, the DeathAdder gaming mouse enters the market, which will eventually become one of the best-selling accessories in the world.

By 2011, the company expanded its presence in America, where it was registered, moved to Europe (headquarters in Hamburg) and China (representative office in Shanghai).

At the Consumer Electronics Show in the same year, the Razer Switchblade portable gaming device was offered to the public.

Two years later, the Razer Edge gaming tablet based on Windows 8 was demonstrated at the same site.

In the same 2013, two original gaming laptops Blade (14 inches) and Blade Pro (17 inches) were announced, working with an Intel Haswell processor. At the same time, the first of them was recognized as the thinnest gaming laptop of its time.

Until 2017, which became a landmark for the manufacturer, Razer repeatedly received the title of the choice of users at the showrooms.He also partnered with Lenovo and Chroma to launch intelligent, ergonomic backlit keyboards and mice that took gamers to a whole new level of comfort and performance while gaming.

In 2017, the corporation entered the IPO, which was recognized as the most successful of the year and was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In the same period, the first gaming smartphone was presented to the public, which caused a strong reaction and controversy among fans of virtual reality.

Razer Phone 2 Smartphone Key Features

The first Razer Phone did not become the most purchased gadget, but firmly introduced the idea of ​​the reality of mobile gaming and popularized this direction, contrary to the forecasts of skeptics.

In 2019, the company continued to innovate and expand into the mobile market. In addition to opening a direction for working with electronic money, a gaming mobile phone was improved. In early autumn of this year, the Razer Phone 2 appeared on the market.

Design

A simple angular black rectangle. Unlike its predecessor

Production material - glass (Gorilla Glass 5) with protective waterproof technology IP67. The size and appearance of the gadget at first glance gives it a gaming smartphone that cannot be confused with a regular phone.

On the back wall in the central upper part there is a dual camera, in the center of the “back” panel is the Razer Chroma illuminated logo. The RGB logo shimmers in different colors and is the only color spot on the black case. In this chip, the developers have invested in the setting of more than 16 million shades of the user's choice and three options for changing the color scheme (overflows).Other color details were deliberately not included in the design of the shell.

Due to the restraint and the lack of a large number of bright elements, many users call it a real "male" gadget. For fans of interesting solutions, the manufacturer announced an update of the model with a transparent wall, which will allow you to see the work of processors under different loads.

To date, the black color of the case is available in two versions - mirror and matte. That being said, the first variant typically comes with 64GB of internal storage and costs $100 less. The matte black copy has 128GB of storage and is priced around $900. The secure fingerprint login standard is convenient. It is placed on the side frame in the inclusion zone and does not interfere with the work with the device.

Dimensions: 158.5x77.7x8 mm, weight 197 grams (6.24 x 3.11 x 0.33 inches).

Hardware

The bundle, as a direction, was the main thing when the second series of Razer Phone was released. The main improvements are made in the specifications or, as it is commonly called, "under the hood" for the possibility of active games.

The latest version of the processor is upgraded to Snapdragon 845 and guarantees protection against overheating under heavy loads. The device runs on the flagship Qualcomm chipset, which is the peak performance in the current period. The shell is Nova Launcher. RAM - 8 GB. To increase the permanent memory, it is possible to install microSD and increase up to 2 TB. Graphic editor - Adreno 540.

Sound

The 24-bit DAC and stereo speakers retained the excellent directional sound from the Dolby Atmos front panel.Reviews from American buyers who already use this model describe the sound as divine and without any complaints. Perhaps the reason for this is the developer's not groundless statement about the unique possibility of displaying video accompanied by Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, which only this model of a gaming smartphone is capable of creating today. Audio transmission goes through dual amplifiers and stereo speakers and gives a 24-bit/192kHz audio signal. Built-in active noise cancellation with a dedicated microphone. An adapter is provided for connecting type C headphones up to 3.5 mm.

Screen

The main feature that is mentioned in any reviews of new items. The refresh rate is 120 Hz and is the only one on the market in this capacity. The IGZO display type has a QHD resolution which delivers a quality of 2560 by 1440 pixels. Thanks to the revolutionary frequency, the picture brightness is 645 cd/m², the manufacturer improved the previous already good brightness indicator by 50%.

The gaming screen has a traditional thick bezel that many gamers admire. They argue that this feature of game design helps to focus on the details of the game and not scatter attention. However, people who do not have professional skills in this area prefer the full screen with an enlarged image. The screen size has not changed from the first version and has kept the same 5.72 inches.

Interface

The optimal solution for users who are accustomed to and love the ergonomics of Android. Pre-installed applications are standard and will not cause surprise or misunderstanding of the owner. The base package comes with Android 8.1 Oreo, but the manufacturer is announcing an upgrade to Android 9.0 (Pie).

A distinctive feature is the Razer Cortex Mobile functionality, which optimizes the performance of the smartphone throughout the gaming process. Traditionally, the possibility of individual settings to the taste of the owner is offered. You can change the frame rate, CPU load, and screen resolution.

Built-in top applications relevant in 2019.

Thus, the NFC model supports not only the exchange of applications and data at close range, but is also ready for contactless payments in retail chains via the Internet, as soon as they become widespread in Russia. Gadget owners abroad have already tested the advanced technology and confirm its performance.

The block of communication elements also contains:

• Type C connector;
• fast charging method;
• bluetooth;
• WiFi
• GPS;
• GSM/CDMA/HSPA/4G LTE;
• 1 SIM card (dual sim is not provided);
• accelerometer;
• gyroscope;
• compass;
• radio is not provided.

The basic functions of a smartphone are SMS messages (stream view), email, push email, IM.

Camera

All three cameras are improved and give good quality, which has already been confirmed by users. HDR based on sensors from Sony. Photo and video block includes:

• main base camera 12MP f/1.75 with wide angle and phase focusing;
• second rear camera 13 MP f6 with double zoom;
• front camera (selfie) 8MP f0 with re-flash.

And if the serial user enjoys a high-quality image that has good sharpness and the ability to take pictures at night, then some avid gamers criticize such a wasteful attitude to resources. They would rather direct them towards gaming and streaming.You can easily find an example of a photo taken on the novelty of the second edition of Razer in American networks, but of course the real quality can only be appreciated by personally buying this smart device.

Video processes are supported through MP4, WMV, H.264 player, MP3, WAV, eAAC+, Flac player.

Battery

The base 4000 mAh battery holds a charge for more than a day with active use, including in virtual reality.

Fast charging 24W (4+).

Fast wireless charging from tablet 15W.

Wireless charging is not included in the basic package and is offered as an optional accessory. It is made in the corporate style of the computer peripherals that Razer is famous for and has a backlight. The cost is one of the highest among analogues (about $ 100) and most likely only fans of the brand will purchase it.

Price

The flagship gadget model cannot be called inexpensive or budget-priced.

Since the gaming smartphone Razer Phone 2 has not yet entered the mass sale on the Russian market, fans of mobile games and the famous brand order non-Russian versions in the Chinese or American market. Accordingly, the minimum price at which you can purchase this gadget will be about $670.

• The smartphone is produced by a professional manufacturer with an excellent reputation in the gaming market, which brings mobile games to the mass market;
• Uses the latest technology and hardware to play any game application of high complexity without overheating the device;
• The maximum quality of graphic visualization has been achieved, while maintaining the possibility of individual settings according to the preferences of the owner;
• Created a strong design of the gaming gadget, combined with the functions of the phone.

• High price.
• The need to purchase additional accessories that are not included in the basic delivery.
• Narrow audience.

The Razer Phone 2 is an excellent choice for the advanced gamer who prioritizes the quality of the game, regardless of the cost of the gadget.