Razer Phone 2 - pros and cons

In 2019, a fierce debate continues between fans of video games on desktop computers and fans of the mobile lifestyle. Until a few years ago, it was impossible to imagine a serious gaming battle on laptops that simply lacked the power and cooling capacity of a PC. But today we see a huge gaming laptop industry 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 more than a dozen years, many IT manufacturers associated with professional gaming have been trying to solve the problem of transferring popular virtual worlds and streaming games to a phone, which has practically turned into an additional mechanical part of its owner's body.

According to analysts' estimates, over the next two years, the video games market will account for about 50% of sales on tablets and smartphones.To understand to what level mobile game technology has advanced, let's analyze its best example that just came to 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), 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 played well. However, the developers are well aware that the transfer of social connections and gaming reality for a specific user into one gadget is the future of the industry. Therefore, new attempts to create more powerful, specially tailored 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 game level will cost money.

As a result, gambling excitement will do its job and the number 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 the 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, the mind of any gamer will immediately pop up associations with the cool peripherals that the most advanced gamer dreams of. It was the specialized gaming mice, speakers and keyboards that made the manufacturer the flagship of the gaming industry, but they are only part of the hardware and software spectrum it produces.

The company took off in 2005 when its founders, Singapore State University graduate Ming Liang Tang and former Kerna CEO Robert Krakoff, received a solid investment from a Singapore millionaire and a Hong Kong-based company to acquire the Razer brand.

A year later, the DeathAdder gaming mouse entered the market, which over time will become one of the world's best-selling accessories.

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 was introduced 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. Moreover, the first of them was recognized as the thinnest gaming laptop of its time.

Until 2017, which became a landmark for the manufacturer, Razer has repeatedly received the title of user choice at exhibition venues. He has also partnered with Lenovo and Chroma to release intelligent, ergonomic backlit keyboards and mice that have taken gamers to a whole new level of comfort and responsiveness while gaming.

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

Razer Phone 2: Key Features

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

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

Design

A simple angular black rectangle. Unlike its predecessor

Manufacturing material - glass (Gorilla Glass 5) with IP67 protective waterproof technology. The dimensions and appearance of the gadget at first glance give out in it a gaming smartphone, which 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 there is a logo with illuminated Razer Chroma. The RGB logo shimmers in different colors and is the only color spot on the black body. In this feature, the developers have put the setting of more than 16 million shades at the user's choice and three options for changing the color gamut (overflows). Other color details were deliberately omitted from the shell design.

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

Today the black color of the case is available in two versions - mirror and matte. That being said, the first option usually comes with 64GB of built-in memory and costs $ 100 less. The matte black model has 128GB of storage, and its price tag ranges around $ 900. Fingerprint secure 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

Bundling, as a direction, was central to the release of the second Razer Phone series. The main improvements were 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 significant loads.The device is powered by Qualcomm's flagship chipset, which is the peak performance in the current period. Shell - Nova Launcher. RAM - 8 GB. To increase the permanent memory, there is the possibility of installing microSD and expanding up to 2 TB. Graphic editor - Adreno 540.

Sound

The 24-bit DAC and stereo speakers retained the excellent directional sound from the front Dolby Atmos. Testimonials from American buyers who already use this model describe the sound as divine and uncompromising. Perhaps the reason for this is not a groundless statement by the developer about the unique possibility of displaying video accompanied by Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, which today only this model of a gaming smartphone can create. The sound is transmitted through dual amplifiers and stereo speakers and provides a 24-bit / 192 kHz audio signal. Built-in active noise cancellation with dedicated microphone. An adapter is provided for connecting type C headphones to 3.5 mm.

Screen

The main feature that is mentioned in any reviews of the novelty. 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 that produces 2560 by 1440 pixels. Thanks to the revolutionary frequency, the picture brightness is 645 cd / m2², the manufacturer has improved the already good brightness indicator by 50%.

The gaming screen has a traditional thick bezel that delights many gamers. They argue that this feature of game design helps to focus on the details of the game and not distract 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 used to and love Android ergonomics. The preinstalled applications are standard and will not cause surprise or misunderstanding of the owner. The basic package is set to Android 8.1 Oreo, but the manufacturer announces an update to Android 9.0 (Pie).

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

Top apps that are relevant in 2019 are built in.

So the NFC model supports not only the exchange of applications and data at close range, but is also ready to conduct contactless payments in retail networks via the Internet, as soon as they become widespread in Russia. The owners of the gadget abroad have already tested the advanced technology and confirm its efficiency.

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.

Basic smartphone functions - SMS messages (stream view), email, Push email, IM.

Camera

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

• main base camera 12MP f / 1.75 with wide angle and phase focus;
• 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 photograph 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 new product of the second release of Razer in American networks, but of course the real quality can only be assessed personally by purchasing this smart device.

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

Battery

The basic 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 a 15W tablet.

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

The cost

The flagship gadezht model cannot be called inexpensive or budgetary in price.

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

• The smartphone was released by a professional manufacturer with an excellent reputation in the gaming market, which brings mobile games to the mainstream;
• Peak technologies and hardware are used, which allows playing any game applications of high complexity without overheating the device;
• The maximum quality of graphic visualization has been achieved, while the possibilities of individual settings according to the owner's preferences are preserved;
• A strong design of a gaming gadget was created, combined with the functions of a phone.

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

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