Razer Announced Android-Powered Razer Phone
Gaming hardware manufacturer Razer has finally unveiled its highly anticipated Razer Phone. Equipped with outrageous specs, the phone finally answers the question of whether it's possible to make an Android phone for gamers.
Sporting the flagship-standard Snapdragon 835 processor with 8 GB of RAM, plus 64 GB of expandable storage, Razer's entry in the highly competitive smartphone market definitely packs a punch. In addition to the monstrous processing power, the device is also equipped with stereo front-facing speakers with Dolby Atmos support and a generous 4,000mAh battery.
To effectively play mobile games, the smartphone also comes with a 5.7-inch 1440p screen complete with variable refresh rate similar to Apple's most recent iPad Pro. A dual 12-megapixel camera system is located at the back and works along the same lines as Apple's iPhone setup: one camera has an f/1.8 lens for wide shots and the other is a telephoto f/2.6 shooter.
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Razer's motto of "for gamers, by gamers," definitely rings true with the Razer Phone with impressive specs. However, while it's probably safe to say that the brand is synonymous with gaming, it's unclear whether the phone itself was designed specifically for such a market.
Unlike most Razer products, the device looks rather bland lacking the space age look and LED lighting that has been the standard although this probably won't be an issue as much as the not-so-ergonomic design. There is also a lack of any "gamer-specific" features similar to what the Razer Blade had with the Switchblade.
Inside the Razer Phone box, there's also a THX-certified audio dongle that lets users hook up headphones and promises 24-bit "audiophile-quality" sound, but that's a weird compromise on a device that's supposed to be about no-compromise gaming performance.
However, the most "disappointing" thing about the Razer Phone is that it's powered by the same Snapdragon 835 processor that comes with most flagship models. It doesn't really do much in terms of leveling up users' gaming experience.
While apps such as Game Booster could do the trick by being able to prioritize system resources for games, specify your desired resolution, and more, it's still a different experience when the phone is optimized for games out of the box without the need for tinkering. Granted though that this is only the first iteration and if there's anything that can be said about Razer is that they innovate.
If gamers are looking for a flagship model "for gamers" this is definitely worth a buy given that it's Razer after all. But for those looking for a new high-end smartphone, there's not much to be missed should they opt to but other flagship Android smartphones especially with a $700 price tag.
