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Derek Ting

Overall: 8 
Anywhere is the new gaming arena for us to enjoy our favourite digital adrenaline fix, and that’s what the Razer Phone 2 was born to do.


Turn-ons:
The screen is ultra clear, even more so than the Razer 1, and the scrolling is super smooth with the 120Hz refresh rate.
Impressive Dolby surround speakers for a smartphone
Cutting-edge specs for the price
Wireless charging
Cameras and app are better than with version 1
Logo on the back not only looks cool, it changes colour if you get a notification from an app.
Review: Razer’s sound system beats those of other high-end phones

Turn-offs:
Not an OLED screen
I still don’t like the boxy ergonomics
Still a bit heavy
Larger battery, but it consumes a lot of power.

I was sitting in a cafe in Thailand, waiting for some files to copy over at a visual effects company I was working with, and at 4pm the cafe transformed from a quiet cute retreat into a bustling, noisy hang-out for teenagers who were screaming as they played games on their smartphones. Razer has a great feel for what techies and gamers (the two can be synonymous) want, and has tailored a phone for that.
What about the screen?
The screen is much clearer and sharper than the Razer Phone 1. Bear in mind that it’s not OLED, so the colour rendering won’t be as good as a smartphone with OLED technology. However, it’s difficult to tell the difference.

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How good are those speakers?
They are awesome. And wait until you play … Bohemian Rhapsody on it. You will say “Mama Mia” because it will sound as if Freddie Mercury is in the room with you.
What is the camera like?
They’ve listened and upped their game in this arena too with a better camera and a portrait mode. Most importantly, all you Chok Yeung (Zoolander’s Blue Steel) selfieholics will love the beauty mode. Who cares if you eat at McDonald’s and get zits, you have the Razer Phone 2 to save the day and smooth out those nasty blemishes!
What is it like for gaming?

Of course, it’s great for gaming. The specs live up to the performance, as it should, because this is what the phone is for first and foremost.


Does it have much panache?
It’s been two years since I last reviewed it, and the front shape and look haven’t changed. However, the back has had a glass makeover and the logo changes colours for notifications. I have heard some tech reviews saying it’s not useful. These people have never been to a meeting where people place their phones face down to be polite, but are notified of important messages. It’s so common here in Asia to place your phone, and maybe your car keys down to exude your prominence too, and the Razer Phone 2 does deliver from its shiny booty and will turn heads when you get a WhatsApp notification.
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Should it be on my wish list?
Gamers want the slightest edge in processor speed or visual clarity because games need the latest tech to play smoothly, so I think this is where the Razer Phone 2 will come in handy. I really like their speakers, so if you enjoy bringing your music with you and playing it without headphones, the Razer Phone 2 should have people lining up for concerts.
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