Huawei Mate X2 4G vs. Motorola Razr 2022: A Folding Phone Showdown

The foldable phone market offers distinct approaches. The Huawei Mate X2 4G, released in 2021, pioneered an inward-folding design prioritizing a seamless tablet-like experience. The Motorola Razr 2022, a 2022 release, revives the iconic clamshell form factor with modern specs. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses, focusing on performance, display, and battery to determine which foldable reigns supreme.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Razr 2022 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers significantly superior performance and efficiency compared to the Kirin 9000, while the 64-hour endurance rating suggests comparable battery life despite a potentially smaller capacity. The Razr’s more compact form factor also appeals to a wider audience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate X2 4G Motorola Razr 2022
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, June 282022, August 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, July 15Available. Released 2022, August 18
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum framePlastic front (unfolded), glass front (folded, Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame (7000 series), hinge (stainless steel)
DimensionsUnfolded: 161.8 x 145.8 x 8.2 mmFolded: 161.8 x 74.6 x 14.7 mmUnfolded: 167.0 x 79.8 x 7.6 mm Folded: 86.5 x 79.8 x 17 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight295 g (10.41 oz)200 g (7.05 oz)
 -Water-repellent coating
Display
Resolution2200 x 2480 pixels (~414 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size8.0 inches, 205.0 cm2 (~86.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 90HzFoldable AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+
 -Second external AMOLED display, 2.7 inches, 573 x 800 pixels
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetKirin 9000 (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G78 MP24Adreno 730
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 13, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, auto HDR
Quad50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/4.4, 240mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), AF-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaAuto HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging55W wired30W wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 3500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Light BlueSatin Black
ModelsTET-AL00XT2251-1
PriceAbout 2290 EURAbout 670 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 64h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.4 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 965260 (v9) GeekBench: 3944 (v5.1) GFXBench: 76fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei Mate X2 4G

  • Larger, more tablet-like unfolded display
  • Inward-folding design minimizes screen crease visibility
  • Faster 55W wired charging

  • Older Kirin 9000 chipset offers lower performance
  • Less efficient 5nm process leads to potential throttling
  • Limited camera details hinder comparison

Motorola Razr 2022

  • Flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 delivers superior performance
  • Excellent 64-hour battery endurance rating
  • Compact clamshell design for portability

  • Smaller unfolded display compared to Mate X2
  • 30W charging is slower than Mate X2
  • Cover screen size may limit functionality

Display Comparison

The Motorola Razr 2022 boasts a measured peak brightness of 1033 nits, suggesting excellent outdoor visibility, a metric the Mate X2 4G’s display specifications lack. While both offer 'infinite' contrast ratios (typical for OLED), the Razr’s smaller cover screen and overall form factor impact the unfolded display size. The Mate X2’s inward-folding design aims to minimize creases, a common issue with foldable displays, but long-term durability remains a concern. The absence of LTPO technology in either device means refresh rate scaling isn't optimized for battery efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. The absence of specific details on the Mate X2’s camera system makes a direct comparison difficult. The Razr 2022 likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) enhancements within the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, potentially leading to better image processing and low-light performance. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) in the Razr would be a significant advantage, but this is unconfirmed. We can assume both phones offer a range of shooting modes, but the Razr’s newer chipset likely provides more advanced computational photography features.

Performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) in the Motorola Razr 2022 represents a significant leap over the Huawei Mate X2 4G’s Kirin 9000 (5nm). The Snapdragon’s Cortex-X2 prime core, clocked at 3.19 GHz, provides a performance advantage over the Mate X2’s Cortex-A77 cores. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon also translates to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, the Snapdragon’s Adreno 730 GPU offers superior graphics performance, benefiting gamers and demanding users.

Battery Life

The Motorola Razr 2022 achieves a remarkable 64-hour endurance rating, despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity than the Mate X2. This is largely attributable to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s superior power efficiency. The Mate X2 4G supports 55W wired charging, potentially offering faster charging speeds than the Razr’s 30W charging. However, the Razr’s overall efficiency means it may not require as frequent charging, mitigating the charging speed difference. The 64-hour endurance rating suggests the Razr can comfortably last a full day of moderate to heavy use.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate X2 4G if you prioritize a larger, uninterrupted foldable display resembling a tablet and are willing to accept slightly older processing power. This phone is ideal for multitasking, content creation, and those who value a near-seamless visual experience. Buy the Motorola Razr 2022 if you prefer a pocketable, retro-inspired design with flagship-level performance and a more modern chipset. It’s the better option for users who want a powerful, yet compact, foldable phone for everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9000 in the Mate X2 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Kirin 9000, while capable, is significantly less powerful than the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Expect lower frame rates and potential throttling during extended gaming sessions, particularly with graphically intensive titles like Genshin Impact. The Razr 2022 will provide a smoother, more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How does the Razr 2022's clamshell design affect multitasking compared to the Mate X2's larger screen?
The Mate X2’s larger unfolded display is inherently better for multitasking, allowing for more comfortable side-by-side app usage. The Razr 2022’s smaller screen requires more app switching, but its powerful processor can handle multitasking efficiently. The Razr’s cover screen can also be used for quick tasks without unfolding the device.
❓ Is the hinge on the Motorola Razr 2022 more durable than the Mate X2's?
Motorola has significantly improved the hinge mechanism in the Razr 2022, addressing durability concerns from previous generations. While long-term reliability data is still emerging, the Razr 2022’s hinge appears more robust than the Mate X2’s, which was known to exhibit wear and tear over time.