If you’re trying to figure out what’s causing the buzz of excitement on the train or the ever-present whisper on the commuter bus – let me put you out of your misery. The mobile gamers among us are rejoicing, for the Razer Phone has finally been released in Australia.
The Facts
The main sale point of the Razer Phone is the 120Hz ‘Ultramotion’ screen, which for the uninitiated impacts how often the screen refreshes. Professional gamers all operate 144Hz computer monitors, as the more often the screen refreshes, the faster the player is able to see things occuring in their game. You’ll catch someone running around the corner prepared to blow your head off faster than someone with a 60Hz computer monitor would.
Razer are breaking some new territory with the Razer Phone as it’s the first mobile to operate above 60Hz, which could prove to be a significantly more enjoyable playing experience for mobile gamers.
As for the rest of the specs, we’re facing 8GB of DDR4 Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 RAM, a 4,000mAh battery and Dolby Atmos audio.
The phone is retailing for $1099 and you can pick it up from JB Hi-Fi or online on the Razer website
The Opinions
Nobody can argue that a 120Hz phone screen is innovative and hopefully very useful (or otherwise enjoyable) for mobile gamers. As someone with a 144hz monitor – an increased refresh rate can really optimize the gaming experience.
In saying that, at such a high price point – you can’t help but compare it with phones in the same range. How does it stack up against the Galaxy S9 ($1199) for example? Well the S9 has similar Dolby Atmos audio, a slightly bigger 5.8” screen (albeit 60Hz), 4GB RAM, a 3,000mAh battery and debatably one of the best cameras on the market.
It would be rather unfair to either of these phones to compare them head-to-head as they exist to serve entirely different purposes. Would I recommend the Razer Phone to someone who doesn’t care for mobile gaming? Of course not. While it may have more RAM and a bigger battery – I’m sceptical of the camera and the physical aesthetic of the phone (being bulkier and less elegant than most).
However, if you find yourself in need of something meaty that can withstand a full day of mobile gaming, equipped with big RAM and a sharp screen – give a thought to the Razer Phone.
