do drop testing at all different angles. We
have a whole protocol...”SIZING IT UP
The panel tech wasn’t the only part that went
through several iterations to get right – the
size and shape of the screen was also a big
question to answer, because changing the
screen affects the balance of holding it both
flat and when opening and closing it.
“We arrived at the screen size based on
some work and experience that we have
across our main line of products,” says
Castano. “The 21:9 ratio enables us to have
quite a large screen size – in this case it’s 6.2
inches without making the device wider. So
it really hits what we call the sweet spot interms of width for a one-hand operation,
and for fitting comfortably in your pocket
[when folded].”
“We looked at larger displays,” adds
Steen. “As the displays got larger, the device
got wider. And as the device got wider, we
knew from research and consumer feedback
that people don’t like that feel in-hand.”
“At the same time, 21:9 is a very nice
aspect ratio for viewing content, and for
creating content. It’s also the main ratio for
a lot of movies,” Castano notes.KEEPING IT IN-HAND
The one-handed use factor is also a major
consideration for balance when it comes to
opening and closing the phone.
“It’s a system,” explains Castano. “So
it might be that the springs in the hinge
mechanism itself were pulling the flip open
too quickly. And it would fall out of your
hands. So we had to go back and adjust that,
and look at the weight distribution. It’s quite
a complex system, but it’s quite beautiful
when everything works in harmony.”
“To get that thinness, we had to split the
battery in half, if you will,” adds Steen.
“So we had a dual-battery system that is
connected with the [display]. So we had to
balance the weight, so it feels good in the
hand, open and closed. And the cables and
the flexes had to traverse that hinge system,
which is very complex as well.”
The Razr’s folding screen is its show piece,
of course, but it has more than one display:
when the phone is closed, you’ll be able to
use a 2.7-inch touchscreen on the outside,
known as the Quick View display. In some
ways, this is like having a little smartwatch
on the outside of the phone – it lets you do a
bunch of useful stuff without having to open
the Razr. You can see notifications, and even
respond to texts by dictating a reply; you can
control music and change tracks; you can
answer phone calls; you can take selfies; you
can call on Google Assistant; and you can fire
up contactless payments. If you open a
notification on the Quick View display andOriginal design
sketches from the
Razr team show how
different approaches
to the Quick View
display and rear
camera could have
changed the look and
feel of the phone“It’s a complex
system but it’s quite
beautiful when it
works in harmony”
48 T3 MARCH 2020
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