Razer Phone 2017: The Ultimate Gaming Phablet

Razer Phone (2017)

The Razer Phone (codename: Cheryl, stylized as RΛZΞR PHONE) is a gaming-focused Android phablet released by Razer Inc. on November 15, 2017. As Razer’s first smartphone, it pioneered a 120Hz UltraMotion display, THX-certified dual front-facing speakers, and flagship Snapdragon 835 performance—targeting mobile gamers, media enthusiasts, and power users seeking a smooth, high-fidelity experience pre-flagship Android gaming phones. It ran Android 7.1.1 Nougat (upgradable to Android 9 Pie) and was succeeded by Razer Phone 2 in 2018.

Core Overview & Positioning

Attribute	Details
Launch Date	November 15, 2017 (released Nov 17, 2017, unlocked)
Market Position	Flagship gaming/media Android phablet
Target Audience	Mobile gamers, media enthusiasts, power users
Key Selling Points	120Hz UltraMotion display, THX/Dolby Atmos dual front speakers, Snapdragon 835, 8GB RAM, 4000mAh battery, Quick Charge 4+, dual rear 12MP cameras, microSD expansion
Launch Price (US)	~$699 (unlocked)
Color Options	Black
Model Number	RZ35-0215

Full Technical Specifications

Display

Type: 5.72-inch IGZO IPS LCD (UltraMotion™, world’s first 120Hz smartphone display)Razer
Resolution: 2560×1440 (QHD, 16:9, ~515 ppi)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz (adaptive; downscales to 60Hz for efficiency)Razer
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Features: Wide Color Gamut (WCG), 16.7M colors, adaptive sync (GPU-display synchronization), Razer Game Booster for refresh rate tuningRazer

Performance & Software

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (MSM8998)
CPU: Octa-core (4×2.35 GHz Kryo 280 Gold + 4×1.9 GHz Kryo 280 Silver)
GPU: Adreno 540
Memory: 8GB LPDDR4X RAM; 64GB UFS 2.1 storage (expandable via microSDXC up to 2TB)
OS: Android 7.1.1 Nougat (upgradable to Android 9 Pie)
Software:
- Razer Game Booster (performance tuning, thermal management, frame rate locking)Razer
- Nova Launcher Prime (customizable UI)Razer
- Dolby Atmos audio enhancement
- THX-certified 24-bit/192kHz USB-C audio DAC (in-box 3.5mm adapter)Razer
- Core suite: Calendar, Contacts, Razer Synapse integration

Camera

Rear Dual Camera:
- 12MP wide-angle (f/1.75, PDAF, EIS)
- 12MP telephoto (f/2.6, PDAF)
- Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps (slow-mo)
- Features: Dual-tone LED flash, digital zoom, EIS, white balance presetsRazer
Front Camera: 8MP (f/2.0, 1080p@30fps video)

Audio & Connectivity

Audio: Dual front-facing speakers (THX-certified amplifiers, Dolby Atmos); no 3.5mm jack (USB-C with in-box 3.5mm adapter)
Network: GSM/HSPA/LTE (4G bands 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/17/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/66)
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display)
Bluetooth: 4.2 (A2DP, LE)
NFC: Yes (Google Pay support)
USB: USB Type-C 2.0 (data, charging, DisplayPort alt-mode)
Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou

Battery & Charging

Capacity: 4000 mAh non-removable Li-Po
Charging: Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ (18W, 0–50% in ~30 mins); no wireless chargingRazer
Battery Life: Up to 6 hours gaming, 12 hours video playback, 16 days standby (mixed use)Razer

Build & Design

Dimensions: 158.5×77.7×8 mm (6.24×3.06×0.31 in)
Weight: 197 g (7.0 oz)
Form Factor: Slate (bar) with aluminum frame, matte black glass back
Sensors: Side-mounted fingerprint (right-side power key), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Water Resistance: No IP rating

Core Features & User Experience Highlights

1. 120Hz UltraMotion Display

The 120Hz refresh rate eliminated motion blur in games and scrolling, setting a benchmark for mobile gaming displays. Adaptive sync reduced tearing and power draw, balancing performance and efficiency—critical for long gaming sessionsRazer.

2. Flagship Gaming Performance

Snapdragon 835 + 8GB RAM + Razer Game Booster delivered consistent frame rates with minimal throttling (via vapor-chamber cooling). The thermal design allowed sustained high performance for hours, outperforming many 2017 flagships in extended gaming testsRazer.

3. Premium Audio (THX/Dolby Atmos)

Dual front-facing speakers with THX-certified amps and Dolby Atmos produced loud, balanced sound—ideal for gaming and media. The 24-bit/192kHz DAC ensured high-fidelity audio via headphones, even without a 3.5mm jackRazer.

4. Battery Life & Charging

The 4000mAh battery supported all-day gaming/media use, while Quick Charge 4+ minimized downtime—key for power users who couldn’t afford long charging waitsRazer.

Advantages & Limitations

Advantages	Limitations
120Hz adaptive display (smooth gaming/scrolling)	No water resistance (a 2017 flagship gap)
THX/Dolby Atmos dual front speakers	No wireless chargingRazer
Flagship Snapdragon 835 + 8GB RAM	Heavy (197g) and thick (8mm) vs. slim 2017 flagships
Expandable storage (microSD up to 2TB)	No 3.5mm jack (requires adapter)
Large 4000mAh battery + Quick Charge 4+	Limited OS updates (only to Android 9 Pie)
Vapor-chamber cooling for sustained performance	Camera lacks OIS (relied on EIS)

Target Markets & Use Cases

Mobile Gamers: Users prioritizing smooth gameplay, high refresh rates, and thermal efficiency—especially fans of competitive multiplayer games (e.g., PUBG Mobile, Fortnite).
Media Enthusiasts: Those who valued large displays, premium audio, and QHD resolution for streaming/YouTube.
Power Users: Tech-savvy consumers seeking expandable storage, flagship specs, and customizable software (Nova Launcher, Game Booster).
Razer Ecosystem Fans: Existing Razer laptop/accessory users wanting cross-device integration (Razer Synapse).

Legacy & Market Impact

The Razer Phone established 120Hz as a standard for gaming phones, forcing competitors (e.g., OnePlus 6T, Samsung Galaxy S10) to adopt high-refresh displays by 2019. Its focus on gaming-specific features (Game Booster, thermal design) paved the way for dedicated gaming phone lines (Asus ROG Phone, Lenovo Legion Phone).

While sales were modest compared to mainstream flagships, the Razer Phone proved there was a market for gaming-focused Android devices. It also highlighted Razer’s ability to translate its PC gaming expertise to mobile, though the lack of water resistance and limited OS updates prevented broader adoption.

Today, the Razer Phone is a collector’s item for gaming phone enthusiasts, with well-preserved units (in-box with 3.5mm adapter) fetching above-average prices in secondhand markets.