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Razer Phone 2 attempts to fix the first phone's mistakes, will cost $800

This second-gen "phone for gamers" will also work with a new Razer gamepad.

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Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
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Jessica Dolcourt
4 min read
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Razer Phone 2 wants to make gamers green with envy.

Josh Miller/CNET

Looking down at the glowing black box on the conference table in  Razer's  San Francisco offices one thing is already clear: The Razer Phone 2 is a better device than the gaming phone the company debuted a year ago. Mostly, because the brick I'm looking at isn't actually the phone itself, but a wireless charging brick outfitted with a bright ring of colorful LEDs.

It's an answer to one of the original Razer Phone's shortcomings, and that's what the Razer Phone 2 seems to be all about -- fixing the first model's mistakes.

Watch this: Razer Phone 2 gets back in the game

Yes, that means its an iterative evolution of an existing phone -- but the Razer Phone 2 was a good starting point. The new model keeps the original's boxy, black design, loud stereo speakers and astounding 120Hz screen (that's twice as fast as the 60Hz refresh rate on most phones ), but kicks things up a notch with improved camera sensors, support for portrait mode (albeit through software), wireless charging and IP67 water-resistance.

It also dives deeper into Razer's DNA as a gaming lifestyle brand. The original phone's matte backing has been shined to a bright, reflective, glossy glass -- and the Razer LED now glows. By default, it's green, but that color can be customized to specific alerts via Razer's Chroma app. Those color settings will extend to the LED strip lining the bottom of that wireless charger I mentioned, too.

These additions mark a step in the right direction for Razer, a company that's only released one previous phone.

That said, the idea of a "gaming phone" is still a little nebulous. Razer's 120Hz screen does have the potential to give you an edge in terms of response time, at least in games that support it, and the phone's speakers are gloriously loud. Even so, it's still going to play the same games as any other Android phone -- and apart from the Razer Phone smooth framerate offered by the aforementioned display, don't expect better graphics than you would see on the Google Pixel 2 or the Galaxy S9.

Check out the Razer Phone 2 and its chic boxy frame

See all photos

As for the games playing better? Well, at least Razer has a solution to that: the company has announced a wireless game controller designed specifically to go with the Razer Phone. The accessory could help the phone stand out to gamers. Don't expect a Nintendo Switch like experience, though, this seems to be a retooled Razer Serval gamepad with a few extra buttons and a phone clip.

In a choked phone space dominated by Samsung and Apple , a Razer-branded gamer phone won't make a pinprick of difference in gobbling up sales. But it does highlight gadget-makers' continued interest in winning over ultra-niche populations such as gamers. Booming video games sales are expected to reach a value of $138 billion dollars by the end of 2018. If Razer can attract hardcore gamers with its smooth graphics and heat management system, it has a chance to earn a customer for life.

The Razer Phone 2 will cost $799. Preorders are available now. Read on for more details and see the full specs chart at the end.

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Pick a color, any color for the logo to glow when alerts arrive.

Josh Miller/CNET

Razer Phone 2 design

  • Same basic design as original Razer Phone, but now with a glass back and brighter logo.
  • 5.7-inch LCD screen with 16:9 screen ratio and 120Hz refresh rate (Razer says it'll give you an unfair advantage in gameplay).
  • No screen notch.
  • Stereo front-firing speakers with 24-Bit DAC and Dolby Atmos are designed to update the first Razer Phone with better bass and richer sound.
  • Fingerprint reader on right spine.
  • Better HDR screen for games that pop during play.

Power, battery size and heat management

  • Snapdragon 845 processor.
  • Razer's Vapor Chamber Cooling, carried over from Razer laptops , helps keep frame rates high and temperatures lower.
  • You'll play at peak speed and resolution for a longer period of time before the phone gets overwhelmed.

Razer Phone 2 camera gets a boost

  • Dual-lens 12-megapixel camera with Sony IMX sensors, OIS on wide-angle lens.
  • Razer has added Beauty mode and a Portrait mode.
  • Front-facing 8-megapixel camera.
  • Native camera app has been re-engineered with a sliding top menu, which looks like the Galaxy S9 .
Watch this: Asus' ROG Phone is a gaming phone with actual gaming features

Other features

  • Razer says it's the only phone that will play Netflix-certified HDR video with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. The goal is to give you a cinematic feel through the stereo speakers.
  • 15-watt wireless charger lights up to alerts for Gmail, Facebook, and so on. The phone and wireless charger light up with corresponding colors.
  • New themes coming to theme store inspired by games including Tekken, Vainglory and Arena of Valor

Razer Phone 2 specs versus Asus ROG Phone

Razer Phone, Razer Phone 2, Asus ROG Phone


Razer PhoneRazer Phone 2Asus ROG Phone
Display size, resolution 5.72-inch; 2,560x1,440 pixels5.7-inch LCD; 2,560x1,440 pixels; 120Hz screen refresh rate6-inch AMOLED; 2,160x1,080 pixels; 90Hz screen refresh rate
Pixel density 514ppi514ppi402ppi
Dimensions (inches) 6.2x3.1x0.31 inches6.2x3.1x0.33 inches6.3x3x0.34 inches
Dimensions (millimeters) 158.5x77.7x8mm158.5x79x8.5mm158.8x76.2x8.7mm
Weight (ounces, grams) 6.95 oz.; 197g7.8 oz.; 220g7 oz.; 200g
Mobile software Android 7.1.1 NougatAndroid 8.1 Oreo (upgrade to Android Pie "soon")Android 8.1 Oreo
Camera Dual 12-megapixel (wide-angle and zoom)Dual 12-megapixel (wide-angle and telephoto; wide-angle has IOS)Dual 12-megapixel and 8-megapixel, dual pixel PDAF
Front-facing camera 8-megapixel8-megapixel8-megapixel
Video capture 4K4K1,080p HD
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 835Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (2.8GHz)Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (2.96GHz)
Storage 64GB32GB or 64GB128GB or 512GB
RAM 8GB8GB8GB RAM
Expandable storage Up to 2TBUp to 2TBNone
Battery 4,000-mAh4,000-mAh4,000-mAh
Fingerprint sensor Power buttonRight spineBack
Connector USB-CUSB-CUSB-C
Headphone jack NoNoYes
Special features 120Hz screen, dual front-facing stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos120GHz screen refresh rate, water resistant (IP68), wireless charging, gaming dock accessory (sold separately)Gaming accessories includes gamepad and dual-display dock (sold separately)
Price off-contract (USD) $699$799TBA
Price (GBP) £699Converts to about £615TBA
Price (AUD)
Converts to about AU$915Converts to about AU$1,105TBA