The reasonably priced foldable
The brand new Motorola Razr is a unbelievable cellphone for anybody trying to purchase their first foldable. It is “marginally cheaper” than the competitors, whereas nonetheless providing nice efficiency with a fantastic chipset and a snug vegan leather-based end.
For
- Vegan leather-based end
- Bigger 144Hz OLED show
- Official mud resistance
- Bigger battery
- Prepared For assist
- Highly effective mid-range chipset
- 30W wired charging
- “Marginally cheaper” than the competitors
Towards
- Smaller cowl show
- Not but out there in North America
- 5W wi-fi charging
- Motorola has a sketchy replace historical past
- Weaker water resistance
The compact foldable king
Samsung’s experience with foldables has to date culminated in a classy clamshell that has managed to set the usual for different foldable smartphones. And with Bespoke Version, you may actually make the cellphone your personal by ordering one with a mixture of shade combos.
For
- Extra customizable shade choices
- Nice efficiency with flagship chip
- First rate dynamic vary for pictures
- Bigger cowl display
- Sooner wi-fi charging
- Nice show
Towards
- No DeX assist
- Slower wired charging
- Smaller battery
- Increased MSRP
Motorola is understood for launching reasonably priced telephones with a ton of worth, and with the most recent Razr telephones, the corporate has struck once more. The brand new Motorola Razr is the most recent providing that ain’t to strike a stability between flagship options and an accessible price ticket. And whereas Samsung has had its eye on making foldables extra reasonably priced with the Galaxy Z Flip lineup, it appears Motorola has lastly cracked the code.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the most recent clamshell foldable from Samsung, not less than for now. It was launched within the second half of 2022 and sports activities one of many newest Snapdragon flagship chipsets. And whereas it is a formidable cellphone that follows years of constantly bettering fashions, $999 remains to be a little bit of a spend.
In fact, Samsung has plenty of expertise with foldable telephones, so it may very well be well worth the splurge. That mentioned, the Razr is claimed to be “marginally cheaper” than the Z Flip 4 and the Razr Plus, which might make it a fantastic first foldable for anybody curious concerning the kind issue. So which of those two telephones do you have to buy?
Motorola Razr (2023) vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Design & shows
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The designs of those two telephones are fairly completely different, however nearer nonetheless than the comparability between the Razr Plus and Galaxy Z Flip 4. Samsung’s method is extra conventional, with flat glass panels and a squared-off design. However, Motorola goes for a extra rounded design with vegan leather-based protecting a big portion of the rear panels. Each have aluminum frames.
Whereas some may favor the rounded edges and really feel of the vegan leather-based on the Razr, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 advantages from Samsung’s bevy of shade choices, significantly with the Bespoke editions. Customers can choose from a mess of colours and may combine and match them in the event that they so select. It makes the cellphone actually theirs.
The Razr solely has three shade choices to select from, together with Sage Inexperienced, Summer season Lilac, and Vanilla Cream, which admittedly look nearly as good as they sound.
The telephones each function water resistance, however the Razr has a extra protecting IPX8 score, which means it is higher outfitted for unintended spills. The Razr solely has an IP52 score, so it might probably deal with some gentle rain and the like. Nevertheless, it has the good thing about mud resistance, one thing the Flip 4 lacks.
The format of every cellphone can also be fairly related. Each units have massive inside shows with Full HD+ decision and 22:9 facet ratios, making them fairly tall. The Razr show is a bit larger at 6.9-inches, and it has a smoother 144Hz refresh charge in comparison with the 120Hz panel on the Flip 4, however the Galaxy has a bigger cowl display on the again panel, measuring 1.9-inches versus the 1.5-inch cowl display on the Razr.
Peak brightness is definitely greater on the Razr, however we’ll must get each telephones collectively to match visibility.
Creases are current on each shows, however the Razr is probably going a lot much less pronounced because of the teardrop hinge design, which has been examined to final not less than 400,000 folds. The Galaxy hinge is examined for 200,000 folds. Each hinges are additionally able to holding the telephones at completely different angles, however the Flip 4 can maintain its show at a wider diploma.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 cowl display provides customers extra room to view notifications and work together with widgets. Utilizing full purposes on the quilt display can also be doable, however you will want a third-party app or Good Lock. In the meantime, the Razr cowl show is admittedly solely good for checking notifications and viewing widgets in a restricted method.
If a extra helpful cowl display and higher sturdiness are what you are after, the Flip 4 often is the cellphone for you. However if you’d like a greater general show expertise, you may wanna take into account the Razr.
Motorola Razr (2023) vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: {Hardware} & software program
The {hardware} variations between the 2 telephones make it clear why the Razr is the cheaper choice, however each are nonetheless fairly robust telephones, and the Razr manages to outclass it in a couple of areas. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1, the identical chip powering many different foldables this 12 months, just like the Razr Plus. It is a highly effective chip that also holds up regardless of being a 12 months previous. The chip is paired with 8GB of RAM, which must be greater than sufficient for managing apps.
The Razr is extra of a “midrange” foldable, powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip. Whereas it wasn’t a extensively used chipset, it nonetheless provides loads of punch and must be enough in offering a flagship-like expertise. It additionally comes with 8GB of RAM.
| Class | Motorola Razr/Razr 40 | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 13 (My UX) | Android 12, upgradeable to Android 13 (One UI 5) |
| Show (inside) | 6.9-inch, pOLED, FHD+ (2640 x 1080), 144Hz LTPO, 1400 nits, 22:9 | 6.7-inch, AMOLED 2X, FHD+ (2600 x 1080), 120Hz LTPO, 1200 nits, 22:9 |
| Show (exterior) | 1.5-inch, pOLED, 196 x 368 60Hz, 1000 nits | 1.9-inch, OLED, 512 x 260, 60Hz |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4X | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, USF 2.2 | 128GB/256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 |
| Audio | 3 mics, stereo audio system, Dolby Atmos | Stereo sound, Samsung Scalable hi-res codec |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC |
| Safety | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor |
| Safety | IP52, Gorilla Glass Victus | IPX8, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Battery | 4200mAh, 30W wired charging, 5W wi-fi | 3700mAh, 25W wired charging, 15W wi-fi, 4.5W reverse-wireless charging |
| Dimensions (open) | 170.82 x 73.95 x 7.35mm | 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9mm |
| Dimensions (closed) | 88.24 x 73.95 x 15.8mm | 84.9 x 71.9 x 15.9-17.1mm |
| Weight | 188.6g | 187g |
| Colours | Summer season Lilac, Sage Inexperienced, Vanilla Cream | Bora Purple, Pink Gold, Blue, Black, Yellow, White |
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 would not have probably the most sturdy battery at solely 3800mAh, however battery life is not precisely atrocious, getting our reviewer by means of a complete day after which some. The Razr has a bigger battery capability of 4200mAh, which means it ought to last more than the Galaxy. Motorola claims over 30 hours on a single cost, however we have but to check out the Razr to see simply what battery life is like. As soon as we do, we’ll replace this with our outcomes.
Each telephones additionally include stereo audio system, NFC, USB 2.0, and not less than Wi-Fi 6 (the Razr has Wi-Fi 6E).
They each presently run Android 13, though Motorola’s MyUX is nearer to inventory Android with the addition of some tweaks right here and there, together with helpful gestures and extra UI modifications to focus on the foldable expertise. Samsung makes use of One UI, which is not as common, however has matured effectively for foldables, and the corporate updates its telephones fairly often, not like Motorola. Just like the Razr, it additionally contains tweaks for the cellphone, like shifting the UI for the digicam and video participant when the cellphone is in Flex mode.
Motorola guarantees three OS upgrades and 4 years of software program updates, which is definitely not too dangerous. Samsung has an identical replace promise with one extra 12 months of safety updates. Nevertheless, the cellphone has already used up one in every of its OS upgrades when it obtained One UI 5 (Android 13).
Each are anticipated to obtain Android 14, though it is unclear when that can occur.
Motorola Razr (2023) vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Cameras
| Cameras | Motorola Razr/Razr 40 | Galaxy Z Flip 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Digital camera 1 | 64MP extensive, f/1.7, 0.7μm (1.4μm Quad Pixel), OIS, 4K 30fps | 12MP extensive, f/1.8, 1.8μm, Twin PDAF, OIS, 4K 60fps |
| Rear Digital camera 2 | 13MP ultrawide + macro, f/2.2, 1.12μm, 108°, 4K 30fps | 12MP ulrawide, f/2.2, 1.12μm, 123°, 4K 30fps |
| Selfie Digital camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.7μm | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.4um, Quad Pixel, 4K 30fps | 10MP, f/2.4, 1.22μm, 4K 30fps |
The cameras on clamshell foldables aren’t something to run dwelling about, and the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is not any exception. It takes ok pictures with its main and ultrawide 12MP sensors, however they don’t seem to be significantly spectacular. Nonetheless, the cameras handle loads of dynamic vary and element, which you’ll see within the pictures beneath:
Picture 1 of 7
The Razr additionally sports activities a 64MP main digicam sensor, which sounds prefer it might need the higher hand on picture high quality. Nevertheless, if it is something just like the 12MP sensor on the Razr Plus, it will not be significantly spectacular. It additionally has a smaller aperture than the Razr, so it will not soak up as a lot gentle. We have not had an opportunity to check the Razr digicam simply but, so we won’t actually say what the standard of the photographs can be or how the smaller aperture and bigger decision will differ from the Razr Plus.
Nonetheless, Motorola is not recognized for having one of the best imaging algorithm, so I will not maintain out for the significantly good picture high quality. Nonetheless, we’ll maintain our full judgment till we get our palms on the cellphone for testing.
Sadly, the cellphone is simply able to 4K30 video on all of its rear cameras, lacking out on the 60fps recording discovered on the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s main sensor.
Motorola Razr (2023) vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Which do you have to purchase?
Samsung has sufficient expertise with foldables that the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is a protected wager when you’re on the lookout for a flip-style cellphone. It is fashionable, highly effective, and sturdy, and the quilt display is fairly helpful, even when it is smaller than some newer fashions. Even with the newer Galaxy Z Flip 5 on the horizon, the Flip 4 remains to be a fantastic choice.
However, the Motorola Razr has so much going for it… for an “reasonably priced” foldable cellphone, that’s. It has a comparatively highly effective chipset and specs that will rival even a few of the finest Android telephones. And whereas we do not have a worth or launch date for North America, there is no doubt it will be the most affordable new foldable in the marketplace.
The Razr seems like a fantastic choice for somebody trying to dip their toes into the waters with their first foldable. Nevertheless, when you’re not new to the foldable house, the Flip 4 or maybe its upcoming successor may be extra your pace.
Your first foldable
Whereas it is not out there in North America but, the Razr is poised to be in all probability probably the most reasonably priced cellphone in the marketplace when it hits shops. It could have a smaller cowl display, but it surely makes up for it with a formidable inside show and a classy vegan leather-based end.
Setting the usual
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 could also be on its approach out the door, however that does not imply it is not price contemplating. It provides nice efficiency, respectable cameras, and a fantastic design that may be personalized to your liking throughout buy.
