Greater is healthier
The brand new Motorola Razr+ is a compelling foldable cellphone with a sexy design, sturdy specs, and a big cowl show that permits you to carry out numerous duties with out opening the cellphone. The Razr has by no means regarded so good!
For
- Lovely curvy design
- Sooner refresh fee shows
- Mud resistance
- Giant, versatile cowl display
- Extra base storage
- Sooner charging
- Vegan leather-based possibility
- Wi-fi Prepared For help
In opposition to
- Weaker water resistance
- Shows onerous to see in direct daylight
- Simply okay digital camera high quality
- Just one storage/RAM configuration
- Fewer colour choices
The usual
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is a strong foldable cellphone with a smooth design that customers can customise to their liking at buy. It additionally advantages from Samsung’s nice software program and a sturdy construct with sturdy water resistance. You will not be disenchanted with this cellphone.
For
- Nice design
- Extra customizable colour choices
- Sturdy water resistance
- Extra sturdy software program help
- Good battery life
- Extra storage choices
- Sooner wi-fi charging
In opposition to
- Beginning storage solely 128GB
- Smaller, much less helpful cowl display
- Slower wired charging
- No DeX help
- Hinge leaves a niche when closed
Samsung has some critical competitors. Now that the brand new Motorola Razr+ is on the market, customers in North America lastly have an alternative choice for a clamshell foldable cellphone in the US, and it is a surprisingly compelling possibility. On the time of writing, Samsung’s newest mannequin is the Galaxy Z Flip 4, which launched throughout the second half of 2022, though we count on the corporate to launch its successor pretty quickly. However for now, we’re evaluating these two present fashions.
With regards to foldable telephones, Samsung has had the higher hand, regardless of Motorola launching the primary mannequin with the Razr (2019). The Galaxy Z Flip lineup has grow to be the best-selling foldable cellphone available on the market, possible on account of its engaging design, distinctive kind issue, and spectacular specs. It additionally helps that it does not price practically $2000 like a few of the larger-screened foldables, and the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is likely one of the most sturdy foldable Samsung has made to this point.
However after taking a while off to get its bearings, Motorola is thrusting itself again into the foldable house, and in some ways, the brand new Motorola Razr+ matches and exceeds the Galaxy Z Flip 4 on many factors, significantly with the big cowl display and an equally engaging design. However is that this sufficient to dethrone the reign of Samsung’s Flip lineup?
Motorola Razr Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Design
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Except for each these telephones being clamshell foldables, their designs could not be extra totally different. Samsung goes for a flatter construct throughout, from the show to the rear panels and the body. The corners are barely rounded, however the cellphone is fairly angular.
Visually, it is a great-looking cellphone with colour that covers a lot of the rear panels. Because of its Bespoke Version fashions, Samsung additionally helps you make it even higher. This lets customers customise their colours and mixtures for a extra customized design.
In the meantime, the Razr+ has a way more curvy design. The rear panels are flat however then curve inward into the body, which can be rounded. This makes the cellphone fairly snug to carry, given the dearth of sharp edges. The colour takes up all the decrease rear panel and the body, which wraps round every half of the cellphone. The highest cowl panel is usually reflective glass.
Motorola has three colour choices out there: Infinite Black, Glacier Blue, and Viva Magenta. The latter possibility is the one one with a vegan leather-based again, whereas the others have smooth glass. Sadly, Motorola does not have something just like the Bespoke Galaxy Z Flip, the place prospects can customise colour choices. How cool would it not be if Motorola introduced again Moto Maker?
On the entrance, each telephones function equally sized shows, with the Razr+ placing for a 6.9-inch panel at a somewhat lengthy 22:9 facet ratio. In the meantime, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 has a smaller 6.8-inch OLED panel on the similar 22:9 facet ratio. Except for the dimensions, one other distinction is in how the hinges on each telephones deal with the shows.
The best way Samsung’s hinge closes the cellphone leaves a niche within the hinge space, which could be problematic because it leaves house for objects to get lodged in and harm the show. It additionally leaves a mighty deep crease when the cellphone is open, which is a bit of onerous to disregard. The Razr+ makes use of a teardrop-style hinge, permitting the cellphone to shut totally with out a hole. It additionally makes the crease a bit much less intense and never as deep.
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Each hinges are sturdy and versatile sufficient to let the telephones maintain their positions at numerous angles. This makes it straightforward to seize images or movies with out a tripod or prop the cellphone up for a video name or when watching movies. The Z Flip 4 is ready to maintain its place at a lot wider angles than the Razr+
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 additionally has the higher hand in terms of water safety, because of the IPX8 ranking, permitting the cellphone to be totally submerged for a small period of time. The Razr+ has solely an IP52 ranking, which protects it from mild splashes and rain, however not submersion. Nonetheless, it does take pleasure in mud resistance, which can be essential.
Motorola Razr Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Cowl display
The quilt display is the obvious distinction between the 2 telephones. The Razr+ has a big 3.6-inch show on its cowl panel, which expands past the twin cameras and LED flash unit. The quilt display comes with a collection of widgets, or “panels,” that present glanceable data and different content material.
The quilt display can be utilized for taking selfies, interacting with and responding to notifications, enjoying video games, and opening apps. Almost any utility that may be opened on the primary show can be out there on the quilt display, making it doable to do quite a bit with out really opening the cellphone.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4’s 1.9-inch cowl display is not as versatile. Samsung has a collection of widgets that customers can work together with on the quilt display, and options could be expended utilizing Good Lock, however you may must look to third-party apps like CoverScreen OS to get extra out of the show. And even once you do, it is a bit too small to actually run full apps in a significant means.
It is also solely a 60Hz panel, which is not actually that huge of a deal on such a small show, however the 144Hz cowl display on the Razr+ is fairly spectacular, and it makes you are feeling like you’ve gotten a second cellphone in your hand.
Motorola Razr Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: {Hardware} & specs
Relating to {hardware}, these telephones are literally fairly shut, which might make selecting between the 2 a bit of troublesome. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performs admirably on each gadgets when paired with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM. You possibly can juggle apps with out a hitch, and the telephones do not actually have an issue enjoying graphically intensive video games. You’ll discover the telephones warmth up with prolonged gameplay, however that is about it.
Apparently, whereas the Razr+ gives just one storage possibility, it is double that of the bottom 128GB Galaxy Z Flip 4, which is obtainable on the similar $999 MSRP. Meaning you are getting a bit of extra bang in your buck right here, particularly contemplating neither cellphone has expandable storage. The Flip 4 will get you as much as 512GB of storage, in contrast to the Razr+, however you may must fork over extra dough.
| Class | Motorola Razr+/40 Extremely | 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), 165Hz LTPO, 1400 nits, 22:9 | 6.7-inch, AMOLED 2X, FHD+ (2600 x 1080), 120Hz LTPO, 1200 nits, 22:9 |
| Show (exterior) | 3.6-inch, pOLED, 1066 x 1056, 144Hz, 1100 nits, 1:1 | 1.9-inch, OLED, 512 x 260, 60Hz |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5 | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 256GB, USF 3.1 | 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 | 3800mAh, 30W wired charging, 5W wi-fi | 3700mAh, 25W wired charging, 15W wi-fi, 4.5W reverse-wireless charging |
| Dimensions (open) | 73.95 x 170.83 x 6.99mm | 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9mm |
| Dimensions (closed) | 73.95 x 88.42 x 15.1mm | 84.9 x 71.9 x 15.9-17.1mm |
| Weight | 188.5g, 184.5g (Viva Magenta) | 187g |
| Colours | Glacier Blue, Infinity Black, Viva Magenta | Bora Purple, Pink Gold, Blue, Black, Yellow, White |
The shows on each are fairly good, however the Razr+ has the benefit of a quicker 165Hz refresh fee, which is one thing you usually see on gaming telephones. This makes animations and gameplay extremely clean. Nonetheless, the 120Hz panel on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is not unhealthy in any respect and will get good and shiny, regardless of decrease peak brightness than the Razr+.
In my use, the Razr+ show is a lot shiny indoors, however it may be troublesome to see outdoors, possible because of the somewhat reflective shows.
With regards to battery life, each telephones are practically an identical, with the Razr+ getting a small edge over the Flip 4 with a barely bigger 3800mAh battery and quicker 30W charging. Apparently, I have never been in a position to get the all-day battery life that Motorola claims, however some others have managed it. Then again, Android Central’s Harish Jonnalagadda has managed “nicely over a day’s value of use” on the Flip 4.
The Flip additionally has quicker wi-fi charging and even reverse wi-fi when you want it.
Motorola Razr Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Software program
The software program expertise on these telephones may be very totally different, regardless of each telephones operating Android 13. The Razr+ makes use of My UX, which is sort of indistinguishable from the Pixel Launcher, apart from some small touches right here and there from Motorola. Personalization choices look barely totally different however get the identical jobs carried out, whereas Motorola has its personal set of widgets to view data at a look.
Motorola additionally has its widespread gestures, which assist set the corporate’s telephones aside from the remainder. You possibly can chop the cellphone twice in your hand to activate the flashlight, twist it twice to launch the digital camera, and even set numerous features when double-tapping the again of the system.
If you happen to just like the Pixel UI, you’ll really feel welcome right here.
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 makes use of One UI 5 based mostly on Android 13, though it was launched with the earlier model. That mentioned, One UI is not practically as bubbly or colourful because the expertise you may discover on the Razr+. Samsung takes issues into its personal fingers with the way it handles software program, holding every part fairly uniform and extra compact. General, One UI is extra environment friendly with the way it makes use of house.
Samsung additionally offers lots of its personal apps in One UI, such because the surprisingly helpful Gallery app, Samsung Music for offline music information, and its personal variations of inventory apps like Telephone, Digicam, and Messages. Except for some redundant apps, Samsung’s variations are literally fairly good.
And since Samsung takes a good quantity of management over its software program, it will introduce many options that you simply will not discover on different gadgets. It additionally does a reasonably good job with updates, one thing Motorola isn’t recognized for. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 will get month-to-month patches and different function updates, whereas the Razr+ is promised bi-monthly updates.
The Z Flip 4 is promised 4 OS upgrades and 5 years of safety updates, one 12 months greater than the Razr+ is promised. Nonetheless, help for each telephones will finish at roughly the identical time.
Since these are foldables, some software program tweaks are wanted to benefit from the shape issue. Some apps like YouTube and the digital camera will shift the UI when the cellphone is folded in at an angle, permitting customers a greater technique to view content material or offering a greater grip when taking images. Each telephones really do a reasonably good job at this.
Motorola takes issues up a notch with its cowl display. When closing the cellphone whereas utilizing an app, you possibly can press a button to proceed utilizing that app on the quilt show. You can even begin an app on the quilt display and open the cellphone to proceed utilizing it on the bigger show. Since you possibly can’t use full apps on the Z Flip 4, this stage of app continuity is not doable.
Motorola Razr Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Cameras
Cameras on clamshell foldables aren’t nice. That is only a truth, and it is possible as a result of bodily constraints of the gadgets. You will not get the very best photograph high quality from both of those telephones, so when you’re in it for the cameras, look away. If you happen to’re fantastic with having simply okay photograph high quality, then try to be pretty happy with both possibility.
| Cameras | Motorola Razr+ | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Digicam 1 | 12MP large, f/1.5, 1.4μm, OIS, 4K 60fps | 12MP large, f/1.8, 1.8μm, Twin PDAF, OIS, 4K 60fps |
| Rear Digicam 2 | 13MP ultrawide + macro, f/2.2, 1.12μm, 108°, 4K 30fps | 12MP ulrawide, f/2.2, 1.12μm, 123°, 4K 30fps |
| Selfie Digicam | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.7μm | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.4um, Quad Pixel, 4K 60fps | 10MP, f/2.4, 1.22μm, 4K 30fps |
The Galaxy Z Flip 4 takes fairly good images with a good quantity of dynamic vary. Colours are usually on the punchier aspect, and generally the cellphone can go a bit of overboard with dynamic vary, however pictures are general respectable in daylight. Low mild is not unhealthy both, and pictures are low on noise whereas nonetheless providing loads of element.
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The Razr+ does not have essentially the most sturdy set of cameras, but it surely tries to make up for it with a really large aperture on the first lens. The result’s pictures with loads of mild, however generally too a lot mild, and colours can typically seem fairly muted, particularly when in comparison with the Z Flip 4. You additionally will not discover as a lot dynamic vary right here. Nonetheless, images are pretty respectable, even when they don’t seem to be the very best.
Issues are a lot better at night time, which is the place that large aperture shines, bringing in loads of mild into darker scenes.
Sadly, selfies on the Razr+ are extra miss than hit on account of a bizarre sepia-like tone that generally seems, seemingly the results of bizarre processing. Optimistically, Motorola will handle this in a future replace.
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Video on the Razr+ additionally is not too nice, though the first and selfie cameras can shoot 4K60 video. The cellphone additionally contains some attention-grabbing video options, comparable to Horizon Lock.
The Flip 4 can be no slouch, and Samsung additionally contains its personal set of goodies to assist customers get essentially the most out of their telephones. Digicam Assistant, for instance, brings extra settings to the app, whereas Professional Uncooked brings an additional stage of guide changes.
Motorola Razr Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: Which must you purchase?
Selecting between these two telephones comes all the way down to what you worth most. With the Razr+, the primary promoting level is the big cowl show that provides you the flexibleness to carry out most actions with out opening the cellphone. It is like having two telephones in a single, which is fairly compelling at $999.
For the Galaxy Z Flip 4, I would say the most important promoting level is the software program and help. I personally favor One UI, which has made the change to the Razr+ an attention-grabbing one. Samsung simply places much more effort right into a cohesive software program expertise whereas providing constant help for its telephones. You may additionally most likely benefit from the cameras extra on the Razr+.
It will be a troublesome alternative if I needed to resolve between these two telephones, given how I gravitate towards Samsung telephones. Nonetheless, I feel the Razr+ brings a novel expertise that may’t actually be matched on one other clamshell foldable, and that alone is sufficient for me to choose this over the Flip 4.
One other level to think about is that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 will possible be launched quickly, so the Flip 4 is already on its means out. As soon as the Flip 5 comes into the image, that is when the competitors will actually warmth up.
The OG foldable
The brand new Razr+ is Motorola’s huge comeback to the foldable house, and it is an excellent one. The cellphone’s most compelling function is the big cowl show that permits you to run practically any app you wish to get issues carried out with out opening the cellphone. Plus, it appears completely unbelievable.
Lovely and sturdy
Even with the brand new Z Flip 5 on the best way, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 remains to be an excellent cellphone powered by one of many newest Snapdragon processors. You possibly can select amongst an assortment of colours when you purchase it from Samsung, and the cellphone is kind of sturdy because of its sturdy hinge mechanism that ought to final for years.
