The original Motorola Razr was all the rage when it was released in the year 2004. Paris Hilton with her shiny pink Razr was every teenage girl’s dream back in the day. The stylish look and sleek design made it the most popular phone of that era, and it left a permanent mark on the souls of the millennials of today.
Just like one doesn’t forget their first love, getting over the enigmatic flip phone of 2004 is an impossible feat for millennials. On that note, the latest Razr model is a gateway to this nostalgia, and we’re there for it! The new Motorola Razr that combines our cherished flip phone design with modern smartphone capabilities is no less than a miracle.
It turns out that Motorola isn’t the only one bringing back classics to take our money; Samsung rose to the occasion as a worthy contender. Both of these smart flip phones came out back-to-back in the middle of 2023 and naturally gained a lot of attention.
Using both models’ side-by-side, the similarities are uncanny, yet several features vary. We compared different elements and tested the functionality using internet with up to 500Mbps speed from Mediacom Plans. Here’s a summary of our observations and experience with the two cutting-edge flip phones:
Display
One of the most talked-about features of these innovative flip phones is the external cover display. This feature wasn’t available with foldable phones of the past, thus it’s admittedly impressive. There’s so much you can access without flipping the phone open, so that’s inevitably a game changer.
The outer screen of the Razr is slightly bigger than that of the Galaxy Z5; moreover, the former also allows a wider range of functionalities from the external display. The cover screen of Galaxy Z5 only supports a few widgets, whereas Razr lets you run unlimited apps.
CPU & Performance
Both modern flip phones incorporate a flagship microchip, but the Galaxy Z5 has the upper hand here. Z5 runs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor with 8GB RAM and up to 512GB of storage space. On the other hand, Razr dons a Gen 1 chip, which is also positively powerful, but not quite up-to-date.
The Gen 2 chip renders better CPU performance, which may not be noticeable by the average user; although, it could be a deal breaker for those who want the best. Razr too offers 8GB RAM but the maximum storage capacity is 256GB.
Cameras
None of the contenders went all out with their cameras, yet they’re very much capable of taking decent photos. The main dual cameras of both phones are quite similar, but Razr gets an extra point for giving a whopping 32MP selfie camera, whereas Galaxy Z5 offers a mere 10MP.
Comparing photos taken from the main cameras, we can say that both phones have their strengths and weaknesses. Galaxy Z5 managed to capture sharper and pleasantly vibrant photos during the day, whereas Razr excelled after dark by giving brighter photos at night. Razr also did a better job with close-up photos, but Galaxy Z5 produced much better results with zoom.
Battery and Charging
Motorola Razr’s 3,800mAH battery is slightly bigger than Galaxy Z5’s 3,700mAH battery, so you can do the math. However, it’s worth mentioning that the latter’s CPU gives it an edge in overall performance, which easily makes up for the marginally lesser battery capacity.
Price
Since both phones were released in the previous year (2023), you can purchase them at discounted rates now.
While Galaxy Z5 started out pricier at $999, you might be able to get it for less than $700 from Amazon or another vendor. The 2023 Razr model cost $699 when it was introduced in the market, but you may get it for $500 or less in 2024.
Overall Look & Feel
The flipping feature of the Motorola Razr is tighter at the hinges with a spring to it. On the contrary, the hinges on Galaxy Z5 are softer, so they allow you to keep the phone open halfway. We think Samsung did a better job with the flip-and-snap feature.
Both flip phones come in a variety of colors with Razr leaning towards perkier hues and Galaxy aiming for cooler shades. Razr’s cherry blossom stands out by reminding us of the bright pink flagship phone we all loved in 2004 and beyond.
Razr’s vegan leather finish gives it a pleasant distinct feel. Galaxy Z5’s unpretentious all-glass body is nice too, but it’s not scratch-resistant like its contender. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your preferred aesthetics and touch.
Final Verdict
Both Motorola Razr and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 are pretty cool if you’re looking for an advanced flip-type phone. Galaxy scores a bit better in terms of overall performance, but Razr takes the win in terms of physical appearance. Which of these two models appeals to you? Let us know in the comments!
