Flip phones are making a comeback thanks to foldable display technology. Two of the most anticipated foldable flip phones of 2023 are the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr Plus. Samsung pioneered the modern flip phone with the original Galaxy Z Flip in 2020, while Motorola brought back its iconic Razr flip phone in a new foldable form in 2019.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr Plus (2023) both feature folding glass displays and nostalgic flip phone designs. But there are some key differences that may make one model a better choice over the other depending on your needs and preferences.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 vs Motorola Razr Plus (2023): Key Specs Comparison
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
- Price: $999
- Display: 6.7″ FHD+ foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 22:9 ratio
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Main Camera: 50MP wide + 12MP ultrawide
- Selfie Camera: 10MP
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128/256GB
- Battery: 3,600 mAh
- Charging Speed: 25W
- Operating System: Android 13 with One UI 5
- Dust/Water Resistance: IPX8
- Colors: Graphite, Pink Gold, Blue, Bora Purple
Motorola Razr Plus (2023)
- Price: $1,399
- Display: 6.7″ FHD+ POLED foldable, 21:9 ratio
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Main Camera: 50MP wide + 13MP ultrawide
- Selfie Camera: 32MP
- Processor: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256/512GB
- Battery: 3,500 mAh
- Charging Speed: 30W
- Operating System: Android 12
- Dust/Water Resistance: IP52 splash resistant
- Colors: Mercury, Phantom Black, Quartz White
As you can see from the specs, these two flip phones are fairly evenly matched when it comes to core hardware like the processor, RAM, storage, battery capacity, refresh rate, and foldable display size. However, there are some differences that may make one model a better fit depending on your priorities.
Design and Durability
The core appeal of these phones is the nostalgic flip phone design. Both models feature a horizontal hinge that allows them to fold vertically like old-school clamshell devices.
The Motorola Razr Plus has a more retro look with a pronounced chin on the bottom half when folded. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 has slimmer bezels for a more modern aesthetic.
The Razr Plus is slightly thicker and heavier at 200g compared to 187g for the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Both phones feel extremely premium with glass front and back panels.
For durability, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a significant advantage with an IPX8 water resistance rating. This allows it to withstand being submerged in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. The Motorola Razr Plus has an IP52 splash resistance rating, which only protects against light splashes.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5’s folding glass display is made from Samsung’s newer UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) material for enhanced protection. The Razr Plus uses an older POLED (Plastic OLED) display. Many reviewers report the Flip seems more durable overall.
Displays
Both phones have 6.7-inch foldable FHD+ displays with a tall 22:9 or 21:9 aspect ratio when unfolded. This gives you a large, immersive display for content viewing and multitasking.
The key difference is the Razr Plus uses a pOLED display while the Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a more advanced Dynamic AMOLED 2X with support for HDR10+ high dynamic range content. Samsung’s panel technology typically offers better brightness, color accuracy, and vivid HDR visuals.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 also has a smoother 120Hz adaptive refresh rate versus 60Hz on the Razr Plus. This allows for much more fluid scrolling and animations.
When it comes to durability though, the Razr Plus’ pOLED may hold up better over time versus the ultrathin glass on the Flip 5. Only long term testing will determine which display is more durable.
Cameras
The cameras are quite similar on paper with both phones featuring a 50MP main wide lens and an ultrawide camera. But there are some small differences.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a 12MP ultrawide while the Razr Plus has a 13MP ultrawide which may capture more detail.
For selfies, the Razr Plus has a higher resolution 32MP front camera versus just 10MP on the Galaxy Z Flip 5. This will provide nicer self-portraits.
In terms of camera hardware, the Flip 5 likely has a slight edge thanks to Samsung’s advanced image processing and lenses. But both phones should take fantastic photos in most conditions.
Performance and Battery Life
Performance should be blazing fast on both devices thanks to the latest Snapdragon processors – Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 on the Razr Plus. Real world speeds should be nearly identical with 12GB RAM on the Razr Plus compared to 8GB on the Flip 5.
The Razr Plus does offer double the base storage at 256GB versus 128GB on the Flip 5. But the Flip 5 has a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
Battery life is fairly similar at 3,600 mAh on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and 3,500 mAh on the Razr Plus. Both support relatively fast 25W (Flip 5) and 30W (Razr Plus) wired charging.
Battery life is average due to the compact size. You can expect a full day of use from both phones, but not much more. The Razr Plus may have slightly better optimization and battery management thanks to Motorola.
Software
The Razr Plus ships with Android 12 OS while the Galaxy Z Flip 5 runs the newer Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI 5 software.
Samsung’s One UI provides a more robust set of features like Bixby voice assistant, Samsung Pay, enhanced security with Knox, deeper customization, Link to Windows, and a more refined interface.
But Motorola’s stripped down Android skin has its perks including a cleaner UI and faster software updates historically. It comes down to your OS preference.
Price and Value
The Motorola Razr Plus retails for $1,399 which is $400 more than the Galaxy Z Flip 5 at $999. So Samsung’s foldable offers noticeably better value.
You are getting a more refined foldable phone experience with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 thanks to its water resistance, newer display tech, smoother 120Hz refresh rate, better cameras, microSD slot, and competitive chipset. Unless you really love the retro Razr design, the Flip 5 is hard to beat at its lower $999 price point.
Conclusion
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the better buy for most buyers compared to the Motorola Razr Plus (2023) based on its lower price, newer display and glass technology, sleeker design, IPX8 water resistance, microSD slot, and great cameras.
The Razr Plus does offer a few nice perks like a larger front display, higher resolution selfie camera, and more nostalgic retro design. But it’s hard to justify spending $400 more for those features when the Flip 5 already folds down to a compact square.
For shoppers seeking the most refined and durable folding phone with competitive specs and modern conveniences like water resistance and wireless charging, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 can’t be beat. But nostalgic Motorola fans who love the Razr look and stock Android experience may still prefer splurging on the Razr Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How durable are the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Razr Plus displays?
A: The Galaxy Z Flip 5’s display is more durable thanks to Samsung’s latest UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) technology versus the pOLED on the Razr Plus. But both use folding glass that is quite durable compared to earlier plastic displays.
Q: Which phone has the better battery life?
A: Battery life is fairly similar at around 1 day of mixed use. The Razr Plus may last a bit longer thanks to battery optimizations in Motorola’s software. But real world battery life will depend on usage.
Q: Which phone has better cameras?
A: On paper, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 likely has better camera hardware and image processing for photos and videos. But both phones have excellent camera systems with a 50MP main lens that should satisfy most users.
Q: Does the Galaxy Z Flip 5 or Razr Plus have a headphone jack?
A: Unfortunately neither phone has a headphone jack. You’ll need to use wireless Bluetooth headphones or a USB-C adapter. This allows for the sleek, seamless designs.
Q: What colors are available?
A: The Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes in Graphite, Pink Gold, Blue, and Bora Purple colors. The Razr Plus comes in Mercury, Phantom Black, and Quartz White. There are lots of stylish options for both!
