It may have taken a while, but flip phones with flexible screens are now a part of our daily lives. Two of the most popular come from Motorola and Samsung, which brings us to a Motorola Razr vs. Z Flip3 comparison. These smartphones may fold in a similar fashion, but there’s a big difference in a number of areas, including the secondary display, cameras, and performance.
Motorola Razr vs. Z Flip 3: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Motorola Razr | Galaxy Z Flip 3 |
| Released October 2, 2020 | Released August 27, 2021 |
| 6.2-inch 2,142 x 876 main display, 2.7-inch 800 x 600 secondary display | 6.7-inch 2640 x 1080 main display, 1.9-inch 512 x 260 secondary display |
| Snapdragon 765 processor | Snapdragon 888 processor |
| 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| 256GB storage | 128GB, 256GB storage options |
| 48MP rear camera | Dual 12MP rear cameras |
| 20MP front camera | 10MP front camera |
| 2,800mAh battery | 3,300mAh battery |
| Folded size: 91.8mm x 72.6mm x 16mm | Folded size: 86.4 x 72.2 x 15.9mm |
| Unfolded size: 169.2mm x 72.6mm x 7.9mm | Unfolded size: 166 x 72.2 x 6.9mm |
| Weight: 192 grams | Weight: 183 grams |
Motorola Razr vs. Z Flip 3: What’s the Difference?
The Motorola Razr features a smart foldable design and a 48MP camera on the rear. It aims to bring back some of that nostalgic flip phone style in a modern package.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 also folds in half with a horizontal hinge, allowing for a compact size when closed. It boasts flagship specs in many areas.
Before we dig into the differences between the Razr and the Z Flip 3, we’re going to talk about what’s the same. Both smartphones mimic the design of older clamshell cell phones, otherwise known as flip phones. The design went out of style with the rise of touchscreen smartphones, but technology has made the old new again.
The Motorola Razr and the Z Flip 3 have similar-sized displays when opened, and run the latest version of Android 11. They don’t have microSD card slots but do have fingerprint scanners along with the usual bells and whistles. We also found the specifications comparable in areas like RAM. But with specialized smartphones of this nature focusing on the folding form factor, the most important factors lie in areas like design, display, cameras, and battery life.
Folding Phone Design
Samsung kept things familiar for their fans with the Z Flip 3. It features a horizontal hinge and seamlessly folds in half, similar to their lineup of foldable Galaxy devices. When folded, it measures 86.4 x 72.2 x 15.9mm, which makes it smaller than the Motorola Razr (at 91.8mm x 72.6mm x 16mm).
The Z Flip 3 is about 20 grams lighter as well, likely owing to its plastic and aluminum materials compared to the Razr‘s glass exterior. It also has IPX8 water resistance while the Razr only has a water-repellant coating.
The Razr stands out with its more nostalgic style, reminiscent of the original Razr flip phone design. Its stainless steel hinges and glass finish give it a sleek, premium look.
Both foldable phones offer compact sizes when closed, making them easier to fit into pockets or small bags. But Samsung‘s refinements in materials, weight, and water resistance give it an edge.
Displays, Power, and Storage
This is where things get more interesting as the external displays play different roles on these devices.
The Motorola Razr has a 6.2-inch foldable pOLED main display with 2142 x 876 resolution when opened up. Its secondary external Quick View display measures 2.7-inches diagonally with an 800 x 600 resolution. This is significantly larger than the Galaxy Z Flip 3’s 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover display.
When folded shut, almost the entire front of the Razr lights up to preview notifications, control music, and more. The Z Flip 3‘s front display is less than half that size, relegated to a small window for basic at-a-glance info.
Inside, Samsung pulls ahead slightly with its 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at a higher 2640 x 1080 resolution.
As far as performance, Samsung wins again with its newer Snapdragon 888 compared to the Razr’s Snapdragon 765G. However both deliver smooth experiences with 8GB RAM.
Storage goes to the Razr with 256GB built-in, double the starting 128GB on Samsung’s base Z Flip 3 model. Neither has microSD expansion.
Ultimately the Z Flip 3’s inner display looks sharper and its Snapdragon 888 will feel snappier over time. But Motorola smartly leverages much more of its exterior for notifications with the Razr’s larger outer display.
Cameras
The cameras show one of the biggest gaps between these two flip phones. Many smartphone makers have adopted dual or triple rear camera configurations in recent years. But Motorola went against the grain, equipping the Razr with just a single 48MP sensor for its main camera duties.
It does include nice extras like OIS, laser autofocus and the ability to record 4K video up to 30fps. But most users would likely prefer having an additional wide or telephoto lens to work with like on Samsung’s phone.
The Galaxy Z Flip 3 packs dual 12MP cameras including a standard wide and ultrawide lens. Optical image stabilization helps keep shots steady with the main camera, perfect for low light scenes or action shots. Its 4K video capabilities match the Motorola too.
For selfies, the older Razr still impresses somewhat with its 20MP front camera compared to 10MP on Samsung’s device. However Motorola’s cameras feel decidedly last-gen otherwise next to the Z Flip 3’s more well-rounded setup.
Battery Life
Motorola may have attempted to revive a beloved classic with the new Razr, but most modern flagships leave it behind when it comes to battery life. Its 2,800mAh cell simply isn’t very large by today’s standards.
While not best-in-class either, Samsung’s Z Flip 3 enjoys a notably higher capacity 3,300mAh battery for longer runtimes between charges. And that Snapdragon 888 processor also sips power more efficiently than the Razr’s chip.
Both support fast wired charging. But only Samsung has adopted wireless charging abilities with Qi and reverse charging compatibility too. So power users will have an easier time keeping the Z Flip 3 battery topped up.
Pricing & Availability
Initially launched as a Verizon exclusive in the US, Motorola’s 2020 Razr had limited retail availability. While more widely available now, it can still be trickier to find discounted compared to Samsung’s more popular foldable.
Launch pricing was also very high on both devices with the Razr originally exceeding $1,400 and Z Flip 3 at $1,000. But Samsung in particular has seen much steeper price cuts since its debut.
As of mid-2023, Samsung sells the 256GB Z Flip 3 direct for $750 unlocked or often less from carriers/retailers on promotion. Meanwhile Motorola’s Razr can still cost over $1,000, but deals around $600 if you hunt for the 128GB version specifically.
Going back only a couple of years shows just how fast premium phone values plummet though. So while cheaper now, both these early foldables will continue to seem more expendable with successors and new competing models already outclassing them on features.
Motorola Razr vs. Z Flip 3: 5 Must-Know Facts
Looking more closely at the history and impact of these devices:
- The original Motorola Razr was released in 2004 as an ultra-slim and stylish flip phone, becoming one of the hottest models of its time.
- Samsung’s Z Flip phone represents their third generation of horizontal folding displays after the Z Flip and Z Flip 5G.
- The iconic Razr design found its way into many TV shows, movies, music videos and more during the 2000s.
- Customers of Samsung’s Z Flip 3 could personalize their device with unique color combos using the Bespoke edition.
- An updated Motorola Razr 5G model was later launched in September 2020 featuring next-gen connectivity.
Motorola Razr vs. Z Flip 3: Which One Wins?
When Motorola revived the Razr, nostalgia for that classic early 2000s style initially outweighed its shortcomings as a modern smartphone. But while the Razr still looks undeniably cool, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 proves itself as the more well-rounded folding phone pick overall thanks to refinements by Samsung.
The Z Flip 3 offers a more useful cover display, sharper main screen, faster performance, tougher build, better cameras and longer battery life compared to Motorola’s retro rival. Software is comparable with Android 11 installed out of the box on both, and each has perks whether you value style, substance or both.
As successors like the Galaxy Z Flip 4 already threaten to outshine Samsung’s last-gen foldable, the aging Razr falls even further off the pace without a new 2023 variant. But if style and compact portability matter above all else, the nostalgic Motorola makes for a unique and eye-catching handset that still feels plenty capable for most users.
Updates on Motorola Razr
If you‘re considering purchasing a Motorola Razr then you‘ll be pleased to know that it — along with most other Motorola smartphones — is due to be updated to the newer Android 13 operating system. The update will be rolled out by September 2023 and both the 2022 and 2023 versions of the phone will be upgraded.
Updates on Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3
Samsung is constantly updating their devices to ensure they have both up-to-date and secure technology. The Galaxy Z Flip3 has received a new security update as of June 2023, while the upgrade to Android 13 has already been widely rolled out throughout the year.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, it is expected that all eligible Motorola smartphones — including the latest Motorola Razr models — will receive another update to Android 14 in 2024. The same Android 14 upgrade timeline also likely applies for the now slightly dated Galaxy Z Flip3.
Samsung is gearing up to launch their new Galaxy Z Flip 5 device instead later this year, which may tempt owners of the Z Flip3 to upgrade. But the venerable Flip3 still has plenty of life left if folding screen compactness is what you crave.
As for Motorola, their Razr has endured as a modern classic but is due for a more impactful refresh to catch up with Samsung. Rumors suggest a Razr 2023 finally could be in the works to bring next-gen upgrades to fans of that iconic flip form.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the Motorola Razr have stereo speakers? No, unfortunately it only has a single bottom-firing loudspeaker without stereo support.
- How do you restart or force restart the Galaxy Z Flip 3? You can restart it by holding both the Side and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for 10+ seconds until the phone powers off and back on.
- Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 break easily? It’s more fragile than a typical smartphone due to the foldable display and hinge mechanism. But it will withstand normal careful usage for most owners unless severely damaged.
- What’s the best version of the Motorola Razr? Overall reviews suggest the updated 5G-equipped 2022 Razr model brings meaningful improvements over the initial release, despite lacking a major redesign.
- Do you need a screen protector for the Z Flip 3 display? For added everyday protection against scratches a thin flexible screen protector is recommended. Samsung even provides professional installation in select regions.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Framesira/Shutterstock.com.
