Razr Plus vs. Razr 2023 vs. Razr 2020:
How Motorola's Flip Phone Has Changed
After staging a comeback in 2019, we explore how Motorola's iconic Razr flip phone has changed over the years.
Motorola is back with a bang, unveiling a duo of Razr flip phones on June 1 after skipping a Razr release in 2021. The Razr Plus launches on June 23 for $1,000, while the regular Razr is set to arrive later this year for a price that Motorola says will be significantly less than its sibling.
Of the two phones, the Razr Plus is the scene-stealer. It commands attention thanks to its front cover, which is basically all screen. It might even be the largest cover screen on any flip phone, measuring 3.6 inches. It's certainly larger than the cover screen on its predecessor, the Razr 2022, which had a 2.6-inch panel. According to CNET's Lisa Eadicicco, who got hands-on time with the Razr Plus, the cover screen on the Razr Plus is "meant for much more than just checking the time or reading notifications. You can interact with apps and even type using a full keyboard."
The Razr 2023 and the Razr Plus are Motorola's latest flip phones.
Apart from the steadily increasing size of the cover screen, it's worth noting how Motorola has improved its device over the years. For one thing, the price has gradually dropped, as expected. Motorola's 2019 Razr, its comeback flip phone, cost $1,499 but did not have an IP rating, wireless charging and packed only 6GB RAM. It also had two cameras total. Fast-forward to 2023, and the Motorola Razr Plus now costs $1,000 and gains new features such as that larger front screen, an IP52 durability rating, wireless charging and an extra camera. It also boasts incremental changes including more storage, a larger battery, lighter weight and a faster processor.
Motorola Razr Plus specs vs. Razr 2023, Razr 2022, Razr 2020
| Razr Plus | Razr 2023 | Razr (2022) China version | Razr (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | Cover: 3.6-inch (1,066 x 1,056 pixels); main: 6.9-inch (2,640 x 1,080) | Cover: 1.5-inch (194 x 368 pixels); main: 6.9-inch (2,640 x 1,080 pixels) | Cover: 2.7-inch (573 x 800 pixels); main: 6.7-inch (2,400 x 1,080 pixels) | Cover: 2.7-inch (800 x 600 pixels); main: 6.2-inch (2,142 x 876 pixels) |
| Pixel density | External: 413 ppi | External: 282 ppi | External: 393 ppi | External: 393 ppi |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | Open: 73.95 x 170.83 x 6.99 mm; closed: 73.95 x 88.42 x 15.1 mm | Open: 73.95 x 170.82 x 7.35 mm; closed: 73.95 x 88.24 x 15.8 mm | Open: 167.0 x 79.8 x 7.6 mm; closed: 86.5 x 79.8 x 17 mm | Open: 72.6 x 91.7 x 16 mm; closed: 72.6 x 169.2 x 7.9 mm |
| Weight (ounces, grams) | 188.5 g, 6.64 oz | 188.6 g, 6.65 oz | 200 g, 7.05 oz | 192 g, 6.77 oz |
| Mobile software | Android 13 | Android 13 | Android 12 | Android 10 |
| Camera | 12-megapixel (main), 13-megapixel (wide) | 64-megapixel (main), 13-megapixel (wide) | 50-megapixel (main), 13-megapixel (wide) | 48-megapixel (main) |
| Front-facing camera | 32-megapixel | 32-megapixel | 32-megapixel | 20-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G |
| RAM, storage | 8GB + 256GB | 8GB + 128GB | 8GB + 128GB; 8GB + 256GB; 12GB + 512GB | 8GB + 256GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None | None | None |
| Battery | 3,800 mAh | 4,200 mAh | 3,500 mAh | 2,800 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Side | Side | Side | Back |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None | None | None |
| Special features | IP52, 5G enabled, foldable display, 30W wired charging, wireless charging | IP52, 5G enabled, foldable display, 30W wired charging, 5W wireless charging | 5G enabled, 30W wired charging | 5G enabled, time of flight sensor, OIS exterior camera |