The Z Flip 5 sports the latest software, a more up-to-date CPU, and a smoother UI than the Razr+.
I have spent the past few weeks with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola’s Razr+. These foldables were released in late 2023 and share the same $1000 price tag. However, the Razr+ is currently retailing at a discounted price of $700, and you’re likely also to find the Z Flip 5 on sale. We figured we’d revisit the two models for foldable-curious people who don’t want to spend full price.
The two folding flip phones share many design similarities. They weigh the same—less than half a pound—and are the same thickness when folded. They sport the same 22:9 aspect ratio, unlike the 16:9 found on most smartphones.
The real differences are in their hinges. The two foldable devices flip closed, but their respective hinges offer promises. Samsung’s Flex hinge tech on the Z Flip 5 is designed to close tightly without a gap between either side of the device. Samsung also made it so that it could lay flat when splayed open. The Moto Razr’s hinge tech is also designed to protect its display, but it’s especially proud of the fact that there isn’t a visible crease.
The Z Flip 5 is much easier to open compared to the Razr+. However, you still need two hands to flip the phone open. Motorola’s hinge is way too tight. It almost feels like you’re prying the phone open instead of flipping it open.
I’m also not a fan of the hinge springs on the Razr+, as it has the tendency to quickly open all the way out with a loud and harsh jerk. The Z Flip 5 offers a softer opening. The hinge on both devices feels sturdy.
The crease is one of the things you’ll notice most on a folding flip phone. No one likes running their finger over an indentation every time they use the main display on their foldable. A bump right in the middle of the display also spoils the phone’s aesthetic.
The Razr+ does a fantastic job hiding its crease. It’s hardly there as you’re using its large 6.9-inch display. There’s a tiny dip in the center that you would notice only if you looked at your phone from a specific angle. On the Z Flip 5, however, you can’t ignore the crease. There’s a dip right in the middle, a constant reminder of the kind of phone you’re on. The crease on its predecessor, the Z Flip 4, was as noticeable as the Z Flip 5’s.
I like the vegan leather thing the Razr+ has going on. It gives it a better feel than the all-glass body on the Z Flip 5. The leather also helps keep scratches away, which was a huge issue on Samsung’s phone and made it look worn out pretty fast. Both phones offer an interesting range of colors, but the Viva Magenta on the Razr+, which Motorola sent us for review, took me back to the 2000s. It looks like a throwback to what used to be the coolest phone in 2004. I was obsessed with the hot pink Moto Razr V3 but never got to get my hands on it back then. The pink Razr+ somewhat made me feel better about my unfulfilled childhood dream.
Another feature that gives the Z Flip 5 an edge over the Razr+ is its resistance against water. It’s rated IPX8, which means it can be submerged in up to three feet of water for up to half an hour. However, the dust rating isn’t high, which is one of the more crucial factors in a foldable phone since there are hinges and crevices to mind. The Razr+ is rated IP52, so it won’t survive being fully submerged for too long.
The Razr+ has a 6.9-inch main screen and a 3.6-inch exterior screen. It’s slightly larger than the 6.7-inch inside display and 3.4-inch outside display on the Z Flip 5. On top of the larger size, the Razr+’s exterior screen sometimes wraps around the camera lenses, giving it quite a bump.
