Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) vs Motorola Razr (2023)
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone SE 4 delivers excellent value at $499, featuring the powerful A18 chip, vibrant 6.1-inch OLED display with 1200 nits brightness, and reliable 48MP camera system. Its compact form factor and IP68 rating offer durability, though the 60Hz refresh rate and 3279 mAh battery feel dated. Motorola's Razr 2023 ($699) impresses with its innovative foldable design, 144Hz pOLED main display, larger 3800 mAh battery, and superior 64MP camera with OIS. However, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 lags behind Apple's performance, and the IP52 rating provides less water resistance. For traditional smartphone users prioritizing performance and value, the iPhone SE 4 wins. For those wanting cutting-edge form factor and display tech, the Razr 2023 justifies the premium despite weaker specs.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) if…
- →First SE with an OLED display, a generational leap over prior LCD
- →A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence at the entry price point
- →Face ID replaces Touch ID with modern full-screen front design
Buy the Motorola Razr (2023) if…
- →Most affordable clamshell foldable at $699 launch price
- →Stylish vegan leather finish and compact folded design
- →144Hz pOLED main display is smooth and vibrant
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone SE (4th generation)
Pros
- First SE with an OLED display, a generational leap over prior LCD
- A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence at the entry price point
- Face ID replaces Touch ID with modern full-screen front design
- USB-C replaces Lightning for universal compatibility
- Most affordable iPhone with A18 performance
Cons
- No telephoto or ultrawide camera — single rear lens only
- Capped at 60Hz with no ProMotion
- No Dynamic Island; uses standard notch
- No MagSafe support, only standard Qi wireless
- Modest battery life compared to standard iPhone 16
Motorola Razr (2023)
Pros
- Most affordable clamshell foldable at $699 launch price
- Stylish vegan leather finish and compact folded design
- 144Hz pOLED main display is smooth and vibrant
- 64 MP main camera produces good daylight photos
- Compact folded form factor fits easily in any pocket
Cons
- Very small 1.5-inch cover screen limits quick interactions
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 mid-range chip limits performance
- 3800 mAh battery barely gets through a full day
- IP52 water resistance is minimal for a $699 phone
- Only 5W wireless charging is essentially unusable
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) | Motorola Razr (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 167 g | 188.6 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, vegan leather or glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP52 |
| Dimensions | 138.7 x 67.3 x 7.9 mm | 170.8 x 73.9 x 7.2 mm (unfolded) |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 64 MP, f/1.7, PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | — | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | ~3279 mAh | 3800 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 30W wired (TurboPower) |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 5W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.9 inches (main), 1.5 inches (cover) |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | pOLED, 144Hz main / OLED cover |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2640 x 1080 (main) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1400 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz + 3x2.36 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 644 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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