Apple iPhone XR vs Motorola Razr (2023)
The Verdict
Comparing these two phones reveals a stark generational gap. The iPhone XR, released in 2018, features a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD display with 625 nits brightness and 60Hz refresh, while the Motorola Razr 2023 boasts a 6.9-inch pOLED display with 1400 nits brightness and 144Hz refresh rate, making it substantially more vibrant and smooth. Performance favors the Razr significantly: its Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 with 8GB RAM outpaces the A12 Bionic with 3GB RAM by a considerable margin. Camera capabilities strongly prefer the Razr, offering 64MP main and 32MP front sensors versus the iPhone's 12MP and 7MP respectively, plus an ultrawide option. Battery life goes to the Razr with 3800mAh versus 2942mAh, and it charges faster at 30W. The iPhone XR lacks 5G, USB-C, and Wi-Fi 6E. However, the iPhone offers better water resistance (IP67 vs IP52), iOS ecosystem reliability, and superior long-term software support. At $749 versus $699, the Razr delivers superior specs and features, making it the better choice for tech-forward users who prioritize performance and camera quality. The iPhone XR only appeals if you're committed to Apple's ecosystem or prefer iOS security.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone XR if…
- →Best-selling iPhone of 2018-2019
- →Great battery life for the era
- →Six vibrant color options
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 XR
Pros
- Best-selling iPhone of 2018-2019
- Great battery life for the era
- Six vibrant color options
- Same A12 Bionic as the XS models
- More affordable entry into Face ID iPhones
Cons
- LCD display instead of OLED
- 720p-class resolution
- Single rear camera only
- Thicker bezels than XS
- Only 3 GB RAM
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 XR | Motorola Razr (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 194 g | 188.6 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, vegan leather or glass back |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP52 |
| Dimensions | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm | 170.8 x 73.9 x 7.2 mm (unfolded) |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 64 MP, f/1.7, PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 32 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | — | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 3 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2942 mAh | 3800 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 30W wired (TurboPower) |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 5W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.9 inches (main), 1.5 inches (cover) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | pOLED, 144Hz main / OLED cover |
| Resolution | 1792 x 828 | 2640 x 1080 (main) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 1400 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz + 3x2.36 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 644 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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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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