Apple iPhone XS Max vs Motorola Razr (2023)
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone XS Max delivers a premium flagship experience with its iconic Super Retina OLED display, powerful A12 Bionic chip, and refined dual camera system featuring optical zoom and 4K 60fps video. However, it suffers from an aging design, smaller 3174 mAh battery, and lack of 5G connectivity. Motorola's 2023 Razr reimagines the iconic flip form factor with a stunning 6.9-inch 144Hz main display, larger 3800 mAh battery, faster 30W charging, and modern 5G support at $400 less. While the Razr's Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 trails the A12 Bionic in raw performance and its durability rating (IP52) lags behind IP68, the innovative foldable design, superior display tech, and exceptional value proposition make it the more compelling choice for contemporary users seeking practicality and style.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone XS Max if…
- →Largest iPhone display at the time (6.5 inches)
- →Dual SIM with eSIM support introduced
- →Gorgeous Super Retina OLED display
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 XS Max
Pros
- Largest iPhone display at the time (6.5 inches)
- Dual SIM with eSIM support introduced
- Gorgeous Super Retina OLED display
- A12 Bionic with first 7nm mobile chip
- Stereo speakers with wide sound
Cons
- No ultrawide camera
- 5W charger in the box
- Very expensive starting at $1099
- No Night mode in camera
- No Wi-Fi 6 support
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 XS Max | Motorola Razr (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 208 g | 188.6 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, vegan leather or glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP52 |
| Dimensions | 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 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 |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | — |
| Ultrawide | — | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3174 mAh | 3800 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 30W wired (TurboPower) |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 5W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.5 inches | 6.9 inches (main), 1.5 inches (cover) |
| Type | Super Retina OLED | pOLED, 144Hz main / OLED cover |
| Resolution | 2688 x 1242 | 2640 x 1080 (main) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 725 | 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 |
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.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Motorola products. View full details for the Apple iPhone XS Max or the Motorola Razr (2023).