ASUS ROG Phone 9 vs Motorola Razr (2023)
The Verdict
ASUS ROG Phone 9 dominates as a flagship gaming and content creation device with superior specs across nearly every dimension. Its 185Hz LTPO AMOLED display with 2500 nits brightness, Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and 16GB RAM deliver exceptional performance for demanding tasks. Camera capabilities excel with a 50MP main sensor, 8K video recording, and stronger OIS implementation. Battery capacity reaches 5800mAh with 65W charging. Motorola Razr 2023 offers a compelling foldable form factor with its 144Hz display and unique cover screen, appealing to those prioritizing design innovation over raw power. However, it suffers from weaker specs: Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, 8GB RAM, 3800mAh battery, and limited 4K video at 30fps. For serious gamers and professionals, ASUS ROG Phone 9 justifies its $300 premium. For foldable enthusiasts seeking style, the Razr remains viable despite lower performance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the ASUS ROG Phone 9 if…
- →185Hz display refresh rate is the highest on any smartphone
- →Snapdragon 8 Elite with advanced cooling sustains peak gaming performance
- →5800 mAh battery handles extended gaming sessions
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
ASUS ROG Phone 9
Pros
- 185Hz display refresh rate is the highest on any smartphone
- Snapdragon 8 Elite with advanced cooling sustains peak gaming performance
- 5800 mAh battery handles extended gaming sessions
- AniMe Vision LED dot-matrix display on the back for notifications
- AirTrigger ultrasonic shoulder buttons enhance mobile gaming controls
Cons
- Heavy at 227 g — feels chunky as a daily driver
- 65W charging is slow compared to Chinese gaming phone rivals
- Camera is competent but not flagship-level for the price
- Gaming-focused design is too aggressive for many users
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 | ASUS ROG Phone 9 | Motorola Razr (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 15 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 227 g | 188.6 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Aluminum frame, vegan leather or glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP52 |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 77.0 x 8.9 mm | 170.8 x 73.9 x 7.2 mm (unfolded) |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Sony IMX906) | 64 MP, f/1.7, PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.4 | 32 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2, 120-degree | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5800 mAh | 3800 mAh |
| Charging | 65W wired | 30W wired (TurboPower) |
| Wireless charging | — | 5W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 6.9 inches (main), 1.5 inches (cover) |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | pOLED, 144Hz main / OLED cover |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2640 x 1080 (main) |
| Refresh rate | 185Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2500 | 1400 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz + 3x2.36 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 644 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 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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