Motorola Razr (2023) vs Samsung Galaxy S21
The Verdict
Motorola's 2023 Razr targets style-conscious consumers with its innovative foldable form factor and impressive 144Hz display, while Samsung's Galaxy S21 delivers proven flagship performance with superior camera versatility. Picture quality favors Motorola slightly with 1400 nits brightness on pOLED technology, but Samsung's Dynamic AMOLED 2X and 8K video recording showcase more mature camera capabilities, including a dedicated 64MP telephoto lens versus Motorola's missing zoom option. Performance-wise, Snapdragon 888 edges out the 7 Gen 1 for raw power and longevity, though both handle everyday tasks effortlessly. Battery capacity slightly favors Samsung at 4000mAh with faster 25W charging versus Motorola's 3800mAh, though neither excels. At comparable prices, the Galaxy S21 remains the safer choice for photography enthusiasts and demanding users seeking proven reliability, but the Razr appeals to those prioritizing distinctive design and the foldable experience over traditional specifications.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 if…
- →$200 price cut from S20 launched at $799
- →Lightweight and compact at 169 g
- →120Hz AMOLED with adaptive refresh
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy S21
Pros
- $200 price cut from S20 launched at $799
- Lightweight and compact at 169 g
- 120Hz AMOLED with adaptive refresh
- Snapdragon 888 performance
- Eye-catching Contour Cut camera design
Cons
- Plastic (Glasstic) back panel
- FHD+ only, no QHD option
- No microSD card slot
- Slow 25W charging
- No charger included in the box
Full Specifications
| Spec | Motorola Razr (2023) | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 | Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 188.6 g | 169 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, vegan leather or glass back | Aluminum frame, Glasstic back |
| IP rating | IP52 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 170.8 x 73.9 x 7.2 mm (unfolded) | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 64 MP, f/1.7, PDAF, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.4 | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3800 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 30W wired (TurboPower) | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 5W wireless | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.9 inches (main), 1.5 inches (cover) | 6.2 inches |
| Type | pOLED, 144Hz main / OLED cover | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2640 x 1080 (main) | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1400 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz + 3x2.36 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 644 | Adreno 660 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
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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