Motorola Razr (2023) vs Sony Xperia 1 IV
The Verdict
Motorola's 2023 Razr targets foldable enthusiasts with its compact design, 144Hz display, and aggressive $699 pricing, featuring a capable 64MP main camera and solid Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 performance. Sony's Xperia 1 IV commands premium pricing at $1599 for professional-grade imaging with a telephoto lens, superior 4K@120fps video, and the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. Display quality differs significantly: Motorola offers higher refresh rates on a larger 6.9-inch foldable screen (1400 nits), while Sony delivers sharper 4K resolution on a traditional 6.5-inch OLED at 1000 nits. Battery capacity heavily favors Sony (5000 mAh vs 3800 mAh), translating to noticeably longer endurance. For budget-conscious buyers wanting foldable innovation, the Razr delivers strong value; professionals prioritizing computational photography and video should choose the Xperia 1 IV despite its steep price.
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 Sony Xperia 1 IV if…
- →True optical continuous zoom (85-125mm) is unique
- →4K 120Hz OLED display
- →Professional video recording with Cinema Pro
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
Sony Xperia 1 IV
Pros
- True optical continuous zoom (85-125mm) is unique
- 4K 120Hz OLED display
- Professional video recording with Cinema Pro
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- microSD card slot for expandable storage
Cons
- $1599 was the most expensive mainstream phone
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 overheating problems
- 12 MP sensors felt dated versus competition
- Slow 30W charging
- Point-and-shoot camera results behind rivals
Full Specifications
| Spec | Motorola Razr (2023) | Sony Xperia 1 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 188.6 g | 185 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, vegan leather or glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP52 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 170.8 x 73.9 x 7.2 mm (unfolded) | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 64 MP, f/1.7, PDAF, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@120fps, Cinema Pro |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP, f/2.3-2.8, 85-125mm continuous zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3800 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 30W wired (TurboPower) | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 5W wireless | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.9 inches (main), 1.5 inches (cover) | 6.5 inches |
| Type | pOLED, 144Hz main / OLED cover | OLED |
| Resolution | 2640 x 1080 (main) | 3840 x 1644 |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1400 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz + 3x2.36 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz + 3x2.5 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 644 | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
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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