Motorola Razr 40 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: reviewed

The Motorola Razr Plus (called the Razr 40 Ultra outside the US) is more than just the best foldable phone you can buy (as far as flip phones go). It’s a completely new type of smartphone that has more features than any other phone before it. When the phone is closed, it is a small, portable messenger, a pocket mirror, and a map that fits in the palm of your hand. This is the first phone where splitting the screen in half makes sense, and it makes you wonder when the other best phone makers will follow suit. The outdoor screen isn’t just a gimmick, and it’s not cheap.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the most significant advance to the Flip series to date. It features a brand-new Flex Screen that is significantly larger than its predecessors, and it allows users to do a significant number of their daily responsibilities without ever having to unfold the phone. However, this groundbreaking idea did not spring forth out of thin air. Samsung finally faced some competition in the foldable phone market after years of operating unchallenged in this field. The newly released Motorola Razr Plus actually stole the show from Samsung by being the first device to feature an all-screen front, which was a feature that Samsung pioneered.

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Comparison Table

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra comes down to personal taste. The Razr 40 Ultra has a classic look and a display that can be folded, which could make people feel nostalgic. The Galaxy Z Flip 5, on the other hand, has current features and can be folded.

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Design and Build

It is difficult to discuss the design of the Razr 40 Ultra without mentioning the cover display, which is sure to grab people’s attention. When the phone is closed, it covers the entire device from near the top of the device all the way down to the bottom edge, including the cameras and flash. I’ll explain how it works in a little, but for now, all you need to know is that it stretches all the way down.

The biggest change in the design of the Flip 5 is that the hinge has been changed so that it now closes with no gap. However, if you just look at it from a distance, you could easily mistake it for the model from the last generation because the size and design are so similar. Still, we shouldn’t go by looks alone. Samsung changed the hinge to a teardrop shape that other companies have been using for a while. This is how the no-gap design came about.

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Display

The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra have the largest screen on the cover, but it also has the largest screen when the phone is folded. When you open up the Razr 40 Ultra, you will be greeted by a massive 6.9-inch AMOLED screen that has a silky-smooth refresh rate of 165Hz and LTPO technology that allows it to drop to as low as 1Hz in order to save battery life.

Our reviewer did point out, however, that 165Hz only worked in games and that there was no way to force it to operate in the OS for normal scrolling; this is very cool, but our reviewer did point that out. Aside from that, he commended how much better the inner fold is than that of other foldables, praising how there is only a slight, shallow dip in the screen. He also praised how large the screen is.

On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that is somewhat shorter and thinner than the display on the Razr 40 Ultra. This display also has a 120Hz refresh rate and, like the Razr 40 Ultra, it also supports LTPO technology. The overall quality of the screen, which features the vivid colors and deep blacks that are characteristic of AMOLED technology, was deemed to be positive by our reviewer. On the other hand, the crease is more obvious than it was on the Razr, and the hole in the centre is rather more significant.

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Cameras

On paper, the dual 12MP rear cameras on the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra may not be able to compete with the Oppo Find N2 Flip, but there’s a lot more to photos than megapixel count. It’s interesting that the 32MP internal selfie camera seems to have the best resolution sensor, since that’s the one people will use the least. The main 12MP camera does a great job in well-lit situations, like the photos below of the streets of Madrid. Thanks to the wide f/1.5 lens and OIS, the photos have a lot of color and light.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has two cameras like the Z Flip 4, which it replaces. That means there will be a 12MP wide-angle lens with an aperture of f/1.8 and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. It has a 123-degree field of view, which is a bit bigger than the one on the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, so it can fit more of each scene into each shot. The lenses have been updated to reduce light flares, and Samsung’s already great image processing has had another year’s worth of algorithm changes. Photos and videos taken in low light have a little less noise than the last generation. You don’t get any kind of telephoto, though.

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Software

The software on Motorola smartphones is consistently good because it comes about as near to stock Android as it is possible to get without purchasing a Pixel. In the same vein as its predecessors, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has subtle and uncomplicated menus and icons, as well as an abundance of personalization settings. The phone ships with Android 13, and Motorola has verified that users can expect to receive software updates for three years and monthly security updates for four years after the phone is purchased.

Anyone who has used a Samsung phone before will be able to use the Galaxy Z Flip 5 right away. This isn’t a bad thing. Running Android 13 with One UI 5.1.1 on top, the experience is simple and flexible, with a basic user interface, great responsiveness, and a lot of ways to change things. Samsung also keeps adding features that work well with foldable hardware. One example is Flex Mode, which lets you bend the screen and use some apps with a split-screen UI.

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Performance and Battery Life

The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra and the Samsung Z Flip 5 are equipped with powerful internal hardware. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and 8GB of RAM in the Razr 40 Ultra make multitasking a breeze, and the device’s processing capability is sufficient for most uses. However, the Z Flip 5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 engine and 8GB of RAM ensure that it performs reliably during routine chores.

A smartphone that can keep up with your busy schedule requires a powerful battery. With its powerful 3,800mAh battery, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra may be used continuously without needing a recharge throughout the day. It also allows for rapid charging, so you can quickly recharge your device if necessary. Despite its smaller 3,700mAh battery, the Samsung Z Flip 5 still boasts a respectable battery life and supports fast charging.

Which one should you consider?

The main difference between the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is personal taste. The Razr 40 Ultra has a classic look and a display that can be folded, which could make people feel nostalgic. The Galaxy Z Flip 5, on the other hand, has current features and can be folded. Both gadgets look different and use new technology, so they appeal to people who want different kinds of experiences. Your choice will depend on whether you care more about nostalgia and style (Razr 40 Ultra) or modern features and usefulness (Galaxy Z Flip 5).

Motorola Razr 40 Ultra: The good and The bad

The Razr 40 Ultra from Motorola is a technical tour de force, combining a revamped design with greater durability and an improved battery.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: The good and The bad

The Z Flip 5 is an excellent option to consider if you are thinking about making the transition from a conventional slab-style phone to a flip phone.

Questions and Answers