If you’re in the market for a flip-style foldable phone, there are currently two main options available in the US: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Motorola Razr+. While we believe that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the better choice for most people, the Motorola Razr+ still offers a compelling alternative. And now, it’s on sale for just $700 on Amazon, which is the lowest price we’ve seen for an unlocked model outside of trade-in deals. Normally, Motorola sells the Razr+ for $1,000, although there have been a couple of instances since its release in June where the price has dropped to between $800 and $900. This deal is applicable to the black, magenta, and blue versions of the device.
In our review, we gave the Razr+ a score of 85. Similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 5, the biggest selling point of the Razr+ is its ability to fold in half, making it easier to store. The device features a vibrant 6.9-inch OLED panel with a 165Hz refresh rate for the main display, while a 3.6-inch OLED display is available when you fold it shut. One advantage that the Razr+ has over Samsung’s foldable is that it can run most Android apps on the outer display without any issues. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 limits its cover screen to a handful of widgets by default, although wider app support can be enabled through the device’s settings. While not every app is optimized for such a small screen, you can quickly perform tasks like sending a text, replying to an email, selecting a new playlist on Spotify, or other phone-related activities without having to open the device.
Moreover, the Razr+’s cover display boasts a higher refresh rate (144Hz versus 60Hz) and pixel density (413 ppi versus 306 ppi) compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 5, and it is also 0.2 inches larger. Additionally, it should offer slightly longer battery life per charge, and its take on Android has a lighter touch compared to Samsung’s One UI interface. The Razr+ also supports slightly faster wired charging speeds.
However, there are a few clear downsides to consider. First, we found that the Razr’s camera performance falls a bit short compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 5. The Razr+ has a meager IP52 water-resistance rating, meaning it can withstand some light rain but not much more. On the other hand, Samsung’s phone has a more robust IPX8 rating. It’s important to handle both devices delicately, as all foldable phones carry a higher risk of durability issues. In terms of performance, while the Razr+ is not slow, it does utilize an older Snapdragon Galaxy 8+ Gen 1 chip, which means its performance may not be as futureproof. Another point to consider is that Motorola’s update policy is not as robust. The Razr+ promises three major OS updates and bi-monthly security updates, whereas Samsung offers four years of OS updates and five years of monthly security updates for the Galaxy Z Flip 5.
In conclusion, if you are particularly interested in a flip-style foldable with a larger and more functional cover display, the Motorola Razr+ is definitely worth considering, especially at the current sale price of $700. However, it’s worth noting that we may see a deal on Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 as Black Friday approaches. On the other hand, one foldable that we are less enthusiastic about is Motorola’s midrange Razr, which is also currently on sale for $500. In our review, we found it to be too limited compared to its higher-end counterparts.
As Black Friday approaches, it’s always helpful to have a shopping guide to navigate the vast array of deals. Yahoo, Engadget, and In The Know all provide coverage on the best Black Friday tech deals, trends, and curated sales to ensure that you make the most informed purchasing decisions. Furthermore, Autoblog provides expert insights on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, while AOL offers a handpicked selection of Black Friday sales just for you.