Apple iPhone 17 Air vs Motorola razr (2023)
This makes it a more appealing option for budget-conscious buyers looking for solid performance without breaking the bank. The Apple iPhone 17 Air features a stunning 6.6" 120Hz ProMotion display, making scrolling buttery smooth compared to the razr's 6.9" at 144Hz. But if you're after a foldable experience, the razr's compact design and unique form factor are excellent, although it lacks the same premium feel and camera quality as the iPhone.
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Apple iPhone 17 Air

Motorola razr (2023)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 17 Air vs Motorola razr (2023)

Apple iPhone 17 Air

Motorola razr (2023)
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 17 Air | Motorola razr (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(13)Best Buy | ★4.3(513)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 3 Android OS upgrades and 4 years of bi-monthly security updates |
Processor | Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) |
Graphics | Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) | Adreno 644 |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 8GB LPDDR4X |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) | 128GB UFS 2.2 (Non-expandable) |
Display Size | 6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | Main: 6.9" / External: 1.5" |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Main: FHD+ pOLED, LTPO, 144Hz / External: OLED, 60Hz |
Resolution | 2736 x 1260 pixels (460 ppi) | Main: 2640 x 1080 (413 ppi) / External: 194 x 368 (282 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display | Main: Up to 144Hz / External: 60Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 1,400 nits (Main Peak) / 1,000 nits (External Peak) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 64MP, f/1.7, 0.7µm, OIS, Laser AF (Quad Pixel to 16MP) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software) | 13MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, Macro Vision |
Telephoto Camera | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (2x optical zoom range) | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 10x | Up to 8x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps | 4K UHD @ 30fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps |
Front Camera | 24MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.7µm (Quad Pixel to 8MP) |
Battery | 3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed) | 4,200mAh (Non-removable) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher | 30W TurboPower (Charger NOT included in US retail box) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W | 5W Wireless Charging |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz only, no mmWave) using Apple-designed modem; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (Sub-6/mmWave - Carrier Dependent), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Grade 5 Titanium alloy frame (internal aluminum structure); Ceramic Shield back | IP52 (Water-repellent coating - Splash Resistant only) |
Dimensions | 6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm) | Open: 6.73 x 2.91 x 0.29 in (170.8 x 74.0 x 7.35 mm) / Closed: 3.47 x 2.91 x 0.62 in |
Weight | 5.82 oz (165 g) | 6.65 oz (188.6 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Side-mounted fingerprint reader, Face Unlock |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Vegan Leather finish, Stereo Speakers (Dolby Atmos), Ready For (Wireless only) |
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Apple iPhone 17 Air
✓ Pros:
- • Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis
- • 120Hz ProMotion display finally arrives on non-Pro tier
- • Powered by the A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM for full Apple Intelligence support
- • Upgraded 24MP front camera for superior selfies and video calls
- • Excellent main camera performance with 2x lossless crop
✗ Cons:
- • High price for a single-camera system (no Ultra Wide or Telephoto lenses)
- • Battery life is shorter than the 'Plus' model it replaces due to thinness
- • USB-C port is limited to USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mb/s)
- • No mmWave 5G support (Sub-6 GHz only due to Apple modem restrictions)
- • No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US)
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Motorola razr (2023)
✓ Pros:
- • Most accessible price point for a new foldable phone in the US
- • Battery life (4,200mAh) exceeds that of the premium Razr+ and Galaxy Z Flip5
- • Premium vegan leather design feels grippy and durable
- • Main screen is excellent: 144Hz LTPO with invisible crease mechanics
- • Includes wireless charging (albeit slow 5W)
✗ Cons:
- • External display (1.5") is tiny and only useful for basic notifications (unlike Razr+)
- • Charger is NOT included in the box (unlike previous Moto G phones)
- • Performance (Snapdragon 7 Gen 1) is mid-range, not flagship level
- • IP52 rating is weak compared to Samsung's IPX8 (submersion protection)
- • USB 2.0 port means slow data transfer and no wired video output
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Which one is better?
Grab the Apple iPhone 17 Air if you want a premium feel and superior display technology - it's worth the upgrade for its smooth 120Hz experience.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Air if: you want the thinnest iPhone at 5.6mm, appreciate stunning display quality at 120Hz, or take a lot of selfies with its 24MP front camera.
Choose the Motorola razr (2023) if: you need a foldable phone for multitasking, want a battery that lasts longer with 4,200mAh, or prefer a more affordable price point without sacrificing performance.
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple iPhone 17 Air excels if you value thinnest iphone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium titanium chassis. Motorola razr (2023) is better if you prioritize most accessible price point for a new foldable phone in the us. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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