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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

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.

📱 Display: 6.6" vs 6.9"⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 144 Hz🔋 Battery: 3150 mAh vs 4200 mAh

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Apple iPhone 17 Air

Apple iPhone 17 Air

4.9
(13)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
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Motorola razr (2023)

Motorola razr (2023)

4.3
(513)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 Android OS upgrades and 4 years of bi-monthly security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm)
Graphics:Adreno 644
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Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Motorola razr (2023)
Main: 6.9" / External: 1.5"Winner
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Motorola razr (2023)
Main: Up to 144Hz / External: 60HzWinner
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Motorola razr (2023)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm)
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
12 GB (LPDDR5X)Winner
Motorola razr (2023)
8GB LPDDR4X
Storage
Apple iPhone 17 Air
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)Winner
Motorola razr (2023)
128GB UFS 2.2 (Non-expandable)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Motorola razr (2023)
64MP, f/1.7, 0.7µm, OIS, Laser AF (Quad Pixel to 16MP)Winner
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 17 Air
No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software)
Motorola razr (2023)
13MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, Macro Vision
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed)
Motorola razr (2023)
4,200mAh (Non-removable)Winner
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 17 Air
MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
Motorola razr (2023)
5W Wireless Charging
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 17 Air
5.82 oz (165 g)Winner
Motorola razr (2023)
6.65 oz (188.6 g)
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 17 Air
6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm)
Motorola razr (2023)
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
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple iPhone 17 Air
iOS
Motorola razr (2023)
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 17 Air
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
Motorola razr (2023)
5G (Sub-6/mmWave - Carrier Dependent), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
+

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

Apple iPhone 17 Air

4.9(13)Best Buy
Motorola razr (2023)

Motorola razr (2023)

4.3(513)Best Buy
Apple iPhone 17 Air

Apple iPhone 17 Air

Rating:4.9(13)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
RAM:12 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2736 x 1260 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
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)
Ultra-Wide Camera:No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software)
Telephoto Camera:No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS
Optical Zoom:1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (2x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
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
Front Camera:24MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
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
USB:USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output
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
Dimensions:6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm)
Weight:5.82 oz (165 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
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

✓ 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)

Motorola razr (2023)

Rating:4.3(513)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 Android OS upgrades and 4 years of bi-monthly security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm)
Graphics:Adreno 644
RAM:8GB LPDDR4X
Storage:128GB UFS 2.2 (Non-expandable)
Display Size:Main: 6.9" / External: 1.5"
Screen Type:Main: FHD+ pOLED, LTPO, 144Hz / External: OLED, 60Hz
Resolution:Main: 2640 x 1080 (413 ppi) / External: 194 x 368 (282 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Main: Up to 144Hz / External: 60Hz
Peak Brightness:1,400 nits (Main Peak) / 1,000 nits (External Peak)
Main Camera:64MP, f/1.7, 0.7µm, OIS, Laser AF (Quad Pixel to 16MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:13MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, Macro Vision
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported)
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 8x
Video Recording:4K UHD @ 30fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps
Front Camera:32MP, f/2.4, 0.7µm (Quad Pixel to 8MP)
Battery:4,200mAh (Non-removable)
Wired Charging:30W TurboPower (Charger NOT included in US retail box)
Wireless Charging:5W Wireless Charging
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6/mmWave - Carrier Dependent), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 2.0
Durability:IP52 (Water-repellent coating - Splash Resistant only)
Dimensions: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:6.65 oz (188.6 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted fingerprint reader, Face Unlock
Extras:Vegan Leather finish, Stereo Speakers (Dolby Atmos), Ready For (Wireless only)

✓ 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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