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

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Motorola razr (2023)

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max takes the crown with its brilliant 3000 nits peak brightness display and a powerful triple 48MP camera system, making it the better choice for photography and outdoor use. The Motorola razr (2023) is a compelling mid-range option, especially if you're after a foldable design and a lighter 6.65 oz build, but it lacks the flagship performance and features of the iPhone. Key specs: Refresh: 120 Hz vs 144 Hz and Battery: 5088 mAh vs 4200 mAh.

⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 144 Hz🔋 Battery: 5088 mAh vs 4200 mAh⚖️ Weight: 8.22 oz vs 6.67 oz

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Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

4.8
(126)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; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Graphics:Apple 6-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 Pro Max
6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Motorola razr (2023)
Main: 6.9" / External: 1.5"
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz)
Motorola razr (2023)
Main: Up to 144Hz / External: 60HzWinner
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Motorola razr (2023)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm)
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
12 GB (LPDDR5X)Winner
Motorola razr (2023)
8GB LPDDR4X
Storage
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe)Winner
Motorola razr (2023)
128GB UFS 2.2 (Non-expandable)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for 24MP and 48MP super-high-resolution photos
Motorola razr (2023)
64MP, f/1.7, 0.7µm, OIS, Laser AF (Quad Pixel to 16MP)Winner
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Motorola razr (2023)
13MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, Macro Vision
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
5088 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 39 hours video playback (35 hours streamed)Winner
Motorola razr (2023)
4,200mAh (Non-removable)
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
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 Pro Max
8.22 oz (233 g)
Motorola razr (2023)
6.65 oz (188.6 g)Winner
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
6.43" x 3.07" x 0.34" (163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 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 Pro Max
iOS
Motorola razr (2023)
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; 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 Pro Max vs Motorola razr (2023)

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

4.8(126)Best Buy
Motorola razr (2023)

Motorola razr (2023)

4.3(513)Best Buy
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Rating:4.8(126)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; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
RAM:12 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz)
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
Main Camera:48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for 24MP and 48MP super-high-resolution photos
Ultra-Wide Camera:48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Telephoto Camera:48MP Fusion Telephoto (100 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus; enables 12MP optical-quality 8x zoom (200 mm equivalent)
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 40x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion Main); ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps
Front Camera:18MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:5088 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 39 hours video playback (35 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W 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 and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; 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 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Ceramic Shield back; Aerospace-grade aluminum unibody (with internal vapor chamber)
Dimensions:6.43" x 3.07" x 0.34" (163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm)
Weight:8.22 oz (233 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Always-On display; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite

✓ Pros:

  • Brightest iPhone display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
  • Triple 48MP camera system with 8x optical-quality zoom
  • A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM and vapor chamber cooling for sustained performance
  • Excellent battery life (up to 39 hours video playback)
  • Faster 40W wired charging and 25W wireless charging

✗ Cons:

  • Large and heavy form factor (233 g)
  • Fastest charging speeds require purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately
  • No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US)
  • Expensive starting price
  • Camera bump is significantly larger due to new tetraprism lens

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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?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the better buy for most people - its 48MP triple camera system crushes the razr's 64MP main camera when it comes to versatility and quality.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if: you need top-notch camera performance for photography, you watch lots of HDR content outdoors, or you want a flagship experience with long-term software support. (120 Hz refresh, 5088 mAh battery)
Choose the Motorola razr (2023) if: you want a stylish foldable phone that fits easily in your pocket, you prefer a lightweight device, or you're looking to save money without sacrificing too much functionality. (144 Hz refresh, 4200 mAh battery)

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 Pro Max excels if you value brightest iphone display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor). 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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