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.
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

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 Pro Max vs Motorola razr (2023)

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Motorola razr (2023)
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Motorola razr (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(126)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; hardware-accelerated ray tracing) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) |
Graphics | Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) | Adreno 644 |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 8GB LPDDR4X |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe) | 128GB UFS 2.2 (Non-expandable) |
Display Size | 6.9" (6.86" 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 | 2868 x 1320 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) | 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 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 | 64MP, f/1.7, 0.7µm, OIS, Laser AF (Quad Pixel to 16MP) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography | 13MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, Macro Vision |
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) | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range) | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 40x | Up to 8x |
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 | 4K UHD @ 30fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps |
Front Camera | 18MP 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 | 5088 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 39 hours video playback (35 hours streamed) | 4,200mAh (Non-removable) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W 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 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 | 5G (Sub-6/mmWave - Carrier Dependent), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 2.0 |
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) | IP52 (Water-repellent coating - Splash Resistant only) |
Dimensions | 6.43" x 3.07" x 0.34" (163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 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 | 8.22 oz (233 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; Always-On display; 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 Pro Max
✓ 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)
✓ 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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