Motorola Razr Plus teardown reveals major similarity to the Galaxy Z Flip 4

Comparing the Motorola Razr Plus (2023) to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything tears down the Motorola Razr Plus to see what makes it tick.
  • The phone cracked under pressure in a previous durability test, which revealed a gap behind the cover display.
  • The Razr Plus hinge is similar to one used on Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series.

This year seems to be all about clamshell foldables as companies like Motorola and Samsung launch their latest in a bit to compete for broader consumer interest. The Motorola Razr Plus has been out for about a month now, and after a grueling durability test, Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything is taking the phone apart to see what makes this foldable tick.

As per usual, the teardown consists of disassembling the phone to show off its various internals, such as the camera modules, displays, motherboards, and more. The Motorola Razr Plus teardown reveals some interesting things about the phone's build, such as the motherboard, which sports a unique psychedelic sheen on the circuits.

As for the displays, Nelson points out a small gap behind the top portion of the Razr Plus cover screen, which may have helped cause the display to crack during his durability test. He also handles the main display, which he posits is using the same Ultra-Thin Glass that Samsung uses in its Galaxy Z Flip series.

Another similarity he points out between the Razr and the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the hinge mechanism. When holding the hinges up side-by-side, you can see how similar the hinges appear. Nelson points out that the one used on the Razr Plus is different from Motorola's previous hinge mechanisms, which were much simpler than this newer one. Because of that, he wonders if Samsung is helping manufacturers like Google design foldable phones to sell more displays.

That would be interesting, although it would also be a little odd, considering it took Samsung so long to finally adopt the waterdrop-style hinge design that other manufacturers have settled on for some time, now.

Nonetheless, it's always cool to get a glimpse into the inner workings of a smartphone, especially one as unique as a foldable. The video also shows off the two batteries, the water and dust proofing, cooling pads, and more.

Be sure to check out our Motorola Razr Plus vs. Galaxy Z Flip 4 comparison to see just how similar (or not) these phones are. If you're interested in Samsung's newer foldable, you can also check out our Galaxy Z Flip 5 hands-on.

Derrek Lee
Managing Editor

Derrek is the managing editor of Android Central, helping to guide the site's editorial content and direction to reach and resonate with readers, old and new, who are just as passionate about tech as we are. He's been obsessed with mobile technology since he was 12, when he discovered the Nokia N90, and his love of flip phones and new form factors continues to this day. As a fitness enthusiast, he has always been curious about the intersection of tech and fitness. When he's not working, he's probably working out.

  • Mr. Lucky
    I realize this is a skimmer post and not from a real person, but the headline is misleading and implies that something nefarious is going on. Form very much follows function; there are only so many ways of designing a phone with a flip form factor.
    Reply