Motorola Razr 50 vs. Google Pixel 7a: A Deep Dive into Foldable Innovation and Google's Value Proposition

The Motorola Razr 50 represents a new wave of more accessible foldable phones, challenging established players like Google. We pit it against the Google Pixel 7a, a champion of computational photography and smart features, to determine which device offers the best blend of innovation and practicality for the modern smartphone user.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a unique form factor and solid all-day battery life, the Motorola Razr 50 emerges as the winner. While the Pixel 7a boasts a superior camera system and Google’s software polish, the Razr 50’s foldable display and respectable performance offer a compelling alternative.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Razr 50 Google Pixel 7a
Network
2G bandsGSM 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8
Launch
Announced2024, June 252023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, June 25Available. Released 2023, May 10
Body
BuildPlastic front (unfolded), glass front (folded, Gorilla Glass Victus), silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame (6000 series), hinge (stainless steel)Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
DimensionsUnfolded: 171.3 x 74 x 7.3 mm Folded: 88.1 x 74 x 15.9 mm152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight188.4 g (6.63 oz)193.5 g (6.84 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2640 pixels (~413 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 107.6 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 3000 nits (peak)OLED, HDR, 90Hz
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7300X (4 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G615 MC2Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 14Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band or tri-band (region dependent)Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), gyro, accelerometer, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging30W wired 15W wireless18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
Type4200 mAhLi-Po 4385 mAh
Misc
ColorsKoala Grey (Steel Wool), Beach Sand (Pumice Stone), Spritz Orange (Arabesque)Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
ModelsXT2453-1GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
Price€ 479.00 / £ 541.99 / ₹ 40,488€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980

Motorola Razr 50

  • Innovative foldable design
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Faster 30W wired charging
  • Strong battery life (11:46h active use)

  • Camera specs are unknown
  • Potential durability concerns with foldable screen

Google Pixel 7a

  • Exceptional camera quality and image processing
  • Smooth and optimized software experience
  • Powerful Tensor G2 chip for AI tasks
  • Reliable performance and updates

  • Slower 18W wired charging
  • Less bright display compared to Razr 50

Display Comparison

The Razr 50 boasts a significantly brighter display at 1289 nits, compared to the Pixel 7a’s 1070 nits, making it more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While both utilize OLED technology, the Razr 50’s foldable nature is its defining feature. The Pixel 7a’s display, though less bright, benefits from Google’s excellent color calibration. The impact of the Razr 50’s folding crease on viewing experience is a key consideration, while the Pixel 7a offers a more traditional, uninterrupted viewing area.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a is the clear winner in camera capabilities. While the Razr 50’s camera specs aren’t detailed, the Pixel 7a’s renowned computational photography, powered by the Tensor G2, delivers consistently excellent photos and videos. Google’s image processing excels in dynamic range and low-light performance. The Pixel 7a’s video stabilization is also a strong point. Without detailed Razr 50 camera specs, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities beyond basic smartphone photography.

Performance

The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 (5nm) chip, with its Cortex-X1 prime cores, theoretically offers higher peak CPU performance (2.85 GHz) than the Razr 50’s Dimensity 7300X (4nm) (2.5 GHz). However, the Dimensity 7300X’s more efficient 4nm process could translate to better sustained performance and thermal management during extended gaming sessions. The Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 excels in AI-driven tasks, while the Razr 50 aims for a balanced approach to performance and efficiency. Both devices are likely to handle everyday tasks with ease, but the Razr 50’s architecture may prove more consistent under load.

Battery Life

The Motorola Razr 50 demonstrates a strong battery performance with 11:46h of active use, suggesting a well-optimized power management system. The Pixel 7a, with an older endurance rating of 76h, doesn’t directly translate to active use time, but indicates reasonable longevity. The Razr 50’s 30W wired charging is faster than the Pixel 7a’s 18W, while both support wireless charging, though at different wattages (15W vs 7.5W). The Razr 50’s faster charging is a significant convenience factor.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Razr 50 if you crave a head-turning design, enjoy the novelty of a foldable screen, and value a battery that comfortably lasts through a full day of active use. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize exceptional camera quality, seamless software updates, and a proven track record of reliable performance within the Google ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the Razr 50's foldable screen hold up to daily use? Is the crease noticeable?
The durability of foldable screens is always a concern. Motorola has made strides in improving hinge mechanisms and screen protection, but the Razr 50’s long-term reliability remains to be seen. The crease is present, but its visibility varies depending on viewing angle and content. Many users adapt to it quickly, but it's a factor to consider.
❓ Does the Google Tensor G2 in the Pixel 7a get hot during intensive tasks like gaming or video recording?
The Tensor G2 is known to run warmer than some competing chips, particularly during sustained heavy workloads. While Google has implemented thermal management solutions, some throttling may occur during extended gaming sessions or prolonged video recording. It's generally not a critical issue, but users should be aware of the potential for heat buildup.
❓ What kind of software support can I expect from Motorola for the Razr 50?
Motorola's software update track record is generally less consistent than Google's. While the Razr 50 will likely receive a few major Android updates, the frequency and duration of security patches may be shorter compared to the Pixel 7a, which benefits from Google's direct software support.
❓ Is the Razr 50 significantly bulkier than the Pixel 7a due to its folding mechanism?
Yes, the Razr 50 is noticeably thicker than the Pixel 7a when folded. While Motorola has worked to minimize the bulk, the folding mechanism inherently adds to the device's overall dimensions. The Pixel 7a remains a more compact and pocketable option.