Club Benefits
For just about as long as I can remember testing the best foldable phones, Motorola has always trailed Samsung when it comes to camera performance. Before I even embarked on a Motorola Razr Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 photo shootout, I had an inclination that Samsung would come out on top.
That’s because the company significantly upgraded the hardware over the previous Galaxy Z Fold 6, particularly the main camera, which jumped from a 50MP sensor to a class-leading 200MP one. It’s complemented by a 12MP ultrawide and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. As a result, the it proved to me that's equipped to handle an assortment of shooting conditions in our Galaxy Z Fold 7 review.
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Daytime
Despite the megapixel differences between their main cameras, these daytime shots of the Kia K4 Hatchback prove that newer image processing algorithms can make a massive impact.
What immediately stands out is that the Razr Fold produces a brighter image, thanks in part to how it boosts shadow exposure. Even though the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s shot looks underexposed by comparison, I appreciate how its stronger contrast balances the scene.
However, zooming into different parts of the frame reveals that the Razr Fold holds more definition and detail. I attribute this to a sharpening effect that makes the individual droplets of water on the car appear much more defined.
Winner: Razr Fold
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Ultrawide
Down by the beach, I captured the shots above of the 2026 Toyota Camry using both ultrawide cameras. It was quite cloudy, which made the images look a bit muted, but I noticed one consistent trend.
That same sharpening effect from before again gives the Razr Fold a slight edge, as the pavement closest to the camera exhibits sharper details. While it’s not immediately obvious, the Z Fold 7 makes the details of the Camry look speckled when I zoom in.
Winner: Razr Fold
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Colors
When it comes to colors, the Razr Fold’s tendency to boost exposure causes the colors of the azalea bush to bleed heavily, resulting in an unrealistic look. Rather than capturing the true red hues of the flowers, they appear more pinkish.
I much prefer how the Galaxy Z Fold 7 handles colors because it keeps the green leaves distinguishable so they aren't overwhelmed by the red of the azaleas.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 7
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Dynamic range
Dynamic range performance is tougher to judge here because both phones are so similar because each boosts shadows enough to reveal the fine details of the tire treads on the car in the foreground.
Even though the Razr Fold offers stronger contrast, I’m giving the win to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It does a better job of not blowing out the highlights, which keeps the details in the clouds visible.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 7
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Macro
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is much better suited for macro photography for several reasons. For starters, it captures more definition in the petals of the flower while producing sharper edges in the process.
Motorola also does a good job of capturing the scene, but the final shot is slightly softer by comparison.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 7
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Panorama
The Galaxy Z Fold 7’s superior dynamic range performance helps prevent cloud clipping, but that is its only real advantage here.
The Razr Fold’s panorama is much more appealing, offering a brighter exposure, stronger contrast, and a warmer color temperature. Furthermore, when zooming into various parts of the scene, the Razr Fold clearly continues to hold the advantage in overall detail.
Winner: Razr Fold
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Outer screen selfie
No matter which display you’re using, there’s a selfie camera at your disposal. Starting with the outer screen cameras, both exhibit a low-contrast look, but the Galaxy Z Fold 7 brightens the image slightly and applies warmer tones.
Meanwhile, the Razr Fold gives my face a bit more of a glow, but my facial features appear less defined. That’s worth noting because, by contrast, the Z Fold 7 makes the textures of my JackRabbit hat and hoodie look significantly sharper.
Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 7
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Inner screen selfie
Oddly enough, I see a reversal in the selfies I captured above with their inner screen cameras. Personally, I would refrain from using either because of their softer overall look — which I attribute to preinstalled screen protectors covering the cameras.
I will say that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has better contrast that immediately draws the eye, but its hazier quality washes out the fine details of my face. Thanks to its sharpening effect and warmer color temperature, the Razr Fold is slightly more acceptable.
Winner: Razr Fold
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Portrait
Although it applies a stronger bokeh effect, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 maintains a realistic look with the way the blur tapers off my shoulder and arm — but that’s where the advantages end. While my facial features are clearly visible, the overall image appears slightly muted.
Motorola’s portrait shot is significantly more inviting for several reasons, with the brighter exposure being the most notable. Furthermore, the Razr Fold captures sharper details and better definition, all while applying its own realistic bokeh effect.
Winner: Razr Fold
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: 3x zoom
Starting with the 3x zoom, it's instantly clear that the Razr Fold’s 50MP telephoto shooter does a substantially better job of capturing the details of the scene. Thanks to its stronger contrast, the shot looks significantly more dramatic, while zooming into the area in front of the gazebo reveals superior definition.
I still have to give the Galaxy Z Fold 7 credit here, as the image is pleasant, but it simply doesn't capture the same level of detail as its rival.
Winner: Razr Fold
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: 10x zoom
Moving onto 10x zoom, both camera phones are applying a bit of sensor cropping and digital zoom — but there’s a clear winner.
The Razr Fold hands down pulls off the more impressive 10x zoom shot, seeing that everything is sharpened to the point that I can better read the private property sign in the middle. Unfortunately, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 looks more speckled and fuzzy.
Winner: Razr Fold
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: 30x zoom
While the Razr Fold can reach 100x zoom, I kept it at 30x to match the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Under normal circumstances, I would be hesitant to see what these cameras deliver at this range, as technical flaws become much more apparent.
However, the Razr Fold is defying my expectations thanks to its new Super Zoom Pro feature, which uses AI to enhance photos taken at 20x and beyond. The results speak for themselves because the AI applies a realistic look that adds the definition lacking in the Z Fold 7’s equivalent shot.
Winner: Razr Fold
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Low light
Historically, Motorola phones have underperformed in low light compared to Samsung, but that changes here. While I have to give Samsung credit for rendering the tree and branches brighter with its night mode, the Razr Fold offers a much more balanced and realistic exposure.
At the same time, there's noticeable noise in the night sky with the Z Fold 7’s shot. By comparison, the Razr Fold’s sky appears significantly smoother and manages to capture more stars.
Winner: Razr Fold
Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7: Verdict
After years of consistently falling short, Motorola has done the impossible — it's finally come out on top over Samsung. That’s a significant achievement, especially considering the Razr Fold is Motorola’s first entry into the notebook-style category. It’s an area where Samsung has dominated for years, so this changing of the guard is shocking in many ways.
What’s abundantly clear from my Razr Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold 7 photo shootout is how effectively Motorola is using newer image processing algorithms and AI to gain the edge. The results demonstrate how its 50MP main camera captures superior detail, and how AI impressively adds definition and clarity to zoom photos. Samsung may have pioneered this form factor, but Motorola has officially perfected the cameras inside of it.
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