The Economist- 12 issues for $12!Motorola Droid Razr Maxx (Verizon Wireless)
Manufacturer: Motorola Part number: DROIDRAZRMAXX
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Motorola Droid Razr Maxx proves that a powerful Android superphone can remain thin yet still promise marathon-worthy battery life. If you can live without Ice Cream Sandwich and have big hands, the Maxx is extremely compelling.
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CNET editors' review
Motorola Droid Razr Maxx (Verizon Wireless) price range: $149.99 - $299.99
- Reviewed by: Brian Bennett
- Reviewed on: 01/26/2012
- Released on: 01/26/2012
The good: Despite a beefed-up battery, the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx has a slim, attractive, and durable design with the same gorgeous display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and fast Verizon 4G/LTE data speeds as its predecessor. It retains powerful multimedia chops and tight security features.
The bad: For such an advanced smartphone, the vague promise of a future Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is disappointing. Also, while a stronger battery is great, it's still not user-removable. People with small hands will find it hard to wrap around the phone's wide frame, and the 8-megapixel camera is unimpressive.
The bottom line: The Motorola Droid Razr Maxx proves that a powerful Android superphone can remain thin yet still promise marathon-worthy battery life. If you can live without Ice Cream Sandwich and have big hands, the Maxx is extremely compelling.
Editors' note: Since the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx is almost identical to the original Motorola Droid Razr save for its enhanced battery, portions of this review are based on our experience with its predecessor.
Motorola ups the Android ante with its new creation, the Droid Razr Maxx. Not only does this superslim handset come equipped with all the outstanding features that graced the first Droid Razr, Motorola has thrown in an energy-dense 3,300mAh battery, too. Promised to run for days on end, the Maxx could be the longest-lasting, most powerful smartphone we've ever seen. Read on to find out if it's worth its $300 entry price.
Design
Motorola made a splash with the first Droid Razr with the bold testament that it was the thinnest Android smartphone the world has ever seen. For the company that started the thin phone craze with the original Razr V3, it was a fitting move, even if the Razr to have the trimmest chassis is always changing.
Interestingly, the company can't make the same boast with the Droid Razr Maxx. Measuring 5.14 inches long by 2.75 inches wide by 0.35 inch thick and weighing 5.1 ounces, the Maxx is slightly thicker and heavier than its predecessor (0.28 inch; 4.5 ounces). Even so, it still feels very svelte and lightweight, despite its larger footprint. I also found that it fit well into my pants pocket, though with an embarrassing bulge. Of course, people with small hands (because of the wide bezel housing the display) will have trouble grasping the big-screened device. Gone, though, is the hump in the back of the phone that held the camera lens and made the first Droid Razr top heavy.
In fact, the way Motorola managed to squeeze in the Razr Maxx's more powerful battery was to fill in that hump. It was a smart design call since without the hump the Maxx feels more balanced even as it sports a thicker profile.
Not to worry, though: other Motorola innovations have remained, such as the chassis built from diamond-cut aluminum, and the thin sheet of glass in front sculpted to fit flush against the phone's edges. Just like the original Razr, Motorola coated the Maxx's back in Kevlar, which, while smooth and soft, means the battery is not removable. Thankfully the Razr Maxx features a souped-up 3,300mAh battery, compared with the Droid Razr's smaller 1,780mAh battery pack.
I do like the Kevlar backing. It won't stop bullets, but it does resist scratches and scuffs admirably. Another durability feature is the Maxx's "nanotechnology coating," also found on the Droid Razr, which shields the handset's innards from light moisture and klutzy spills. Don't get me wrong, it's not water-resistant so don't take it to the beach. Making the Maxx even tougher is a Corning Gorilla Glass display with a chemically treated scratch-resistant surface.
User interface
Like the Droid Razr before it, the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx runs Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread with a more subtle version of Motoblur placed over it. For instance, you don't have to annoyingly create a Motorola account before using the phone like older handsets forced you to do. It's the same implementation already seen on other Motorola handsets like the Atrix 2 and the Droid Bionic. There are five customizable home screens to choose from, with more shortcuts to the phone dialer, messaging, camera, and the main menu running along the bottom. Hitting the Home button in standby mode pulls up a view of all the home screens at once, similar to HTC's Sense UI.
The lock screen displays the typical digital clock, date and battery info. To unlock, just swipe the lock icon from left to right. You can toggle the vibrate/ringer function here, too, and jump straight to the camera app. Those who liked the Droid Razr's virtual keyboard will find the same well-spaced keys, light haptic feedback, and responsiveness here. You also have the choice of using the default keyboard or Swype for fast one-handed writing.
Features
Offering a mother lode of Android abilities, the Droid Razr Maxx has all the staples, including a few surprises, such as GPS, Bluetooth 4.0 (which supports a new generation of low-power accessories), Wi-Fi, and a mobile hot-spot capability that lets the phone act as a modem for up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices. Keep in mind that the mobile hot-spot feature costs about $20 extra per month on top of your voice and data plans.
The Razr Maxx also offers the usual selection of Google's apps and services, most already loaded: Gmail, Google Talk, Google Search with Voice, Google Maps with Navigation, Google Books, Places, Latitude, and YouTube. Phone and organizer functions include a calendar, alarm clock, calculator, a file manager, task list, voice command support, and speakerphone.
Other apps preinstalled include a healthy helping of free and paid software and services such as Amazon's Kindle app, Blockbuster, Let's Golf 2, Madden NFL 12, Netflix, Slacker Radio, MotoPrint, and VideoSurf. Of course Verizon added some bloatware of its own, like Device Setup, Verizon Instant Messenger, My Verizon Mobile, NFL Mobile, V Cast Tones, Verizon Video, VZ Navigator, and Visual Voicemail, which costs around $2.99 a month. Honestly the most helpful of the lot in my opinion is the My Verizon Data widget, which lives by default on the home screen and estimates your data usage to avoid being throttled or slammed with extra fees.
Corporate and government friendly
Who says you need a BlackBerry for private or public sector mobile security? Motorola doesn't think so. Also folded into the Droid Razr Maxx is support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, not to mention government-grade FIPS 140-2 encryption for e-mail, calendar, and contacts. For even more peace of mind, more-severe methods such as remote wipe, PIN lock, SD card and device encryption, and remote enable/disable of camera and Wi-Fi are possible, too.
If you must tweak that doc on the road, the Razr Maxx features the Quickoffice app, which lets you create and edit office documents; Citrix's GoToMeeting video conference application; and the portable PC experience that Webtop provides (more on that below).
MotoCast, Webtop, and Smart Actions
Pushing the smartphone productivity envelope further is the MotoCast app. It lets you share your documents and media files with your home or work computer. MotoCast also links with the Gallery app to serve up photos, and the Music app to access music files.
Many Motorola Android phones feature the company's Webtop app, and the Droid Razr Maxx continues the tradition. It morphs the handset into a quasi mobile PC with Netbook-level functionality. Just attach it to compatible accessories like the Lapdock 100 (10-inch screen), the Lapdock 500 Pro (14-inch screen), or an HD Station, and the Webtop platform fires up automatically. These Lapdocks sport a keyboard and touch pad, but you'll have to contribute your own input devices if using something like the HD Station.
The Webtop platform at its core is a Linux-based operating system offering a Netbook-like experience for creating documents and surfing the Web via a full Firefox Web browser. The UI is pretty sparse, made up of a dock or software launch pad with a few applications. The phone's screen is mirrored on the larger display as well, so you can still access your phone's contents and functions in this configuration. To read more about the Webtop solution, check out our review of the Atrix's laptop dock.
Another interesting software spin on Android is Motorola's Smart Actions app designed to make the company's handsets easier for novices to operate. It's basically an automation tool for phone behavior that follows rules you define. For example, you can have the phone automatically turn off Bluetooth and GPS when your home Wi-Fi network is detected. Conversely, the Razr Maxx's brightness can be commanded to dial way down when battery levels are critical.
Other neat tricks are possible, such as having the ringer automatically silence itself in the office or launch the music player when you plug in your headphones. Still, I'm not sure how useful this is since I feel humans should control their technology, not the other way around. When smartphones really become self aware and double as personal companions, perhaps they'll be able to predict my whims, but for now I'd rather choose what I want to do when I want to do it.
Multimedia
A jack of all trades, the Motorola Droid Maxx serves up a wealth of multimedia skills to pass the time. Besides third-party apps like Slacker Radio, the Maxx has the same robust Music app that is much more capable than the stock Android software. Similar to the Droid Bionic, the app has Internet radio functions, a Music Store courtesy of Verizon Wireless, and my personal favorite, support for podcast subscription and playback. Don't forget, you can also use the app to stream music from your home server via MotoCast. Thankfully, the Droid Razr Maxx has 16GB of internal memory, plus a preloaded 16GB microSD card, and can support cards up to 32GB. Files it can handle are AAC, AAC+ AAC+ enhanced, AMR NB, AMR WB, MIDI, MP3, WAV, WMA v10, and WMA v9 formats.
Netflix pairs nicely with the Maxx's stunning HD AMOLED screen. Watching "Tron Legacy," even over an LTE connection, was mind blowing and I quickly forgot that the movie has no logical plot. Colors were rich and deep, and blacks were endless. Another treat is the phone's Micro-HDMI port, which you can hook up to a large-screen HDTV to make your experience even more enjoyable. This is possible via DLNA as well. Video formats supported are H.263, H.264, MPEG4, or WMV v9; load your own or download them directly from the Android Market.
Just like the Droid Razr, the Droid Razr Maxx offers a nimble 8-megapixel camera that loads up in a swift 1.1 seconds from the lock screen. There's virtually no shutter lag in between shots to speak of, either. You can adjust the resolution, the shutter tone, the color effects, shot modes, and the exposure. Other settings include geotagging, a self-timer, several scenes modes like Macro and Night Portrait, panorama mode, and flash.
For all the Droid Razr Maxx's speed, picture quality was solid, with clear images and detail. Color accuracy is the phone's weakness, though. Still-life shots looked washed out and muted. In low light, most photos contained image noise, too. The LED flash didn't help this problem, but it didn't blow out subjects in the foreground, either. Able to capture full 1080p HD video with many extra audio functions like Stereo, Wind Reduction, Concert, Balanced, and Front Facing to choose from, capturing movies is the Maxx's forte. My video clips were clear and well exposed even in low light, and the auto stabilization tamed any hand shake.
Performance
I tested the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx on Verizon's CDMA/LTE network in New York. Confirming that there's a reason Verizon is proud of its cellular infrastructure, in my tests the Razr Maxx demonstrated excellent call quality. The phone's earpiece had plenty of volume and I heard no static, buzz, or other digital artifacts during the voice calls I placed. Callers on the other end also said the line was clean and free of any distortion and had difficulty telling I was speaking to them from a mobile phone. Similarly, callers couldn't tell I had switched to the Razr Maxx's speaker phone. I on the other hand noticed that the handset's speaker was soft and lacked serious oomph. That said, the speaker didn't distort at high volumes.
During the short evaluation period, data speeds, even within the CNET offices, were impressive, with fast download speeds averaging just shy of 9Mbps. Uploads, however, in the same location hovered around 0.6Mbps. This performance is lower than the typical speeds we see from Verizon LTE handsets. I plan to update this review with additional test results soon.
Of course the Droid Razr Maxx's claim to fame is its high-performance 3,300mAh battery. The phone is rated by Motorola to offer 21.5 hours of talk time and close to 16 days in standby mode. With numbers like these, it'll take time to run our battery tests on the Maxx, but in anecdotal use during my brief initial test period, the phone never dropped below 80 percent charge--quite remarkable. Later, while testing in the CNET Labs, the Razr Maxx played "The Godfather," with the screen brightness at 50 percent and audio at half volume, on a continuous loop for 19 hours and 47 minutes straight. That's enough juice for more than three back to back, coast to coast flights. In subsequent tests, we squeezed 20 hours of continuous call time. Though it's less than the promised 21.5 hours of talk time, it's still stellar.
Motorola Droid Razr Maxx call quality sample
Listen now:
Conclusion
In many ways, the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx is the smartphone the Droid Razr should have been. Adding a powerful battery yet keeping a slim and trim size makes this excellent Android handset extremely tempting. I really wish the phone came running Android's latest and greatest Ice Cream Sandwich instead of the mere promise of future upgrades. Additionally, its sky-high $299.99 price tag will give all but the most addicted gadget hounds reason to think twice. Still, with fast 4G LTE data speeds, an amazing HD AMOLED screen, and a battery built to make the Energizer Bunny green with envy, the Maxx may be more than enough mobile tech for your needs.
User reviews
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Sets a minimum standard for all my future smartphones!
by ClydeHoward on May 1, 2012
Pros: Android 2.3 Gingerbread,
Excellent call quality,
Screen is bright and clear,
Very fast 4G LTE data performance,
Dual-core 1.2 GHz processor,
16GB internal memory, and 16GB microSD card included,
Thin and lightweight.Cons: Phone takes up to 3 hours to fully charge,
No ICS (yet).Summary: I was one of the first users to have the original HTC Droid Incredible; in fact, I pre-ordered it from Verizon before it came out and had it a day ...
Summary: I was one of the first users to have the original HTC Droid Incredible; in fact, I pre-ordered it from Verizon before it came out and had it a day before it was released in stores, so I had the earliest model with the beautiful AMOLED screen (as opposed to the Super LED). My experience was very good with my Incredible: I had the slim extended battery from Seido (battery life still sucked), my Incredible worked smoothly with no bugs, the 8mp camera was pretty decent, it had plenty of space, and its 1gz processor was always fast enough to run anything I wanted. I saw a lot of Verizon android phones come out over the past 2 years that were sub-par to my Incredible. As a power user, I needed something that improved on battery life, had at least the same screen quality, had a dual core processor (to fight obsolescence), and had plenty of space. This phone has outperformed all my expectations.
BATTERY: First of all, the battery life is this phone's biggest selling point. During my first day of use, I turned OFF the wifi and used 4gLTE (which is FAST!) because I have the unlimited plan for Verizon. I spent much of the day downloading all my old apps and setting up school email and personalizing all my settings. I also got engaged to my girlfriend on the same day, so one can imaging all the texting I did and picture messaging of the ring and all. We went out late to celebrate and I used it lightly while out showing off my new phone and its features and when I got home, I still had 25% battery! Just as the reviews report, the battery on this thing really out-does itself. What is even more impressive is I do not have a lump sticking out of the back due to an extended battery.
SCREEN: I have no problem with it. It is a beautiful display and is slightly better than my old Droid Incredible AMOLED display. The best part about it is I do not need to turn down the settings like brightness and screen timeout like I did to conserve on battery. Some reviewers have compared this screen to the beautiful screens of the Samsung Droid Nexus and iPhone4s, which both have 300+ pixel/inch density. Sure, you MIGHT notice a difference if you were to put them side by side on same photo. However, I do not notice anything in terms of a lack of quality or really see any pixels. Coming from my old Incredible (which has the same AMOLED tech), this has a very slightly better pixels/inch and remains beautiful to look at and easy on my eyes. Also to note, it has a Corning Gorilla Glass screen. This is the same glass screen covering as the iPhone4s and makes it extremely hard. I'm still using a screen cover because I do not want to chance anything.
PROCESSOR: The Razr MAXX has a 1.2gz dual core processor. My old Incredible had a single core 1gz snapdragon processor, which ran things smoothly. After using the Razr Maxx, I can tell the difference. The same games, apps, and video feel like they run like butter. The Droid Incredible would have a very slight lag before it ran something fast and smooth. The Droid Razr does not have that lag. There are other phones that have a dual core 1.5gz processor; honestly, there really should not be any difference in performance that one notices.
CAMERA: Wow, great camera on this thing. I proposed to my girl friend at the local Botanical Gardens and the camera takes amazing photos both close up and far away. Digital zoom is excellent and the best part is NO SHUTTER LAG! When you press the snap button, BAM! That's the picture you get! There is no holding the phone steady as you wait for it to capture the photo. I can't be more pleased.
SMART ACTIONS: Great job Motorola! Take a moment to check out the Smart Actions features. This allows you to program your Droid Razr Maxx (or regular Razr) to automatically change settings or launch applications. When I showed this to my fiance's brother, who is a big iPhone user, his eyebrows raised and he was impressed.
For example:
- I set my phone so when I arrive at my work's address, my phone will automatically go into vibrate mode.
- I set my phone so it makes all text messages/email notifications quiet during my sleeping hours during work nights
- My phone automatically puts the screen dimmer and turns off sync when battery reaches below 25%
- My phone now notifies me to charge it at night if it is below 25% battery life
- *This program does pretty much whatever you want. If you have done programming, you might know what a "macro" is. It is a macro creation tool. In short, it allows you complete automatic control over your phone. It is EXTREMELY easy to use, especially if you choose from the large sample list of tasks.
SPACE: Advertises as a total of 32gb. Need I say more? The system reserves 8gb for its own use, it leaves 8gb of internal memory for user use, and it comes with a 16 gb MicroSD card. In reality, the user gets 24 gb of space, which is pretty good.
KEYBOARD: Has a standard android software keyboard. I prefer the Swype keyboard, which comes preinstalled on it. Make sure you check it out, it is the FASTEST keyboard to use out there (Faster than iPhone or other keyboards on the Market). To use it, when you go to type in a text field, long press the field until a menu pops up, select on that menu "Input Method", then select "Swype". Swype allows you to drag your fingers through all your letters of words instead of individual presses. Quite fast once you get used to it (which does not take long).
SOFTWARE: Currently runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread. This is one of the latest versions and it runs very smooth. The Razr Maxx will be upgraded in 2012 to Android 4.0, which will pretty much make this into a whole new phone. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwhich (codename) will redefine how Android and raise the bar for competition (iPhone, Windows phone). I will not explain how important this will be for the Droid Razr, so if you are interested in this be sure to Google Android 4.0's new features and changes/reviews.
**My advice, before you're will buy the Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX, I suggest you have to check for best deal at: Androidphone4g.blogspot.com/p/motorola-droid-razr-maxx.html
In summary, if you are trying to decide to get this phone versus another, get the Droid Razr Maxx. I do not think you will be disappointed.25 out of 26 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Uninspired by iPhone, returned Nexus, happy with Maxx
by Lefseboy1 on January 31, 2012
Pros: Battery
Screen size
Build quality
Connectivity
In hand "feel"
Android OSCons: No Android 4.0...yet
Camera not great, but not awfulSummary: I thought I would upgrade to the iPhone 4S when I was eligible, but I felt blah about it. Everyone around me has an iPhone, which they love, but there ...
Summary: I thought I would upgrade to the iPhone 4S when I was eligible, but I felt blah about it. Everyone around me has an iPhone, which they love, but there were things that excited me more about with the new Android phones. I decided to go with the Galaxy Nexus because of its stellar reviews and high rankings on phone lists. I liked the screen size and resolution, and Android 4.0 is wonderful. However, the connectivity to service was awful. I lost service when making a call when walking out of the Verizon store -- and in a major metropolitan area. I lost service on almost every call I made after that, which was frustrating and disappointing. The change the SIM card at Verizon, which didn't change anything. Service was moderately better on 3G, but I still had problems, so I decided to return it. In addition, the battery life was very short, and it got uncomfortably hot while talking on it during the few times I was able to do so.
The day after I bought the Galaxy Nexus, the Razr Maxx was released, but, since I could only do one return at Verizon, I was hesitant to try another 4G phone. I was resigned to get the iPhone 4S, thinking it was the safe option (upgrades, streamlined opeeration, iTunes, etc.). But, after having the Galaxy Nexus for two days, the iPhone felt so small and heavy, and I knew I couldn't use the widgets that I enjoy with Android. It's silly, but I wanted to be excited about getting a new phone, and I wasn't excited about the iPhone.
While the salesman was returning the Galaxy Nexus and preparing to set me up on the iPhone 4S, I wandered over to the Razr Maxx display. I liked it very much, so I decided to take a chance on another 4G phone, and I have been very happy with my decision.
SCREEN: I just prefer the bigger screen of the current line of Android phones of iPhone. The Razr Maxx screen may not have the much lauded pixel density of the iPhone 4/4S or the Galaxy Nexus, but it is very bright, and I barely notice a difference.
CONNECIVITY: No problems. And 4G really is very fast. I use it at home instead of WiFi since I was grandfather into an unlimited data plan.
PROCESSOR: Very quick. Just an occasional hick-up when going back to the home screen, probably due to the calendar and weather clock widgets I have running there. Not a big deal, and it may improve with ICS.
OPERATING SYSTEM: No, it doesn't have Ice Cream Sandwich, but I am coming from Froyo, and this is much better. I can live happily with it until the ICS update arrives. Also, I am a Google fan, and I would have a difficulty time without navigation from Google Maps, which is something a friend who switched from the original Droid to iPhone misses greatly.
BUILD: I love how it feels. Much more comfortable that the Razr. I'm not using a cover on it yet, and may not put one one due to the great build quality (Kevlar, Gorilla Glass). However, I did put on a screen protector, "just in case!"
And finally, BATTERY: Fantastic. I was so conditioned by my old phone -- and even by two days with the Galaxy Nexus -- to constantly worry about the battery, but I worry no longer. I easily get through a day with moderate to heavy use, and the batter has yet to go below 30%. For me, it's worth it.
I did research ad nauseum when my upgrade was approaching. I learned that no phone is perfect and no phone is for everyone. This one spoke to me, and I am enjoying it very much!23 out of 28 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The Next Level
by S-Nealy on February 14, 2012
Pros: + Dual Core 1.2 GHz processors
+ 4.3" Super AMOLED screen is really nice
+ This phone is FAST. No doubt other phones might be faster
+ Feels more solid and well-built
+ Motorola's UI is clean and easy to customizeCons: - No Ice Cream Sandwich (yet)
Summary: Just got one of these things to replace an AT&T phone (Captivate) where the contract was close to expiring.
*WOW*
The phone charged from 30% to 90% in ...Summary: Just got one of these things to replace an AT&T phone (Captivate) where the contract was close to expiring.
*WOW*
The phone charged from 30% to 90% in just over 2.25 hours (full recharge time is said to be 2.5~3.5 hours). That's REALLY good given how massive this battery is...
The battery is big, but not much bulk is not added. And given how smartphones were a decade ago, yet for such tiny screens in return, I have no complaints on the form factor and the battery within at all.
Also, every time I bought a 3rd party battery, it died within 6 months. So the need to have a spare battery is eliminated by this device, and I don't need to trust the quality of third party replacements. So the need to worry that this battery cannot be replaced by me is a non-issue.
4.3" Super AMOLED screen is really nice. The Captivate's screen isn't as saturated, but was slightly better in presenting darker colors (or maybe the gamut was limited and it elevated darker hues, resulting in an inaccurate appearance). This is a VERY minor nitpick, as only one game (Osmos) has a dark background where minute detail is no longer as visible, but for every other game there are no issues that shroud darker elements, and every other game looks FAR BETTER under the RAZR MAXX, thanks to the color gamut and darker hues.
The 960x540 resolution on the RAZR takes a moment to get used to (most models have 800x480), but it makes life easier for browsing and, again, the 4.3" screen size makes typing easier. (the PPI to the RAZR is 256, whereas the Captivate's was 216 - neither is as densely packed as a certain phone from a fruit vendor (300DPI), but I've no complaints on screen quality.)
FAST. This phone is FAST. No doubt other phones might be faster (e.g. those with the Exynos processor), but this one is no slouch. Every game and app I've worked on feel more responsive, especially Osmos (which I didn't expect to run better, but it did).
FEEL/SIZE: With case protector (Otterbox) on both devices, the RAZR MAXX is almost as thick as the Captivate, but taller. And just slightly wider. It weighs more, but the feel of the MAXX feels more solid and well-built.
Actually, I do have a gripe:
It has 16GB internal flash RAM and also includes a 16GB Micro card. It would have been ideal if a second MicroSD slot existed, which would really bring out the full potential of this phone.
Definitely 5 stars - there's nothing that's really detractable, not even the nitpicks. The fastest data connectivity sweetens the pot (YMMV, I chose Verizon), and reports on how it's impossible to drain this thing down in one day with moderate/heavy use are truly impressive.
*Note, I suggest check for best deal for the RAZR MAXX, before you're will buy it at: ******************.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/motorola-droid-razr-maxx
Thank for reading!22 out of 29 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best Phone I've ever owned.....AMAZING Battery Life!!!!
by andyflippen on February 4, 2012
Pros: Battery Life (See Below)
Display
Battery Life
Functionality
Battery Life
Smart Actions Battery Life Saver
Did I mention battery life?Cons: None that I've found so far. The camera isn't as intuitive or reactive as the iPhone, but I want my phone as a phone. If I want the crispest action shots, I'll use my camera.
Summary: I have the Droid X2 and then upgraded to the 16gb Razr. The Razr is the exact same phone as the Maxx, but my battery was dying every day before ...
Summary: I have the Droid X2 and then upgraded to the 16gb Razr. The Razr is the exact same phone as the Maxx, but my battery was dying every day before I left the office. Don't undervalue how much battery life 4gLTE service actually uses. I used Smart Actions, made my own adjustments, limited use, didn't read my Kindle app at lunch, and still had a dead battery on my way home from work. So, I traded up to the Razr Maxx. This week, I've used my phone to watch Netflix shows at lunch, read from my Kindle app, used the phone more than normal (on purpose), sent a lot of texts and pictures, played on Facebook, watched YouTube videos, and just tried to run this battery into the ground. End result....70% battery life at the end of the day. This battery is no joke. I can't kill this thing. I've never had a phone that I didn't have to charge every day, but I could honestly get 1 1/2 - 2 days out of one charge, and that's saying a lot for me. I use my phone for work all day, and play on it quite a bit when I'm not in the office. This is the best phone I've ever owned. Call quality is crisp, I don't drop in some dead zones I've always dropped in. The Speak Now function allows you to speak texts, emails, and call contacts while driving with no interuption. The 4gLTE speeds are lightning fast, and in it's case, I can't tell the difference in thickness between the Maxx and Razr, except that the Maxx is better balanced due to shape, and easier to hold for calls. I absolutely love this phone. I considered a Galaxy Nexus and iPhone 4s also, but there is no comparison. When this phone gets ICS update, there will be no reason to look at any other current phone on the market.
11 out of 12 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The best phone on the market, hands down!/p>
by Caldrumr2010 on February 18, 2012
Pros: Ridiculous battery life, solid build quality, fast and powerful, large screen, great call quality.
Cons: Lack of Android 4.0, less-than-stellar screen, mediocre camera, low resolution.
Summary: This is a really great phone. I had the original Droid, and have had nothing but problems with it for over two years. So, needless to say, I was very ...
Summary: This is a really great phone. I had the original Droid, and have had nothing but problems with it for over two years. So, needless to say, I was very excited to upgrade. I am not a big fan of the small, underwhelming iPhone, so it was either this or the Nexus. The battery and build quality sold me on this one.
Battery
First off, this is exactly the same as the Droid Razr, except for a (much) larger battery, and a slightly different shape, due to that larger battery. So does the larger battery rationalize the fifty-dollar price increase. In two words, oh yeah! The battery is amazing. With over double the capacity of phones like the iPhone, you won't need to charge this baby often. You would have to put this phone through the ringer all day long to drain its battery, and if you use it more moderately, you could easily get two or three days out of a charger. I haven't reached 70% since I got it.
Build Quality
This is a nice-looking phone. It's sharp, it feels great, and it is sure to make your iPhone-using friends squirm with envy. It's slim, light, and large. Just note that if you have small hands and you like to do one-handed texting or browsing, you may have issues due to the large screen size.
The gorilla glass screen is great, it's water resistant, and the overall build quality just seems solid. The Kevlar backing is more of a gimmick than anything else, but it looks neat, and it has a nice feel to it. Just don't expect to stop any bullets with this one!
Screen
This has a nice, large Super Amoled+ screen. It is fairly bright, and images look really nice and sharp. However, if you compare it side by side with a phone like the Galaxy Nexus, you will notice the difference. The screen is less bright and colorful. So, while it's nice, it's not the best. And at this point in technology, for a top-of-the-line device, I expected 720p. It's a shame, but the screen really isn't bad, and you are sure to enjoy it. Movies and games look nice and sharp.
Software
This is where the phone really stumbles a bit. Again, for a flagship device, I can't believe this doesn't have Android 4.0. And from the looks of things, we won't be getting it this year at all. Very sad. You shouldn't have to root your device to get the best software. This isn't an old phone. Motorola, update your gear!
The Motoblur version of Android is okay. It's not so intrusive as it has been in the past. But you will probably want to replace most of it with custom apps from the marketplace. The smart settings are very nice, however. For instance, I set my phone to go silent at night, only if I am home and my phone has been inactive for a few minutes. However, calls from certain individuals will still go through. Very nice!
Sound
This thing has a great speaker! The speakerphone is surely the best I have ever heard, and even music sounds clean and crisp. This tops the sound quality list for any phone I have ever seen. Even if you set the phone down on its back (speaker down), the sound is clear and loud. Very nice.
Call Quality
I'm not a big talker when it comes to the phone. However, I have had some serious issues with other phones in the past regarding call quality. That is definitely not an issue here. Calls are crisp and clear, and both parties can hear each other well. The speaker has nice volume, and I have yet to have a dropped call. No issues here at all. Calls sound much cleaner than on my old phone.
Camera
First off, the 1080p video on this phone is very nice. You won't want to be ditching your camcorder anytime soon, but for a mobile device, the video is very nice.
However, the camera is a bit blah. While 8 megapixels is nice to have, it doesn't matter too much if the camera isn't great, and other phones have better cameras. If the camera is a primary feature for you, you may want to look elsewhere. The pictures are mediocre: a bit washed out, and not very clear. It does not perform well in low light, though this is a problem with many phones out there.
Performance
This phone is fast! It has a dual-core processor that will keep you zipping along. Things open quickly, transitions are smooth, and apps perform very well. Multitasking is a breeze, and I don't get constant force closes. It has the processing power, memory and overall juice to do what you need, when you want, all the time.
Capacity
This phone comes with 16 GB internal memory, about 8 GB of which is set aside for storage. It also comes with a 16 GB SD card, upgradeable to 32. While I would have liked the option to have a 32/32 combination, it's not a big deal, and this will work for most people. If you have a lot of music files, Google Music comes pre-installed, and works like a charm!
Overall
In the end, this phone makes me happy, and not just because of have been waiting two years to replace my old piece of junk. This is a slick, slender piece of powerful hardware that will make just about anyone happy. It makes my Droid look like a doorstop, and makes the iPhone look like somebody's chubby misfit cousin who showed up to the party uninvited.
I would take off a star for the software, the camera, or the lack of 720p resolution, but really, these things are just nitpicking, and each of them does the job well, if not perfectly. Since I don't think there is another phone on the market that outshines this one, I give it 4.5/5. However, if it had Android 4.0, and brighter 720p screen, and the iPhone camera, I think it would be smartphone perfection!
Bottom line: if you want a top-of-the-line, powerful smartphone, this is the one to get.9 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best phone I've ever held!
by fastattack1095 on February 15, 2012
Pros: -Perfect size, big bright beautiful screen
-Stupid fast
-Quick multitasking
-Very fluid and easy to customize
-Extensive, long battery lifeCons: -Bluetooth disconnects randomly, but reconnects back easily.
-Wi-fi back to 3G switch is rough (a few seconds)
-Phone calls back to 3G rough (not on Wi-Fi, 10-20 seconds sometimes)
-Skype, audio comes out the phone earpiece and not media speaker.Summary: Ok, coming from a Blackberry Storm2, I had finally found the phone that I thought would be my best fit. It does everything the Blackberry did but so much better. ...
Summary: Ok, coming from a Blackberry Storm2, I had finally found the phone that I thought would be my best fit. It does everything the Blackberry did but so much better. My exchange email now arrives instantly, compared to six or seven minutes later. No more truncated emails!
First of all, the display! I can't get over reading about people complaining over no 720p display, its blurry, or whatever else. This screen is just as good as my wife's iPhone 4 at any angle, along with anything you can grab at a Verizon store. I'm not sure of how any higher resolution screen could look "better" unless looking under a magnifying glass?? Netflix, Skype, websites all look great.
I am admittedly addicted to my phone and use it too much. It will normally make it through 18 to 24 hours with a lot of screen on time, time of Skype video calls, Netflix, Facebook, games, updates, etc.
Navigation is dead on, although I would have preferred a different more natural sounding voice. Also a little hard to hear in the car dock and on speakerphone.
Car dock is amazing, fits great, charges plays music, Pandora or other music apps. Can record videos, see text messages and emails pop up. Only complaint is you can't go to home screen from car dock app. To access an app you want to use, you have to have it running in the background (or on recent apps) and hold the home screen button to open it. May have to unplug the dock and open the app if it isn't up in the background.
Camera is much better than my Blackberry, of course not as good as a point and shoot. Wish it would have had a dedicated button under the volume rocker for better auto focusing. I'm still playing with it and plan on trying out CameraFX and maybe a couple apps.
Video in 720 is good and clear, a little choppy. Audio could be a bit better. I like it though.
CDMA radio is excellent, great signal most everywhere. Surpasses my Blackberry and some co-workers phones. Wi-Fi radio could have been stronger, I get signal through the house, but not as good as it should (in my opinion). I have not tryed out the Mobile Hotspot, don't want to root my phone and have not wanted to pay extra). After the recent update, the forums are reporting it to be working good though.
I would recommend this phone to anyone, even a novice at smart phones. This is my first Android device and so far was easy to customize and learn. You really can't go wrong here..
MOST IMPORTANT: Remember all devices, computers, etc, will have bugs and issues of some sort. I'm tired of reading reviews over multiple platforms of people complaining about the little stuff. We may eventually have devices that are 100% perfect, but we don't have anything like it right now. - Again, my personal opinion -7 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Fantastic Phone!
by Funkyfour6 on January 29, 2012
Pros: Phone Performance
Battery
ConstructionCons: Non Removable Battery
No Android 4.0 (ICS)
NO HD Screen
No NFC
Not a phone for small handsSummary: Now I know there will be a lot of people out there who will be upset at the fact that this phone was launched so soon to the original Razr. ...
Summary: Now I know there will be a lot of people out there who will be upset at the fact that this phone was launched so soon to the original Razr. As a previous owner of the Galaxy Nexus I will say the Droid RAZR is an outstanding example of a smartphone. It is not perfect by any means of the imagination but I must say the engineers at Motorola did a great job with this phone. I love this phone when compared to the Nexus. It accomplishes the primary purpose of a cell phone and that is to work as a cell phone!
No signal problems! Good speakerphone! Great Construction! The battery life is a pleasure. Motorola claims 21 hours of talk time. I am happy the phone can work on 4G without thinking about use for at least 10 hours. I charge my cell phone daily.
The screen on this phone does not have the resolution of other competitors like the Galaxy Nexus, but the colors are more vibrant with better contrast.
If you are looking for a cell phone that will last the entire work day without a recharge, this is the phone for you. There will always be a new cell phone arriving on the market that will make your phone seem old within months of your purchase. Buy a phone that performs the functions you need and call it a day.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Makes a cool product cooler, yet missing the one thing
by Dexter1268 on January 27, 2012
Pros: - Battery, duh...actually, this is probably the first time that word has made it into the Pros section EVER on a Verizon smartphone.
- Call quality.
- Micro-HDMI
- Nanocoating/Kevlar=awesome design features
- getting 4.0, the ROM is already outCons: - Come on...NO 720p resolution? Seriously? siiighh.
- Really, the 960x540 is the same as the X2...remember the X2? It's been a while, think hard. Having 226ppi instead of the Nexus/Rezound/LG's over 300 sucks.
- That's it, I just want 720pSummary: With a good speaker, nice usable UI, future awesomeness of 4.0, a great battery, decent camera, amazing design, and tons of features, this should be an absolute contender for ...
Summary: With a good speaker, nice usable UI, future awesomeness of 4.0, a great battery, decent camera, amazing design, and tons of features, this should be an absolute contender for anyone needing a new phone....I say "need" because the people who just WANT one should wait until after MWC in February where the Tegra 3's get mentioned. With HTC saying they will release 1 "hero device" every quarter that means (hopefully) creating more future-proof devices. With Motorola signing with Intel one should probably wait to see what they come up with. And of course there's those phones from Sony that pack a mega camera, Bravia-sync, and True HD that are hopeful.
In short, if you have an Incredible (like me!), a Droid X, X2, or anything else that is still getting updates and still works just fine, it's lame to get anything right this second, especially with Spring releases right around the corner and so much hype for the summer...honestly, I'd wait.
But the Maxx is amazing...I still like the layout in the Nexus, the screen in the Spectrum, and the sound in the HTC more though, and lets face it, the next HTC phone will be 720p, have Beats, be slimmer, and have a great camera with 4.0...and be easier to root than Moto.5 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Don't buy this phone until Motorola addresses issues
by draythomp on April 23, 2012
Pros: Long Battery Life
Really sharp display
Software works well
Did I mention long battery lifeCons: Screen breaks for essentially no reason
Warranty too restrictiveSummary: I've had a RAZR MAXX since the first day I could get it. It worked really well and I thought I had found the perfect phone. This good fortune ...
Summary: I've had a RAZR MAXX since the first day I could get it. It worked really well and I thought I had found the perfect phone. This good fortune was short lived. I picked it up from the table where it spends 90% of its time hooked to a charger and communicating over bluetooth, took it outside to take a picture and the screen was broken. There was a crack straight down the middle of the screen. Notice, I didn't say anything about dropping it. The Motorola warranty excludes all physical damage and so does the Verizon warranty. The insurance company didn't care, they just replace phones.
I even took it to a Verizon store. The salesman didn't see any reason for the screen to break, but while we were playing with it, it cracked again, this time in a different place horizontally. These phones are advertised with Kevlar, Gorilla glass and other features that lead you to believe that it is tough. This is simply not true.
When you talk to either Verizon or Motorola they claim there is no record of this kind of problem. Of course there isn't, they claim physical damage and let themselves off the hook regardless of the facts. Before you get one, check out the web for cracked screen problem; you'll see what I mean.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Had the Galaxy Nexus....Loving the Maxx
by charlypittsburgh on February 11, 2012
Pros: Battery life awesome!!!
Smart Actions App
Motocast
Accessories blow Nexus out of water
Build Quality
Gallery App
multicity weather app
blutooth 4.0...Cons: Screen is very good, not as good as Nexus though
no ICS yet...
No NFC...Summary: Best combo of performance and power..while the screen may not be as good as the Galaxy Nexus...its still quite good. The camera is Ok..no problem there...It ...
Summary: Best combo of performance and power..while the screen may not be as good as the Galaxy Nexus...its still quite good. The camera is Ok..no problem there...It doesnt have NFC but im finding as a user bluetooth 4.0 is more valuable hardware...only iPhone 4s and Razr have it...Its profile can use extremely low power Bluetooth devices saving additional battery life...all and all fantastic phone...went 1.5 days of moderate to heavy use....that would be 1/2 day on the Nexus. The Motorola proprietary apps are great not good GREAT!. Please check out the smart actions app...Crazy good tool for saving battery and peace of mind...you can put it in a sleep mode where only your wife phone # will let the phone ring...and thats the tip of the iceberg...
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Motorola
- Part number: DROIDRAZRMAXX
- Description: All day, every day. That's how much you use your smartphone. With DROID RAZR MAXX, you finally get battery life that keeps up with your life. The longest talk time of any 4G smartphone - that's what you get with DROID RAZR MAXX. On one full charge, you can host a marathon (as in more than 21-hour) conference call. Whip through the web for 7 hours straight. Get your movie fix with 15 uninterrupted hours of flick watching. Jam out all weekend. That's right - on one full charge, you can listen to music for two and half days straight. DROID RAZR MAXX isn't changing the rules - it's creating a whole new game, in a full-on assault to what's possible. At 8.99mm, it's thinner than most smartphones and it packs more battery, too. Thinner and the longest talk time of any 4G smartphone? The competition doesn't stand a chance. Seriously thin, DROID RAZR MAXX is the exact opposite of frail. It's made strong with DuPont KEVLAR fiber, while Corning Gorilla Glass defends the screen against scratches and scrapes. A force field of water-repellent nanoparticles shields the phone against water attacks - even the electrical boards inside. DROID RAZR MAXX makes "Mach 10" seem slow. Up to 10 times faster than 3G, Verizon's turbo-boosted 4G LTE speeds will have you rocketing through your everyday. Video chat, stream, download - do it all at top speed and with confidence on the fastest, most reliable 4G network. DROID RAZR MAXX delivers twice the battery life of other leading smartphones, so you won't spend your day plugged into the wall. Instead, you'll be more plugged in than ever to what's happening at work. Blazing 4G LTE speeds plus an enterprise-grade VPN keep you connected to the office when you're away, while pre-loaded apps help you get down to business. Collaborate in real time with GoToMeeting and create and edit Microsoft Office files right on your phone, with Quickoffice. DROID RAZR MAXX is ready to do your bidding. Always kill the ringer at work? Or tweak your Bluetooth settings at home? The Smart Actions app understands. It automates everyday tasks so you're free to focus on otherworldly pursuits. And even though DROID RAZR MAXX already has the longest talk time of any 4G smartphone, you can push things even further with Smart Actions battery optimization settings.
General
- Product Type Smartphone
- Form Factor Touch
- Phone Design PDA
- Resistance Gorilla Glass (scratch resistant glass)
- Integrated Components Wi-Fi hotspot,
GLONASS receiver,
GPS receiver,
2nd camera,
Digital camera,
Digital player,
Voice recorder - Width 2.71 in
- Depth 0.38 in
- Height 5.15 in
- Weight 5.11 oz
- Body Material KEVLAR
Cellular
- Technology CDMA2000 1X
- Band CDMA2000 1X 1900/800
- Mobile Broadband Generation 4G
- Service Provider Verizon Wireless
- Operating System Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS
- Application Software Amazon Kindle,
Quickoffice,
Netflix,
GoToMeeting,
MotoCast,
Adobe Flash Player 10,
MOTOPRINT - Installed Games Let's Golf 2,
Madden NFL 12 - Input Device(s) Touch sensitive screen (multi-touch) , Capacitive
Messaging & Internet
- Cellular Messaging Services MMS,
SMS - Instant Messaging Services Yahoo! Messenger,
AOL Instant Messenger Service (AIM),
Google Talk,
Windows Live Messenger (MSN Messenger) - Supported Social Networks and Blogs LinkedIn,
Twitter,
Facebook - Messaging & Data Features Microsoft PowerPoint support,
Microsoft Excel support,
Microsoft Word support - Mobile Services Slacker Radio,
Google eBooks,
MSN Hotmail,
YouTube,
NFL Mobile,
Gmail,
Google Search,
Google Search by Voice,
Yahoo! Mail,
Google Calendar,
Google Quick Search Box,
Google Latitude,
Google Play Communications
- Data Transmission EV-DO
- Wireless Interface LTE,
Bluetooth 4.0,
IEEE 802.11b/g/n - Bluetooth Profiles Serial Port Profile (SPP),
Object Push Profile (OPP),
Personal Area Networking Profile (PAN),
Hands Free Profile (HFP),
Headset Profile (HSP),
Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN),
Phonebook Access Profile (PBAP),
Human Interface Device Profile (HID),
Low Energy Attribute Protocol (ATT),
Generic Attribute Profile (GATT),
Heart Rate Monitor (HRM),
Generic Access Profile (GAP),
Message Access Profile (MAP),
Device Identification Profile (DID),
Low Energy Security Manager Protocol (SMP),
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP),
Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP),
Audio/Video Distribution Transport Protocol (AVDTP),
General Audio/Video Distribution Profile (GAVDP) - Communication Features Internet browser,
Mobile Email client Phone Features
- Phone Functions Voice control,
Call timer,
Conference call,
Flight mode,
Speakerphone,
Voice dialing,
Vibrating alert - Polyphonic Ringer Yes
- Ring Tone Formats AAC,
MP3,
eAAC,
AAC+ - Sensors Proximity sensor,
Accelerometer,
Ambient light sensor,
Digital compass - Additional Features DLNA Certified,
Software updates FOTA (Firmware Over The Air),
TTY compatible,
Intelligent typing (SWYPE) Organizer
- Personal Information Management Synchronization with PC,
Calendar,
Calculator,
Reminder,
Alarm clock Media Player
- Supported Digital Audio Standards WMA 9,
eAAC+,
AAC +,
WAV,
MP3,
WMA v10,
MIDI,
eAAC,
WMA v9,
AAC,
AMR - Supported Digital Video Standards MPEG-4,
H.263,
H.264,
WMV9
Memory
- ROM 16 GB
- Bult-in Memory 11.5 GB
- Supported Flash Memory Cards microSDHC - up to 32 GB
Digital Camera
- Sensor Resolution 8 megapixels
- Focus Adjustment Automatic
- Digital Zoom 8
- Camera Light Source LED light
- Video Recorder Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (1080p)
- Features Video recording,
Geo-tagging Navigation System
- GPS Navigation A-GPS/GLONASS receiver - Simultaneous GPS (S-GPS)
- Navigation Software & Services Google Maps,
Google Maps Street View,
Google Maps Navigation Display
- Type OLED display - Color
- Technology Super AMOLED Advanced
- Diagonal Size 4.3 in
- Display Resolution 960 x 540 pixels
- Features Wallpaper,
Scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Connections
- Connector Type Micro-USB,
HDMI,
Headset jack - Mini-phone 3.5 mm Battery
- Technology Lithium ion
- Capacity 3300 mAh
- Run Time Details Talk - up to 1290 min,
Standby - up to 380 hour(s) Miscellaneous
- Compliant Standards HAC(Hearing Aid Compatible)
- Included Accessories Power adapter , Power adapter
- Also Included microSDHC - 16 GB
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Motorola products on Shopper.com
-
- Manufacturer:Motorola
- Address:
600 N. Highway 45, Libertyville, IL 60048 - Phone: 847/576-5000
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