Review of Motorola Droid RAZR

The last time we mentioned the word “new” and “Razr” in the same sentence was almost a half a decade ago, well until we met the Droid RAZR. The hot, sleek RAZR item of the past is making a new comeback with the Motorola Droid RAZR, a thin smart phone with Android as its OS. However, as we take a look at the device that debuted Friday, November 11, 2011, we will find out if the new RAZR is in fact improved.

The Inner (and Outer) Beauty

I guess it’s best to start with how this device operates inside before talking about the obviously outer points. First, the UI on the Droid RAZR could have been a lot better. It is definitely not a UI for the first time smart phone user. I had to definitely rely on my previous smart phone knowledge to guess where certain things were in this device. Aside from this, the device isn’t for the impatient. If you are transferring from an iPhone to this device, you’ll definitely feel how this device isn’t so snappy as we’d like.

However, I did like certain features the Droid RAZR had that made usage a tad bit easier. One such feature was Smart Action. These are customizable adjustments that you can set for the device to perform to make things much easier and to allow your device to preserve its battery state. For example, the ability to shut down certain features that aren’t in use to preserve the battery is quite smart, no pun intended.

Now, off to the most obvious, outer, characteristic of the Droid RAZR, it’s thinness. Aside from the signal bulge, it’s one of the thinnest phones I have tried out. However, this device is also big. I guess you can say the Droid RAZR is confused about what it should be, thin and modern, while still having a large and useable screen. However, focusing more on the screen, there’s nothing too special about it. It is nice, but there are many other better displays I have seen, not impressed.

Is it a Power Machine?

Despite the passable display, unfriendly UI, and awkward design, the Droid RAZR performed pretty well in terms of speed. While not amazing, you won’t find yourself with too much system lag. This is attributed partly to the Verizon 4G LTE network as well. The Moto Droid RAZR has a 1.2 GHz processor and 1GB of RAM. The battery would easily satisfy the average user, however power users like myself will feel a little disappointed.

Cameras and Multimedia

The camera quality is quite nice. It definitely won’t be a camera replacement, not even a point and shoot replacement in this case, but it did the job. The video quality was a little more disappointing, stating the fact it’s supposed to be 1080p. It just didn’t have the same wow factor I found with the iPhone 4S’ camera quality. However, if you are the type that uses your phone frequently for quick pictures, prepare to invest in a larger microSD card.

Droid RAZR vs. iPhone 4S

In terms of software…this is the factor that makes people go one way or the other. The iPhone has iOS and the Droid RAZR has Android Gingerbread. One hands up the iPhone has over the Droid however is that the RAZR’s OS isn’t the latest OS for Android as of yet, Ice Cream Sandwich. This is expected to be on the device by next year.

In terms of performance…it seems this is when both devices also have some differences. The battery life on the RAZR was noticeably better than the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4S also doesn’t have 4G support as of yet.

In terms of features…both devices have 8-megapixel cameras. The iPhone 4S has a VGA level frontal camera, while the Droid RAZR has a 1.3 megapixel frontal camera. Both devices have 1080p video recording support as well.

Overall…when comparing price, there isn’t much of a comparison, they are both hand and hand at $299.99 for 32GB. Personally, I feel this was a good move for Verizon to do this. Android users will only consider the Droid RAZR; iPhone users will consider the 4S. Both users can’t necessarily say price would be a factor in this choice. For this reason, if you are dead set between either phones, you should take a look at both devices in person to make a final choice. These devices are too similar in some respects and so different in other respects to make a clear-cut decision based on word alone.

Wrapping Up

All in all, I don’t think that the hype was all that the device was worth having. While it is a nice phone that I recommend for Android users, there are better choices for users outside of Android. There are just too many things that we have to settle on with the Droid RAZR. The screen’s quality just isn’t the best, the UI could be a lot better, and it won’t have Android Ice Cream Sandwich until next year. But, the thinness will win some individuals into buying the revamped RAZR. Those who aren’t into the looks will appreciate how the Droid RAZR takes advantage of Verizon’s LTE network.