By Frank Ling
Are you looking for a smartphone that is a head-turner and is able to raise your pulse every time you use it? Are copycat-styled phones making you yawn? Do you want an Android phone that will totally knock you out?
If you answered yes to any of the above, put Motorola’s Droid RAZR (see our video review, too) on your list of things to check out. This new phone is stealthy, cool and inviting. The RAZR, released in November 2011, is packed with features and has a visual design that will even make some iPhone owners envious.
The RAZR case is made of Kevlar (yes, the same material used in bulletproof jackets), the curved bezel is made of tough Gorilla Glass, and the whole unit is thin, just like its namesake, by measuring a scant 7.1mm in thickness. Add 4G LTE capability, great cameras, HD video, super AMOLED display, and lots of other goodies and you have a smartphone that is a top of the line phone in anyone’s book.
But even the best phones need good software. RAZR’s most recent update (circa Christmas 2011), improved on many facets, including:
- Improved 4G data connectivity
- Eliminated false SIM error messages
- Improved performance for transition between 3G and 4G connections
- Improved maintenance of network connection upon completion of a voice call
- Enhanced Wi-Fi performance
In addition, the camera performance has been taken up a notch or two, lockups and hangs have been reduced, there is better readability for social network menu items, and last but not least, general overall phone stability is improved.
But even with all this effort to make the Droid RAZR better, it still has one big issue: short battery life. Since day one, owners have been complaining about the its very poor battery performance, often saying the phone rarely lasted more than three or four hours. It’s sort of like owning a Ferrari with a five-gallon gas tank. Sure, the car is fast and cool, but if you can’t drive long distances, it’s useless.
But not to worry, Motorola has released its version of a Droid on ‘Roids to address the weak battery issue. Drum roll please: Enter the RAZR MAXX.
You won’t have to constantly check the battery meter on this unit because The RAZR MAXX has a battery life of 21 long hours of talk time, and 16 days of standby time.
This amazing feat is accomplished by jamming a 3300mAh battery into the small form factor. The MAXX is just like the regular RAZR but is a tiny bit thicker to accommodate the larger power cell.
Speed, performance, features, cool-factor, and just plain fun are terms to describe the RAZR. For tech hounds and anyone who wants a Top Ten smartphone, it is something to definitely consider. And if battery life is a concern, the MAXX will not only last a full day or more in battery life, you won’t have to worry about running out of juice while doing important things like trying to beat your high score in Angry Birds.
So if you’ve been waiting to buy a phone that gives you a rush of adrenaline, the Droid RAZRs offered by Motorola may just be the items you are looking for...just don’t forget to take an occasional breath when you use them.
Price: The MAXX is available for $299 with a two-year contract agreement; the RAZR is $199 with a two-year contract. Offset the cost; find the value of your old smart phone.
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Frank Ling is the SF Gadgets Examiner and has been a writer, professional photographer, video producer, video game QA trainer and video editor.