Motorola DROID 4 vs Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX

Introduction:

DROIDs will be DROIDs, right? Well, as we’ve come to see with Motorola’s set of DROID branded devices, they encompass a wide array of form factors – with each offering their own characteristic traits. Spitting out devices like no other, Motorola has blessed Verizon’s lineup very recently with venerable devices in the DROID 4 and DROID RAZR MAXX. On one hand, you have a device with a killer keyboard for messaging, while the other relies on its generous battery life to woe consumers, but ultimately there’s only one that’ll stand head above water in being regarded as today’s DROID of choice.

Design:

Initially, the two bear very similar designs with their tapered corners, which has been long established by the Motorola PHOTON 4G, but that’s where the similarities end as the DROID 4 is considerably thicker and heavier – to its credit though, it does pack one killer landscape style QWERTY keyboard. Thankfully, both are still extremely solid with their build quality, however, it’s the DROID RAZR MAXX’s premium choice of materials that enables it to stand out much more in instilling us that it’s a top-shelf smartphone. Not only is the DROID RAZR MAXX sleeker, but overall, it has this polished appeal that makes it the more favorable looking handset.


No worries with their capacitive Android buttons, as accidental presses are kept to a minimum with them. Above their displays, they both feature the same 1.3-megapixel camera, which are normally reserved for nothing more than video chat sessions.

With a slightly more prominent feel, we prefer the dedicated power button of the DROID RAZR MAXX. Meanwhile, we find the opposite with their volume controls, as the DROID 4 has the better feel. Seeing that both handsets have their microUSB and microHDMI out ports next to one another, they’re enabled to work with the many Motorola Webtop accessories – like the HD Station and Lapdock.

Flip these two devices over, we’re presented with the same exact 8-megapixel auto-focus cameras with flash. Interestingly though, both handsets have non-removable batteries, but we actually like that the DROID RAZR MAXX’s microSD card and microSIM slots are easily accessible from its side – whereas the DROID 4 requires you to remove its rear cover entirely before gaining access.


Display:

No question about this one folks, but the Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX’s 4.3” qHD Super AMOLED Advance display outshines the washed out looking 4” qHD LCD display of the DROID 4. Of course, they both have great details thanks to qHD resolution, which makes it very easy for our eyes to distinguish fine text. Above all, the punchy colors, high contrast, and wide viewing angles of the DROID RAZR MAXX all culminate together to capture and entice our eyes. Placing these two next to one another, it’s quite evident that the DROID RAZR MAXX simply has this polarizing glow that makes it jump out more.

Interface and Functionality:

Knowing that we’ve been tantalized by Ice Cream Sandwich, we’re still perplexed to find that these two top-notch smartphones still running an older build of Android. Finding that all too typical MOTOBLUR-whatever interface running on top of Android 2.3 Gingerbread, we still adore its glitzy looking presentation thanks to its heavy use of 3D and transition effects. Needless to say, we can still dream about Ice Cream Sandwich, but we’re thankfully presented with all of great aspects of Android – like its deep level of personalization and useful widgets. Come to think of it, this interface was actually first established by the DROID 3 from last year, so yeah, there’s nothing terribly new found with either.



Absolutely, if you happen to be extremely big on messaging in general, the Motorola DROID 4 is the unanimous choice thanks to its fantastic physical keyboard. Well, that’s not to say that the experience is inferior on the DROID RAZR MAXX, which is blessed with a spacious layout, but it doesn’t quite have the same pleasant feel of having a tactile response when pressing something.



Flaunting the same customized interface, their respective organizer and email apps are identical in every way. Beyond that, they’re stocked to the roof with the same set of preloaded apps, which surprisingly plays to the needs of enterprise/business users as well. Finally, with Motorola’s Smart Actions feature on board with the two, we adore the control we’re given in customizing and organizing various aspects of the phones.

Processor and Memory:

Taking into account that one handset is priced higher than the other, one would assume that the processor hardware in one is going to be better than the other. However, that’s not the case as these two devices are powered by the same 1.2GHz dual-core TI OMAP 4430 processor. To sum it up, both perform equally to one another, as they’re capable of maintaining a consistent rate of responsiveness with almost all operations – albeit, they’re plagued by that darn choppy pinch zooming in the gallery.

In terms of memory capacity out of the box, the DROID RAZR MAXX has the upper hand, seeing that it has a 16GB microSD card, 8GB of internal storage, and 2.51GB reserved for apps. Conversely, the DROID 4 is outfitted with 8GB of storage with 2.36GB for apps – though, it can be supplemented further with a microSD card of some size.

Internet and Connectivity:

Having been spoiled by Verizon’s 4G LTE network for some time now, we’ve come to expect nothing but stellar web browsing. Rightfully so, that’s exactly what we find with these two speed demons as they quickly and effortlessly load our site with no problems at all. Complementing the peppy data speeds, fluid navigational controls are in abundance everywhere we look, thus, culminating in one fine web browsing experience. Even better, they handle Flash heavy sites relatively well with little sluggishness diminishing the performance.

Running a few speed tests on both smartphones, we find the results very similar on numerous occasions, and in the same places as well. With these two CDMA devices, they’ll revert to good old EV-DO Rev A connections in the event that 4G LTE isn’t present. Finally, they both feature aGPS, Bluetooth 4.0 with EDR, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and mobile hotspot functionality.

Camera:

Comparing the photos produced by their 8-megapixel cameras, they exhibit the same exact quality – but in all fairness, they’re simply not pleasant to the eyes. Therefore, there’s no one device outgunning the other in terms of image quality seeing that they have the same indistinct details and cooler color production. Naturally, things get a lot worse with low lighting shots, as they’re muddied tremendously with noise and an overall grainy look. In the end, we’re essentially baffled that these two are totally inept when it comes to snapping images.



Hardly thrilled by their still image snapshots, we’re not treated to anything better in the 1080p video recording department. Again, their qualities are utterly poor to the point of being unusable for most important occasions. Even though they boast the same capture rate of 29 frames per second, indistinguishable details, and cooler colors, the only separation between the two is the distorted tones with the DROID 4’s audio recording. Though, it’s a dispensable qualm when you take into consideration the overall horrendous quality of their video recordings.

Motorla DROID 4 Sample Video:



Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX Sample Video:



Multimedia:

Same interface, same music player – obviously! Naturally, there’s nothing different in that specific area, but when it comes to audio quality with their respective speakers, it’s almost difficult to say which one has the upper hand. Well, after cranking up their volumes to their maximum settings, we subtly hear the DROID 4 cranking out the stronger tones – albeit, it’s not by much.


Going out on a limb, we’re not going to say that the DROID RAZR MAXX is the preferred handset for watching videos for the simple reason that it has the larger display, but rather, its iridescent glow is what convinces us the most. Yes, they’re both able to smoothly play our test videos, but the saturated colors evident with the Super AMOLED Advance display of the DROID RAZR MAXX stands out defiantly over the bland appearance of the DROID 4.

Performance:

After placing a few calls, we barely find any issues using either device to chitchat with people, as we’re able to comprehend voices relatively well on both ends of the line. However, the only difference we notice is that voices have a subtle amount of choppiness through the DROID RAZR MAXX’s earpiece, while the DROID 4’s speakerphone volume is stronger.

From the looks of it, they’re able to retain 4G LTE connectivity in pretty much all the same places – without finding one dropping it more than the other.

Hands down, the DROID RAZR MAXX kills it in the battery life department, and in fact, it’s the benchmark for all devices going forward. Generously giving up close to three days of normal usage, it obliterates the 10 hours of usage we get out of the DROID 4, which so happens to be the typical amount we find with most 4G LTE devices on Big Red’s lineup. So yeah, there’s no arguing this one!

Conclusion:

Strolling down memory lane, it’s amazing to know that the DROID 4 is a descendant of the granddaddy Android device of them all, the original Motorola DROID, but in this day and age, the latest DROID-only branded device has seemingly passed on the flag to a newcomer. Sure, it’s $100 more in pricing than the DROID 4, but the $300 you’ll be shelling out on the DROID RAZR MAXX is undeniably worth every penny. Still, the DROID 4 is device to stick with if messaging so happens to be on the top of your list – though, its cousin isn’t too shabby as well in that area. In the end, the WOW factor accompanying the DROID RAZR MAXX is simply too much to contain, and that’s exactly why it’s going to be the dominant device for the foreseeable future.