Official Droid Razr Thread

[destrekor]

The verge wasn't overly thrilled with it, 7.0

http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/7/2543626/motorola-droid-razr-review

I'd like that level of build quality, on a Samsung phone. Really seems like build is the biggest thing it has going for it at the moment. Display is 'ok', camera is 'mediocre', and performance is on average.

Only Build Quality?

What about cell reception? Voice performance? Overall "phone" aspect?

Moto destroys the other manufacturers in those departments, which is why I definitely need to get a lot of reviews to decide if I want to ditch my Bionic for the Galaxy Nexus. Razer looks great, probably a step up from the Bionic across the board.... but each has faults so it's pretty even.

Galaxy Nexus... well, if it actually performs like a quality phone with reception close to, equal, or better than my Bionic - with voice and speaker quality somewhere in the ballpark of any top-end Motorola phone released in the past decade... and I'll probably have my Bionic on ebay in a hurry.

If the bastards would either leak a bootloader unlocker or just officially do so, my Bionic would last most likely...

 

[_Aurel_]

It has motos crap still they just don't call it blur anymore

It replaces the home screen and app drawer with styled 3d versions. The rest of the core android applications are pretty much stock. The preinstalled bloat can either be removed or hidden and some of them (like smart actions and motocast) are actually pretty useful.

Seriously, motoblur is nothing but a glorified launcher and I prefer it offers more functionality over the stock gingerbread version-

 

[Bateluer]

It replaces the home screen and app drawer with styled 3d versions. The rest of the core android applications are pretty much stock. The preinstalled bloat can either be removed or hidden and some of them (like smart actions and motocast) are actually pretty useful.

Seriously, motoblur is nothing but a glorified launcher and I prefer it offers more functionality over the stock gingerbread version-

Err, wrong. Even the modern Blur replaces the Launcher, Gallery, Email, and some other minor stuff. There's also the fact that it consumes more resources, RAM and CPU, than the stock launcher. And other than being 3D, it adds nothing to Android. It does, however, make the phone chug and reduce updates to a snails pace.

Kinda why everyone on AT voted for the Galaxy Nexus as their next phone.

 

[_Aurel_]

Err, wrong. Even the modern Blur replaces the Launcher, Gallery, Email, and some other minor stuff.

GMAIL is exactly the same, and gets updated just as fast as any other devices. You are right that the imap/pop3/outlook app is different, because Motorola replaced it with something that has better outlook/corporate email support, better encryption, and it doesn't randomly stop syncing email accounts unlike the stock gingerbread version.

There's also the fact that it consumes more resources, RAM and CPU, than the stock launcher. And other than being 3D, it adds nothing to Android. It does, however, make the phone chug and reduce updates to a snails pace.

Yes, other than the fact that it is hardware-accelerated, adds re-size-able widgets, allows you to clear notifications individually instead of having to clear them all, Motoblur adds nothing over Gingerbread.

 

[dguy6789]

Kinda why everyone on AT voted for the Galaxy Nexus as their next phone.

People would vote for the Galaxy Nexus over the Razr because it has a 4.7 inch screen, 720P display, really fast camera, NFC, better GPU, and ICS. Blur is such a tiny thing that it is not even on the radar. It isn't something that should deter or make someone want to buy a Moto phone unless they are an uninformed fanboy. Not buy a Moto phone because of the locked bootloader? Sure I can see that. Not buy a Moto phone because of Blur? That's insane.

People buy Moto phones because they have the best build quality and reception.

 

[Red Storm]

People would vote for the Galaxy Nexus over the Razr because it has a 4.7 inch screen, 720P display, really fast camera, NFC, better GPU, and ICS. Blur is such a tiny thing that it is not even on the radar. It isn't something that should deter or make someone want to buy a Moto phone unless they are an uninformed fanboy. Not buy a Moto phone because of the locked bootloader? Sure I can see that. Not buy a Moto phone because of Blur? That's insane.

People buy Moto phones because they have the best build quality and reception.

Having Blur means updates will be delayed. To some that's a pretty big deal.

 

[dguy6789]

Nexus phones are pretty much the only high end phones that don't run a skin. Motorola historically has been very good with updates compared to Samsung and HTC.

 

[saratoga172]

Went by the Verizon store and talked to the rep that sold me my Bionic. I asked him about the Razr and if they had one to look at and compare. At first he said they wouldn't be release until the 11th...then he told me he'd grab one from the back!

That thing is super thin. Reminds me of my old Razr V3xx. He let me boot it up and play with the menu's for a bit. Screen is very nice and vibrant. Reminds me more of the Samsung and iPhone display. Though I've come to quite like my Bionic display quite a bit. The phone didn't really feel much faster, but again the Bionic is already pretty snappy and I've got a custom rom that makes it even snappier.

Biggest difference was that it felt really light in the hand and of course the screen. Almost made my Bionic feel like a pig. I was however, disappointed that the physical size of the phone was even a slight bit bigger than my Bionic. I already wish my phone was a bit smaller. So that alone would be a deal breaker for me for the Razr and any upcoming gigantic device. I want a dual-core Android with 1GB of ram that has a 4" screen and physical size like say the Incredible 2. That to me would be the perfect device. Small enough not to be bulky and the screen would be perfect.

 

[Mopetar]

The smart actions are nice and something that every phone manufacturer should look into including. I think that this would go a long way to alleviate battery complaints if the phones were configured to get off the LTE network when at home, work, or other frequently visited locations that have wifi available.

It would be nice to see them extend it as well. I'd be really nice if it could tie in with a calendar system and automatically respond to texts or calls if I've marked that time on my calendar as busy/do no disturb. Other features like silencing the phone when at a movie theater would be a nice touch.

 

[_Aurel_]

EDIT: Wrong Thread

 

[Fire&Blood]

Droid RAZR is $111.11 on Amazon Wireless, I'm guessing the deal expires tomorrow.

 

[yh125d]

Droid RAZR is $111.11 on Amazon Wireless, I'm guessing the deal expires tomorrow.

Oh boy I hope this sale lasts long enough to get me within the 14 days of the GNex release (whenever we find out when that is)

 

[MrBond]

There's a 1 star review for the phone at Amazon Wireless complaining that the $111.11 price is for new customers only, so you might be out of luck unless you're switching to Verizon.

 

[redrider4life4]

Just went to the store and messed around with this phone, Idk what the deal is with motorola phones, but the web browsing experience is just not up to par with Samsung phones.

I was able to load about 15 webpages and no problem seamlessly transitioning from one to the other even while others were loading. But no matter how many tabs were open when scrolling the pages it is just not as fluid as other phones.

Phone feels awesome in your hand and is super thin, but I will never buy another motorola phone after they continue to offer crappy browsing experiences no matter the hardware. Def waiting for the nexus.

 

[maziwanka]

I'm going to try and stay patient and wait until the nexus is out to make a decision. Seeing them both in person, plus seeing battery benchmarks of them will probably be the deciding factor for me.

same here. that is, if the fucking nexus doesn't keep getting delayed. then eff them

 

[lothar]

Just went to the store and messed around with this phone, Idk what the deal is with motorola phones, but the web browsing experience is just not up to par with Samsung phones.

I was able to load about 15 webpages and no problem seamlessly transitioning from one to the other even while others were loading. But no matter how many tabs were open when scrolling the pages it is just not as fluid as other phones.

Phone feels awesome in your hand and is super thin, but I will never buy another motorola phone after they continue to offer crappy browsing experiences no matter the hardware. Def waiting for the nexus.

What you're experiencing is MotoBlur in action.

 

[tdawg]

People would vote for the Galaxy Nexus over the Razr because it has a 4.7 inch screen, 720P display, really fast camera, NFC, better GPU, and ICS. Blur is such a tiny thing that it is not even on the radar. It isn't something that should deter or make someone want to buy a Moto phone unless they are an uninformed fanboy. Not buy a Moto phone because of the locked bootloader? Sure I can see that. Not buy a Moto phone because of Blur? That's insane.

People buy Moto phones because they have the best build quality and reception.

I currently own a Droid X and will not buy another Motorola phone precisely because of MotoBlur.

 

[slayer202]

Some people here had to have bought this phone, no? No comments?

 

[MiniDoom]

I got the amazon deal today. I won't have the phone for another 2 weeks.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I get to play with a friend's Razr later. I can't wait. I have a pile of mkv samples I have put together to test the TI.

 

[WelshBloke]

I get to play with a friend's Razr later. I can't wait. I have a pile of mkv samples I have put together to test the TI.

What app have you been using to test mkv's.

 

[poofyhairguy]

So I got to play with the Razr for an extended period tonight.

The build quality is amazing. He had an X and it makes the X look like a creaky clunker. Everything is fit so perfect. The only thing I have seen like it is the iPhone. The thinness is awesome. We put it side-by-side to my SGS2 and it made it look old and fat. I also loved the side MicroSD port. It screamed "DROID!" every time you changed cards. I really like the textured back and the chrome Motorola on the front.

The screen had very impressive colors. I put it side-by-side to my SGS2 I and think color-wise it was pretty even. The higher resolution than my SGS2 was nice, but the Pentile was terrible. All the text on the phone, every straight line in the GUI had that screen door effect that I have seen on every SGS1. I couldn't stand to look at that all day, but if you don't mind that otherwise it was the best moto screen I have seen.

The interface was fairly responsive. I did my best to tear through apps and push it and it held up well. As smooth as my SGS2? No, not really. But I have messed with an Evo3D, and overall this thing blows its doors off. I ran Quadrant and the only test that didn't shine was the first 3D test. The browser was the least smooth thing, but maybe Opera has spoiled me.

Good ole Blur kept getting in my way (no matter what it is named now)- TouchWiz and Sense are still miles better. The new Blur lockscreen was nice though, as was the overscan settings for HDMI connections. It was interesting to see that Moto adopted Touchwiz's horizontal app drawer- I guess with that many patents who cares about a lawsuit right?

The cameras were so-so. The front facing one was nice, and I like the flash. The actual picture from the primary camera didn't have the details my SGS2 gets, but it blew away the X I compared it to. It recorded and played back 1080p without issue. I didn't get a chance to test the HDMI out or HD Netflix, but I played "Let's Golf 2" (a game I play a ton on my SGS2) and it seemed really smooth. Smooth enough for me at least.

I tested my mkv samples on the phone. The stock player was able to play everything, including my samples that were straight off a Blu Ray disc. The decoder on this thing seems pretty much up to par. The only issue was a lack of Dolby Decoding on the stock player- there was no audio. When I tried to use Dice Player the audio worked but the video was garbled. This would be a deal breaker for me, but hopefully the Dice Player folks can fix that down the road.

The Razr is a really nice phone overall. They will sell a ton, if just for the screen. Personally I couldn't stand the Pentile, but for people who don't get slapped in the face by the missing sub-pixels this might be the phone to get. I had the original Razr and it did justice to its name, in fact Razrs were junk compared to this build quality-wise. If you are looking for a solid phone, you won't find better in Androidland IMHO.

 

[poofyhairguy]

What app have you been using to test mkv's.

Stock player and Dice Player on all devices I test.

 

[Tencntraze]

I picked up a razr and I love it; I'm coming from an incredible. I'll still be checking out a GN if they're released soon, but I do enjoy the build quality and thinness of the device.

 

[you2]

Is there any way to pinch/zoom in the browser on the razr ? I.e, I when I go to a mobile site like news.yahoo.com; the default browser doesnt' have pinch zoom or tap zoom that htc phones support (I realize I could add a third party browser). Also is there any way to set the user agent so i get desktop versions of the websites ?

I picked up a razr and I love it; I'm coming from an incredible. I'll still be checking out a GN if they're released soon, but I do enjoy the build quality and thinness of the device.