Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is a legitimate feat of hardware engineering — but is it your next phone?

By Nilay Patel on November 7, 2011 09:01 am 416Comments

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.

Hardware / design

Most of the RAZR is just as thin as an iPod touch — but there's a 4G LTE radio in there

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Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.
Motorola Droid RAZR review

The Droid RAZR is one of those rare phones that qualifies as a leap forward in hardware design and engineering. Sure, other handsets have higher-resolution displays and faster processors, but only the Droid RAZR squeezes a full set of competitive state-of-the-art specs and an LTE radio into a body just .28-inches thick — a profile thinner than any other modern smartphone available. Even more remarkably, the RAZR has a bigger battery than the Droid Bionic inside its ultraslim case. In other words, it’s the best phone Motorola’s ever put together, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world — and is it worth getting now instead of waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which was announced on the same day and features Android 4.0? Read on to find out.

Yes, the RAZR is thin. Unbelievably thin — just slightly over a quarter-inch thick. It’s hard to appreciate how thin that is without holding the RAZR in person; apart from the now-familiar Motorola camera bump at the top, most of the body is just as thin as an iPod touch, but there's a 4G LTE radio in there. That thinness is courtesy of the stainless steel frame and soft-touch Kevlar back, which also contribute to an impressively stiff and solid feel. There’s zero body flex here.

While the RAZR might be thin, it’s not small

But while the RAZR might be thin, it’s not small — it’s rather huge, actually, with a ton of padding around its 4.3-inch display. In terms of surface area it’s actually closer to devices with 4.5-inch displays like the Samsung Infuse or Galaxy S II on T-Mobile and Sprint, and the thick bezel around the screen doesn’t make it easy to use one-handed. I have large hands and I found one-hand operation difficult; if you have small hands it’ll be basically impossible.

The front of the RAZR is notable for reasons other than its sheer expansiveness: there’s a notification LED, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, ambient light sensor and proximity sensor tucked in beneath the earpiece, and you’ll find the standard set of capacitive buttons at the bottom with the Verizon logo clumsily squeezed above them. The edges of the front glass are also slightly beveled, which makes the entire front surface appear to pop out slightly from the case even though it’s actually flush with the sides. It’s odd, actually — a bulbous feature on a phone that emphasizes thinness.

You’ll find MicroUSB, MicroHDMI, and the 3.5mm headphone jack along the top, but there’s no noise-cancellation mic as on the Droid X2. The left side is blank apart from a flip-down door for the 4G LTE SIM and microSD card slots, and the right side offers up the sleep / wake switch and minuscule volume rocker. Around back, the 8-megapixel camera, LED flash, and speakerphone are set into a gunmetal-colored plastic panel above that woven Kevlar back plate, and there’s a second microphone for video recording just below it. Inside, there’s a 1.2GHz TI OMAP 4430 processor and 1GB of RAM.

One thing you won’t find? A battery door — in another concession to thinness, the battery is sealed in.

Display

The RAZR's screen is a major disappointment

While the RAZR is the first device to ever ship with a 4.3-inch qHD 960 x 540 Super AMOLED display, it’s not quite the achievement Motorola made it out to be at launch. First, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus features a higher-resolution 720p HD Super AMOLED display, and second, the RAZR’s screen looks pretty bad. Super AMOLED panels use the inferior PenTile pixel arrangement, and the RAZR’s 256dpi pixel density doesn’t hide it — in fact, it seems to make it worse. Not only are individual pixels readily apparent, but text looks jaggy, there’s red fringing around vertical lines, and images seem to de-res when scrolling in the browser.

Compared to Motorola’s excellent qHD LCD displays in devices like the Bionic and Droid X2 and Apple’s industry-leading iPhone 4 / 4S Retina Display, the RAZR is a major disappointment — and that’s before even taking into account AMOLED’s inherent love-it-or-hate-it hypersaturation and consistent off-axis blue color shift.

According to Motorola, choosing Super AMOLED helped make the RAZR thinner — AMOLED displays don’t need external backlights like traditional LCD displays. It’s just unfortunate Motorola had to sacrifice display quality as well.

(Update: I've taken a closer look at the RAZR's screen in our forums.)

Software

Motorola’s dropped the "Motoblur" and "Blur" branding for the skin it puts on its high-end smartphones, but this nameless evil is still to be feared. I actually quite liked the skin Motorola used on the Droid X2, which did little apart from tightening up some visual elements of Android and adding clear buttons to individual notifications, but things have gotten substantially worse with every subsequent Motorola device. The current version of Moto’s skin is overwrought, fussy, and confusing in many places, and while there are some redeeming elements, nothing about it is clean or inviting — it’s almost like the OS is screaming at you. Just watch the extraneous random "glow" animation that accompanies each homescreen transition, or the super-slow zoom in effect when you open the app list. Both are cute the first time, and then quickly irritating.

Some of the extra pieces are particularly silly: the quick contacts widget doesn’t let you jump down your contact list by letter, so you have to scroll endlessly to add specific contacts, Motorola’s app icons are just slightly larger than Google’s, so they don’t look properly aligned, and the photo gallery app is a mish-mash of controls and menus. It all feels like Motorola just can’t seem to help itself when it comes to cramming things into its skin; a little restraint would go a long way.

That said, Motorola has added some interesting pieces to the RAZR.

Smart Actions

Smart Actions are likely the single best feature of the RAZR. The system constantly monitors the phone’s state and location and automatically adjust settings and performs tasks as things change. The possibilities range from the simple, like launching the music player when headphones are plugged in, to the complex, like shutting down Bluetooth and GPS when you get home to preserve battery life.

Smart Actions are likely the single best feature of the RAZR

The system itself is extremely simple: individual rules consist of triggers and actions. Any rule can have multiple triggers and multiple actions, although there’s not a lot of granularity; all of the trigger conditions have to be met to set off rules. You can’t say "turn off GPS if I’m at home or the battery level is below 30 percent," for example. Obviously you can get around that by creating multiple rules, but it would be nice to have a few more options. It would also be nice if the system was extensible so other apps could add in their actions.

Popular apps like Tasker and Locale offer similar functionality and a little more extensibility, but hey — Smart Actions are free.

Motocast

When Motorola launched the Droid Bionic, the company made a big deal out of something called ZumoCast, which allows you to stream media directly from your computer. With the RAZR, it’s making a big deal out of something called MotoCast, which.... allows you to stream media directly from your computer. The two apps are oddly separate, although they seem to be built on the same foundation, and they work similarly well — that is, they work well until you run into a rough service patch or hit your data cap by streaming video to your phone all day long.

Once installed on your computer, the MotoCast application can also handle syncing content over USB from iTunes, which is extremely useful.

Webtop

The RAZR can also run Motorola’s Webtop environment when plugged into the various docks. You probably don’t care. Webtop remains as marginally useful as ever — it’s not a reason to buy the phone, nor a reason to avoid it.

Ice Cream Sandwich

Lastly, we should note that all of these tweaks and extensions to Android mean that the RAZR won’t get Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich until sometime next year. That’s hard to take, especially since we’re expecting Verizon will launch the Galaxy Nexus with 4.0 in the next few weeks. And even when the RAZR does get ICS, you’ll forever be stuck with those four capacitive buttons at the bottom of the screen as Google moves Android away from them entirely. Yes, ICS will work with them, but they're not at the cutting edge of the platform. It may or may not matter to you, but it’s definitely something to consider.

Performance / battery

Performance and battery life

Motorola might pack on the unnecessary animations and bloat, but the RAZR’s overall performance is quite good: I got Quadrant scores of between 2400 and 2800, which is in range of other high-end Android devices like the HTC Amaze 4G and the Samsung Galaxy S II. I did notice a fair bit of occasional lag in the web browser, although it was inconsistent, and the SunSpider browser test returned a score of 3448.6, which is in line with other high-end devices.

I also got terrific LTE performance in my testing: between 5-10Mbps down and 5-8MBps up in my Brooklyn apartment, and 10-15Mbps down and 6Mbps up in The Verge’s Union Square offices.

Motorola only gave us but a single day to review the RAZR, so we'll have to see how the battery holds up over time, but in average use the RAZR’s battery held up as well as any other LTE device — I browsed the web, made a few phone calls, checked my mail, and otherwise used the phone like normal for most of the day before having to charge up. Unsurprisingly, the more I used LTE, the quicker the battery drained. The 1780mAh battery is a bit larger than the Droid Bionic’s and it offers slightly longer quoted talk times, but it’s also sealed in — you won’t be able to quickly swap it if you’re a serious road warrior.

The RAZR offers terrific LTE performance

Cameras

The 8-megapixel camera is the same as the Droid Bionic

The 8-megapixel camera on the back of the RAZR is the same as the Droid Bionic. And just like the Bionic, the RAZR takes reasonably good photos when everything is perfectly in order, but the slow autofocus and relatively poor low-light performance doesn’t make that easy — especially not compared to the newer, faster cameras in phones like the iPhone 4S and HTC Amaze 4G. Similarly, the 1080p video is reasonably fine, but not spectacular, and it generates huge files — perhaps that’s why the RAZR comes preset to 720p out of the box.

There’s a 1.3-megapixel camera up front for video chatting, which works with the bundled Google Talk client. As with other front-facing cams, that’s really about all you’ll want to use it for.

Video

Video Review

Wrap-up

The Droid RAZR appears to be just one step behind

So is the Droid RAZR worth Motorola’s marketing blitz? Is it the phone to get? Well, probably not. While the hardware engineering required to stuff the internals of the Bionic into the thinnest smartphone design on the market is nothing short of amazing, the compromise on display quality needed to get there simply isn’t worth it. The quality difference between the LCD 4.3-inch qHD panel on the Droid Bionic and the Super AMOLED panel on the RAZR is simply night and day — and while the Bionic isn’t as sexy as the RAZR, I prefer a screen that’s easy on the eyes to a Kevlar back panel. And the RAZR’s over-the-top Android skin makes a bad display look even worse.

“Something better is coming” is usually bad buying advice when it comes to Android phones, but in this case it’s true. The upcoming Samsung Galaxy Nexus is nearly as thin, offers a larger 4.65-inch display with higher 720p resolution, and will ship with stock Android 4.0 as a Google-blessed device that’s first to get software updates. I’m concerned that the Galaxy Nexus also has a PenTile Super AMOLED display, but all things being equal the RAZR appears to be just one step behind.

Compare It

Motorola Droid RAZR

7.0 Verge Score Write Review

Good Stuff

Amazing thinness and build quality
Solid LTE performance
Smart Actions legitimately useful

Bad Stuff

Subpar display
Overbearing Android skin
Won't get Android 4.0 until next year

The Breakdown

More times than not, the Verge score is based on the average of the subscores below. However, since this is a non-weighted average, we reserve the right to tweak the overall score if we feel it doesn't reflect our overall assessment and price of the product. Read more about how we test and rate products.

Design 8
Display 5
Camera(s) 6
Reception / call quality 8
Performance 8
Software 6
Battery life 7
Ecosystem 8

Comments

MAJRoth says:

No ICS soon, me no buy.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:04 AM EST reply Recommend (6) Flag actions

HerbieDerb's reply:

They should call that screen door cuz that what it looks like your looking through. No buy for e either.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:14 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

EngadgetRefugee's reply:

Whats crazy is that even though it’s .28 inches thick, it doesn’t look like it is.

The Nokia N9 Looks crazy thin, so does the iPhone….yet they are thicker. But can just one company learn to leave android the FUCK ALONE AND NOT SKIN IT!

(excuse my anger)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:09 PM EST reply Recommend (7) Flag actions

Christopher Malone's reply:

Samsung with 2 phones and HTC with 1 phone and Virgin Mobile with all phones. =)

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 9:10 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Endless Mike's reply:

HTC has had more than one since both the G1 and G2 were stock-ish Android. LG has also released a few phones of mostly stock Android. Granted, LG’s phones are awful, but they’ve released them.

Posted on Nov 09, 2011 | 2:38 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

ssdeez's reply:

Yeah, it’s unbelievable how bad Google is at coordinating releases of Android.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 7:54 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Goalvalchuk's reply:

The specific reason why I am getting my first iPhone in a week. Can’t stand that I am still on Froyo!

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 9:08 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

Dino_the_Dino's reply:

Yeah isn’t it crazy that Google released this phone? Oh wait…

This is on Moto. They have info as to when ICS was going to launch. In fact this was originally supposed to launch after the ICS/Galaxy Nexus event. The even got pushed back, this came out first (which looked better than coming out after ICS) and now it’s outdated and behind. They wanted to put a phone out with their extra junk software before the holiday season. They couldn’t do that with ICS so they did it with 2.3. This phone is confirmed to get ICS Q1 of 2012.

TL;DR This is Moto’s fault, not Google’s.

Posted on Nov 09, 2011 | 3:05 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

ryanvinnicombe's reply:

you would think after Google bought Moto they wouldve helped them out a little bit…

Posted on Nov 13, 2011 | 1:27 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Paperclips's reply:

They don’t own them yet.

Posted on Nov 13, 2011 | 9:32 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

ryanvinnicombe's reply:

i know… you dont have to officially own them to set your own event dates. the timing was poor

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 7:55 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Paperclips's reply:

Google has no say about what Moto does or doesn’t do. Nor do they have a say when. Verizon also wanted to have the event on that date.

Posted on Nov 18, 2011 | 11:59 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

ryanvinnicombe's reply:

google delayed their event post steve jobs dying, and happened to have planned it right after the moto event. Im not saying it was intentional, it was just poor.

Posted on Nov 19, 2011 | 7:09 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

soaringthor's reply:

So Motorola (being purchased by Google) announces the Droid RAZR before ICS is announced (albeit the day of), and you are calling foul, saying that the Samsung Nexus makes the Droid RAZR outdated and behind?
What if the Samsung Nexus event was held on schedule? Google announcing ICS, then two weeks later Motorola (being purchased by Google) announces another Gingerbread device. Wouldn’t that be so much worse?
I don’t understand the big hoopla. Motorola =! Google. Every device announced and released since the ICS reveal has been running Gingerbread, or Honeycomb, whether Motorola or Samsung or HTC or Amazon. Phone production isn’t just going to stop because there’s a new OS. Manufacturers are going to keep working with what they have (i.e. not ICS), and plan to upgrade the phones once they have a solid upgrade done (i.e. Q1 2012). PC manufacturers haven’t stopped making computers because they’re waiting for Windows 8. They release on Windows 7 and will start releasing Windows 8 PCs when Windows 8 becomes available.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 8:15 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

rarodrig6 says:

“.28 inches” Just started reading but i like that you used freedom units!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:04 AM EST reply Recommend (26) Flag actions

philringsmuth's reply:

They’re not exactly “freedom” units when we’re “trapped” as the only country still left using them…

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:22 AM EST reply Recommend (17) Flag actions

rarodrig6's reply:

Was more of a joke for my fellow listeners of the Podcast…lighten up.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:23 AM EST reply Recommend (28) Flag actions

philringsmuth's reply:

Calm down dude, it was sarcasm.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:25 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

rarodrig6's reply:

Not excited..cheers :)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:26 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

philringsmuth's reply:

Cheers!

To The Verge! clinky

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:27 AM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions

acslater017's reply:

I got the joke! That’s my reward for listening to the Vergecast.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 3:41 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Jackrabbit's reply:

Wasn’t that a This Is My Next podcast still?

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 10:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Mike Caine's reply:

We still use feet and inches in the Isle of Man. I have to import the yard sticks we use at work from the USA

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:15 AM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions

InvaderDJ's reply:

Sounds like terrorist talk to me. The helicopters are on their way.

Posted on Nov 12, 2011 | 5:52 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Bazinga!'s reply:

But the problem is that it’s NOT .28 inches thick? Since when do we start measuring products at their thinnest point? When I put it in my pocket I’m not worried about the thinnest point, but the thickest point.. You know, the big pimple on top of it… I don’t know what that is in ‘non SI-units’, but in SI-units, it’s about 11 mm, making it thicker than the iPhone and Galaxy S2 (which is also measured wrong btw)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:34 AM EST reply Recommend (15) Flag actions

Budo's reply:

90% of it is the same thickness. It’s just NOT 11mm because the bump makes next to no difference in real life use.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:36 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

worthbak's reply:

I wouldn’t say that it doesn’t make any difference in real life – Moto made a crazy thin phone, no doubt, but the 11mm hump is real, and has to slide in and out of your pocket with the rest of the phone.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:38 AM EST reply Recommend (14) Flag actions

DaGetz's reply:

In reality the width of the phone is going to make a much bigger difference then the tiny bump at the top. If you picked up this phone and used it I bet you that it would feel much thinner then the iphone in all scenarios. The main problem with that bump is that the camera will get scratched.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:40 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

z0phi3l's reply:

It might make a difference if you are a Hipster and wear woman’s pants or pants two sizes too small.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:16 AM EST reply Recommend (6) Flag actions

mitchartz's reply:

Good thing my pants are 3 sizes to small so it won’t make a difference.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:50 AM EST reply Recommend (15) Flag actions

Ralphjoeylauren's reply:

Or maybe you’re just fat and have to wear big pants and are envious of us who can wear pants our size.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 12:09 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

obiewankenobie's reply:

Or also maybe you’re a woman and wear woman’s pants…

I’m just sayin!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 2:56 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

christopherdrum's reply:

I like to wear my pants “gangsta hipster” style. I’m a man, but I buy women’s pants that are two sizes too small and wear then down by my knees. I wear an extra-long cardigan sweater to hide my lacy unmentionables.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 11:56 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

CasualRepartee's reply:

I wear cycling Lycra everywhere I go, so this phone is definitely a no-go. Instead, I carry a small piece of note paper to jot down potential tweets, comments, phone calls and such to perform at my local library.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 3:22 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

Boolean Corporation's reply:

Please tell me they’re fucsia, with yellow fluo stripes.

Posted on Nov 10, 2011 | 2:30 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

mitchartz's reply:

I like to put mine in my pocket so that the hump is not in my pocket and is more of a hanger to keep my phone easily accessible.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:54 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

darkcrayon's reply:

My problem is when I’m standing up I’m only an inch or so tall (measured by the height of my toes!)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 12:39 PM EST reply Recommend (17) Flag actions

Code37's reply:

Lol!!!

Posted on Nov 10, 2011 | 4:16 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

BorgDog's reply:

In reality the bump on this is about the same thickness as the thin part of my Droid X (thinner than the 1mm thicker extended battery cover) and I have no problem with the X in my pocket even with its much thicker bump. This is just really really thin.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:18 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

baclap's reply:

Thickness isn’t a huge issue for me. Keep it at a max of about .4 inches and it’s all good with me. The problem to me is that this thing is ugly. Just like every other Motorola phone I’ve seen.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:12 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

leegh229's reply:

10.6mm at the thickest point to be exact (sorry, my country rarely or never uses inches to measure the thickness of things) which really isn’t that thick (only a little more than a millimeter thicker than the iPhone 4/4S, which is 9.3mm thick) to make a huge difference..

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 6:10 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

autotravis's reply:

I’m diggin the Nilay mug on the video preview lolz

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 12:39 PM EST reply Recommend (8) Flag actions

evilapa's reply:

Hi, can you please start using the metric system as well? For us outside the US, there are a lot of conversions going on. Would be much easier to read if we didn’t have to convert all the numbers. Also, it’s a superior system. :)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:38 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend (5) Flag actions

curtisas's reply:

I am from USA and absolutely hate whatever that system is called that uses inches and feet and stuff, ASIDE from miles. I get miles, I like them. I can judge distance well with miles, everything else I’m good with.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 2:57 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

nr.cole's reply:

That is the Imperial system. So named because it is only used by silly empires that can’t get with the program like everybody else.

- With love from up north

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 4:23 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Johnny Socko's reply:

But isn’t it your nation that still maintains allegiance to the Queen? ;)

Agreed that Imperial measurements are lame, and I wish President Carter’s metric initiative had stuck.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 4:49 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

Marcos El Malo's reply:

You can take your Metric Liberal Socialist New World Order and stick a sock in it! Just kidding. :-P

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:02 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

AndrewLWood's reply:

Over on Mud Island, we’re slowly coming around to the fact that it’s easier to work in base 10 than base 12/14/16…

But at least our paper money is all different sizes and colours.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 2:50 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Jarrrod's reply:

I second this notion. Even you guys in the USA must agree that the imperial system is stupid.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:30 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

ssdeez's reply:

Uh no. These days if you oppose anything traditionally American, you’re labeled a godless liberal socialist.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 7:56 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions

FlacVest's reply:

I agree. I tried to use metric solely at one point (km/h in terms of speed) but that really doesn’t help as I’d have to do all conversions in my head. For no reason.

For everything else though, aside from long distance (km) and speed (km/h) I use metric. Makes more sense.

But dammnit, I’m an American. I don’t have to do anything logical, right, efficient, or smart if I don’t want to; cause I GOT AMERICAN values.

Metric aint’ never put in an honest, hard days work now did it? Hell no.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 11:13 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

CasualRepartee's reply:

you know, I think once you purchase the phone, you can google the conversion..

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 3:27 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Zfactor says:

Come on Motorola! You come out with something as great as Smart Actions but you still can’t get it together on implementing a lightweight skin that doesn’t perform poorly?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:05 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

worthbak's reply:

Smart actions looks seriously cool.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:38 AM EST reply Recommend (12) Flag actions

MonsterTom3's reply:

I reckon a lot of companies are going to look at it and implement it into their ICS skins

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:58 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

rarodrig6's reply:

More than likely it’ll be in the next version of Android natively. Especially with El Goog taking over El Moto.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:01 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

MonsterTom3's reply:

Yeah the skins will come first though. Unless there’s some sort of Motogle phone in the pipes for next summer

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:05 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Rudacris's reply:

You can already get them on any android device through the Tasker app.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:29 AM EST reply Recommend (5) Flag actions

kedmond's reply:

Yeah, it’s weird how more people haven’t mentioned that app.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:26 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

zeagus's reply:

It’s not that weird, Android users don’t buy apps ;)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:44 PM EST reply Recommend (9) Flag actions

zeagus's reply:

(yes, that was hyperbole)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:44 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Nilay Patel's reply:

It’s in the review!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 3:11 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

id4andrei's reply:

Nilay bring a price scale into your review(s). Price should definitely be a factor in The Verge’s reviews.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 8:53 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

TheDewd's reply:

You don’t actually expect people to read before they comment, do you?
/s

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:50 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

augustofretes's reply:

Tasker is so ugly I can’t bring myself to use it, I refuse to pay for an App with so little attention to design. It’s too ugly, I mean, what were they thinking xD

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:22 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

bootareen's reply:

Android is in a strange position. If Apple came out with Smart Actions, it would no doubt be a huge addition to the platform. But with Android, OEMs have to differentiate the product with these features so it’s unlikely other Android phones will get the same feature unless someone hacks up an app for it. When one says Android is better than iOS or WP7, one has to ask, “Which version of Android?”

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 7:16 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

Joe Caiati says:

Love the epic stare in the beginning of the video.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:05 AM EST reply Recommend (38) Flag actions

Modern Hydra's reply:

Epic stare and speaking directly with his mind.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:16 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Two Wheel Observer's reply:

No kidding. Holy scary face. Although, a fantastic review, per usual.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:34 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

Chad Mumm's reply:

We taped this at 2am because of the 1 day Moto gave us to review it… things can get weird when you’ve been up all night. Case in point: I announced right after we started shooting that this would be the “Dark Knight of gadget reviews.” Hence the menacing stare. You should here the batman-voiced outtakes.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:02 AM EST reply Recommend (8) Flag actions

rdelfin's reply:

Chad, Nilay > the video review segment of the recent Verge reviews is what truly set you apart from your competitors. The new video editing you guys do just take you to a different level from the rest. Congratulations!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:41 AM EST reply Recommend (11) Flag actions

BatmanNewsChris's reply:

I run Batman-News.com and I welcome any and all Batman references on The Verge! :)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 12:06 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

Addison Lee's reply:

“Where were the other phones going?!”

Posted on Nov 10, 2011 | 2:31 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Addison Lee's reply:

“The Nilay we deserve, but not the Nilay we need right now. So he’ll review smartphones with sub-par displays. Because he can take it.”

Posted on Nov 10, 2011 | 2:36 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

Ryan Gantz's reply:

Haha. Well, it paid off. Glad to see you guys experimenting with the format.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 12:56 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Joe Caiati's reply:

I liked the idea. The video is great…..as usual.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 2:09 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

dark4181's reply:

….I’m Batman

[/Sheldon Cooper]

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 2:12 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

hexcadecimate's reply:

Post ‘em or it didn’t happen.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:17 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Marcos El Malo's reply:

Yeah, show us the outtakes! You could have a whole ’nother section of The Verge for just video outtakes. Curated of course.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:05 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

69camaroSS says:

No, Nilay, this will not be my next phone.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:05 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

69camaroSS's reply:

I think Motorola’s phones are designed for nerds who want to shove them into their shirt pocket to secretly record videos of their hot co-workers.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:33 AM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions

joel.gautraud's reply:

Interesting theory…

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:49 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Stefan Constantinescu says:

Shame, it’s absolutely gorgeous. That being said, unlocked bootloader for the EU/Asia versions = CyanogenMod!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:08 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

DaGetz's reply:

its a CDMA phone, with verizon etched into it. How is there gonna be an EU version?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:23 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

MonsterTom3's reply:

There is going to be a European version as Tesco have a nice big coming soon page

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:29 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

DaGetz's reply:

Oh ok, there must be a GSM version so. Sorry didn’t know that. There will be no LTE in that version though I would imagine.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:31 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

MonsterTom3's reply:

Yeah no LTE as its looking as though it will be common in EU by 2013/ 2014

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:33 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

nr.cole's reply:

Yea the GSM version is just called the RAZR.We’re starting to get LTE in Canada so I wonder if our version will have it.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 4:26 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

jfassbinder says:

Smart Actions look really cool to me, but even watching the video, the phone feels sluggish, compared to my rooted CDMA Desire with stock gingerbread.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:09 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

Jabman. says:

Is it just me or was that the slowest touch screen responsive time you’ve ever seen!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:09 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

requieminadream's reply:

Yeah it looks to me like it was a) unresponsive and b) going left when you were swiping right. What’s the deal?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:20 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

Jabman.'s reply:

Yea Just noticed that too.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:29 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

joel.gautraud's reply:

He mentions that in the review I believe. It seems Moto thought having nice slow animations would be more… dramatic? It’s not being unresponsive. It is programmed to animate slowly.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:50 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Marcos El Malo's reply:

I.e., it’s intentionally unresponsive? [facepalm]

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:08 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Jabman.'s reply:

which genius at moto thought of that “Excuse”

“hey our camera isn’t that good either, but wait, we made it a low quality camera so you can savor that 70’s look and feel.”

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 4:49 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

geroldemanuel's reply:

It sure is…I had (what I think is) my right earphone plugged in and Nilay sounded like a muffled hamster. At first I thought it was an added stylistic effect. Nope. Plugged in the left earphone and it was ok. I have to say I’m digging the retro memorabilia its a nice touch which fits in nicely with the overall image the verge is trying achieve. Happy to see Nilay do a review compared to Vlad ( I review “ffonnezz” ) Savov !

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:21 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

geroldemanuel's reply:

I replied to a different comment …what’s up with that !?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:21 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

jfassbinder says:

And: is it just me, or is the video mono?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:10 AM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions

Chad Mumm's reply:

Fixed now!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:54 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

iEverything says:

Display is the Main issue here. Don’t see
Myself ever having anything inferior to IPhone 4 display.

Additionaly I dislike the inconsistency of the design because of the camera hump.

I easyly get 10mbps down on my iPhone 4S here in Germany. Why do I need LTE??

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:11 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend (4) Flag actions

jfassbinder's reply:

Hi, german mate! The speed of the connection, provided by our fellow telco’s (in my case vodafone) differs so much, and is so extremely bad for example in congested parts like berlin center, that LTE would be an awesome upgrade to many many customers.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:16 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

bacaramac's reply:

I’m just hoping that the 4G LTE in US solves the congested network here. I don’t need anywhere near that high, consistent 2-3Mbps would make me happy.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:18 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

DaGetz's reply:

Because you need to future proof your phone. A phone, for many people, is a two year device. You need to get something that will still throw punches after 2 years. One thing that pops to mind is VOIP calling. LTE would certainly have advantages there and it is a direction that google will eventually push I think.

At any rate you are in germany, this is a CDMA verizon exclusive. I don’t think they are offering LTE to you.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:27 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

rerelease's reply:

Why would LTE have any advantage for VOIP calling? It consumes more power and the speed boost has no benefit to call quality, as VOIP is not really data intensive.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:34 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

DaGetz's reply:

Its not an advantage to the consumer its an advantage to the carrier. Fatter tubes.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:35 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

ssimpson205's reply:

LTE has a huge advantage for VOIP because of the lower latency (AKA “ping time”). HPSA+, no matter what anybody tells you, works like dog poo for VOIP.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:12 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

ernestmarvin's reply:

the best thing to do is too see the screen for yourself. Other people’s opinion may differ from you. I saw the droid razr’s display when it was launched by Moto and Verizon and i thought it looks stunning and sharp

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:13 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

zeagus's reply:

Opinions do vary, but pentile SAM just doesn’t look good period, IMO.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:49 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

mkteagle says:

Was it just me or was the audio in that video just one channel?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:14 AM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions

Rithesh's reply:

No, I think there is some issue with the audio, it was single channel for me too.. surprisingly the Verge logo animation at the start and at the end was dual channel..

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:03 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Chad Mumm's reply:

Fixed!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:58 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Rithesh's reply:

Thanks Chad :)

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 7:42 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

adent says:

Pentile fails yet again.
Too bad, the smart actions seem quite useful.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:16 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

stephen.robles says:

Once I again, I applaud the new video work on all these reviews. Love the slow pans and zooms with still/text cut scenes. Two thumbs up.

Also, best line of the video review: “It’s a giant monster.”

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:17 AM EST reply Recommend (6) Flag actions

BumpyClock says:

Love the epic stare, but the video only has audio for the left speaker (?) or is it just me?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:18 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Nilay Patel's reply:

Yeah — this appears to be our new favorite bug. We’ll up a revised version shortly!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:20 AM EST reply Recommend (8) Flag actions

BumpyClock's reply:

weeeeeeeeeeeee I got a reply from Nilay.

Sorry had to be done.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:20 AM EST reply Recommend (14) Flag actions

Emil Warras's reply:

I’m honestly jealous.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:49 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Chad Mumm's reply:

Fixed!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:59 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Radande says:

It’s a shame that this beautiful phone has the same dysfunctional camera as the Motorola Droid Bionic. It was because of the camera on the Bionic that I had to send it back. I couldn’t stand waiting 3-4 seconds before the damn thing focused and actually took a picture.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:20 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

jkylew's reply:

I couldn’t stand waiting 3-4 seconds before the damn thing focused and actually took a picture.

Everything is amazing and nobody is happy.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:30 AM EST reply Recommend (5) Flag actions

DaGetz's reply:

I’ts not amazing. It looks amazing but in comparison to the galaxy nexus it sucks in many departments and the galaxy nexus also sucks in a few departments itself. I wouldn’t get either of these phones and wait for HTCs effort with ICS in a month or two.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:32 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

rerelease's reply:

Nice Louis C.K. reference.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:46 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Radande's reply:

Wait until you try out the camera..you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:43 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

thisismynextname says:

Just saw Engadget’s review and The Verge’s review pop up on Facebook around the same time, wasn’t hard to choose which one to look at!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:22 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

jskinner says:

hopefully it’s just the lower pixel density on the razr that makes the pentile such a problem but does this make anyone nervous about the g nexus?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:25 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

thisismynextname's reply:

Not really, I saw some pictures the other day of close-up shots on the screen and it looked great still. Sorry but I can’t find the link, not sure where it was! :(

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:40 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

thisismynextname's reply:

Sorry yeh it was the Galaxy Note which has the same screen technology, linked below by jskinner :)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 8:51 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

jskinner's reply:

I’ve seen the Galaxy Note up close shots and that made me feel a lot better, maybe moto just doesnt know what they’re doing
http://www.androidcentral.com/close-and-personal-hd-super-amoled

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:55 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

thedamian says:

Nilay Patel doesn’t follow the rest of the Verge’s require Hipster look. He goes after the homeless Vietnam veteran look. I respect that. Thank you for standing out!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:25 AM EST reply Recommend (15) Flag actions

SuperSaiyanDeoxys's reply:

Haha

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:28 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Nilay Patel's reply:

Motorola only gave us a single day to review this thing, which means we started shooting at 11pm last night after a testing marathon. I wanted to jump out the window. Props to Chad for staying up ridiculously late to edit the video.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:49 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

schmozo's reply:

Sounds like Motorola are doing as little as possible to help market this thing properly.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:09 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

iCello's reply:

Thats crazy. Great review, especially considering the time frame.
I’m disappointed in the phone, though. I was actually looking forward to it more than the Galaxy Nexus as I absolutely hate Samsung industrial design, love Moto’s, and have just had good luck with them. Plus the materials are freaking awesome, it looks great, and I’m sure it’ll last forever. But if the screen is bad and the skin has gotten bad that kills it. I actually really like the version of Moto’s skin that’s on the Droid X 2.3 update, which is my main phone.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:13 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

DaGetz's reply:

The next nexus will probably be an amazing moto like this but man, thats a year away :(.

Problem is I am looking to upgrade but if I upgrade now I can’t get the next nexus (or iPhone 5) next year.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:15 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

iCello's reply:

Yeah, I know. But I guess it’s kinda good in a way, because if none of the current crop appeal I won’t upgrade, and if I don’t upgrade now I can switch to a cheaper carrier(T-Mobile, probably, if the AT&T merger doesn’t go through) in May.
But just like you, I do want to upgrade now :)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:21 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

boswd's reply:

so you did a full blown review with less than one day with it?

Oye

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 12:54 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

jamie1 says:

pretty much what I expected this phone to be like… kinda good but nothing compared to the competition.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:27 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions

SuperSaiyanDeoxys says:

ThisIsMyNext Phone: Motorola Droid RAZR.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:27 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

newman12 says:

well. Cnet gave it 4.5/5. the only phone from a long time that got 4.5 stars

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:28 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

slackguy's reply:

When has CNet been relevant?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:42 AM EST reply Recommend (23) Flag actions

Mazer's reply:

+1 The last time I visited CNET was probably 5-6 years ago. Seriously.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:42 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

bootareen's reply:

I haven’t been there for a while, but it was because the writing style isn’t as fun as these blog tech sites.

I was going to say what’s wrong with CNet and then took a look the site’s RAZR review. They said the screen was gorgeous. That’s enough to keep me away from them for another couple of years.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 7:21 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

amasse says:

Motorola seriously has no chance of selling me another one of their devices. It’s unfortunate really, because the RAZR would have been incredibly popular if they had released it this summer and scratched the bionic altogether. Droid X2 has a horrible looking display, so I can’t imagine how bad this one must be.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:29 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

rarodrig6 says:

@Nilay: Engadget calls the screen “qHD Super AMOLED Advanced panel” and says it specifically isn’t Pentile. It looks crappy either way and I’m more inclined to believe you to be honest…but just wondering which is correct?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:29 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

amasse's reply:

Look at the image of the display’s text.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:31 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

rarodrig6's reply:

Was that supposed to be an answer? I know it looks crappy. I’m asking which is technically accurate?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:33 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

amasse's reply:

I didn’t mean to be ‘smart’. I think you can tell from looking at the image though. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active-matrix_OLED

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:38 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

amasse's reply:

To answer your question, RGBG pentile matrix. Engadget is not correct.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:39 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

rarodrig6's reply:

I got that impression from your link, thank you sir. I tried staring at the image to know for sure but it made my eyes hurt lol.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:40 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

amasse's reply:

Yeah I wasn’t exactly sure either, so I was hesitant to say for sure. I really hate the way these displays look though.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:43 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

colormeamused's reply:

Engadget are hilariously stupid. They have the phone in front of them and they have to ask Motorola whether it is pentile?

Nilay’s photos clearly show an RGBG pentile layout.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:47 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

Ben Hyams says:

Why do hardware makers even bother with pentile displays anymore?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:29 AM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions

Aenean144's reply:

For the same basic reasons as many other things: money. It is cheaper to make Pentile displays than RGB displays at the same pixel density.

Also, AMOLED technology isn’t as mature as LCD technology, and can’t mass produce panels with high RGB pixel density. Pentile is a way to get there. But obviously they are trading higher DPI for less accurate color space per pixel.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 12:19 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

colormeamused's reply:

In this case, I think Samsung isn’t letting anyone else use the HD AMOLED screens just yet.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:49 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

codye09 says:

Motorola refuses to learn. While I understand that the market has drastically changed in the last two years, there has to be something to the fact that the original Droid was their best seller and it had no Blur customization. I’ll be waiting for the Galaxy Nexus.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:32 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

dagamer34 says:

Knowing product roadmaps for next year, I already knew this wasn’t the Drois I was looking for. It uses a faster CPU and the same LTE chip as the Bionic, do there’s no way battery life could have massively improved to what it needed to be for all day use.

I suggest waiting for 2nd generation LTE devices likely to be announced at CES which feature the Qualcomm MDM9615 built on the 28nm fab process. That will bring the real battery life savings needed for 4G LTE in a phone not to horribly drain battery life.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:32 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

curtisas's reply:

I have been saying this for soooooooooooooo long. I’m sure all my friends are tired of me saying it over and over again. With this, I think this will be Microsoft’s reference processor next fall, and that is when they will hit it BIG with Windows Phone 7. It’s just a matter of time until the platform takes off, as it is just so intuitive and easy to use.

This being said, I’m so excited for that processor!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 3:26 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

nr.cole's reply:

So was webOS

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 4:32 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

walrashish's reply:

The 32/28nm process shift will be huge. There seems to be a practical ceiling to mobile processor power/speed that we’re hitting right now, but I would gladly trade better thermals and battery life for additional speed gains.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 6:33 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

EddieRiggs says:

This sounded like an amazing device on paper like the beginning of the review stated and when this was announced, it was looking like the phone to get with it’s diamond-cut aluminium, Gorilla Glass and back Kevlar. It’s just a shame that the rest of the phone is such a let down.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:35 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

benoliver999 says:

Looks good, but I’m still going to hold out for the Galaxy Nexus.

Cool video, by the way.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:35 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

bosly says:

I understand the need to keep the voice overs consistent with the other reviews, but this one sounds extra cold and disturbing for some reason.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:36 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

aatif says:

When you say display is sub-par, could you give some comparisons? If moving up from the original SGS, is it an upgrade? Also how is there so much pixelation despite the upgrade in resolution from 800×480?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:37 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

asianrage's reply:

AHEM. From the article:

“Compared to Motorola’s excellent qHD LCD displays in devices like the Bionic and Droid X2 and Apple’s industry-leading iPhone 4 / 4S Retina Display, the RAZR is a major disappointment — and that’s before even taking into account AMOLED’s inherent love-it-or-hate-it hypersaturation and consistent off-axis blue color shift”

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 5:00 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

mistermix says:

Don’t you understand that thin makes up for a crap display, ginormous bezel, crummy camera and ugly skin? No wonder VZW has been pimping this like crazy and holding back the GN.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:38 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

amasse's reply:

Yeah it looks to me like the result of some previous deal between moto and verizon. Refusing to announce the GN release date just so they can trick people into buying this.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:45 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Apocalyptic0n3 says:

That screen looks terrible and the .5 second delay when switching icon panes makes this a no-go for me. Guess that pretty much solidifies the Galaxy Nexus as my next phone.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:40 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

kishhh says:

That display looks crappy! Definitely a deal breaker as the screen is the main point of interaction!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:40 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

genomecop says:

UGLY.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:44 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

wraithien's reply:

It looks pretty good actually and its interesting to see Motorola using different materials in comparison to the vast majority of other manufacturers. At least the phone looks unique.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:47 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

agreen24's reply:

Are you blind? I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but this is one butt ugly phone. It’s like if you take an apple product, and then take everything away that makes it look like an apple product. Frankly, I’d be embarrassed to pull this turd out of my pocket.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:00 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

DaGetz says:

My feeling on this: I hate you moto for making such a good looking phone but screwing it up, at the very least when you heard about the ICS announcement you should have stuck it back in your pocket and released it in 2012 and relied on the Bionic sales.

Having said that I don’t think I will get the glaxay nexus either, I think they could have done better and I think they will after christmas. The fact that this phone looks so good is very promising since I think android has seriously lacked style up until now and now they are finally getting somewhere.

No purchase until January for me anyways

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:45 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

boswd's reply:

how do you know they screwed it up? This is THE ONLY review where it’s trashed as where almsot every single other review out there from Cnet, to engadget to BGR etc has been praising it to the high heavens.

This was a fly by night hack job of a review.

One day he reviewed it only to get it out in blog form.

this is sad.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 12:57 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

zeagus's reply:

He (and other reviewers, by the way) only had it for one day because Moto wouldn’t lend it out for longer. Other reviewers are less observant and that’s why they praised it. Saying Nilay trashed it is overstatement.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:55 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

urpert's reply:

Engadget didn’t like it either.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 4:36 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

ilikemoneygreen's reply:

BGR commented about the screen and so did CNET. Both commented on the negatives Nilay hit upon. Nilay recommended Nexus becuase of its cons, the other sites didnt make any observations like that just being nice. Cnet being nice still put “That is, until the next hot Android comes along (read: the Galaxy Nexus)” right in the review.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 6:17 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

agreen24's reply:

I hate you moto for making such a good looking phone

Hahaha. I mean, I’m sorry. I guess looks are subjective (although design wise, this would get an F in any decent school), but you do realize you’d be in a tiny minority in your opinion right? This maybe the ugliest phone on the market, easily. But someone’s got to show up in the skinny jeans, or he crocs. Right? hahaha.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:08 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

wraithien says:

Great review as always guys and I was going to jump all over this phone at launch but the screen has ruined it for me added to the fact Motorola aren’t updating this till next year with Ice Cream Sandwich, really just stick stock Android on it and ship it.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:45 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

bollythewolf says:

Does the screen use a PenTile matrix or not? Different places have said different things.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:50 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

asianrage's reply:

Read the review. Yes it does have a PenTile matrix. There’s an image of it too. READ THE DAMN REVIEW.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:51 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

bollythewolf's reply:

I ~~did~~ read it and I ~~did~~ see the photo. I’m just stunned as all. You’d think “Super AMOLED Advanced” would imply non-PenTile.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:54 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

asianrage's reply:

Yeah, but a non-PenTile SAMOLED would be designated a “PLUS” panel.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:56 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

iCello's reply:

But this is an “advanced”. Not a Super AMOLED, a Super AMOLED Advanced. What does that even mean?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:20 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

zeagus's reply:

It means they’ve come up with yet another word to tack onto the end of a crummy panel’s designation to confuse people into thinking it’s better than it actually is.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:56 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

asianrage's reply:

Advanced = qHD.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 5:02 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

iBuck says:

Sorry, a phone is only as thin as its thickest point. In this case the camera bump is how thin it is.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:50 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

asianrage's reply:

Yes, I agree. However, it is THE THINNEST LTE phone right now, and will be for a while. I have no hope for the VZW GNex to be any thinner than its GSM counterpart.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:55 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

nothingreal says:

It’s like a small piece of brilliance wrapped up in an otherwise wholly unimpressive package.

Hopefully the rest of the Android hardware makers – and perhaps Google themselves – will jump on the smart actions concept and add it to their phones and software.

But as for the display, the laggy software and the goofy shape of this thing with the weird angles and the bump on the back, moto can keep it.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:52 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

asianrage says:

I was a bit unsure as to which to choose between, Rezound or Razr or GNex. Razr is definitely out and, with Rezound only in the running, GNex wins by default of having ICS come stock.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:53 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

asianrage's reply:

That said, the Rezound does win at having the highest DPI display, for using a 720p resolution 4.3" SLCD screen.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:58 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

ilikemoneygreen's reply:

Rezound loses automatically with that name. I am not going to be walking around with anything called that. Vigor is much better. Now it is lame.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 6:20 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

TheANARCHY says:

After looking at the washed out nightmare that is the Droid X2 for the last sevral months (a warranty replacement for the Fascinate that had an exceptional screen), I can safely say this is off my list of potentials. sigh I had high hopes for this one.

That leaves the HTC Rezound or Galaxy Nexus. If nothing impresses then I have to see what Windows/Nokia/Verizon have in store for next year.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:57 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

MRCUR says:

This entire review is superb. Excellent work, Nilay! Especially the video.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:57 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

Chad Mumm's reply:

We aim to please!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:00 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

atomicsolar says:

Shame about the display, but I am more curious about the processor, is it the same as the Galaxy Nexus?

As for the capacitive buttons, I actually don’t have a problem with them for a few reasons.
1) when I get a program freeze up, doing the same to the screen, holding down the back button seems to help speed up the force close process, this won’t happen with on-screen buttons in the event of a screen freeze.
2) I have no issue with physical buttons, in fact, I yearn for a device with a decent keyboard.
3) screen burn. My galaxy s has the clock, signal & battery meters burnt into the top right corner. It sucks.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:01 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

atomicsolar's reply:

Sorry for being so rude. Excellent review, Nilay.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:02 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

MonsterTom3's reply:

That might be why they can disappear till you need them again to combat against scree burn but can see your point and it will more than likely become a media circus.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:04 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

MILLZBURY's reply:

From what I recall, the Galaxy Nexus processor is supposed to be the 1.5 GHz OMAP 4460 that’s under clocked to 1.2 GHz.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:29 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

roman129 says:

It’s only as thin as the thickest point.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:04 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

schmozo says:

Liking those smart actions.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:04 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Willy K. says:

A phones thinness should only be measured by its thickest point. I mean, if you’re bragging that most of it is 7 mm thin, they should also have to mention there is an 11 mm bump as well.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:04 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

dzernumbrd says:

No high definition screen
No NFC
Average camera

Nexus One you will be with me for a while yet.

Love Smart Actions though, much more intuitive than Tasker which I currently use.

I want a big battery, modern design, 4.5 HD screen (preferably non-Pentile), NFC and a top notch camera running ICS.

Galaxy Nexus looks OK but not sure how the camera compares to Galaxy S II and iPhone 4S and want see if Pentile makes a huge difference when it is a high definition screen.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:05 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

boswd says:

Interesting you didn’t really like it, I think it comes down to more of a case when you put your personal preferance about at skin, and then just give up and go home on the review.

Cnet gave it an OUTSTANDing.

But we do know the verge’s OS of choice and a hint it doesn’t begin with an A.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:05 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

infinitecode says:

Question does the video doesn’t have audio ? or is just me ? This review is mind blowing first tech site that I see to put so much details on a review and I love it. This phone is not the razor i was expecting i would rather have a 5 megapixel camera and lose the hump that it has in the back and make all thin like that.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:07 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

H.L's reply:

For me, the audio seems to only come from the left channel. Maybe your left speaker is broken?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:10 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Chad Mumm's reply:

Fixed now!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:03 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

H.L says:

What an ugly phone. Seriously, that’s a piece of shit. I would never buy it. Apple seems to be the only company that understands orientation ambiguity. With that tapered design, this thing probably feels super awkward to hold in landscape.
Not to mention the 5 logos plastered throughout, that will be facing the wrong direction when the phone is sideways. Is is really necessary to paint “HD 1080P” on the camera? Ugly Verizon logo on front AND back? Seriously?

Why can’t any Android phone makers practice good design? I haven’t seen a single well-designed phone from this camp. Nokia got it right with their recent Lumia 800 on WP7, but that’s about all I can think of outside of the iPhone.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:08 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

asianrage's reply:

You seem to be biased toward a very specific set of design parameter, which isn’t all indicative of “good design”. HTC has a very good set of design standards that they iterate upon. The DX1/2 was an intriguing take on a slate style device that took chances.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:16 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

H.L's reply:

Good design is only subjective to a point.
Any designer that takes themselves seriously would agree that copiously slapping logos onto a piece of plastic is a terrible example of “design standards”.

And yes, I am very biased against that design choice.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 12:11 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

asianrage's reply:

I don’t consider branding to be an extremely crucial part of a phone’s design. Yes, it’s important where a logo should be., but, in regard to this conversation, which I thought was about pure industrial design comparison of devices, i could care less.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 5:09 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Formul says:

i know its kind to ignore hump on another human being, but ignoring it on piece of plastic is stretching the kindness a little bit

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:09 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

boswd's reply:

i own the droid x and actually while holding it in landscape mode it just feels right around your index finger, it gives a nice ergonomic feel to it. Seriously

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:11 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

Formul's reply:

i’m not saying its not useful, i can see how it can be … but its just plain stupid to claim its the thinnest phone while it clearly is not at all

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 6:50 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

zwizzle says:

How could they make such an impressive piece of hardware LAG so horribly?!? For shame, Moto!!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:12 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

thevergepirate says:

why does Nilay looks like a homicidal maniac? its hilarious. its like he’s a grizzled war vet who’s been at OCW for the past month, living in a tent, dealing with flashbacks from his time in ’nam.

people should realize the review is an opinion only.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:19 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

kedmond's reply:

Agreed and agreed. :-)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:20 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Nilay Patel's reply:

And now you know what it’s like to review the Droid RAZR.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:57 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

Chad Mumm's reply:

He’s seen things you people wouldn’t believe…

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:04 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

thevergepirate's reply:

don’t mess with Nilay or else he’ll cut you!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 2:50 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

ceejw's reply:

All these Razrs will be lost in time, like Droids in Verizon’s release schedule

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 6:57 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Marcos El Malo's reply:

Nilay, I’ll give you $5 if you do a review in a Christopher Walken voice.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:24 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

boswd says:

and even Jonahen Gellar of BGR of all people seemed to disagree with Nilay’s review here is his final thoughts
“The Motorola DROID RAZR has replaced Samsung’s Galaxy S II as the best Android device I’ve ever used. It’s ridiculously fast, incredibly thin and it runs on the fastest network in the country. It is also the first 4G device to finally show the world that it doesn’t have to be as thick as a brick or have battery life that forces you to invest in 12 chargers.

With a beautiful design, an amazing display and a thin profile that’s packed to the brim with the latest and greatest specs, the Motorola DROID RAZR is absolutely worthy of being Verizon’s flagship device for the holidays. While the physical size of the device is larger than I’d have liked, and one-handed usage can be tricky if you’re not used to the crop of large display’d devices of late, there are way more positives than negatives with the DROID RAZR."

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:20 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

mistermix's reply:

And not a single word about the camera, even though BG says he had the phone for “a few days”. How do you write a credible review of a smartphone and not mention the camera?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:24 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

asianrage's reply:

Geller is the one person I would trust the least in reviewing anything Android based.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:09 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

boswd's reply:

really? Why? he’s just as pro Apple everything, if not more, than the guys here.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 12:59 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

asianrage's reply:

With the guys here, I’ve followed their conversations/arguments/articles long enough to understand why they like (they don’t love all) some Apple stuff, e.g. the iPhone and iPad. With Geller, not so much. I agree with The Verge’s POV more than Geller’s on Android.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 5:14 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

urpert's reply:

Sounds more like a review of Verizon to me.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 4:44 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

boswd says:

So how could three other major reviewers have such a different take on this phoen than Nilay of the verge?

Oye

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:21 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

DigitalLocksmith's reply:

Because all the Apple writers that left Engadget ended up here, then Engadget got more Apple writers.

Guess what? When I zoom in on an iPhone, the screen looks like crap too!

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:28 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

fraydog's reply:

Nilay uses a Droid X2 as his daily driver so I think he of all people would be the most qualified to write a thorough review on the Droid RAZR, which he has done. There may be people you can accuse of being Apple writers on here but I don’t think Nilay is one of them.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:35 AM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions

DaGetz's reply:

Troll comment is troll.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:08 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

urpert's reply:

Flag it and hope this place is better moderated than you-know-where.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 4:45 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

colormeamused's reply:

They’re reviewing it as a phone, Nilay is actually reviewing it relative to its contemporaries. And Nilay has a clue whereas the engadget guy doesn’t even know what a pentile display is when it is sitting in front of him.

A reviewer has to see things that a buyer will notice after weeks of use, not just the original ‘wow’ awesome.

There are two deal breakers, one is being significantly wider than the Galaxy S II, which is already at the edge of what most people can hold in one hand.

The other is the display, this display is similar in quality to the original Galaxy S display in terms of pixel density and because it is a pentile display.

What is incredible is that Motorola still don’t get it. I don’t know what Google have got themselves into. After all the criticism their previous screens received they still bring out this display that is already ancient by mobile phone standards.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:14 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

DaGetz's reply:

Agreed, this is a good review.

With regards to your google point, agreed moto are being stupid but so is every other android OEM. They are just churning out phones with flaws and minor iterations but the thing is they sell. If google didn’t touch moto they would still make a handsome profit off them. What google can do (and they have to do this very carefully) is turn moto into the best android device manufacturer out there and thus set the pace of the other OEMs. By the next nexus I would expect google taking charge of the area more by indirectly setting the tone with moto.

That needs to be done fast though, they need to stick some restrictions on jello a la WP7.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:20 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Marcos El Malo's reply:

“If google didn’t touch moto they would still make a handsome profit off them.”

You mean after the acquisition goes through, or do you mean, “even if Google doesn’t acquire them”?

Either way, I’m not that hopeful about the “handsome profit”. Motorola hasn’t had a single profitable quarter in a coon’s age. If Google doesn’t buy them, they’ll be roadkill. (Which is probably why they were threatening to sue other Android makers.)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:31 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

boswd's reply:

I’m sorry when almost every single other reviewer has reviewed this phone almost to 180 degree difference than Nilay, I’m not buying the Nilary is God and know’s all and the rest do not defense.

It sounds to me he doesn’t like the skin and just gave up on the rest. And what’s worse is the skin is totally subjectable to an indvidual. I’m sorry if you look to Nilay to decide what skin is the best for you, then you have issues.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:22 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

DaGetz's reply:

We aren’t saying he is god. I can’t speak for the other dude but for me I just read a review and listen to their points and see if I agree with them or if they are important to me. I read Nilay’s review and his points about the screen, the crappy motoblur and not being on ICS ring true to me. If they don’t ring true to you then you should probably stick with the other reviews but remember that reviews are subjective and not definitive. Before purchasing a product you should read a few reviews.

Lots of people think the iphone 4 is beautiful, I think it looks like a metal brick but I can respect other peoples opinion. If I was reviewing the iphone 4 I would give it below a 4 or 3 for design because I think it is ugly, it has its fair share of antenna problems and it breaks like china.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:31 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

agreen24's reply:

99 percent of users have never had antenna problems. I know I haven’t. And hell, a case solved it. But there’s no way you can make this hunk of junk look anything but. It’s ugly. Why do people insist on trying to spin this fact?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:02 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

colormeamused's reply:

You didn’t actually read the review. I don’t care that much about the skin, I am willing to wait till ICS to judge the software properly. Read the actual points made, they are hard to argue with.

Using a really old screen (basically a bigger Galaxy S screen) when the whole world has moved on is extremely disappointing. Manufacturers releasing 720p phones: Samsung, Sony, Toshiba-Fujitsu, Sharp, HTC, LG. Manufacturer releasing a pentile qHD screen: Motorola.

The other issue is anything significantly wider than a Galaxy S II is simply too big to hold one handed for most people. I got the GS II and tried it and let others try. It’s at the limit for most people. Having a huge bezel like this phone is an awful design compromise.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 12:00 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Cokain says:

If Motorola didn’t release the X2 or the Bionic and put their effort into the RAZR it could have been released months ago and been relevant. This phone is extremely overshadowed by the Galaxy Nexus.

tl;dr Dear Motorola, go for quality not quantity. xoxo, an alienated Motofan.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:27 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

crichton007 says:

I’m not sure how the lack of an ICS upgrade until next year is a ding since it was barely announced and no other phones will be getting that update this year (aside from the Nexus).

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:33 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

andrerichards's reply:

Because it more or less says that Motorola hasn’t planned the Droid RAZR with ICS in mind which means, like many other phones, the upgrade will be an iffy proposition. I’ve been bit by that already, so any manufacturer putting out hardware right now that doesn’t come with the promise of an ICS upgrade is out of the running for me (and probably many others.) I think it’s a miscalculation by Moto to leave it up in the air like that.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:12 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions