Motorola ATRIX 4G vs Apple iPhone 4
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Design:
If there was one physical trait that we didn’t like with the ATRIX 4G, it has to be none other than its plastic construction – which is the reason why the iPhone 4 looks and feels like the more premium device. Even though it’s slightly more compact in size versus the ATRIX 4G, the iPhone 4 is noticeably heavier due to its premium choice of materials. However, it’s arguable to say that it wouldn’t fare well in the event that it’s dropped – but then again, the plastic exterior of the ATRIX 4G is a bit more susceptible to scratching. Whatever way you look at it, there’s no denying that the iPhone 4 is both the better looking and feeling device between the two.
When comparing the two screens, the Motorola ATRIX 4G boasts the larger of the two with a 4” qHD display and packs a mighty resolution of 540 x 960 pixels. Albeit, it still doesn’t come close to offering the higher pixel density count found with the 3.5” IPS display of the iPhone 4 with its resolution of 640 x 960 pixels. Sure the Retina Display packs a whole lot of pixels on its surface, but honestly, they both exhibit similar characteristics with their detailed and brilliant displays. However, we find color production to be a little bit more natural looking with the iPhone 4 since darker colors, such as black, have a smoky appearance with the ATRIX 4G. Moreover, colors better retain their vibrancy at various angles on the Retina Display. Luckily though, we find both to be extremely responsive to the touch.
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Viewing angles of the Motorola ATRIX 4G (right) and the Apple iPhone 4 (left) | |||
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Color production of the Motorola ATRIX 4G (right) and the Apple iPhone 4 (left) | |||
To this day, we never have any problems activating the springy feel of the iPhone 4’s recognizable home button. Conversely, since it relies on the customary set of capacitive buttons, we still find ourselves accidentally pressing them on the Motorola ATRIX 4G since they’re placed close to the edge of the handset.
Fortunately, we find the volume rockers of both handsets to be sufficient in size without any hassles in pressing them down thanks to their responsive feel. However, the addition of the vibrate switch with the iPhone 4 is appreciated since it offers quick access in silencing it.
Thanks mostly to their traditional nature, as opposed to the proprietary 30-pin connection port with the iPhone 4, we adore the microUSB and microHDMI ports found with the ATRIX 4G – which are used in conjunction with the handset’s innovative sharing qualities.
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Buttons | Volume rockers | Ports |
The Motorola ATRIX 4G (bottom) and the Apple iPhone 4 (top) | ||
Taking a peek at the top edges of both smartphones, we’re greeted with their 3.5mm headset jacks and dedicated power buttons. With the iPhone 4, its placement is fitting and provides that solid tactile response when pressed. On the contrary, the placement with the ATRIX 4G might seem awkward at first, but it’s still nonetheless roomy in size and doubles as a finger print reader – which is definitely something you don’t see that often.
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Power buttons on top | |||
The sides of the Motorola ATRIX 4G (bottom) and the Apple iPhone 4 (top) | |||
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Front facing cameras | Back cameras | |
The Motorola ATRIX 4G (bottom, right) and the Apple iPhone 4 (top, left) | ||
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43 Comments
1. Kakarotto posted on 08 Mar 2011, 03:40 4 3
It's obvious that Atrix is better so I'm asking - Why do you make that stupid comparisons to iPhone? Every new smarthone is compared to an old iPhone - WHY? Do you want to make free advertisements for Apple? I don't get it, why old and totally different iPhone again? iPhone is out of Atrix/Optimus2x/SGS2 league so just let it go!
Just make comparison to another smartphone - there are plenty of them, NOT ALWAYS TO THE FU$KING iPhone!
9. superpooburger posted on 08 Mar 2011, 05:39 1 7
adn here is person who wanted to buy PDA but is looking at phones...
Atrix is CRAP AS PHONE. good only as PDA.
iPhone is good as bouth phone adn PDA!
15. remixfa posted on 08 Mar 2011, 07:19 5 2
so wait.. your saying that the phone that is NOTORIOUS for dropping calls is the better "phone" phone?? LOL. Stupid comment of the day maybe.
10. Darthmaul (unregistered) posted on 08 Mar 2011, 05:41 1 1
Man I couldnt agree more. You said it! I dont understand why obviously waaay better smartphones are always compaired to that piece of crap. All the newer phones that are out there now get to be compaired to tha famous ish.t !! People, get over it! Unless jailbreak didnt exist, this phone couldnt even do basic stuff, like a sms delivery report, or many other functions not there from the box. It is obvious that someone is paying to get always these comparisons. Shame!
27. Lucas777 posted on 08 Mar 2011, 21:46 4 0
just saying but they said the phone lags while moving around the interface and that the iphone doesnt... i would never buy a phone that lags...
30. Fred (unregistered) posted on 15 Mar 2011, 16:06 0 0
THE FU$KING iPhone that you can't afford..
2. Prices India (unregistered) posted on 08 Mar 2011, 03:49 0 0
it didn’t back down in bringing forth an experience that delivers strongly in many aspects thanks to its high-end specs and innovative functionality...
3. Droid_X_Doug posted on 08 Mar 2011, 03:57 2 6
The comparisons are made to the iPhone because on a phone-for-phone basis, the iPhone is where the bar is being set. You can deny that the iPhone should be the standard for comparison, but that is your opinion. The market is buying iPhones left and right.
If Apple/Steve come out with the rumored CPU and GPU upgrades in the iPhone 5 in the July timeframe, the Atrix will fall behind and will have only been competitive for maybe 4 months. I wonder how the Atrix will compare when iOS v. 4.3 goes into production? The slip may start even sooner.
4. p0rkguy posted on 08 Mar 2011, 04:05 6 1
Why do you guys even do comparisons when you can't even put the iPhone as the loser in the battle?
Every single damn comparison with the iPhone in it ends with the same conclusion.
"However, it always comes down to whether your prefer the easy to learn and simplistic experience with iOS, or the personalized functionality with Android 2.2 Froyo."
You guys are so biased to the point where you have to make it seem like you're trying to be unbiased.
12. protozeloz posted on 08 Mar 2011, 06:40 2 0
They added the wrong link thats the review for the dock
here is the review
http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Motorola-ATRIX-4G-Review_id2665
14. protozeloz posted on 08 Mar 2011, 06:50 0 0
lol quoted wrong -_-"
this comment was for @ziving
5. ziving (unregistered) posted on 08 Mar 2011, 04:08 3 2
I do not understand why in the spec of the ATRIX it says that the editor gave it 8, and at the end of the ATRIX review it says that he gave 9.5!!! Why because they didnt want to compare it to the Iphone.
and i saw it (the review) a while ago and it showed 9.5!
6. p0rkguy posted on 08 Mar 2011, 04:18 0 0
Oh my god, it gets even worse when you actually look through all the comparisons.
How is it that a .5" increase in screen size and 100x960 can cause such choppy/grainy screen shots for the Atrix?
18. roldefol posted on 08 Mar 2011, 07:56 3 0
I blame the PenTile screen of the ATRIX. It may be 540x960, but there are fewer subpixels than in the 640x960 iPhone display. This is the same reason the 4" S-AMOLED screen on the Galaxy S looks grainier than the 4.3" screen on the Droid X. It seems Apple has cornered the market on super-high-density LCD displays for now - not even its supplier LG can match it.
Of course, that's all at a microscopic level - I compared the iPhone 4 and Atrix side by side, and while the iPhone looked slightly better, both handled fine details very well.
36. megamrambo posted on 22 Jul 2011, 22:49 0 0
In actuality the Atrix 4g has a screen resolution of 443x722 if it has the same pixel matrix of an original super amoled possessed by the Galaxy S line.
7. loolcom posted on 08 Mar 2011, 05:31 4 0
Why always there is an iPhone and an android haters on this website , just pick what u r convinced in and stop this stupid arguments ,,,, it's better to write ur own experience like the old days .
8. superpooburger posted on 08 Mar 2011, 05:37 0 5
in conclusion is writen: "these are unanimously the best two smartphones that are currently gracing AT&T’s lineup.".
If we look back in motorollas review we can find this: "Calling quality is average at best".
I do not see how these 2 sentencis can go togeder? if fact how these 2 review fit togeder!
iphone provides best quality. That one i agree, but after we see complains about static in voice calls, then phone is already marked as CRAP. So please change teh review to tell the truth, Iphone is way better then atric 4g, just becosue it has no static in voice calls!!!!!!!!
21. jbash posted on 08 Mar 2011, 09:08 4 0
Learn how to type so we can understand your trolling superpooburger.
11. Po0yAn posted on 08 Mar 2011, 05:44 0 0
you guys at iphonearena are yet to learn how to take snapshots from the display on an android device.
those pictures are pathetic for a mobile site which does comparisons and reviews a lot.
Google it, it's pretty easy thing through SDK and doesn't need root or anything and it's the same for all android devices. I recommend it, it's good for your reputation!
