Motorola DROID RAZR M Review
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As we're all well aware by now, Motorola's two upcoming flagship smartphones for Verizon, the Motorola DROID RAZR HD and DROID RAZR HD MAXX, aren't come to fruition until a later date this year. Certainly, there are many people out there saddened by this revelation, but nevertheless, Verizon customers are spared some good news in the near term. Fortunately for them, they can experience another one of the next-generation DROIDs very soon and without the wait.
Although it might not have the commanding presence as its highly esteemed siblings, the Motorola DROID RAZR M is looking to be a relevant device thanks to its compact form factor and impressive, nearly bezel-less display – while still chiming in at the lovable price point of $99.99 with a 2-year contract. In all seriousness, this is one DROID RAZR that's ready to slice and dice the mid-range market.
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- microUSB cable
- Rapid Wall Charger
- Quick Start Guide
- Product Safety and Warranty Information
Design:
At a quick glance, there's no arguing that the Motorola DROID RAZR M employs all the characteristic DROID RAZR aesthetics we're all familiar with by now. Simply, it looks like a "mini" version of all the other last-generation RAZRs we've seen, but doesn't have as much of the pronounced angular corner cuts from before, and instead, it's more rounded on the corners. Even though its design isn't necessarily ground breaking, the combination of its uniform chassis and compact form makes it undeniably easy to handle in the hand.
And of course, there's the high-quality materials it's constructed from, which enables it to exude toughness to the full degree. Donning a sturdy plastic body combined with a KEVLAR coated rear casing, it maintains a very clean appearance that does wonders to repel dirt and debris. Throw in some nice accents, like the star shaped screws around the two edges of the handset, and it simply reaffirms to us the precise and thoughtful process Motorola goes through in concocting its devices.
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The Motorola DROID RAZR M is undeniably easy to handle in the hand | |
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You can compare the Motorola DROID RAZR M with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.
Like other recent Motorola phones, the DROID RAZR M ditches the usual set of capacitive buttons replacing them with on-screen ones. Meanwhile, above the display, it's almost impossible to make out its earpiece, but surely enough, it's right there beneath the "Motorola" name. Finally, the front-facing VGA camera sits towards the upper right corner all by itself.
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Android buttons | Front-facing camera |
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microUSB port (left) | 3.5mm jack (top) | Power button and volume control (right) |
The sides of the Motorola DROID RAZR M | ||
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Back | Rear camera |
Display:
And so comes the most exciting and impressive part about the Motorola DROID RAZR M, its 4.3" qHD 540 x 960 Super AMOLED display! Well, it might doesn’t seem like something earth shattering on paper, especially when 720p displays are all the norm for most high-end smartphones, but it's the edge-to-edge nature of its display that's most spectacular. Honestly, it gives us a seek peek of what to expect in terms of future mobile displays – and that's what makes this handset so compelling, despite not being a cutting-edge thing in terms of raw specs.
Come to think about it, we haven't seen something like this before, and therefore, we're uncannily fascinated by it. With the almost bezel-less display, it contributes to make the DROID RAZR M the most compact sized smartphone we've come across to date – for its screen size obviously.
Aside from that, the display is still detailed enough with its qHD resolution, which so happens to employ a PenTile matrix arrangement. Adding to its appeal, its high-contrast, wide viewing angles, and vibrant color production keeps everything seem so charismatically pretty. Looking pass the visual allure, it's still visible outdoors with the sun present – albeit, it doesn't hurt to shield it every now and then for optimum clarity.
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Viewing angles | |||
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Color reproduction | |||
Drag the picture or use the keyboard arrows to rotate the phone. Double click or press keyboard Space to zoom in/out
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54 Comments
1. Djillest posted on 10 Sep 2012, 07:02 5 42
Galaxy s3 is still king!!! Nothing is touching it this year
3. redmd posted on 10 Sep 2012, 07:08 14 5
because it has followers.it is the king though the note 2 can deservingly protest.
25. tharag posted on 10 Sep 2012, 12:43 1 3
ya note 2 can over power s3 sometime just like old fellows s2 & note 1
20. mobilefuture posted on 10 Sep 2012, 11:24 10 1
seriously. those two phones are gonna prove that quad-cores are still just a gimmick for now. you don't really need that much power on your phone! i think the xperia V will be a huge hit because many people prefer a 4.3 inch screen and its also got the same 13MP camera as the Xperia T plus the added benefit of 4G LTE and being Water and dust resistant!
wooh, thats alot for 1 sentence :p
41. axelrhs posted on 11 Sep 2012, 06:24 0 6
Can you really think that? Hmm... xperia Phone is Incomplete smart phone. Because Sony's work is always 2% shortage such as non removable battery, Obsolete CPU(Snap dragon s3... very very poor AP...plus over clocking..It really is a crazy act.)...
I like Sony's Style. but xperia is never recommended...
45. XPERIA-KNIGHT posted on 13 Sep 2012, 01:47 2 0
snap dragon s3???? where the hell have you been? the xperia v has an s4 "plus" in it!! which is why it out performed the galaxy s3!
non removable battery? the TX is removable dude so you have no argument against sony......just shut up n get an xperia already
49. AppleHateBoy posted on 17 Sep 2012, 01:43 0 0
BTW S3's GPU is still quite a bit faster.
12. neutralguy posted on 10 Sep 2012, 08:10 16 1
Whatever you say people, but I F*CK*NG LOVE THE LOOKS OF THIS PHONE!
a minimal bezel and a good battery. just. I LOVE THE DESIGN! IT beats iphone/s3 ten times in terms of design.
21. KingKurogiii posted on 10 Sep 2012, 11:29 8 0
go ahead, breathe a sigh of relief that Moto's mid-range offering didn't topple the SIII. xD
24. ivanprskalo posted on 10 Sep 2012, 12:20 7 1
What a stupidity?! S3 is sooo ooold news, boring and beaten in almost every way... (By RAZR MAXX HD, by Xperia V and T and LG Optimus G, and many more...)
27. Shino posted on 10 Sep 2012, 14:45 3 0
Yeah right...king of mediocre plastic body, overpriced, bad display yellow phones. Sure it is king :)
29. Angelface77 posted on 10 Sep 2012, 16:16 1 0
When the droid razr hd max comes out that one will be king of 2012 :)
2. sorcio46 posted on 10 Sep 2012, 07:08 7 0
Interesting smartphone for the middle rank pricepoint, Google influence on lastest Razr smartphones is very clear !
4. Cacharoes posted on 10 Sep 2012, 07:26 5 0
They advertise the M being made of Aircraft Grade Aluminum front and Kevlar Back, not plastic.
28. nyuvo posted on 10 Sep 2012, 15:58 1 0
Yep, confirmed on the verizon website... "An aircraft aluminium frame surrounding the display"
But what you have to look into is the wording of this. Frame in this situation is like referring to the chassis of a car. You can't see the chassis of a car but it is what creates the rigid body of a car.
In this same situation we have here a phone that has a durable aircraft grade aluminium frame, with a plastic external plastic casing.
Well that's how I see it anyways :)
34. aoikemono27 posted on 10 Sep 2012, 18:42 1 0
The frame is really pointless to tout. All the phones I've ever owned have had more than adequate frames. I don't see how a phone twisting out of shape or breaking in half has ever been a real issue, when the worst that ever happens is the screen shattering, even in drop tests and roadkill tests. The plastic body is more important since its the part you touch the most.
39. nyuvo posted on 10 Sep 2012, 23:46 0 2
Yeah you're right, but it is nice to know that they are paying attention to how the inside is constructed.
Personally I would love to have the whole body made from that same aluminium as the frame!
6. roldefol posted on 10 Sep 2012, 07:29 7 0
I'm proud of Moto and Verizon for this one. This is what a RAZR looks like! Compact, thin and powerful enough for the masses. Now detach yourself from the Verizon teat and sell this through all the carriers, Moto!
30. Angelface77 posted on 10 Sep 2012, 16:17 0 0
If they start doing that, they will be selling a lot of this beautiful unit.
46. XPERIA-KNIGHT posted on 13 Sep 2012, 01:51 0 0
LORD that is ALL that is left to do! sell this on every other carrier and it will be a definite winner no doubt!
7. RORYREVOLUTION posted on 10 Sep 2012, 07:29 4 0
Really impressed by the physical size of the device considering the screen size. Look at how barely taller it is against the iPhone and yet how much larger the display is. Great device for those who want good build quality with high end specs at a low price that can easily be used one handed.
22. KingKurogiii posted on 10 Sep 2012, 11:32 4 0
it's amazing how much better Moto is at constructing phones than everybody else. the Razr M is exactly as tall and wide as the Incredible 4G LTE but is 2.7mm thinner and has a 2000mAh battery. that's murdering it.
35. aoikemono27 posted on 10 Sep 2012, 18:47 0 3
That's the problem. Moto phones are the ugliest and most industrial/boxy looking of the bunch. It's space efficient, but it ain't pretty, and probably not as ergnomic either. Throwing out design to save a few mm here and there isn't very innovative.
40. KingKurogiii posted on 10 Sep 2012, 23:59 1 0
well apparently you have different taste.
i like the industrial, angular looks of Motorola devices. they're much more manly. ;)
8. darac posted on 10 Sep 2012, 07:47 7 0
For those millions who are after a powerful yet compact and non expensive smartphone, this seems to be it!!
I love the new RAZR line - well done Motorola :)
31. Angelface77 posted on 10 Sep 2012, 16:22 1 0
Motorola nailed it with this one. Indeed job well done Motorola !
10. Cacharoes posted on 10 Sep 2012, 07:52 4 0
I Rather like how Motorola is not putting a Custom UI on their device's, I really hate those things. I think Stock is prettier than Samsung's or HTC's UI.
I do wish Motorola would improve their cameras though, It has been the weak point on All Moto DROID's.
Overall Very good phone a premium phone at a low price. It is not lacking in anything a normal users needs.
23. KingKurogiii posted on 10 Sep 2012, 11:44 1 0
yeah, that should really be Motorola's next focus but the Camera is good enough to not break it.
32. Angelface77 posted on 10 Sep 2012, 16:23 0 1
That is my only complain about Motorola is their cameras. I am not really a camera person, but if other devices have good cameras why not Motorola?
13. fervid posted on 10 Sep 2012, 08:46 1 1
Something looks fishy on the 5ft vs 7ft darkness with flash photos.
14. PhoneArena Team posted on 10 Sep 2012, 09:12 2 0
There was a mistake with the arrangement .... it is fixed now :)
15. fervid posted on 10 Sep 2012, 09:21 3 0
Also a mistake in the last lines- "Software version of the AT&T review unit". If this is coming to ATT I'm buying one.
16. Nathan_ingx posted on 10 Sep 2012, 09:21 2 0
Motorola should Motocamerize...lol. I mean enhance their picture taking capability...then it would be a super phone.
17. fervid posted on 10 Sep 2012, 09:24 0 0
What type of lighting is used in that room when a little LED Flash in the dark at 5ft looks better than "Strong" lighting???
18. frustyak posted on 10 Sep 2012, 10:04 4 3
Am I the only one getting confused by Motorola's naming conventions? Maxx, Razr, Maxx Razr, Maxx HD, Maxx Razr HD, etc. It just seems like they've simply given up trying to come up with new names, and are just 'stacking' old names together when they come out with a new phone.
I predict that in a few months they're going to announce the 'Droid Atrix Rokr Maxx Razr HD M' at which point my head will expode.
36. aoikemono27 posted on 10 Sep 2012, 18:49 2 0
No you are just ignorant of other phones. The moto names are easy to understand in comparison.
26. ecloguey posted on 10 Sep 2012, 12:54 1 0
The best thing is th design. Minimal bezel, thats what makes it perfect.
33. Angelface77 posted on 10 Sep 2012, 16:25 1 0
and the form factor it is not to square nor to candy bar. It still has the industrial great look. This one is a winner !
37. c.hack posted on 10 Sep 2012, 23:34 0 2
I can't believe anyone would still buy another phone from Motorola, unless you love having an obsolete OS with no hope for upgrades, or a hopelessly pixelated pentile display, or a low quality camera, or a locked bootloader and lots of crapware. How much is Motorola paying people to use this thing?
38. nyuvo posted on 10 Sep 2012, 23:44 2 0
Well put it this way, Google owns Motorola so when you buy a Motorola you are effectively purchasing a phone from Google. They are separate entities but at the end of the day Motorola is still owned by Google.
Google aren't going to have the phones they release not receive updates as it will give them a really bad image.
I'm predicting that Motorola phones are going to be devices which see updates strait away and which represent more and more the experience which Google intends to provide with android. It's already apparent with its ICS skins. Even going as far as having chrome as the pre installed browser. Motorola are making Google phones now and I'm really impressed so far.
My only complaint would be the camera module. I'm just hoping the RAZR HD and MAXX have a different camera and lens combination as the RAZR M is clearly lacking.
42. Rocksteady posted on 12 Sep 2012, 03:11 0 0
Hi guys,
How can I get the circles widget on my droid razr?
Are they in the play store? and what's the name of the widget?
44. naga.appani posted on 12 Sep 2012, 06:58 0 0
You need to install the launcher that gets nodded to these new Motorola Widgets.... Follow this post, u get it...http://www.droid-life.com/2012/07/13/clock-widget-from-atrix-hd-pulled-installable-on-your-device/
48. tha.fox posted on 13 Sep 2012, 22:06 0 0
I think the interface part is wrong. Touchwiz is ugly in every aspect ruins ICS. The dots at the bottom, the icons even how they slowed the scrolling in the munue and recent apps. IDK if anyone noticed but the S3 takes like 2 to 3 seconds to go home when you press the home button and its extremly annoying. I unboxed out first razr m and it makes the razr look like crap! Thier interface offers just as much as the touchwiz and sense without ruining performance or the look of it. Build quality is better also. Ive owned the nexus and s3 andboth gave me internet and pic messeging problems. The only thing s3 has is the 2g of ram which is a unnoticable difference. The RAZR HD will be the best phone coming out by a long shot!
50. Shino posted on 17 Sep 2012, 05:44 0 0
Moto was a nice brand, but that was when it still hadn't aquired Android. Now it makes nice pieces of hardware, but with this OS - no, thanks!
51. oneeoe posted on 25 Nov 2012, 06:59 0 2
"it might doesn’t seem like something earth shattering on paper" found on the 2nd line of the review above. A typing error? Que va!!! like the spaniards will say. Terrible
People, pls i wann ask, what type of english is this? And coming from a reputable reviewer possibly a senior manager or editor of a coy, what kind of employers does this coy hire. Don't tell methat is american styled-english because i know many americans who speak superb english albeit american way. That statment is confusing, structureless and meaningless. Is the guy still working for his coy? i think i stand a better replacement because i am 99.99% better. LOL
52. nyuvo posted on 25 Nov 2012, 17:26 1 0
Perhaps if you yourself had correct spelling and grammar someone might consider listening to you complaining about it. But you don't. So move along please. Congratulations though, you as well as the rest of us figured out the mistake and continued with our daily lives happy as can be.
53. oneeoe posted on 26 Nov 2012, 09:12 0 1
One thing in life is accept mistakes and make corrections so that you are better off next time. That is the essence of schooling or interacting with others. If yours is start an insult, i gonna give you right away. Why don't we write what humans can read but not monkeys?. of what use is it write down something that is absolutely incoherent and meaningless and you cover it up men The debate continues if you want.
54. Cadillac20C posted on 01 Jan 2013, 15:18 0 0
This is by far the best phone I have ever owned its cheap and fuccin awesome the only other one I would is probably a big boy RAZR or S3 but other than that this the best phone ever you couldn't pay me to get a iPhone
