Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX HD to stay on Android 4.1.2 forever [Update: not really]

posted by Alan F. / Oct 13, 2013, 10:40 PM

Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX HD to stay on Android 4.1.2 forever [Update: not really]

UPDATE: Turns out that the DROID RAZR MAXX HD is still under consideration for an update.

Bad news for those who own the Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX HD. Despite invitations to a soak test that were sent out in July for the device with the long battery life, Motorola's own website shows that the device will remain on Android 4.1.2. The phone launched with Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich aboard and was updated to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean in March.

As far as the Motorola DROID RAZR HD is concerned, there still is hope. The wholly owned Google subsidiary hasn't put its foot down on this model as firmly as it did with the RAZR MAXX HD. That is a little strange considering that both models basically have similar specs. The DROID RAZR MAXX has that fabulous 3300mAh battery and 32GB of storage compared to the 16GB of storage and a not too shabby 2530mAh cell on the DROID RAZR HD

Android 4.1.2 is the end of the line for the Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX HD

source: MotorolaSupport

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Display 4.7" 720 x 1280 pixels

Camera 8 MP / 1.3 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus, Dual-core, 1500 MHz

Storage 32 GB + microSDHC

Battery 3300 mAh

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Display 4.7" 720 x 1280 pixels

Camera 8 MP / 1.3 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus, Dual-core, 1500 MHz

Storage 16 GB + microSDHC

Battery 2530 mAh

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36 Comments

1. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Wow, are you serious? Why in the world would they do that? The Droid Razr Maxx HD could easily handle 4.2 and 4.3. There's really no excuse.

posted on Oct 13, 2013, 10:42 PM 3

2. Shatter

Posts: 2036; Member since: May 29, 2013

Bad sales would be the excuse.

posted on Oct 13, 2013, 10:53 PM 0

13. ardent1

Posts: 2000; Member since: Apr 16, 2011

Why would bad sales be an excuse? It's a software upgrade and it doesn't cost Verizon or Google that much in expense for an upgrade.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 1:03 AM 0

14. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

Yes, because programmers working to debug the update work for free.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 1:11 AM 4

25. Mxyzptlk unregistered

I don't see that as a justifiable excuse .

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 8:25 AM 2

12. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

I don't know why. I just left a comment for Punit Soni to see if he knows. Hopefully he'll get an answer. If I were to venture a guess, it could have more to do with Verizon's update police than with Motorola itself. Remember, every version of the Moto X has had the camera update for at least a week EXCEPT for the Verizon version (as well as all the new Droids). Another guess could be that Soni's team are already working hard on all the current Droids and the Moto X updates. It does seem strange and I am a little irked, but this isn't exactly the end of the world. Looking at the changelist for 4.2 and 4.3, lots of nice little features were sprinkled through the operating system, but nothing super critical for most people was added. Is it annoying? Yes. Is your reaction disproportionate as always? Of course.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 12:10 AM 3

15. Berzerk000

Posts: 4275; Member since: Jun 26, 2011

The fact that it only says this for the Maxx HD and not the Razr HD or Razr M makes me a little suspicious; you would think they would put the same thing for all 3, but it just says when the 4.1 update rolled out for the Razr M and Razr HD. It makes me think this was just an error. But, if this does turn out to be true, it really does suck. Why should the OG Droid Razr and the Razr (Maxx) HD be stuck on the same version when the latter is much more capable? I understand why the Droid Razr should be stuck on 4.1, it released with GB after all, but not the 2012 devices.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 1:41 AM 0

26. Mxyzptlk unregistered

My reaction isn't disproportionate. There's no excuse here and it's not fair to customers who unfortunately bought the phone.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 8:26 AM 0

28. troutsy

Posts: 378; Member since: Feb 17, 2012

Because you bought a photon, or are still mad that the bionic wasn't released as quickly as the rumors speculated?..... I don't even remember what you are butthurt about anymore. You're a lock to come in and bash any Motorola news because they "don't release updates quickly enough" even though you appear to have never actually experienced a Motorola product. Sniggly put it fairly nicely by calling your reactions disproportionate.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 9:20 AM 1

30. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Motorola-says-update-information-for-Motorola-DROID-RAZR-MAXX-HD-was-a-typo_id48281 Read it and weep.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 12:36 PM 1

18. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

My first android phone is a milestone 2. Moto upgrade track record make sure it's my last Moto phone. Look like Moto is the same Moto under Google. Samsung will remain my preferred Android phone company. I have 3 Samsung Android devices and they updated every single one of them. Next device to own might be the Samsung Galaxy Round.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 2:09 AM 0

34. 1eye4u

Posts: 35; Member since: Nov 17, 2009

I gotta get out of this Motorola / Verizon crap. We deserve better.. considering the amount of money these 2 companies get from dummies like me ... time to disengage.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 2:17 PM 0

3. antmiu2

Posts: 550; Member since: Jun 19, 2011

THE LACK OF SUPPORT IS MOTOS DOWNFALL

posted on Oct 13, 2013, 10:55 PM 6

10. DaHarder

Posts: 177; Member since: Oct 10, 2009

Though this particular situation sucks almost as bad as HTC's complete dropping of ANY support whatsoever for their (initially very expensive) tablet line, Motorola did provide timely updates nearly 3 years for the XOOM. Regardless... I Refuse To Support Any Manufacturer That Screws Over Their Customers Like This, and So Should Every Conscientious Consumer.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 12:01 AM 0

24. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

Google updated the Xoom as a Google first Android developer tablet. No update for Xoom 2 as that is Motorola own device.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 7:00 AM 0

20. techguyone

Posts: 214; Member since: May 18, 2013

Well that and the fact they seem to forget that the world doesn't only consist of the US. I'm a long time moto fan from way back in the 90's but I'm dubious about remaining so, simply because theor update policy is shocking and as an EU citizen I 'might get' if I'm very lucky some cut down crappo version of the moto x. I think not moto, I'll take my *cough* dollars somewhere else thank you very much, have fun in the USA you short sighted idiots.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 2:48 AM 1

4. donutwindy

Posts: 6; Member since: Sep 16, 2013

Note to self, never buy a Motorola phone. (I hope they fix this, or I never will). Phones should at least get a couple years of updates. If they get even more, its a selling point. If they don't, people will shop elsewhere.

posted on Oct 13, 2013, 10:59 PM 2

5. GeekMovement unregistered

That's sad, motorola droid razr maxx series was great and they can make it better. Would be nice to have a large battery in their next Moto X line btw.

posted on Oct 13, 2013, 11:00 PM 0

6. mas11

Posts: 1034; Member since: Mar 30, 2012

That's why I: A) Use Cyanogenmod B) Plan on getting the Nexus 5 so I don't have to put up with this crap

posted on Oct 13, 2013, 11:17 PM 1

7. Jurdiales

Posts: 138; Member since: Oct 10, 2012

Thats weird considering the Droid RAZR HD and the MAXX HD are the same phone, i don't know why they can't handle a new update, at least..... at least Verizon doesn't want the phone to get updated, that could explain this.... to make future costumers choose the Droid Mini or Ultra instead of the RAZR HD and HD MAXX...

posted on Oct 13, 2013, 11:34 PM 1

8. Noble_One

Posts: 63; Member since: Aug 18, 2012

Anyone that had the Motorola photon us not surprised...

posted on Oct 13, 2013, 11:46 PM 2

21. mr2009

Posts: 34; Member since: Mar 26, 2013

so is people that had Motorola Atrix 4G..

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 3:27 AM 1

27. bucky

Posts: 3771; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

Agreed. I had the atrix too. And milestone.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 9:14 AM 0

9. kanagadeepan

Posts: 1200; Member since: Jan 24, 2012

WTF??? OG Droid Razr (which came with GB on launch) and DroidRazr_MAXX_HD both will remain in 4.1.2???? Motorola what are you smoking????

posted on Oct 13, 2013, 11:48 PM 0

11. Noble_One

Posts: 63; Member since: Aug 18, 2012

It's quite outrageous. There's so many great manufacturers in android space, but the updates are the biggest disparity. I've only really had trust for Samsung, HTC, (which is waning...), and I decided to give LG a shot with the Optimus G. The next few months will be make or break for me and LG. If I'm stuck on 4.1.2 it's a wrap for LG. The Optimus G had a close release date to the maxx hd so we'll see...

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 12:02 AM 0

17. Smokin

Posts: 120; Member since: Oct 10, 2013

I think Optimus G has 50% chance of being updated, but maximum ro 4.2.2

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 1:46 AM 0

23. fanboy1974

Posts: 1345; Member since: Nov 12, 2011

Trust Samsung? The only Sammy phones that officially have 4.3 is the new Note 3. By the time they release 4.3 for other phones it will be replaced with 4.4. And who knows which Android phones will receive 4.4.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 3:57 AM 0

16. Smokin

Posts: 120; Member since: Oct 10, 2013

My friend who has this pissed off and dump his phone just like after he read this and he headed to an Apple Store (which is probably 3 minutes walk from his home) and buy a 32GB Apple iPhone 5S, Gold, and he show it off to me on skype, literally now.

posted on Oct 14, 2013, 1:45 AM 0

19. DanBal76

Posts: 3; Member since: Jun 24, 2012

No surprise here, since its Motorola we are talking about. That's why i don't buy Motorola Android phones anymore ( my last one was the Atrix 4G, who is stuck on Gingerbread, when less capable phones are running Jelly Bean). Now i own a Galaxy S4, and i'm very pleased.