Connect with us

Editorials

Motorola Droid RAZR HD Might Have a Glaring Weakness

Published

on

The Motorola Droid RAZR HD might have a glaring weakness on board if and when it arrives this Friday as it’s rumored to.

I think we can all agree that the Motorola Droid RAZR HD is shaping up to be a mighty fine device. It’s rumored to have a 720p HD display, something missing on the Droid RAZR and Droid RAZR MAXX, and it’s rumored to have a speedy dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor.

Read: Motorola Droid RAZR HD Release Date, Feature, Design and Spec Rumor Roundup.

Additionally, it’s said to have 4G LTE data connectivity, a Kevlar back plate for extra protection, and a serviceable 8 mega-pixel camera.

It’ll also have a 2,530 mAh battery on board which, while not as big as the Droid RAZR MAXX battery, is bigger than most batteries found in 4G LTE smartphones. Even the Samsung Galaxy S III has a smaller battery.

android-jelly-bean

The Droid RAZR HD might launch with Android 4.0, not Jelly Bean.

However, if leaks are accurate and Motorola’s past repeats itself, it might have a glaring weakness on board when it officially hits shelves.

That weakness of course is its software.

Right now, the Droid RAZR HD is pegged as having Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The software showed up in a benchmark and a leaked photo indicated that that was the software on board.

That’s not the only thing that has me worried either.

Motorola has, in the past, released phones with older Android software even while a newer version was available. Most recently, it did it with the Droid RAZR MAXX which was released with Android 2.3 Gingerbread when Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich was widely available.

The device is a great device, there is no disputing that, but owners did have to endure a four month wait for Ice Cream Sandwich, even after Motorola said it would arrive in the coming weeks.

It might be planning on doing the same thing with the Droid RAZR HD. Get it out with ICS before the iPhone 5, which is rumored for September, promise an upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in the coming weeks, and then watch the circus unfold as owners become puzzled and angry about the lack of an update.

Quite frankly, I don’t see this phone selling as well with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. ICS is a good operating system but Jelly Bean is better.

Throw in the fact that customers are now well aware of the Android update issues and you have a recipe that doesn’t equal success.

Of course, we likely won’t know if this weakness is real until Friday but those interested in the device should start preparing for a lack of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean right now to soften the blow.

Anyone out there not going to buy this if it has Android 4.0 ICS on board? The thought of waiting for the Jelly Bean update is painful.

Update: Friday’s event has nothing to do with the Droid RAZR HD so that at least should give potential customers some hope.

9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. Christopher M.

    08/07/2012 at 1:55 pm

    I Like you’re point. However i do need to point out that when the Razr Maxx was released in Jan. ICS was anything but widely available. Actually the only device oat the time with ICS was the Nexus. Also, well itnto may/june less than 5% of the current android devices out at the time had ICS. So I would say yes software issues are also something to beware of with motorola. Hopefully google will help with that.

  2. Christopher M.

    08/07/2012 at 2:07 pm

    I Like you’re point. However i do need to point out that when the Razr Maxx was released in Jan. ICS was anything but widely available. Actually the only device oat the time with ICS was the Nexus. Also, well itnto may/june less than 5% of the current android devices out at the time had ICS. So I would say yes software issues are also something to beware of with motorola. Hopefully google will help with that. I do believe that this devices is a going to be a HUGE bust. It’s already dated and it hasnt been released yet. Like the Bionic this device is late to the party. The battery is a step backward and the overall make of the device will out do the galaxy and iphone 5 in durability. However, its bezel is always massive. the galazy iii is 4.8in on a device thats barely 5.0in. Mototola again looks to “frame” its screen. The Razr HD will have a 4.6 on a 5.6in phone. All those extra inches of space should be used for screen, not motorola/verizon logos (see the razr and maxx) or the phone should be closer to the size of the screen.The last let down is the camera. Again, motorola has failed to deliver a solid camera that competes with what is currently available. As someone who has had motorola smartphone from day one I am truely let down by this device. It’s compareable to the current phones out. But when you’re late to the ball you better stick out.

  3. infin/itive

    08/07/2012 at 5:16 pm

    The real headline here is that it isn’t missing any capacitive buttons like so many new Android phones. The only meaningful improvement I’ve seen from one Android version to the next was from Donut to Eclair when Google maps finally got turn by turn navigation enabled.

  4. Qintick

    08/07/2012 at 5:17 pm

    @Christopher

    I would highly advise attempting to form some sort of semblance of a life and discontinue speculating on devices that haven’t even been released yet. Your life must be really, really sad.

  5. Gary

    08/08/2012 at 2:04 pm

    After waiting months for ICS on my Razr Maxx, and then, finally, a buggy update… I won’t intentionally repeat that experience.

  6. nelsdaddy

    08/08/2012 at 2:34 pm

    i am finally might be getting a razor maxx in a couple of days should i wait for the ics issues to dissapear

  7. Andrew

    08/08/2012 at 3:53 pm

    Just flash the phone yourself. It is your hardware you can make it run w.e software you want. Ive been using an Atrix with a hybrid ICS/Honecomb build for months now. Not only does the flash not come with blockbuster app, it actually runs faster and the battery last way longer.

    I backed up my att rom and it was something like 250MB, my new rom was less then 50MB and performs flawlessly and without annoyances the carriers provide.

    F waiting for the carriers and Motorola to approve the roms. I will give Motorola lots of credit for making great smart phones, they did practically invent the cellphone. Just leave it to custom programmers to write OSs that have the consumer and not money in mind!

  8. Nostromo

    08/09/2012 at 5:40 am

    I am going to pass on The HD. It will not be the logical successor to the RAZR MAXX. I am not disappointed, rather somewhat jaded toward where the technology seems to have plateaued this year. I need a better camera to be able to resize photos that I take in the field. My MAXX’s battery can last nearly two days with fairly heavy use. I have only had to put it to that test several times and the battery has become more seasoned and ‘elastic’. How long will it last?

  9. Nostromo

    08/09/2012 at 5:45 am

    P.S; To Motorola, et al, I also need storage of up to 64 Gigs. More if you can manage it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.