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6 Ways the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD Beats the Nexus 4

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A majority of the attention thus far in 2013 has been granted to phones like the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4. However, both of those phones have release dates far off in the distance and better yet, won’t appeal to everyone looking for a new smartphone. Those that aren’t interested will fortunately not run into a shortage as far as selection is concerned as phones like the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD and the Nexus 4 are on shelves and waiting.

Read: 6 Ways the Nexus 4 Beats the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD.

Both the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD and the Nexus 4, despite launching in 2012, remain stalwarts on the 2013 smartphone market. Even with big name phones like the Samsung Galaxy S4, Sony Xperia Z and the HTC One having arrived this year, both of these devices remain attractive options for those looking to pick up a solid smartphone.

The Nexus 4, which launched in November of last year, is LG and Google’s first joint Nexus phone and it is the successor to the Sprint Galaxy Nexus and the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. Until recently though, the Nexus 4 was extremely hard to find, thanks to its cheap price tag and its high-end hardware and software. In fact, just recently, the Nexus 4 finally started showing reasonable shipping times, making it a solid option for those that need a smartphone this moment.

Of course, the Nexus 4 isn’t the only older device vying for the attention of smartphone shoppers. One of those other devices is the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD, a device that represents Motorola’s current flagship smartphone model and one that should prove to be a solid choice for those in the market for a new device right now or in the near future.

Each of these devices, like devices do, have their strengths and weaknesses. We’ve already taken a look at areas where the Nexus 4 beats the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD and now, it’s time to flip the script.

Here, we take a look at six ways that the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD beats the Nexus 4.

Massive Battery

The most attractive feature about the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD may very well be its massive 3,300 mAh battery that is on board. This battery size is much bigger than stock batteries found in other smartphones, even the Galaxy S4, and it unsurprisingly offers battery life.

In our tests, we found that it can deliver all day battery life, even when utilizing 4G LTE data speeds. That is something that is just not a reality for most smartphones, including the Nexus 4.

Droid RAZR MAXX HD battery life.

Droid RAZR MAXX HD battery life.

The Nexus 4 features a 2,100 mAh battery which while bigger than some, pales in comparison to the size of the Droid RAZR MAXX HD’s. Further complicating things is the fact that the Nexus 4 does not feature a removable back, meaning, users won’t be able to install a larger battery for extended power.

Those searching for fantastic battery life on a phone will not want to look any further than the Droid RAZR MAXX HD.

Durability

One of the distinct qualities of Motorola devices are their designs. While they may not be the slimmest devices on the market, they surely are some of the most durable and the Droid RAZR MAXX HD is no exception.

The Droid RAZR MAXX HD features a smooth Kevlar back that not only looks amazing but feels great to hold. It also will protect the device against falls and drops. There is also a metal band that runs around the edge of the phone and a Gorilla Glass screen in front that help to protect the front of the device from clumsiness.

The Droid RAZR MAXX HD features superior build quality.

The Droid RAZR MAXX HD features superior build quality.

While the Nexus 4’s front is durable, instead of a Kevlar back, it features a glass-back, something that all but assures owners of an extra purchase. While the Droid RAZR MAXX HD doesn’t need a case, the Nexus 4 truly does need one to protect its glass from shattering when dropped.

In addition, the Droid RAZR MAXX HD is splashproof, thanks to a nanocoating that prevents small amounts of water from damaging the phone. It is not however, waterproof.

Motorola Smart Actions

While the Droid RAZR MAXX HD may not have vanilla Android like the Nexus 4, it does have one added software benefit that isn’t found on LG’s Nexus smartphone.

The Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD has something Motorola called Smart Actions built into its Android software. Smart Actions is a a free app that can turn features on or off or even change the volume of the ringer based on time and location. Users can even set up profiles that automatically change. The feature can be seen in the video below.

LG’s Nexus 4 does not have access to this since it’s a Motorola-only feature which means that those who are looking to automate more of their smartphone usage should look more closely at the Droid RAZR MAXX HD.

4G LTE

Many were surprised that the Nexus 4 did not come with 4G LTE data speeds on board, considering the previous Nexus, the Galaxy Nexus did come with compatibility. Instead, the Nexus 4 comes with access to HSPA+ 42 and below data speeds which are typically slower than 4G LTE.

The Nexus 4 does have a 4G LTE radio on board but at this point, it doesn’t look like LG or Google will ever enable 4G LTE data speeds officially.

The Droid RAZR MAXX HD can pull down speeds that the Nexus 4 cannot.

The Droid RAZR MAXX HD can pull down speeds that the Nexus 4 cannot.

The Droid RAZR MAXX HD on the other hand is a 4G LTE capable device which means that it can pull down extremely fast data speeds which often are on par with home Wi-Fi speeds.

In addition, the device is found on Verizon’s 4G LTE network which means that it has access to the largest 4G LTE network in the U.S. which boasts over 400 markets across the country.

Expanded Storage

One of the other interesting, and arguably frustrating features that Google and LG tacked onto the Nexus 4, was limited on board storage space. The Nexus 4 only comes in 8GB and 16GB models and it does not have a microSD card spot for expanded storage. Instead, users have to be reliant on the cloud to store their files.

On the other hand, the Droid RAZR MAXX HD comes with plenty of storage, 32GB of on board storage space to be exact, and it also features a microSD card slot for expanded storage beyond the space it comes with.

Like the Nexus 4, the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD can also take advantage of cloud storage which means that those looking for more possible storage space will want to look closely at the Droid RAZR MAXX HD.

Speaker & Call Quality

Finally, the last way that the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD beats the Nexus 4 is with its booming speakers and fantastic call quality. The Droid RAZR MAXX HD boasts some of the best sounding and loudest speakers that we’ve come across on any smartphone and they even surpass those of the Nexus 4.

The Droid RAZR MAXX HD features fantastic call quality and sound.

The Droid RAZR MAXX HD features fantastic call quality and sound.

In addition, the microphone on the Droid RAZR MAXX HD, in our tests, also have proven to be more reliable and of better quality than the microphone on the Nexus 4.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Brian Lampright (@motoxer913)

    03/23/2013 at 10:39 am

    Yeah, but good luck getting software updates! That single reason ALONE is why the Nexus is the ONLY android phone I will spend money on. Until Google fixes the ridiculous fragmented software problem and FORCES carriers to update software exactly like Apple does with iPhone the entire Android ecosystem is broken and therefore Nexus is the only choice for a software snob like myself and all the other “geeks” out there. Google!! Fix this damn problem already!

  2. Android Times

    03/23/2013 at 10:19 pm

    The latest android 4.1.2 update is causing problems in DROID RAZR and that is some serious set back for Motorola. Hopes are high that a fix is on the way from VZW.
    Source:
    https://www.androidtimes.info/2013/03/android-412-update-reportedly-having.html

  3. eyore

    03/24/2013 at 8:32 am

    Why I’d NEVER get any current Moto phone?
    Two words:
    Blur SUCKS!!!!

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