Motorola DROID RAZR M Smartphone Review
Introduction and Specifications
It seems like ages ago that the world first heard the now-unmistakable "DROID" sound-byte. DROID was originally billed as the anti-iPhone, pointing things out that Apple's iOS platform couldn't do, but proclaiming proudly that "DROID does". The campaign seems to have worked. To date, the brand has taken off, proving to be a rousing success for Verizon and Motorola. In fact, many people (incorrectly) refer to Android by just "DROID," similar to how many people refer to iOS as "iPhone."
Over the years, Motorola has heavily leveraged the DROID brand. The relaunch of the RAZR was also a monumental decision. Just under a year ago, we reviewed the first DROID RAZR, which shipped with Android 2.3.5, a Kevlar back and pretty impressive specifications for the time. Since then, the DROID RAZR Maxx has launched (with the Maxx HD supplanting that earlier this year). Yet, it seems that there's room for a few more models in the RAZR family.
Enter the RAZR M, which is billed as a mainstream variant that's aimed at those who walk into a Verizon Wireless store looking to spend less than $100 on a new phone. Here's a quick guided tour of the device in action, that we put together for you...
With many Android-based LTE phones listing at $299, having a $99 entry point is a pretty big deal. Perhaps most impressively, Motorola has managed to include a rather stout list of internals despite the lower MSRP. Let's take a look at what this smartphone is packing.
Just six months ago, this kind of spec sheet would easily warrant a $199 on-contract list price. Nowadays, you can obviously get more for less, and even that $99 entry price is bound to fall very shortly now that the iPhone 5 is here and the iPhone 4S has been reduced to $99, Windows Phone 8 handsets are due to land prior to the holidays, and every other Android phone maker refreshes their line-up in the hopes of securing a larger slice of the market in the all-important Q4 sales season.
Is the RAZR M bound to get lost in the shuffle? Is it potent enough to hold its own in a market full of stiff competition? And most importantly, is it worth your time and money? Find out in the pages ahead.
Over the years, Motorola has heavily leveraged the DROID brand. The relaunch of the RAZR was also a monumental decision. Just under a year ago, we reviewed the first DROID RAZR, which shipped with Android 2.3.5, a Kevlar back and pretty impressive specifications for the time. Since then, the DROID RAZR Maxx has launched (with the Maxx HD supplanting that earlier this year). Yet, it seems that there's room for a few more models in the RAZR family.
Enter the RAZR M, which is billed as a mainstream variant that's aimed at those who walk into a Verizon Wireless store looking to spend less than $100 on a new phone. Here's a quick guided tour of the device in action, that we put together for you...
With many Android-based LTE phones listing at $299, having a $99 entry point is a pretty big deal. Perhaps most impressively, Motorola has managed to include a rather stout list of internals despite the lower MSRP. Let's take a look at what this smartphone is packing.
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|
| Network |
Verizon Wireless |
| Bands/Modes |
GSM / UMTS / HSPA+ global roaming + LTE |
| OS |
Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) will be upgradeable to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Display |
4.3-inch Super AMOLED Advanced qHD (540 x 960) scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Processor |
Dual core 1.5GHz Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 processor |
| Memory |
1 GB of LP DDR2 RAM 8 GB internal memory microSD expansion slot (empty from factory) |
| Usage Time |
"Mixed Usage" - 20 hours, as quoted from Motorola |
| Dimensions |
60.9mm x 122.5mm x 8.3mm |
| Weight |
4.4 ounces |
| Battery |
2000mAH Li Ion |
| Connectivity |
Bluetooth, dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n, Mobile Hotspot, microUSB, micro HDMI, DLNA 1.5, aGPS, 3.5mm headset jack, |
| Camera |
8 MP rear facing camera with LED flash 0.3 MP front facing camera |
| Other key features |
Made with KEVLAR fiber and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Price |
$99.99 with contract and discounts |
Just six months ago, this kind of spec sheet would easily warrant a $199 on-contract list price. Nowadays, you can obviously get more for less, and even that $99 entry price is bound to fall very shortly now that the iPhone 5 is here and the iPhone 4S has been reduced to $99, Windows Phone 8 handsets are due to land prior to the holidays, and every other Android phone maker refreshes their line-up in the hopes of securing a larger slice of the market in the all-important Q4 sales season.
Is the RAZR M bound to get lost in the shuffle? Is it potent enough to hold its own in a market full of stiff competition? And most importantly, is it worth your time and money? Find out in the pages ahead.
