Galaxy Nexus v Droid Bionic v Droid RAZR

[MULTIZ321]

Galaxy Nexus vs. Droid Bionic vs Droid RAZR: Battle of the Verizon LTE Phones - by Alex Colon/ PCMag.com

With the Samsung Galaxy Nexus finally available in the U.S. (Verizon) PCMag decided to see how it stacks up against the current leaders, the Motorola Droid Bionic and the Motorola Droid RAZR.


Richard

 

[Mosca]

I was over at Verizon the other day, and handled both the RAZR and the Nexus. Both of these phones are HUGE. I found both unwieldy. The RAZR is thin and light, but unbalanced. The Nexus feels better, but is still hard to grip.

These phones represent the absolute upper limit of usability, IMO. And maybe beyond; my thumb won't span the phone. I can't hold either one in one hand and use the entire screen with that hand.

Many people feel that the sweet spot for phone size is still the iPhone. It seems almost dinky next to these two, and next to my Thunderbolt, but the screen is bright with high pixel density. Since the phone I was looking for is for my daughter, I got the iPhone.

 

[MULTIZ321]

I was over at Verizon the other day, and handled both the RAZR and the Nexus. Both of these phones are HUGE. I found both unwieldy. The RAZR is thin and light, but unbalanced. The Nexus feels better, but is still hard to grip.

These phones represent the absolute upper limit of usability, IMO. And maybe beyond; my thumb won't span the phone. I can't hold either one in one hand and use the entire screen with that hand.

Many people feel that the sweet spot for phone size is still the iPhone. It seems almost dinky next to these two, and next to my Thunderbolt, but the screen is bright with high pixel density. Since the phone I was looking for is for my daughter, I got the iPhone.

Hi Mosca,

Thanks for your update and insights.

Looks like the jury is still out whether our Thunderbolt's will be getting the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Update (see my recent Ice Cream Sandwich Posts).

Richard

 

[DaveNV]

Thanks to you both for your comments. The PCMag review was very helpful to put things into perspective.

I have a Droid Incredible that works just fine, but since I'm eligible for an upgrade, (and I'm a tech motorhead kind of guy), I've been waiting for the Nexus before deciding. Despite the hype, the Razr wasn't cutting it for me. Ice Cream Sandwich is supposed to be such a better OS, I also wanted to make sure I was getting the most bang for the buck. I really wanted to know if I liked the feel of the Nexus better than the Razr, which I found to be extremely oversized. (Mosca's comments are the same thing I experienced when I handled both phones.) Sadly, I was disappointed to find the Nexus is even larger than the Razr. I carry my phone in a front pocket, and these two phones are so big, I may as well carry a tablet.

So I continue to wait. Sadly, unless something comes up that provides great performance in the right size package, it seems I'll probably be moving to an iPhone 4S. I'm not a fan of Apple, but Android isn't delivering on my expectations anymore. <sigh>

Dave

 

[timeos2]

What would have come close to the perfect size/weight/OS was the now never officially released US version of the Pre3. Although it would have lacked 4G the rest of that phone was a near perfect combination.

Now I've headed down the Droid path - Motorola Bionic - & found, despite the rather unwieldly overall size, that the 4G and screen size make it a pleasure to use. It wouldn't be my first choice as I do feel the screen is too large when not in use but while you use it you appreciate the real estate & brightness it offers. The iPhone by comparison has too low a resolution, limited to 3G, no removable battery and generally an "old" technology feel now. Like an old iPod it just seems outdated despite the recent refresh.

Android in general has captured over 55% of the smartphone market and growing. For once it appears a superior approach is actually winning the "war". Of course like anything else if the phone you choose does what you want then it's a good fit. What others think of it really doesn't matter. But if you want the latest greatest (and in phones that is often the case) then iPhones are yesterday's (actually 3 years ago) news. There's nothing to see here - move on! Any of the three phones they listed are as good as it gets and will only get better as Ice Cream Sandwich becomes the OS for them all.

of course two months from now there's likely to be a NEW latest but chances are it will be a Droid not any iPhone.

 

[artringwald]

Droid Razr

I've been using a Droid Razr for two weeks now and really like it. It replaces the original Motorola Droid which was bulky and heavy, and I never used the slide out keyboard. The Razr's battery life is better, but if I use in frequently, I still have to charge it each night. Checking my email now takes 2 seconds instead of 60 seconds. I have small hands for a man, but I didn't have any trouble getting used to the size. Holding it does remind me of the giant remote control and giant desk phone we got for my father-in-law because his eyes were getting so bad. The Razr is very bi-focal friendly.

 

[Mosca]

Hi Mosca,

Thanks for your update and insights.

Looks like the jury is still out whether our Thunderbolt's will be getting the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Update (see my recent Ice Cream Sandwich Posts).

Richard

I happened to be in the Verizon store Thursday. I wanted to get there early so that I could avoid the looooong wait time that is standard for a Verizon store during the holiday season, so I was there around 8:30AM... and it was the day the Nexus was released, and there were 8 people waiting in line as the doors opened (I was told by the greeter), and I had almost an hour wait! There were 3 people upgrading from Thunderbolts to Nexuses (Nexii?), and I was talking with a guy who had rooted his Tbolt. He said that ICS will not be on Verizon Thunderbolts, but that those who are rooted have access to it already.

Just FYI. It might be true, it might not be. For me, the phone works fine, I don't know what I'm missing.

 

[SDKath]

Well, I was one of those dorks in line early for the Galaxy Nexus. I upgraded my Bionic to it and it is just AWESOME. Ice cream sandwitch is just amazing, super easy to use, and really, really pretty. My emails look so clean and easy to read. Contacts are a joy to play around with. I have lots on new widgets including a to do list and calendar widget that has been redone and is very functional. I just LOVE the new phone. I happen to like big phones (and big screens) so it's definitely right for me. I can see that if you like iPhone sized phones, this one will be a bit too big. But it is actually lighter than the new iPhone (we have both) and thinner. Also, all the menu buttons are on the screen so there is no physicial button to push. It makes it very easy to navigate. And the phone is super fast. Battery life is about the same as other 4G phones (about 1 daysworth) so not amazing but not unreasoable. At one point, I had the Thunderbolt and I only got about 1/2 day of battery out of it so I returned it. It is definitely not that bad. As for size, it's very slightly larger than my beloved Droid X, so I don't notice much of a difference. BUT the screen space is great and I can read forums and articles much easier on it than my previous phones.

By the way, the camera on the new iphone is amazing. The Gnex is ok (it's fast) but not as detailed or sharp). The cameras on the Motorola phones (droid x, bionic, etc) are horrible! Not sure if that matters to someone. But if you are looking to take indoor pix, test out each phone first because that's really where you can tell just how lousy the cameras on some of these phones are!

Katherine

 

[Mosca]

Thanks for the report, Katherine. I know that it's a great phone, that's certain. And of course the size is going to be a deal maker for some, and a deal breaker for others. Myself, I strongly prefer the Androids to the iOS phones. I'll be ready for an upgrade in about a year, I think, and it will be all new again!

Well, I was one of those dorks in line early for the Galaxy Nexus. I upgraded my Bionic to it and it is just AWESOME. Ice cream sandwitch is just amazing, super easy to use, and really, really pretty. My emails look so clean and easy to read. Contacts are a joy to play around with. I have lots on new widgets including a to do list and calendar widget that has been redone and is very functional. I just LOVE the new phone. I happen to like big phones (and big screens) so it's definitely right for me. I can see that if you like iPhone sized phones, this one will be a bit too big. But it is actually lighter than the new iPhone (we have both) and thinner. Also, all the menu buttons are on the screen so there is no physicial button to push. It makes it very easy to navigate. And the phone is super fast. Battery life is about the same as other 4G phones (about 1 daysworth) so not amazing but not unreasoable. At one point, I had the Thunderbolt and I only got about 1/2 day of battery out of it so I returned it. It is definitely not that bad. As for size, it's very slightly larger than my beloved Droid X, so I don't notice much of a difference. BUT the screen space is great and I can read forums and articles much easier on it than my previous phones.

By the way, the camera on the new iphone is amazing. The Gnex is ok (it's fast) but not as detailed or sharp). The cameras on the Motorola phones (droid x, bionic, etc) are horrible! Not sure if that matters to someone. But if you are looking to take indoor pix, test out each phone first because that's really where you can tell just how lousy the cameras on some of these phones are!

Katherine

 

[Sandy VDH]

My am also due an upgrade at the end of the year. I am also trying to figure out what phone to get. I would be interested in all opinions.

 

[beanie]

I also have had the razor for about 2 weeks and really like this phone . I upgraded from an original droid . I carry it in my front pocket with no problems and I am a mechanic at work so I move around in all positions getting around and under the machines . the rumors are still out there that it will be getting ice cream sandwich .

 

[MULTIZ321]

I also have had the razor for about 2 weeks and really like this phone . I upgraded from an original droid . I carry it in my front pocket with no problems and I am a mechanic at work so I move around in all positions getting around and under the machines . the rumors are still out there that it will be getting ice cream sandwich .

Motorola has said RAZR will get Android 4.0 in early 2012.


Richard

 

[timeos2]

Motorola has said RAZR will get Android 4.0 in early 2012.


Richard

Also the Bionic. There are at least three great choices for state of the art phones out there now. You can't go wrong with any of those (Bionic, Razr & Nexus).