Verizon doubles down with the Droid Razr Maxx by Carmine Barbetta (FB)

Published: 02/07/12 in Electronics Discounts

It only took a matter of months for someone to outdo Samsung in terms of powerful Android devices. According to PC Magazine, the Droid Razr Maxx is now the top Android phone, improving dramatically on Motorola's original design. It all comes together to create a phone that offers a "top-notch" Android experience, thanks to 4G capabilities, a massive battery life and a super speedy processor.

The Razr Maxx is larger than its predecessor, the Razr, by a small amount. It should be noted that this is a pretty large phone - it's more than an inch taller than the iPhone 4S, about half an inch wider and slightly thinner. It's a large device, to be sure, but still small enough that one could fit it in his or her pocket without much difficulty. Users can still comfortably operate it with one hand. The back of the phone is water-resistant and the screen is made from Gorilla Glass, which is strong enough to take a decent amount of punishment without so much as a hairline crack.

But the real story behind the Razr Maxx seems to be it's long battery life. According to the Los Angeles Times, it's the only 4G phone - as well as only a handful of 3G phones - that's capable of holding a charge for two days. Motorola managed to pull this off by dramatically increasing its size - the Razr Maxx's battery is almost twice as big as the original's. Other phones do feature extended batteries, but none seem quite as powerful without adding a substantial amount of bulk. In test runs, the Razr Maxx was capable of nearly seven hours of continuous high-quality audio streaming over the 4G network. Talk time clocks in at just under 17 hours.

Users can stretch this battery life even further using Motorola's Smart Actions. Smart Actions allow you to customize what actions your phone is allowed to take at given times during the day to a fairly high level of detail. For instance, you can set it to turn off email syncing at night, as long as the screen is off and the phone is sitting still. Once you pick it up, it will check your email. This will also ensure users can sleep through the entire night without a rude awakening to the trademark "Droid" alert sound that plays when a message is received.

Beyond that, the Razr Maxx operates very similarly to its predecessor. In terms of processing power, the two more or less perform at the same level. However, issues with the display seem to have been resolved.


This seems like a phone that caters best to business travelers - it's significant that it's the only 4G device that doesn't require extensive babysitting to keep the battery running. Those who won't have ready access to a power outlet for long periods of time will certainly appreciate that aspect of the phone. Verizon's 4G LTE network has proven to be lightning fast, meaning users will have no problem staying up to date with whatever is going on in their lives. In some instances, it's just as fast as wireless internet from a nearby hub.

Also noteworthy is the inclusion of Webtop software. Essentially, this allows users to place their phone in a dock that turns it into something closer to a laptop. Naturally, one will need to purchase the necessary accessories to take advantage of the software, but those who travel regularly may be able to find a lot of use from it. The ability to plug your phone into a physical keyboard is undoubtedly going to appeal to many, as typing with an on-screen keyboard can grow tiresome fairly quickly.

PC Magazine also notes that the Razr Maxx does not yet have Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Motorola has promised that the upgrade will come within the next few months, but at the moment, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the only phone that runs the operating system. This may be a sticking point for early adopters, but those willing to be patient will eventually get to enjoy the Ice Cream Sandwich on the Razr Maxx without any difficulty. Given the vast improvements that ICS brings to the platform, it's an upgrade that users may be eagerly anticipating.

Verizon has announced that the Razr Maxx will go on sale on Friday, February 10. It will retail at about $300 with a two-year contract and $650 without.

If you're in the market for a new smartphone, 2012 is quickly proving to be a year filled with unique innovations. The iPhone is an old standby that many users adore, but no longer is it Apple or a weaker alternative. Android continues to receive both hardware and software upgrades that make it an increasingly viable platform to choose. Additionally, the availability of the Nokia Lumia brings Microsoft's own platform into the race. Each of these operating systems have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, so you will want to do some research to find out which works best for you.

If you've decided to take the plunge and buy a new smartphone, you can find great devices and their accessories by searching online for Best Buy Promocodes. This can help bring down the cost of your initial investment.

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