The Droid RAZR M may not have come as a fresh surprise when it was officially announced, nor was it the wholly original product fruit many would've initially wanted the new Moto to bear, but it seems that's entirely intentional. MotoGoog isn't attempting a mobile revolution with the M. After all, it's merely a refresh of a recent refresh, the Droid RAZR, with a 4.3-inch qHD screen, dual-core S4, 2,000mAh battery and 8-megapixel rear camera. Instead, the companies have set their sights on creating a super-dependable smartphone for the everyperson -- one that's inoffensive in its design, pared down for comfort and easy to use on the software front.
Though the M didn't initially get the tech industry's blood pumping, this unassuming and well-crafted phone could prove to be the salve for many frustrated or casual smartphone users accustomed to confusing skins. Motorola's dusting of a UX positions the handset in near-Nexus territory -- and it should only get better from here on out. With Jelly Bean already on display for nosy journalists, a promise for speedy updates publicly made, a make-good trade-in program for non-upgradeable devices announced and the consistency of its day-to-day performance plus that killer battery life verified, we're finding a hard time arguing against the M as Big Red's budget device to beat. For $99 on contract you could easily snare the older and very vanilla Galaxy Nexus, but if that's your bag, it's best to hold out for the next flagship to hit later this winter. No, the Droid RAZR M isn't for the hardcore, but it is well-suited to the wise wireless customer. Which is why Verizon might wind up with a sleeper hit on its hands. Read more...
Most smartphones these days seem to be getting bigger and bigger but Motorola has gone in the opposite direction with its latest Android phone, the RAZR M. While its 4.3in screen is hardly small, the razor thin bezel makes it a compact smartphone that's more comfortable to use single-handedly than most flagship Android phones. Better still, the 4G-capable RAZR M sacrifices little in the way of performance or features to achieve its compact and ultimately impressive design. Read more...
No, it doesn't have the HD screen of more expensive phones like the Samsung Galaxy S III or older, now-discounted models like the Galaxy Nexus and HTC Rezound. But the $99 Motorola Droid RAZR M provides brilliant AMOLED color, fantastic sound, long battery life and blazing downloads in a wonderfully compact design. Plus, Motorola's special features add to the user experience without defacing Google's vision for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The only real strike against this smartphone is its slightly underwhelming camera. If you want an excellent user experience at a reasonable price, the RAZR M is your best choice on Verizon Wireless. Read more...
I haven't been this excited about a compact Android smartphone for quite some time. The $99 Motorola Droid Razr M is not only fast, thanks to its premium processor, but it has generous battery life to match. Throw in this phone's gorgeous 4.3-inch AMOLED display, sleek styling, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS, and you're looking at one of the best deals to hit Verizon in ages. If you plan to take lots of photos on the go, though, this device isn't for you. Sadly, though the Droid Razr M's camera boasts lots of features and settings, it's a slow shooter with lackluster image quality. For shoppers looking for a phone that takes excellent pictures, I suggest springing for the more expensive $199.99 Samsung Galaxy S3. Motorola's upcoming Droid Razr HD and Droid Razr Maxx HD, due out by the end of the year, will offer bigger, sharper screens and larger batteries but at likely higher sticker prices. Still, the Droid Razr M's unique blend of high-class looks, premium features and performance, and low cost of entry are hard to pass up. Read more...
Yes, especially if you've been wanting a smaller phone that still has plenty of horsepower. But the camera is a downer. And if you do a lot of reading, gaming, or video watching on your phone, you might want to go with a larger 720p screen. The Droid RAZR HD and MAXX HD, with their prettier screens and bigger batteries, will certainly be tempting (especially if they have better cameras than this one). All in all, though, this is a terrific phone for a hundred bucks. Read more...
With the M, Motorola and Verizon have done a good job at creating a budget phone that offers a lot of bang for your buck. The M has the specs and performance of top-of-the-line smartphones for only a third of the price. If you can look past the middling camera quality and don’t mind bringing along your own microSD card, the Droid Razr M is the perfect smartphone for anyone who wants a top-notch phone without having to pay an arm and a leg. Read more...
This is a rather fun addition to the Motorola collection of smartphones, and Verizon will be better for it having it in the Droid universe as well. You’ll find yourself enjoying the DROID RAZR M’s near-edge-to-edge display especially, with bright, sharp, and colorful delivery yours for the taking. The processor under the hood is more than powerful enough to handle any app, game, or video you’ve got or will get in the next few years on Android, and the whole user interface is quite slick.
This device is made to be its own little beast, not part of the docking and mirroring universe that Motorola smartphones have been almost exclusively for the past year. Because of that, you’ll have lower cost ($99.99 USD with a 2-year contract), and the device can be smaller as well. The battery inside this device is thinned-out in a way that makes it non-removable as well – the same situation as the original DROID RAZR too.
So you’ve got a smartphone that’s not made to come apart and certainly isn’t made to be part of the Motorola lineup from the year previous to this season. This is indeed part of the “new plan” spoken about by Dennis Woodside as Motorola’s tie with Google keeps the company flying high into the future. We’re excited to see if the DROID RAZR HD and HD MAXX are up to snuff as well – soon enough! Read more...
The Razr M doesn't attempt to punch above its weight, instead preferring to sit in the mid-tier and get on with the task at hand. In that respect it does a good job. The design is compact enough to sneak into a pocket or clutch bag without being Samsung Galaxy S3 huge, and the battery life and software specs help deliver good performance too.
Motorola has said that the Razr M will be getting Jelly Bean in the near future - combating the usual complaints about upgradability and we can't see why this wouldn't only enhance what is on offer already. Yes there are bigger phones out there, yes there are better phones out there, but if you are on a tight budget and want a decent phone that delivers, this might just be what you are looking for. Read more...
The Droid Razr M is a jack-of-all-trades kind of phone. It's overall performance and premium make it a winner; it's just surprisingly snappy and sturdy for how affordable it is. The combination of ICS and Motorola's own UI is both functional and attractive.
We'd recommend the Droid Razr M to consumers who want a balanced, affordable 4G phone with a premium feel. You might forget that it's in your pocket, but keep an eye on that data use. Those overage fees add up. Read more...
It’s sometimes hard to get excited about the mid-range smartphones, that legion of under-appreciated workhorses keeping the cost-conscious buyers afloat, one two-year contract at a time. Too often, the devices filling this segment of the landscape reek of compromise, with last year’s components stuffed inside an unremarkable casing bearing the unmistakable stench of mediocrity.
We’re happy to say that’s not the case with the Droid RAZR M. While its appearance might lack the ambition of its pricier compatriots, it’s still a sharp-dressed device that never gets close to looking frumpy. And while its display might be from 2011's parts bin, it’s coupled with a powerful processor, ample RAM, a very nice software load, and enough battery life to make it through a day – and all at a price point sure to make everyone from students to moms to old-timers happy.
In short, the Droid RAZR M is a mid-range device that does its high-end brand name proud. If you’re in the market for a reasonably-priced Android smartphone with high portability and good performance, this device should be near the top of your short list. Read more...