Motorola Droid 4

The Motorola Droid 4 boasts fans a dual-core smartphone with Verizon's 4G LTE network and an excellent physical keyboard. While reviewers rate it as the best keyboard on the market, the "blurry screen and a poor camera overshadow the phone's excellent keyboard and zippy processor," says Armando Rodriguez of PC World.

Updated design works; LCD screen disappoints

The Droid 4 wins praise from reviewers for its stylish design and excellent keyboard. "It's exactly the same set of comfortably spaced little squares as on the Droid 3, except now they fully light up in the dark and the layout has changed slightly," says Sean Hollister of TheVerge.com.

The Droid 4's biggest downfall in reviewers' eyes is its 4-inch TFT LCD screen. "If you're possessed of a keen eye and meticulous attention to detail, then the poor contrast and low pixel density offered by the Droid 4's screen should prove to be a major turn-off," says Joseph Volpe of Engadget.com. If you can live without a physical keyboard, Rodriguez suggests the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx (*Est. $300 with contract) for its better display, slimmer design and longer-lasting battery.

Large, sturdy and scratch resistant

Despite its "shockingly large" size, the Droid 4 feels "surprisingly comfortable" to hold, Volpe says. The keyboard's sliding mechanism receives approval from all reviewers, who say that it feels sturdy and will not accidentally slide open. The screen is covered in Gorilla Glass for durability and scratch resistance.

Motorola's custom UI gets better

Motorola runs a custom user interface over the Android Gingerbread operating system. Reviewers say the UI is less intrusive than previous versions, but that the lack of the new Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS is disappointing. Navigation is simple, and customizable screens allow users to quickly arrange their icons.

High speeds, so-so battery life

Thanks to Verizon's 4G LTE network, the Droid 4 zips along online. The dual-core processor is responsive; reviewers say even graphic-intensive games run without lag. Battery life is average, with the smartphone lasting a full day under moderate usage. Call quality proves impressive for reviewers, who say many listeners could not tell they were using a cell phone.

Good for games; photos not so much

The Droid 4's fast dual-core processor and large screen make it an excellent gaming and media smartphone, according to reviewers. It has an 8-megapixel camera, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and 1080p HD video recording. Photo and video quality, however, is only average, reviewers say. "The Droid 4 is well suited for outdoor videos and photos, but you won't want to use it to commemorate any important moments," says Rodriguez.

The bottom line

The Motorola Droid 4 has a fantastic slide-out keyboard, but its screen and camera disappoint. While it's the best option for consumers who want a physical keyboard, reviewers say the Droid Razr Maxx (*Est. $300 with contract) -- which has a touch-screen keyboard, longer battery life and a sharper screen -- is a better choice.