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Verizon's Droid X leads the Android pack, but may be too big for some
Pros
- Huge 4.3-inch display
- Roomy virtual keyboard
- Speedy 1 GHz processor
- Excellent noise-canceling microphones
- Long battery life
Cons
- Too big for small hands
- No front-facing camera for video calling
- Sluggish Motoblur interface
How the Droid X stacks up
Everything about the Motorola Droid X is big: its 5-inch chassis, 4.3-inch display, roomy virtual keyboard, fast 1GHz processor and long battery life. "It's a beast, but in a good way," says CNET's Bonnie Cha, while Lisa Gade at MobileTechReview.com calls it "lustworthy." Other reviewers are equally smitten. At PCMag.com, the Droid X snatches the best smartphone crown from the HTC Droid Incredible, while Engadget.com's Chris Ziegler says it "steals the spotlight" from Verizon's other smartphones (such as the Incredible). But David Pogue at The New York Times puts the Droid X's "best" title in perspective: "In this business, the state of the art changes as often as Lady Gaga changes outfits," he says, pointing out that several phones have been proclaimed the "best" Android phone in the past year.
The Droid X is slightly taller than the HTC Evo 4 (*Est. $190 with contract), Sprint's flagship Android phone, but it's a tad lighter thinner. "You feel as if you're talking into a frozen waffle," says Pogue, while Ziegler says it's "definitely not for the small of hands." The huge 4.3-inch touch-screen display appears "truly cinematic," says Gade. It packs a higher resolution and a wider aspect ratio than the Evo (16:9 vs. 5:3), says Ziegler, but experts say the Super AMOLED display on the new Samsung Galaxy S, another Android phone due out this fall, may be tough to beat. The Droid X's spacious virtual QWERTY keyboard has optional Swype technology, which lets you type by sliding from key to key, rather than typing. Critics say it's fast and accurate -- albeit a reach for small hands. Most reviewers say that the Droid X is a great choice for most, but note that users with small hands may prefer the slimmer Droid Incredible (*Est. $150 with new contract).
Droid X pulls ahead on the media front and acts as Wi-Fi hotspot
The Droid X packs a 1 GHz OPAC3635 processor that "really rocks," says Gade, outpacing the 1 GHz Snapdragon on other Android devices in tests. Its three noise-canceling microphones make for superb call quality, and Bluetooth voice dialing is a rarity among Android smartphones, says Segan. The Droid X doubles as a Wi-Fi hotspot ($20 extra per month) and supports five devices -- though Sprint's Evo 4G supports eight devices and offers cheaper rates with unlimited downloads. Still, the Droid X's 8-megapixel camera -- which features HD video (720p), 2 LED lamps and four audio recording settings -- is solid, say reviewers. Gade says that video playback is "the best we've seen on an Android device." One feature it's missing is a front-facing camera for video calls, which can be found on both the Evo 4G and iPhone 4 (*Est. $200 with contract). The Droid X also "breaks away from the pack" with superb battery life that "runs hours longer" than the Evo, says Gade and other professionals, although owners commenting at VerizonWireless.com complain routinely about short battery life.
"The Droid X beat all other Android devices in every raw benchmark, including 3-D gaming," says Segan. Plus, the Android 2.1 software edges out all rivals with full Flash support. "Take that, iPhone!" says Pogue. (The Droid X will get the 2.2 Froyo update in September 2010.) While the new Motoblur interface is a step up from the Motorola Droid's (Free with contract), Ziegler says Motorola "clearly" has work to do to play in the same software league as HTC Sense. Like the HTC HD2 (*Est. $100 with contract), the Droid X has a Blockbuster On Demand app, though the movies are rather expensive to buy and rent. The Droid X can play video on an HDTV with an HDMI cable (not included), but that's limited to video captured by the phone. It also meets Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standards, meaning it can wirelessly stream media to other DLNA devices, such as an HDTV, but no reviewers were able to get this feature to work. Samsung's Galaxy S smartphones also will have this feature.
Test-based reviews from Engadget.com, PCMag.com, CNET and MobileTechReview.com compare the Motorola Droid X to market rivals such as the HTC Incredible, HTC Evo 4 and Palm Pre Plus. Engadget's review includes a video as well as a large image gallery. David Pogue at The New York Times provides a write-up that also focuses on the rapid turnover rate of top-ranked Android smartphones, while user reviews at VerizonWireless.com reveal potential problems that surface with extended use.
Where To Buy
| Motorola OEM Droid X/MB810 BH5X Battery | |
(115 reviews) In Stock. |
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Our Sources
1. Engadget.com
It's not a "must-have phone," says Chris Ziegler of the Motorola Droid X, especially with the HTC Incredible and the upcoming Droid 2 sharing center stage. He says the hardware is a "high-end mobile powerhouse," and the device makes "pretty good use" of Android 2.1, but Motoblur can't compete with HTC Sense.
Review: Motorola Droid X Review, Chris Ziegler, July 1, 2010
2. PCMag.com
The Droid X edges out the HTC Incredible in Sascha Segan's tests with its better camera, and one of the fastest processor's he's tested. However, he cautions that the Droid X may be too big for some users, and Motoblur's notification system falls short.
Review: Motorola Droid X (Verizon Wireless), Sascha Segan , June 24, 2010
3. CNET
As the "latest member to join Verizon's army," the Motorola Droid X shines with its gorgeous touch screen and impressive multimedia features, including an 8-megapixel camera, HDMI output and DLNA support. While editor Bonnie Cha appreciates the features, she still finds the camera is a bit sluggish and Motoblur software "not quite as refined as HTC Sense."
Review: Motorola Droid X (Verizon Wireless), Bonnie Cha, June 23, 2010
"Our verdict: It's hard to find anything to dislike about the Droid X, but there's much to like," says Lisa Gade. The processor that "really rocks," the 4.3-inch cinematic display and surprisingly good battery life help it to earn an Editor's Choice award. Minor quibbles include the slow camera software and uninspiring basic Android music player.
Review: Droid X by Motorola, Lisa Gade, July 7, 2010
The Motorola Droid X is the latest contender for the crown of "best" Android phone, says David Pogue. Among its assets are power, speed, drop-free calls and an "almost-Imax" screen, though Pogue cautions that like other Android devices, the Droid X is "best suited" for technically proficient, high-end users.
Review: Big Phone, Big Screen, Big Pleasure, David Pogue, June 30, 2010
"Beyond extreme," says one user about the Motorola Droid X. Hundreds of owners rave about the smartphone's power, media functionality and great call quality. However, other owners find the device, especially the Motoblur interface, complicated to use. Poor battery life is a common thread among reviews, regardless of rating.
Review: Droid X by Motorola, Contributors to VerizonWireless.com, As of August 2010