Friday, September 6, 2013

Droid Maxx, I've got the power!

I'm usually not the one to adopt a piece of technology until a few months after it's initial release. I want updates, patches, and other issues addressed. Along with that, I also want to see other reviews and people's opinions.

That said, when I heard about the Droid Maxx....I pre-ordered it the first day I could. I was up for an upgrade and I absolutely despised my Samsung Galaxy S3. If you've read my past post, I rant on why I dislike Samsung products. Cheaply made and the TouchWiz skin on Android is horrendous.

I received my Maxx and as soon as I opened the box I was surprised by just how heavy this phone is. The Droid Maxx is packing an outrageous 3500 mAh battery. Motorola claims 48 hours of usage and 25 days of standby. I confidently say that I've had no issues hitting that 48 hour mark, sometimes longer. That's with constant social network check-ups, email, some videos, occasionally taking pictures, and of course the messaging and calling factor. It is a phone after all.

It also feels extremely premium. I've dabbled and played with the HTC One and iPhone 5, two of the most attractive handsets on the market currently. Probably cause of their all aluminum body. The Maxx may not have aluminum but it feels great in the hand. The Kevlar backing is extremely comfortable as well. I don't feel like I'll drop the phone and it doesn't show finger prints, unlike the Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4.

This Droid has to be one of the fastest phones I've ever played/used. The boot time from off to home screen is insanely quick. I never had an issue with the phone not keeping up with my constant switching between apps and web pages. I did have Vine crash on me a couple times, but an update came out a couple days later and I haven't had issues since. The Maxx has an X8 architecture. They basically claim it has 8 cores but it's compiled of a 1.7 dual core processor, quad core gpu, separate core for language processor, and one for contextual computing. That X8 is paired with 2GB or ram, so it's plenty quick.

With the contextual computing and language processor, the new Droids and the upcoming Moto X have touchless control. Basically, say "OK Google Now" and give the phone a command. Anything at all. I've seen the videos of other users and commercials where this feature works perfectly...not so much for me. I can't figure out if it just doesn't recognize my voice or if it was the tone of my voice or what exactly. When it works, it's great, but it was a hit and miss for me.

While I'm talking about negatives, this camera is not great. It's a ten megapixel (an unusual choice) back facing camera and a two megapixel on the front. They're ok, nothing to rave about. What is neat, simple shaking your wrist left to right a couple of times, automatically opens the camera app. A helpful yet mildly annoying way to access the camera. I look pretty silly waving my phone in the air just to take a picture. It's also not running the newest and greatest of Android 4.3. Shipped and still has 4.2.2 as of 9/6/2013. Especially disappointing considering this is one of the first phones after Google bought Motorola mobility. Also, Google announced Android 4.4 KitKat this week. When will I get the update to 4.3 and now 4.4?

One issue, or what I thought would be an issue, is the internal memory. It ships with 32GB, non-removable and non-expandable. I always want my music with me so I don't have to use data when I'm not connected to WIFI. However, the times I'm not connected to WIFI are in my car. So it's not that big of a setback to me.

In conclusion if you want a phone with a great camera, don't get this device. If you want full HD display, not on this 720p device. You don't get this phone for those aspects. You're paying the pretty penny for the battery. I can't tell you how awesome it is, to go two full days without worrying about charging my phone until I go to bed. It's wonderful! That said, the $299 price is steep just for a huge battery in a phone. It's a good phone all around, but the battery sets it apart. You could save $100 and get the Droid Ultra which is super slimming and less battery. Save another $100 and go with the Droid Mini with a smaller screen, smaller battery, and less memory. All three of these phones are the exact same as far as processor. I see the Droid Maxx as more of the traveler's phone. The business professional who is constantly going and moving from appointment to appointment or traveling lots.

It's a solid phone. I loved it when I got it and I'm still impressed with it. I'm still discovering new things with each day I have it. I'll have this phone for a year or two so I'm curious how the battery stacks up as time progresses. So if power and battery are your prime issues for a phone. This is the beast for you.

PROS-Great build, outstanding battery, touchless features (when they work) CONS-Average screen, lack of Android 4.3, average camera, touchless features (when they didn't work...most of the time)

Luke

No comments:

Post a Comment