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Motorola RAZR Hardware Overview (Video)
It’s easy to get jaded when US carriers get devices before we do. That’s why we were thrilled when we learned the Motorola RAZR would first be released here in Canada by Rogers. This device is huge and, paradoxically, one of the thinnest and lightest devices we’ve ever used. With a 1.2Ghz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, 8 MP back camera/1.3MP front camera, all in a stainless steel frame 7.1mm thick, it’s a stunning piece of engineering. Add to that a 1730mAh non-removable battery, microSIM and microSD card slots, HDMI-out and 1080p video capabilities running on Android 2.3.5, you’ve got quite a powerhouse.
One of the nicest features of the device is its screen. It has a 4.3″ Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 960×540 pixels, making it the first of its kind. And while it is made up of the dreaded PenTile pixel matrix, it really isn’t that noticeable and doesn’t detract from the display’s positive attributes. With perfect blacks, excellent colour saturation and awesome viewing angles, we’re excited to put the Motorola RAZR through its paces. Its namesake would be so proud.
Stay tuned for the full review, but for now feast your eyes on the hardware overview and pics after the break.
Discussion
40 comments for “Motorola RAZR Hardware Overview (Video)”
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Wow amazing!! Finally a NICE phone from Motorola since the original Razr days.
Just a question to anyone that may know, ICS does not use buttons and is all on the screen right? So, when phones like these get upgraded to it, does that mean that on top of having the hardware buttons, it will also have that row of buttons on the screen or will there be an option in ICS to disable them?
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ICS will detect if there is hardware buttons or not and will adapt accordingly
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ICS will use the buttons on the phone if they are there.
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Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
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This is an awesome device, played with yesterday great speeds browsing on the Rogers network. I am getting mine this week.
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I’m tempted to get this instead of waiting for the Galaxy Nexus…
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no way bro! the Samsung Nexus is a pentaband device so you could use it on any network whether it being one of the big 3 or use it also on WIND or Mobi
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Great device, amazing rigidity and just feels solid in your hand. I don’t particularly like the look, but others will for sure. Too bad for the PenTile screen, but as mentioned its pretty hard to see. It’s no Super Amoled Plus, but its still nice.
All positive reviews except for the Verge on this one, but I don’t think you can go wrong choosing it. Great pickup for Rogers customers (Not Rogers themselves, can’t stand them).
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Good reviews? The phones been seen as too big, with a lot of bloatware taking up space in the 8GB internal memory, potential locked bootlooader, runs hot, lack of battery life, discolored screen, and a ridiculous starting price?
Nice try.
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Here’s hoping the battery holds out. The screen eats it like a monster.
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Battery life is atrocious.
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Forgot to mention that it does run hot. This could indicate inefficient use of the CPU.
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Be warned, you will be disappointed.
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Held this device the other day at Rogers store here in Halifax and it felt well built but it does seem bigger then a 4.3 inch device should. Still very nice though.
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Is the bootloader locked? If so, is it unlockable?
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THere was an article on phandroid yesterday saying that the Razr that is being released on Rogers does not include an sd card and only has 8gb of internal storage. could you confirm that?
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I can confirm that. Not a problem for me, i had a HTC Magic before so I still can’t beleive how this device is fast.
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Usually I don’t bother responding to troll posts like this one (some of them actually spell “trolling” correctly too), but that is just an assumption. A lot of us have tried WP7 devices, they just simply aren’t there yet in terms of features and technology.
Try going to your nearest retailers and ask about WP7 devices, most of them have no clue what they are. The few models we have are already a year old and there is still no word on the 2nd gen Mango designed devices coming to Canada.
Not only that, but the major OEMs producing WP7 devices: Samsung and HTC seem to just put out the WP7 interface on their android models (Samsung Focus S is just a GS2 with Mango on it and a crappy Qualcomm CPU and GPU).
We have Nokia that just announced a reskinned, massively thick underspecced and way too small N9 clone as their flagship device.. Why should I be excited for WP7 again.
I want to give the platform a chance. It is quite fluid, more so than most android devices, and not complete boring crap like IOS, but they don’t seem to want our business yet with what they are putting out.
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Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
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2 things come to mind
1) why the huge bezzel
2) why the ugly expandable memory thingy
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This phone is amazing. Picked one up yesterday and couldn’t be happier. The screen isn’t and issue at all, granted my eye sight isn’t the greatest, but you have to be extremely picky and easily swayed by the general consensus to believe the pentile screen is an issue. I’ve been using the kobo reader on it and haven’t had any problems or gripes with it, and I had a GSII before this phone.
The phone does only have 8GB internal storage though.
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Screen kinda looks like its tinted green
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I Hope Mobile syrup will be giving this away….to mememememe
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Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
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It’s really hard not to generalize apple fanboys with posts like these you know… Sigh..
How is this bulky if it’s thinner and lighter than your precious Iphone? Ugly is a matter of opinion and irrelevant in this case. And how is this a tablet at a mere 4.3″. A smartphone is a multimedia device. 3.5″ is way too small and the biggest improvement Iphone users wanted for the new Iphone. Guess what Apple thought of that demand…
Also for the any phone with a touchscreen being an Iphone ripoff… That is just too ignorant to respond to and you should probably grow up.
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I picked up this phone and I love it! I had some issues with the battery when it first came out of the box after it’s first full charge but now that it’s settled in (and with a few power saving tweaks) I easily get a day out of it.
Yes, it does come with 8GB internal but it has room for a microSD. YAY no more moving apps to memory card, the phone dedicates 4GB to apps.
The screen is a power muncher, but oddly enough its bright enough with the backlight completely turned off most days.
TL,DR: It’s sexy. It’s nice. Acer Liquid E went out the f***ing window. (I’m not joking, it took the fall like a champ)
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This phone is a butter face
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in the states it called droid razr” and it Canada it call razr” wierd
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@Hassan actually it isn’t weird at all since Verizon paid a s**t load of money to George Lucas to use the term “Droid” for their phones. I’d choose this over the galaxy nexus simply just because of the expandable memory.
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a beast of a phone.
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Need to decide by tomorrow …buy or not to buy….Only concern is the battery. if anyone got the phone, please let us how the battery is with average use ( a few texts, a few calls and an hour of browsing..) thanks
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Normal use, 5 hrs.
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Went and saw it at bestbuy today! Beautiful design! but the downer for me is the PenTile Screen. It was actually noticeable. and the Camera quality was not that good. I also didn’t like the pinch and zoom on the pictures in gallery! very very Choppy! what’s going on Motorola? what happened to fluidness? My HTC Legend is more fluid when it comes to looking at the gallery! Maybe I’m too picky, but I think I’ll wait for something better to come out on rogers. Or even better, I may just pay the penalty and go to Bell!
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Umm… Thanks for accentuating my point about Apple fanboys I guess. I also suppose you have tiny hands, sorry about that.
Apple sued Samsung for the exterior design of the phone. What case would they have if it was for IOS. It’s a bunch of app icons on a screen lol. Why would Samsung want to copy that. There is no personalization, no differentiation, and a complete lack of making it a consumer based experience. What Apple wants, their customers have to take, no wonder some of you are such sheep sheesh.
Enjoy your overpriced little toy, but leave real smartphones to the rest of us.
Sorry for the Iphone 4s, a rehash of an 18 month old phone must suck. Sad that everyone compares it to the GS2, a 6 month old device that still trumps it easily.
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Sorry mobile syrup but I have to whole heartedly disagree with your opinions on the phone.
Pentile is noticeable, first glance, power up, at the set up screens which are largely text and buttons I noticed screen-door effects on GREY. That’s pathetic, not even the galaxy S was that bad. Taking a magnifying glass meant for LCD’s to the display, I noticed the pixel gaps are MASSIVE. Like, 10 year old CRT massive.
So, the screen is a write off.
Build quality… Certainly doesn’t feel like stainless steel. Certainly doesn’t feel like I expected kevlar to feel either, it’s a very squishy feeling surface.
The camera is sharp, but horribly grainy and unbalanced in the way it takes a photo. (Though to be fair, the only environment I have to judge is a best buy, There is a wide range of lighting in a single photo however. )
The form factor? Brilliant. I wish every phone were that size and style. Seriously.
All in all, a pass. A good effort, but no more than 7/10…
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I have to disagree with anyone bashing this phone. I have had it for close to a week now, and comments regarding screen resolution and battery life are way overblown. The screen is as clear as day and comparing with the s2 both appear super vibrant and comparable in everyway. The structure of this phone makes samsung look cheap. My battery lasts a 10 hour work day with plenty of calls, text, browsing, and a few hours of music. So far everyone who has held and played with the phone (iphone 4, galaxy s2 owners) are all in the same boat. They wish they had it. Apple is merely incompatible with Ford sync, this phone supports text and every feature available within the nav unit. If you want an unbiased review go get the phone, it speaks for itself.
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The structure is amazing, specs are impressive. Although I’m still iffy about the motorola android. I disliked the Motorola Atrix, not because of the phone but because the software booted was lagging all the time. I wished Motorola did the new Nexus. In terms of design and hardware, it looks simply amazing!
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[...] like? We do. Good luck to all who enter and in the meantime you can check out our first review of the RAZR here, plus full specs at Motorola [...]
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