Motorola's archetype Droid debuted on Verizon net fall, aiming to sound the iPhone off its stand in the smartphone humankind. But patch it didn't quite succeed that feat, it did transmute an present hit, selling over 250,000 units in the prototypal week of its actuation.
Motorola Droid X
Seven months later, Motorola's newest Droid, the X, hopes to achieve even greater successes while taking on greater competition from the Droid Incredible and Evo 4G from HTC and the iPhone 4 from Apple.
The Droid X has several improvements over the Droid, like a better camera, a larger touch screen display and more storage space. It has speedy Internet speeds, connects to plenty of devices, and offers integrated contact information, messaging and social networking.
The phone is a bit bulky, though, and it has weak audio. There's also only one instant messenger option and the battery drains fairly quickly.
But the Droid X has a lot of features and plenty to offer. Whether people will buy it or not depends on how much continuous use time they want, whether they're comfortable with a touch screen and how much they're interested in the bells and whistles.
Design
The Droid X is huge, there's no other word for it. The X is about 10 percent bigger than the original Droid, but also 10 percent lighter. That's because Motorola slimmed down the X to a mere 0.4 inches from 0.55 inches -- that's a remarkable 35 percent. By comparison, the Evo, another behemoth, is about the same size, while the iPhone 4 is 30 percent smaller.
Why such a big phone? Well, larger devices have more real estate to add larger displays. And the Droid X's 4.3-inch touch screen is one of the largest on the market. The only devices with similar-sized screens are on Evo and HD2 devices from HTC, both of which are slightly smaller in size as well.
Regardless, the Droid X's touch screen display makes watching videos and reading emails and texts easy on the eyes, while the all-black exterior and reflective screen keep the phone looking professional.
Below the screen are four buttons for the menu, home, back and search.
Turned around, the back of the device reveals an 8.0-megapixel camera lens and flash.
On the left side, there are ports for micro-USB and HDMI features, while the right has volume keys, a camera key and a 3.5-millimeter headset jack. Power and lock keys are located atop the phone.
The Droid X is bigger than some people may like. It certainly won't fit in a jeans pocket comfortably and calls for two hands instead of one to operate the device most of the time. But it has a gargantuan touch screen. Fortunately, the Droid X isn't too heavy. It's much lighter than the Evo and Droid, and easy to navigate through screens with the keys available.
If size is a major concern, then the Droid X, while very thin and not too hefty, might be too tall and wide for you. But if you can handle the extra size, you'll be rewarded with a larger screen.
Out of the box, the Motorola Droid X comes with a standard battery, a wall/USB charger, a built-in 16-gigabyte microSD memory card, a product safety and warranty brochure and a product safety and quick reference guide.
Camera
Last year, Verizon heavily touted the original Droid's 5.0-megapixel camera. Now the new Droid X has upped the ante with an impressive 8.0-megapixel lens with a built-in dual LED flash, 4x zoom and image stabilization. The iPhone 4, by contrast, has a 5.0-megapixel camera that has been reported to have some problems with taking yellow-ish images.
The Droid X camera can take photos up to a whopping 3266 by 2450 pixel resolution and comes with all the familiar features such as scene functions -- auto, portrait, landscape, sport, night portrait, sunset, macro and steady shot -- and various color effects -- blue tint, red tint, green tint, black and white, negative, sepia, solarize and normal -- to add a bit of artistic flair.
Editing options include rotating, resizing, cropping and filliping a photo; adjusting brightness, contrast, color and saturation; applying color effects and tags; adding clip art or a stamp into the image; and framing the shot with a stylish outline.
There's also a camcorder that can record high-definition videos at 720p, or 1280 by 720 pixel resolution, at 24 frames per second. Like the iPhone 4, it takes high-definition video. It can be used with the flash light on, and once videos are recorded, they can be edited, just like the photos. Users can resize a video, remove audio, add a title, extract frames and cut clips.
The camcorder doesn't deliver the same quality as the camera, but the videos are more detailed than what you usually get on other phones. One complaint with the camcorder, though, is that recorded videos have distorted, quiet audio.
The Droid X takes great photos without lots of pre- or post-editing, but includes a impressive list of editing features, just in case. The only issue is that, despite its image stabilization feature, the camera takes blurry shots if the hand even slightly shaky (something the iPhone 4 users don't have to worry about as much since it has tap-to-focus technology). Still, it's a better bet than the iPhone 4's camera because it's a stronger and survives a greater array of lighting conditions better.
Basic Features
The Droid X will operate on Google's Android operating system, version 2.1. Later this year, it will be automatically upgraded to 2.2.
The new software is expected to be up to five times faster than the already-speedy 2.1 system and JavaScript, which is integrated into the browser, should work up to three times faster on the new version.
Android 2.2 will also supports Adobe Flash 10.1, offer more Microsoft Exchange support and support file uploads in the browser. But 2.1 has some advantages of its own, including HTML 5 support, Microsoft Exchange support and a better keyboard.
There are some similarities between the iPhone 4's iOS 4 software and Android 2.2. Both devices allow for multi-tasking, threaded email and have access to music and game downloads.
The Android system supports Flash and free maps with turn-by-turn directions, which the iPhone 4 doesn't. But the iTunes marketplace offers more game and applications.
Although some gamers may disagree, Flash support may be what helps the Droid X win this contest among operating systems. And once the Droid X upgrades to Android 2.2, it will be faster than the iPhone 4.
Both phones have 1-gigahertz processors, so everything from the browsing the Web to moving through panels is quick. Although the Droid X has poor battery life -- just eight hours of talk time, if that, and the need for a charge pretty much daily -- it still beats out the seven hours allowed on the iPhone 4.
The Droid X, like the HTC's HD2 and Evo, has a 4.3-inch screen. That dwarfs the iPhone 4's 3.5-inch screen and any screen offered by BlackBerry. The screen is responsive without being too overly-sensitive and there's more space between the virtual keys, so typing is easier than on the Droid and Droid Eris.
By simple virtue of the larger screen, the Droid's on-screen keyboard is bigger than on the iPhone 4. But its 854 by 480 pixel resolution isn't as high as the iPhone 4's whopping 960 by 640 pixels.
Still, the Droid X is colorful and sharp. Screens are easy to navigate through and the menu is comprehensive and makes it easy to find what's needed. There's seven panels to flip through, with screens addressing media, contacts, applications, weather, calendar items and social networking.
Although it hasn't been reported as a widespread problem yet, some Droid X users have had issues with their screen flickering and showing vertical bands of light.
The big screen makes it easier to see videos and texts, and the extra space between keys improves the typing experience on a touch screen display. Its panel and menu system is easy to use and the resolution, although not the best available on the market, is high-quality.
It may be more convenient to carry a smaller phone, but having a big screen has become more important as entertainment options widen. Although the iPhone 4 has higher-resolution display, the Droid X is just as easy on the eyes.
The Droid X shows and records videos, filters audio through Skype and plays music over a speaker and a 3.5mm headset, mostly with success. But the phone doesn't pick up audio very well when recording video.
It's not that the sound quality is bad with videos; it's just not very loud. Although the phone never really gets too loud, it can have higher volume than the whisper-quiet sound it picks up when recording video.
The phone also has noise-cancellation technology, just like the iPhone 4. Still, call quality is a bit better, with less static, on the iPhone, which is interesting, considering the Droid X has three microphones compared to the iPhone 4's two.
The Droid X has passable call quality, though. Speakers are clear and the headset, sold separately, works well for private music-listening. But the phone doesn't have the audio quality of the iPhone 4 and could stand to be louder and reach further to record audio at a higher volume.
With the help of MotoBlur technology, the Droid X has integrated social networking, with room for Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Updates appear on the phone in a "panel" so a person doesn't have to go to the Web every time they want to type something a status update or see what their friends are up to. The iPhone 4 has to download an application to get updates in one place.
Touch screens can be tricky to type on, but the Droid X's on-screen keyboard is large enough, with ample space in-between, to keep most mistypes at bay. It also has Swype technology, which means users can "swipe" through letters without picking up their finger -- for faster texting speeds than ever before. Those that prefer a physical keypad may want to look to a BlackBerry or Palm model.
Having social media integrated into the phone helps the Droid X keep up with the times and shows the iPhone 4 is behind the curve. It only has Google Talk for instant messaging, which is an unfortunate choice. But it's replaced by the more-modern choice of chatting on Skype, which beats out the iPhone 4's choice of FaceTime, it's in-house video chat system.
The Android Market allows any user to create a program and put it up for sale on Google's store. The idea is to offer developers creative freedom to suit broad tastes, and some applications succeed. But in reality, Apple's restrictive iTunes store tightly controls guidelines so the quality of applications is much higher. Apple has the edge in this contest.
Music aficionado can tune into the Droid X's FM radio, buy songs from Amazon's MP3 store or upload their computer music library. For gamers, there's "Need For Speed Shift." And for movies, there's a Blockbuster application to rival the iPhone 4's Netflix service.
But Blockbuster is a poor substitute with fewer choices, especially when it comes to indie flicks. Its content is also limited to the Droid X, whereas Netflix will send movies to the iPhone 4 as well as other devices, like computers and televisions. Blockbuster also forces you to wait for the movie to download, rather than stream them, which is how Netflix works on the iPhone. If you plan on watching movies on the phone, the Droid X's service is simply won't do.
There are plenty of iPhone 4 commercials touting "FaceTime, its video chatting software. The Droid X has video conferencing too, just with a more established program -- Skype.
While the iPhone 4 has the edge in many categories here, including applications and a far superior movie delivery system, the Droid X takes the crown for video conferencing.
Running on Verizon's high-speed 3G network, the Droid X features EV-DO Rev. A technology, for speedy Web surfing. Videos load quickly, and pages go from one to the next in mere seconds. With its 1-gigahertz chip, even scrolling up and down is fast. It also connects to Wi-Fi service.
The Droid X can also serve as a hotspot for up to five other devices, something the iPhone 4 can't do. Both devices are similarly fast when it comes to 3G. But the Evo is, by far, the fastest of the bunch.
The Droid X has a Google browser for a familiar format and easy navigate and search. The browser supports Flash, which the iPhone 4 famously doesn't, and includes popular Google services like Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Contact sync, Google Search Box, Google Talk, Google Search by Voice and YouTube.
It has built-in GPS to utilize location-based services like Google Latitude to see friends on a map, Google Maps to see where things are, Google Maps Navigation for spoken and turn-by-turn directions and Google Maps Street View to view a street at ground level.
The Droid X , iPhone 4 and Evo 4G are all very fast phones. The Droid X has the most familiar browser with a bundle of Google programs. The iPhone 4 has the msot user-friendly browser. And the Evo is has the fastest data rates.
The Droid X has plenty of room for multimedia and comes with nearly 24-gigabytes of storage out of the box -- about 6.5-gigabytes of available space on the phone and a built-in 16-gigabyte microSD card. That's a lot more than the storage on the original Droid. The iPhone 4 comes with 16 or 32-gigabytes of memory, but it can't take extra memory cards.
The Droid X can connect to other devices in multiple ways -- a USB cable to computers, "Media Share" to send files to and from other devices. It also supports Bluetooth technology to send and receive files and add a handsfree handset. Fore more advanced features, Bluetooth can be used to turn the Droid X into a modem for a laptop, a remote control for audio and video, a mouse and keyboard or even a gaming devices like a joystick.
Unlike iPhone 4 users, those who opt for the Droid X won't have to worry about dropping a call based on how they're holding the phone.
The Droid X won't be pigeon-holed as a one-dimensional phone. Its designers did their best to make it a well-rounded smartphone. The phone moves quickly through screens and menu items and the internet moves fast too. The phone has a familiar browser and users can not only connect via 3G or Wi-Fi, they can also help other devices got onto the Web.
All that fun can mean a less-than-fun experience trying to keep the battery charged. A day is about all a person can expect to get out of the Droid X before having to plug it into the wall -- and that's a generous estimate.
The phone is also lacking in volume and, in some cases, sound quality. There's only one instant messaging choice and the device is so big it nearly induces a hand cramp when held in one palm. The big screen is a bonus for people with poor eye sight or those who want more space for typing or watching videos, but the design isn't suitable for those interested in sleek, compact devices.
It has loads of built-in entertainment options such as instant ways to buy movies and songs and a rapidly-expanding marketplace to purchase games and applications.
The Droid X, like the HTC's HD2 and Evo, has a 4.3-inch screen. That dwarfs the iPhone 4's 3.5-inch screen and any screen offered by BlackBerry. The screen is responsive without being too overly-sensitive and there's more space between the virtual keys, so typing is easier than on the Droid and Droid Eris.
By simple virtue of the larger screen, the Droid's on-screen keyboard is bigger than on the iPhone 4. But its 854 by 480 pixel resolution isn't as high as the iPhone 4's whopping 960 by 640 pixels.
Still, the Droid X is colorful and sharp. Screens are easy to navigate through and the menu is comprehensive and makes it easy to find what's needed. There's seven panels to flip through, with screens addressing media, contacts, applications, weather, calendar items and social networking.
Although it hasn't been reported as a widespread problem yet, some Droid X users have had issues with their screen flickering and showing vertical bands of light.
The big screen makes it easier to see videos and texts, and the extra space between keys improves the typing experience on a touch screen display. Its panel and menu system is easy to use and the resolution, although not the best available on the market, is high-quality.It may be more convenient to carry a smaller phone, but having a big screen has become more important as entertainment options widen. Although the iPhone 4 has higher-resolution display, the Droid X is just as easy on the eyes.
Audio
The Droid X shows and records videos, filters audio through Skype and plays music over a speaker and a 3.5mm headset, mostly with success. But the phone doesn't pick up audio very well when recording video.
It's not that the sound quality is bad with videos; it's just not very loud. Although the phone never really gets too loud, it can have higher volume than the whisper-quiet sound it picks up when recording video.
The phone also has noise-cancellation technology, just like the iPhone 4. Still, call quality is a bit better, with less static, on the iPhone, which is interesting, considering the Droid X has three microphones compared to the iPhone 4's two.
The Droid X has passable call quality, though. Speakers are clear and the headset, sold separately, works well for private music-listening. But the phone doesn't have the audio quality of the iPhone 4 and could stand to be louder and reach further to record audio at a higher volume.
Messaging
With the help of MotoBlur technology, the Droid X has integrated social networking, with room for Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Updates appear on the phone in a "panel" so a person doesn't have to go to the Web every time they want to type something a status update or see what their friends are up to. The iPhone 4 has to download an application to get updates in one place.
Touch screens can be tricky to type on, but the Droid X's on-screen keyboard is large enough, with ample space in-between, to keep most mistypes at bay. It also has Swype technology, which means users can "swipe" through letters without picking up their finger -- for faster texting speeds than ever before. Those that prefer a physical keypad may want to look to a BlackBerry or Palm model.
Having social media integrated into the phone helps the Droid X keep up with the times and shows the iPhone 4 is behind the curve. It only has Google Talk for instant messaging, which is an unfortunate choice. But it's replaced by the more-modern choice of chatting on Skype, which beats out the iPhone 4's choice of FaceTime, it's in-house video chat system.
Entertainment
The Android Market allows any user to create a program and put it up for sale on Google's store. The idea is to offer developers creative freedom to suit broad tastes, and some applications succeed. But in reality, Apple's restrictive iTunes store tightly controls guidelines so the quality of applications is much higher. Apple has the edge in this contest.
Music aficionado can tune into the Droid X's FM radio, buy songs from Amazon's MP3 store or upload their computer music library. For gamers, there's "Need For Speed Shift." And for movies, there's a Blockbuster application to rival the iPhone 4's Netflix service.
But Blockbuster is a poor substitute with fewer choices, especially when it comes to indie flicks. Its content is also limited to the Droid X, whereas Netflix will send movies to the iPhone 4 as well as other devices, like computers and televisions. Blockbuster also forces you to wait for the movie to download, rather than stream them, which is how Netflix works on the iPhone. If you plan on watching movies on the phone, the Droid X's service is simply won't do.
There are plenty of iPhone 4 commercials touting "FaceTime, its video chatting software. The Droid X has video conferencing too, just with a more established program -- Skype.
While the iPhone 4 has the edge in many categories here, including applications and a far superior movie delivery system, the Droid X takes the crown for video conferencing.
Internet
Running on Verizon's high-speed 3G network, the Droid X features EV-DO Rev. A technology, for speedy Web surfing. Videos load quickly, and pages go from one to the next in mere seconds. With its 1-gigahertz chip, even scrolling up and down is fast. It also connects to Wi-Fi service.
The Droid X can also serve as a hotspot for up to five other devices, something the iPhone 4 can't do. Both devices are similarly fast when it comes to 3G. But the Evo is, by far, the fastest of the bunch.
The Droid X has a Google browser for a familiar format and easy navigate and search. The browser supports Flash, which the iPhone 4 famously doesn't, and includes popular Google services like Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Contact sync, Google Search Box, Google Talk, Google Search by Voice and YouTube.
It has built-in GPS to utilize location-based services like Google Latitude to see friends on a map, Google Maps to see where things are, Google Maps Navigation for spoken and turn-by-turn directions and Google Maps Street View to view a street at ground level.
The Droid X , iPhone 4 and Evo 4G are all very fast phones. The Droid X has the most familiar browser with a bundle of Google programs. The iPhone 4 has the msot user-friendly browser. And the Evo is has the fastest data rates.
Storage
Connectivity
The Droid X can connect to other devices in multiple ways -- a USB cable to computers, "Media Share" to send files to and from other devices. It also supports Bluetooth technology to send and receive files and add a handsfree handset. Fore more advanced features, Bluetooth can be used to turn the Droid X into a modem for a laptop, a remote control for audio and video, a mouse and keyboard or even a gaming devices like a joystick.
Unlike iPhone 4 users, those who opt for the Droid X won't have to worry about dropping a call based on how they're holding the phone.
Conclusion
The Droid X won't be pigeon-holed as a one-dimensional phone. Its designers did their best to make it a well-rounded smartphone. The phone moves quickly through screens and menu items and the internet moves fast too. The phone has a familiar browser and users can not only connect via 3G or Wi-Fi, they can also help other devices got onto the Web.
All that fun can mean a less-than-fun experience trying to keep the battery charged. A day is about all a person can expect to get out of the Droid X before having to plug it into the wall -- and that's a generous estimate.
The phone is also lacking in volume and, in some cases, sound quality. There's only one instant messaging choice and the device is so big it nearly induces a hand cramp when held in one palm. The big screen is a bonus for people with poor eye sight or those who want more space for typing or watching videos, but the design isn't suitable for those interested in sleek, compact devices.
It has loads of built-in entertainment options such as instant ways to buy movies and songs and a rapidly-expanding marketplace to purchase games and applications.
Integrated social networking and plenty of Google features, plus a powerful camera and a more-recognizable video conferencing system set the Droid X apart from the iPhone 4, but the newest iPhone is speedy too, more compact, and has better entertainment features.
People looking for longer battery life and hoping to keep it simple with a shorter list of features and a portable size aren't going to run out to buy the Droid X. But those shopping for a business and pleasure powerhouse with a big screen, strong camera and plenty of integrated features would be wise to check this phone out.
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