Review of the DROID X

As the battle over the smartphone market continues, we consumers are being bombarded with new and updated smartphones faster than we can keep up. The DROID X by Motorola is the newest Android based phone designed as a direct replacement to the highly popular DROID. We liked the new updated design, advanced technology features and reduced thickness, but there are some drawbacks to the new DROID.

Updated Technology

For the average user, tech specs do not mean a whole lot outside of the performance of the phone. However, for those of us who obsess over the latest in smartphone technology, the advanced features are a great selling point. The DROID X features an 8.0MP digital camera with video capture, 1GHz processor, large 4.3" touch screen, 8GB of internal memory with room for expansion with a 32GB microSD, Android 2.1 OS, media player and integrated social networking.

What does this mean for the consumer?

The DROID X is highly popular among those of us who could be classified as geeks, when it comes to new technology. However, for the average consumer, the phones processor and 3G speeds make for quick internet surfing (although not as fast as the INCREDIBLE), quick switching between applications and multitasking, large capacity to store all your videos, music and pictures, and a great camera for capturing special moments. The new DROID is fast, powerful and large. The 4.3" screen is a great update over the iPhone or similar devices because it allows for easier viewing of webpage's, documents and videos.

Usability

Motorola added a touch screen QWERTY keyboard in place of the previous touch screen and physical keyboard on the DROID. The new Swype feature allows users to swipe over letters on the keyboard rather than tapping them. This new system has a slight learning curve, but makes typing on a virtual keyboard about as efficient as a physical keyboard. Removing the physical keyboard is a good thing for the DROID X. With a thickness of only .39", the new design feels thinner than the previous model.

The Android 2.1 OS is slightly outdated, and plans of the new Android 2.2 OS have been rumored for release. The home screen can be customized for individual user preference with various widgets and apps, which are great for organizing the applications you use the most. Overall, there is a slight learning curve to the new DROID for customers who have never used an Android device, but once you get the hang of it; it is very easy to use.

What we didn't like

Every great phone has some drawbacks. The preloaded Blockbuster mobile application, used for downloading movies via Blockbuster seems very outdated in comparison to the highly popular Netflix. Battery life lasts a realistic one day per charge. However, this is not terrible news. The phone is powerful, which makes for smooth transitions and application loading. The added power drains battery life quickly, but this is a problem with most modern smartphones. The DROID X has a removable battery so that users can have a spare for extra power when on the go.

Overall

Overall, we loved the new DROID X. The powerful processor is quick, the new technology advancements are geared towards everyday consumers and the large screen runs circles around devices such as the iPhone and BlackBerry. The device is larger than the previous DROID (not as thick but wider) and battery life is rather poor, which could be a turnoff for potential customers. The DROID X is a very cool device, but has a specific market audience and is not for everyone.

Sources:

Personal experience

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=5369