Looking for a phone that can withstand the elements? The Motorola DROID 2 Global and the Casio G'zOne Ravine 2 are both contenders in the rugged phone arena, but they cater to different needs. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right one.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The DROID 2 Global offers a more familiar Android experience and slightly better performance thanks to its known specs. However, the G'zOne Ravine 2 likely boasts superior ruggedness and durability, making it the clear winner for those prioritizing extreme protection over raw power.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Speed | HSPA 10.2/5.76 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO | GSM / CDMA / EVDO |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, November. Released 2010, November | 2011, November. Released 2011, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 116.3 x 60.5 x 13.7 mm (4.58 x 2.38 x 0.54 in) | 109.9 x 50.5 x 21.1 mm (4.33 x 1.99 x 0.83 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 138 g (4.87 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810F compliant
Flashlight |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.7 inches, 37.7 cm2 (~53.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~27.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| | - | Secondary CSTN, 128 x 128 pixels, 1.38 inches |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.2 GHz Cortex-A8 | - |
| Chipset | TI OMAP 3640 | - |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX530 | - |
| OS | Android 2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to 2.3 (Gingerbread) | - |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 8 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB RAM | 512MB 256MB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 1000 entries, Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 3.15 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 2.5 mm audio jack |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 3.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML, Adobe Flash | - |
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Compass, thermometer |
| | MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC+ player
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor
Organizer
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input (Swype) | SNS integration
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 230 h | Up to 506 h |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 20 min | Up to 4 h 41 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1420 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1150 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Black |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 210 EUR |
| SAR | 1.58 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) |
Motorola DROID 2 Global
- Familiar Android experience
- Decent performance for its time
- Likely better camera quality
- More readily available information and support
- Older hardware
- Durability likely less than G'zOne
- May struggle with modern apps
Casio G'zOne Ravine 2
- Exceptional ruggedness and durability
- Likely long battery life
- Designed for harsh environments
- Water and shock resistant
- Unknown chipset and performance
- Potentially lower resolution display
- Limited information and support
- Likely less powerful camera
Display Comparison
The DROID 2 Global features a 3.7-inch display, likely with a standard resolution for its time. The G'zOne Ravine 2's display is expected to be smaller and potentially lower resolution, prioritizing visibility and durability over screen real estate. Expect the DROID 2 to offer a slightly better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The DROID 2 Global likely has a standard camera for its time, probably around 5-8MP. The G'zOne Ravine 2's camera specifications are unknown, but rugged phones often compromise on camera quality to save space and improve durability. Expect the DROID 2 to have a slightly better camera.
Performance
The DROID 2 Global's TI OMAP 3640 1.2 GHz Cortex-A8 chipset provides a reasonable level of performance for its era. The G'zOne Ravine 2's chipset is unknown, but given its focus on durability, it likely prioritizes power efficiency over raw speed. The DROID 2 will likely feel snappier for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
Battery life is crucial for rugged phones. While the DROID 2 Global's battery capacity is known, the G'zOne Ravine 2's is not. However, Casio often prioritizes battery life in their rugged devices, so it's possible the Ravine 2 could offer longer usage times, especially under less demanding conditions.
Buying Guide
The Motorola DROID 2 Global is ideal for users who want a functional Android phone with decent performance and some level of durability. The Casio G'zOne Ravine 2 is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, construction workers, or anyone needing a phone that can survive drops, water, and harsh conditions, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the DROID 2 Global still worth buying?
It's a budget option for those needing basic Android functionality and some durability, but modern phones offer significantly better performance and features.
❓ How rugged is the G'zOne Ravine 2?
Casio G'zOne phones are renowned for their ruggedness, typically meeting military standards for shock, water, and dust resistance. Specific ratings for the Ravine 2 are difficult to confirm without detailed specs.
