The Motorola Droid line has a rich history of delivering reliable Android experiences. Today, we're pitting two distinct models against each other: the battery-focused Droid Maxx 2 and the sleek, premium DROID Ultra. Which one offers the best value and performance for your needs?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Droid Maxx 2 is the clear winner for battery life, boasting an incredible endurance rating. However, the DROID Ultra offers a more premium design and potentially a slightly smoother experience due to its more modern software. It depends on your priorities: longevity or refinement.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 20 | 4, 13 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, October. Released 2015, October | 2013, July. Released 2013, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 148 x 75 x 10.9 mm (5.83 x 2.95 x 0.43 in) | 137.5 x 71.2 x 7.2 mm (5.41 x 2.80 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 137 g (4.83 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 82.6 cm2 (~74.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~70.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 320 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 21 MP, f/2.0, PDAF | 10 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Yes | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 576 h (3G) | Up to 312 h |
| Talk time | Up to 48 h (3G) | Up to 28 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 3630 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2130 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Sea Blue, White | Black, Red, White |
| Models | XT1565B, XT1565 | XT1080 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 1.14 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) | 1.54 W/kg (head) 0.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -82.7dB / Crosstalk -82.9dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 56h | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1256:1 (nominal) / 911:1 (docking station) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 57dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 77dB | - |
Motorola Droid Maxx 2
- Exceptional battery life (56h endurance)
- Larger display (5.5 inches)
- Octa-core processor
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 615)
- Potentially lower display quality compared to AMOLED
- Bulkier design
Motorola DROID Ultra
- Premium design and build quality
- Super AMOLED display (vibrant colors)
- Potentially smoother performance (due to software optimization)
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Older chipset (Snapdragon S4 Pro)
- Smaller display (5.2 inches)
Display Comparison
The DROID Ultra featured a 5.2-inch Super AMOLED display, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Droid Maxx 2 had a larger 5.5-inch display, but with a likely lower resolution and potentially less impressive color accuracy. The Maxx 2's contrast ratio is impressive, but the Ultra's AMOLED technology likely provided a superior viewing experience overall.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are not fully available for both devices. However, the DROID Ultra likely had a better camera sensor and image processing capabilities due to its newer release date. The Droid Maxx 2 likely focused on practicality over high-end camera features.
Performance
The DROID Ultra's Snapdragon S4 Pro, while older, was a flagship chip in its time. The Droid Maxx 2's Snapdragon 615, with its octa-core processor, offers more cores but individual core performance is likely lower. Real-world performance would depend on software optimization, but the Ultra might feel snappier for demanding tasks. The Maxx 2's 28nm process is more efficient than the Ultra's.
Battery Life
This is where the Droid Maxx 2 truly shines. Its endurance rating of 56 hours is exceptional. The DROID Ultra, while offering decent battery life for its time, couldn't compete with the Maxx 2's massive battery capacity. The Maxx 2's 15W wired charging is a standard feature.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Droid Maxx 2 is ideal for users who prioritize battery life above all else – perfect for heavy users or those who travel frequently. The Motorola DROID Ultra is better suited for users who value a premium design, a more compact form factor, and a generally more refined experience, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The DROID Ultra likely offers a slightly better gaming experience due to its potentially smoother performance and more responsive display, although both phones are showing their age.
❓ Is the Droid Maxx 2 still worth buying in [current year]?
If battery life is your absolute top priority and you can find one in good condition, the Droid Maxx 2 remains a compelling option. However, consider that software updates are likely discontinued.
