The Motorola DROID RAZR line was a force to be reckoned with, known for its sleek design and powerful features. But which RAZR model – the RAZR M or the RAZR XT912 – offers the better experience? We dive deep into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The RAZR M edges out the XT912 thanks to its superior Snapdragon chipset and notably better battery endurance. While the XT912 has a slightly larger screen, the RAZR M’s performance and longevity make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 13 | 13 - Verizon |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, LTE, HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, September. Released 2012, September | 2011, October. Released 2011, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 122.5 x 60.9 x 8.3 mm (4.82 x 2.40 x 0.33 in) | 130.7 x 68.9 x 7.1 mm (5.15 x 2.71 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 127 g (4.48 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~56.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus | TI OMAP 4430 |
| GPU | Adreno 225 | PowerVR SGX540 |
| OS | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.4 (KitKat) | Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 16 GB included |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 480p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, EDR, LE | 4.0, EDR, LE |
| NFC | Yes | - |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP3/AAC+/WAV/WMA player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Organizer
Document viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input | HDMI port
MP3/AAC+/WAV/WMA player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Organizer
Document viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 408 h | Up to 204 h |
| Talk time | Up to 20 h | Up to 12 h 30 min |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Ion 1780 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White, Purple |
| Models | XT907 | - |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | 0.63 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) | 1.45 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -82.9dB / Crosstalk -81.6dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 55h
| - |
Motorola DROID RAZR M
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon)
- Excellent Battery Life (55h)
- Slim and Lightweight Design
- Good Display Quality
- Camera is average
- Limited storage options (typically 16GB)
- Older Android version
Motorola DROID RAZR XT912
- Slightly Larger Screen
- Good Build Quality
- Decent Camera Performance
- Slower Performance (OMAP)
- Shorter Battery Life
- Older Android version
- Less responsive UI
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and good viewing angles. The XT912 has a slightly higher resolution (960 x 540) compared to the RAZR M (960 x 540), but the difference is minimal and unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. Both screens are adequate for the time period.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature an 8-megapixel rear camera. Image quality is generally comparable, though the RAZR M might exhibit slightly better processing due to its more powerful chipset. Low-light performance is average for both devices, typical of smartphones from that era. Front-facing cameras were basic, likely 1-2MP on both.
Performance
This is where the RAZR M shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset with a 1.5 GHz Krait dual-core CPU significantly outperforms the TI OMAP 4430 with a 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 in the XT912. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the RAZR M.
Battery Life
The RAZR M boasts a significantly better endurance rating of 55 hours, a clear advantage over the XT912. This translates to noticeably longer battery life for the RAZR M, allowing for more usage between charges.
Buying Guide
The Motorola DROID RAZR M is ideal for users prioritizing performance and battery life in a slim design. The RAZR XT912 might appeal to those who value a slightly larger display and are less concerned with raw processing power or extended battery usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which RAZR is better for gaming?
The DROID RAZR M is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon processor. It will handle games more smoothly and with better graphics performance.
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
Given their age, neither phone is recommended for primary use. However, they could be interesting for collectors or for very basic tasks where a modern smartphone isn't needed. Software updates are long discontinued.
❓ What Android version did these phones ship with?
Both devices originally shipped with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. While some unofficial updates may exist, official support has ended.