Motorola DROID RAZR M vs. RAZR XT912: A Head-to-Head Comparison

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.
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🏆 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.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola DROID RAZR M Motorola DROID RAZR XT912
Network
2G bandsCDMA 800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsCDMA2000 1xEV-DOHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1313 - Verizon
SpeedHSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsEV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, LTE, HSPA
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2012, September. Released 2012, September2011, October. Released 2011, November
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions122.5 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)
SIMMicro-SIMMicro-SIM
Weight126 g (4.44 oz)127 g (4.48 oz)
 Splash resistantSplash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass
Resolution540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density)540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density)
Size4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio)4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~56.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLEDSuper AMOLED
Platform
CPUDual-core 1.5 GHz KraitDual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 PlusTI OMAP 4430
GPUAdreno 225PowerVR SGX540
OSAndroid 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.4 (KitKat)Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)microSDHC (dedicated slot), 16 GB included
Internal8GB 1GB RAM16GB 1GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single8 MP, AF8 MP, AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, 480p@120fps
Selfie camera
SingleVGA2 MP
Video720p720p
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, EDR, LE4.0, EDR, LE
NFCYes-
PositioningGPS, A-GPS, GLONASSGPS, A-GPS
RadioNoNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassAccelerometer, proximity, compass
 MP3/AAC+/WAV/WMA player MP4/H.264/WMV player Organizer Document viewer/editor Voice memo/dial/commands Predictive text inputHDMI port MP3/AAC+/WAV/WMA player MP4/H.264/WMV player Organizer Document viewer/editor Voice memo/dial/commands Predictive text input
Battery
Stand-byUp to 408 hUp to 204 h
Talk timeUp to 20 hUp to 12 h 30 min
TypeNon-removable Li-Ion 2000 mAh batteryNon-removable Li-Ion 1780 mAh battery
Misc
ColorsBlack, WhiteBlack, White, Purple
ModelsXT907-
PriceAbout 250 EURAbout 220 EUR
SAR0.63 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.