The Motorola RAZR M series represented a sleek and stylish era in Android smartphones. But what's the difference between the DROID RAZR M and the RAZR M XT905? This review dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide which one, if either, is worth considering today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
Essentially, these phones are incredibly similar. The DROID RAZR M boasts a slightly better endurance rating (55h vs. unknown for XT905), suggesting marginally better battery life. However, both share the same processor and core features, making the choice largely dependent on carrier availability and price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | CDMA 800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 13 | 3, 7 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, September. Released 2012, September | 2012, September. Released 2013, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 122.5 x 60.9 x 8.3 mm (4.82 x 2.40 x 0.33 in) | 122.5 x 60.9 x 8.3 mm (4.82 x 2.40 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 126 g (4.44 oz) | 126 g (4.44 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 2 |
| 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 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED Advanced |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus | Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus |
| GPU | Adreno 225 | Adreno 225 |
| OS | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.4 (KitKat) | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB (4.5GB user available), 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, EDR, LE | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, S-GPS, GLONASS |
| 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 a/b/g/n, dual-band, 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 | MP3/AAC+/WAV/WMA player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Organizer
Photo viewer/editor
Document viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial/commands
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 408 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 20 h | - |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White |
| Models | XT907 | - |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 0.63 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) | 1.11 W/kg (head) 0.66 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -82.9dB / Crosstalk -81.6dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 55h
| - |
Motorola DROID RAZR M
- Sleek and stylish design
- Compact size
- Decent battery life (55h endurance rating)
- Super AMOLED display
- Low resolution display by today's standards
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
- Outdated software
- 8MP camera struggles in low light
Motorola RAZR M XT905
- Sleek and stylish design
- Compact size
- Super AMOLED display
- Generally more widely available (unlocked versions)
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
- Outdated software
- 8MP camera struggles in low light
- Battery life potentially slightly shorter than DROID RAZR M
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels. While the color reproduction is vibrant, the resolution is relatively low by modern standards. Expect a sharp image but not the pixel density of newer phones. Viewing angles are generally good thanks to the AMOLED technology.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera. Image quality is decent in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. Video recording capabilities are limited to 1080p at 30fps. The front-facing camera is a basic 1.3-megapixel unit.
Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset and a dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU, both phones offer adequate performance for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. However, multitasking and demanding apps may experience slowdowns. Don't expect flagship-level performance.
Battery Life
The DROID RAZR M is listed with an endurance rating of 55 hours, suggesting a slightly larger or more efficient battery. The RAZR M XT905's battery capacity is generally reported as 1780 mAh, but the DROID RAZR M's battery is believed to be slightly larger. Expect a full day of moderate use from either device.
Buying Guide
The DROID RAZR M is best for Verizon users seeking a compact, stylish Android phone with a slightly longer battery life. The RAZR M XT905 is ideal for users on other carriers (or unlocked versions) who appreciate the RAZR design and similar performance, but need to verify compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still receiving software updates?
No, both the DROID RAZR M and RAZR M XT905 have reached their end of life and are no longer receiving official software updates. This poses a security risk.
❓ Can I use the RAZR M XT905 on any carrier?
The RAZR M XT905 is typically available unlocked, but compatibility with specific carriers depends on their network bands. Check carrier compatibility lists before purchasing.