The early 2010s were a golden age for smartphones, and two titans emerged: the sleek Motorola DROID RAZR and the revolutionary Apple iPhone 5s. Both phones were groundbreaking in their time, but how do they stack up today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which retro device still holds up.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 5s ultimately wins due to its superior chipset, smoother iOS experience, and generally better camera. While the RAZR boasts a striking design and impressive battery life, the 5s's performance and ecosystem advantages make it the stronger choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all models |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - A1533 (GSM), A1453 |
| 4G bands | 13 - Verizon | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25 - A1533 GSM, A1533 CDMA |
| Speed | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, LTE, HSPA | 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 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40 - A1530 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, October. Released 2011, November | 2013, September 10. Released 2013, September 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 130.7 x 68.9 x 7.1 mm (5.15 x 2.71 x 0.28 in) | 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 127 g (4.48 oz) | 112 g (3.95 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) | 640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~56.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~60.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based) |
| Chipset | TI OMAP 4430 | Apple A7 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX540 | PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) | iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 12.5.7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 16 GB included | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 64GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.0", 1.5µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 480p@120fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | face detection, HDR, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular |
| Single | 2 MP | 1.2 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 16-bit/44.1kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, EDR, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | 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 204 h | Up to 250 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h 30 min | Up to 10 h (3G) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 1780 mAh battery | Li-Po 1560 mAh, non-removable (5.92 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Purple | Space Gray, White/Silver, Gold |
| Models | - | A1453, A1457, A1518, A1528, A1530, A1533, iPhone6,1, iPhone6,2 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | 1.45 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) | 1.12 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.80 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -90.3dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 54h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1219:1 (nominal) / 3.565:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 68dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 69dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark X: 14341 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -90.3dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 54h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1219:1 (nominal) / 3.565:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 68dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 69dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark X: 14341 |
Motorola DROID RAZR XT912
- Ultra-slim and iconic design
- Excellent battery life
- Android OS (customizable)
- Durable construction
- Outdated processor
- Lower camera quality
- Limited app compatibility
- Slower performance
Apple iPhone 5s
- Faster processor (A7 chip)
- Superior camera
- Smooth iOS experience
- Access to Apple ecosystem
- Better app compatibility
- Smaller screen
- Older design
- Limited storage options (depending on model)
- Battery life, while good, isn't exceptional compared to modern phones
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 4-inch displays with a respectable contrast ratio of 1219:1. However, the iPhone 5s's Retina display generally offers better color accuracy and sharpness. The RAZR's display, while adequate, can appear slightly less vibrant. Sunlight readability is comparable, with both struggling somewhat in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 5s's 8MP camera was a major leap forward in 2013, offering excellent image quality and features like HDR. While the RAZR's camera is functional, it lacks the 5s's detail and dynamic range. Video recording on the 5s is also superior.
Performance
This is where the iPhone 5s truly shines. The Apple A7 chip, with its 28nm process, significantly outperforms the TI OMAP 4430 in the RAZR. The A7's Cyclone architecture provides a noticeable speed advantage in apps, multitasking, and gaming. The RAZR's dual-core processor feels sluggish by modern standards.
Battery Life
The DROID RAZR boasts an impressive endurance rating of 54 hours, a testament to its efficient design and battery capacity. The iPhone 5s also offers a solid 54-hour endurance rating. Both phones provide excellent battery life for their age.
Buying Guide
The Motorola DROID RAZR XT912 is ideal for those who appreciate a unique, slim design and prioritize battery life. It's a good choice for collectors or those seeking a nostalgic Android experience. The Apple iPhone 5s is better suited for users who value performance, a polished user interface, and access to the Apple ecosystem, even with older hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the DROID RAZR XT912 still worth buying?
It's a niche purchase. If you're a collector or appreciate its unique design and long battery life, it can be interesting. However, expect performance limitations and limited app support.
❓ Can I still get apps for the iPhone 5s?
While the App Store continues to evolve, the iPhone 5s is nearing the end of its software support. Some newer apps may not be compatible, but a vast library of older apps remains available.
