Motorola DROID RAZR XT912 vs. Droid Turbo 2: A Generational Showdown

Motorola's DROID line has a storied history, and these two phones represent distinct eras. The RAZR XT912 was a sleek, iconic device, while the Turbo 2 aimed for power and durability. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see how they stack up today.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Droid Turbo 2 is the clear winner. Its significantly more powerful processor, superior camera, and larger battery easily outperform the RAZR. However, the RAZR's design and compact form factor might appeal to those prioritizing aesthetics over raw power.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola DROID RAZR XT912 Motorola Droid Turbo 2
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands13 - Verizon2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13
SpeedEV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, LTE, HSPAHSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2011, October. Released 2011, November2015, October. Released 2015, October
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions130.7 x 68.9 x 7.1 mm (5.15 x 2.71 x 0.28 in)149.9 x 78 x 9.2 mm (5.90 x 3.07 x 0.36 in)
SIMMicro-SIMNano-SIM
Weight127 g (4.48 oz)170.1 g (6.00 oz)
 Splash resistant-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassShatterproof
Resolution540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density)1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~540 ppi density)
Size4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~56.6% screen-to-body ratio)5.4 inches, 81.6 cm2 (~69.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLEDAMOLED
Platform
CPUDual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57)
ChipsetTI OMAP 4430Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm)
GPUPowerVR SGX540Adreno 430
OSAndroid 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean)Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat)
Memory
Call records-30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot), 16 GB includedmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal16GB 1GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM
Phonebook-1000 entries
 -eMMC 5.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama
Single8 MP, AF21 MP, f/2.0, PDAF
Video1080p@30fps, 480p@120fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR
Selfie camera
Features-LED flash
Single2 MP5 MP, f/2.0
Video720p-
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, EDR, LE4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX
Infrared port-Yes
NFC-Yes
PositioningGPS, A-GPSGPS
RadioNoNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot
Features
Browser-WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games-Yes
Java-Yes, MIDP 2.0
Messaging-SMS, MMS
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassAccelerometer, 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
Charging-15W wired Wireless (Qi)
Stand-byUp to 204 hUp to 360 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 12 h 30 minUp to 48 h (3G)
TypeNon-removable Li-Ion 1780 mAh batteryLi-Ion 3760 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, PurpleBlack/Soft-Grip, Black/Pebble Leather, Gray/Ballistic Nylon, Winter White/Soft-Grip
Models-XT1585
PriceAbout 220 EURAbout 330 EUR
SAR1.45 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)1.38 W/kg (head)     1.13 W/kg (body)

Motorola DROID RAZR XT912

  • Iconic design
  • Compact size
  • Super AMOLED display
  • Relatively affordable (used)

  • Outdated processor
  • Low resolution display
  • Poor battery life
  • Limited storage
  • Slow performance

Motorola Droid Turbo 2

  • Powerful processor
  • Large, high-resolution display
  • Excellent battery life
  • Good camera with OIS
  • Durable build

  • Larger size
  • Snapdragon 810 throttling (potential)
  • Design not as iconic as the RAZR

Display Comparison

The Droid Turbo 2 boasts a 5.5-inch Quad HD (2560 x 1440) display, offering significantly sharper visuals and a larger viewing area compared to the RAZR's 4.3-inch qHD (960 x 540) Super AMOLED screen. Color accuracy and brightness are also noticeably better on the Turbo 2.

Camera Comparison

The Droid Turbo 2 features a 21MP rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), delivering superior image quality, especially in low light. The RAZR's 8MP camera is adequate for basic shots but lacks the detail and features of the Turbo 2.

Performance

The Turbo 2's Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor is a massive leap over the RAZR's dual-core OMAP 4430. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Turbo 2. The RAZR will struggle with modern apps and demanding tasks.

Battery Life

The Turbo 2's 3900mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life than the RAZR's 2500mAh battery. The Turbo 2 easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use, while the RAZR requires more frequent charging.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Motorola DROID RAZR XT912? Those seeking a compact, retro-inspired Android experience on a budget. Who should buy the Motorola Droid Turbo 2? Users prioritizing performance, a large display, and a long-lasting battery for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the DROID RAZR XT912 still usable in 2024?
Yes, but it's showing its age. It can handle basic tasks, but modern apps and games will be slow. Software updates are long gone.
❓ Does the Droid Turbo 2 still receive software updates?
No, the Droid Turbo 2 is no longer receiving official software updates from Motorola or Google.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
The Droid Turbo 2 is significantly more durable, featuring a water-repellent coating and a ruggedized back panel.
❓ Can I find replacement parts for either phone?
Replacement parts for both phones are becoming increasingly difficult to find, especially for the DROID RAZR.