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.
🏆 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.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 13 - Verizon | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13 |
| Speed | EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, LTE, HSPA | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, October. Released 2011, November | 2015, October. Released 2015, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 130.7 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) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 127 g (4.48 oz) | 170.1 g (6.00 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Shatterproof |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~540 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~56.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.4 inches, 81.6 cm2 (~69.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | TI OMAP 4430 | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX540 | Adreno 430 |
| OS | Android 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 slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 16 GB included | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 1000 entries |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 21 MP, f/2.0, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 480p@120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, EDR, LE | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-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 |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | 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 |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired
Wireless (Qi) |
| Stand-by | Up to 204 h | Up to 360 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h 30 min | Up to 48 h (3G) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 1780 mAh battery | Li-Ion 3760 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Purple | Black/Soft-Grip, Black/Pebble Leather, Gray/Ballistic Nylon, Winter White/Soft-Grip |
| Models | - | XT1585 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | 1.45 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.