Droid Maxx 2, Droid Turbo, and Nexus 6

[Masheen]

I'm making this thread to condense these three rumored devices into one talked about thread. The next iteration of the Droid Maxx, the rumored Droid Turbo, and the Nexus 6.

There has been a lot of rumored talk circulating as we near the unveiling of another Verizon-Motorola collab. Droid Turbo.

After the 2014 Moto X release, I highly doubt that Verizon will release a next gen Droid Maxx in addition to a Droid Turbo, unless the "Turbo" is really the next Maxx or visa versa.

My dream was for a Verizon bound Motorola Nexus. Once I heard confirmation that Moto was doing the N6, I got really happy...then really sad, because after the Gnex, I was convinced that Vzw would never get another Nexus device because they shmurdered the update cycle and would not let Google do its thing.

So to get what I'm getting at... Given Motorola's previous exclusivity with Verizon, will we see a Nexus 6 for big red? If so, will it basically be the same specs, size, and shape as the "Droid Turbo" or next gen Maxx? Or will they follow the previous Nexus blueprint and give us last year's processor and specs at an "affordable" price. Is the Droid Turbo the Maxx 2? If the Nexus 6 and Droid Turbo/Maxx both come to Verizon, who will be which? Let's talk.

 

[Jaycemiskel]

I'll weigh in on the Nexus part. Pretty sure you won't see it for the same reason as the other manufacturers couldn't do it. Verizon doesn't want unlocked bootloaders on their network. They never have and they never will. It has nothing to do with who manufactures it. Even the Moto X isn't available for Verizon in the pure edition which shows their stance hasn't changed.

 

[googlyeyedfrog]

While I agree that Verizon and Nexus devices have been sort of like oil and water, the Developer edition for last year's Moto X and Droid Maxx were both available on Verizon. I currently own an unlocked Droid Maxx on Verizon and have enjoyed the very snappy updates over the past year. I do firmly believe that Verizon's relationship with Motorola has matured since the Samsung Galaxy Nexus debacle and that since Motorola's devices are nearly stock Android, the possibility of a Nexus device on Verizon seems more plausible now than ever before. With that said, I also think that the Droid Turbo and Nexus 6 will share some internal hardware, and that the Turbo will actually post better specs (larger battery, higher resolution display, higher pixel camera) making the Turbo the potential phone of choice. The on-screen keys for the Nexus will continue, while the capacitive keys for the Turbo will continue. The Nexus will probably have a slightly larger display and the same camera sensor as the Moto X. If a Droid Turbo "pure edition" is released on Verizon, that would be the obvious hot phone to get, but that is still questionable as the Moto X "pure edition" is not available on Verizon. I would still be willing to buy the Turbo despite it being "locked down" since I am nearly fully satisfied with Moto's Android experience with useful software enhancements. I don't have the need to modify my phones too much these days.

 

[Laurent Pellegrino]

Nexus 6 powaaaa!

 

[Highland Droid]

What I can't figure out is why Google/Motorola hasn't released a Moto X LTE Only Edition like they did the 2013 Nexus 7 fully compatible with Verizon's LTE network (which VZW can't do anything about) but without any of the proprietary CDMA technology or radios that make phones so much more expensive than tablets.

Now that Hangouts can handle all your call/SMS/MMS needs over data, what do I need the CDMA radio for if I live in an area with solid LTE coverage?

If they release a Moto Nexus 6 in this fashion, and I can add it to my VZW SE plan as a "tablet" for $10/month, well that's the best deal in wireless right there (especially if the device was priced more like a tablet due to the absence of the CDMA radio - 32GB LTE version for $299 off contract?).

To me, this is a no-brainer.

 

[Ry]

What I can't figure out is why Google/Motorola hasn't released a Moto X LTE Only Edition like they did the 2013 Nexus 7 fully compatible with Verizon's LTE network (which VZW can't do anything about) but without any of the proprietary CDMA technology or radios that make phones so much more expensive than tablets.

Now that Hangouts can handle all your call/SMS/MMS needs over data, what do I need the CDMA radio for if I live in an area with solid LTE coverage?

If they release a Moto Nexus 6 in this fashion, and I can add it to my VZW SE plan as a "tablet" for $10/month, well that's the best deal in wireless right there (especially if the device was priced more like a tablet due to the absence of the CDMA radio - 32GB LTE version for $299 off contract?).

To me, this is a no-brainer.

I think you have a misunderstanding on how Verizon's cellular service currently works.

For phones, CDMA is still needed for a voice calls. Verizon has begun their VoLTE rollout, though it's limited as to which phones support it.

AFAIK, Hangouts does not use data for SMS - it just hooks into whatever the phone uses.

I don't think a $10 tablet plan would be compatible with calls and text messaging. Maybe you just want a 5" LTE iPod touch-like Android device.

 

[Masheen]

I'll weigh in on the Nexus part. Pretty sure you won't see it for the same reason as the other manufacturers couldn't do it. Verizon doesn't want unlocked bootloaders on their network. They never have and they never will. It has nothing to do with who manufactures it. Even the Moto X isn't available for Verizon in the pure edition which shows their stance hasn't changed.

I think that it has a lot to do with who manufactures it, especially since the Moto X and Droid lines have gravitated towards a stock android experience. Although Vzw doesn't like unlocked bootloaders, there still is hope with this one.

While I agree that Verizon and Nexus devices have been sort of like oil and water, the Developer edition for last year's Moto X and Droid Maxx were both available on Verizon. I currently own an unlocked Droid Maxx on Verizon and have enjoyed the very snappy updates over the past year. I do firmly believe that Verizon's relationship with Motorola has matured since the Samsung Galaxy Nexus debacle and that since Motorola's devices are nearly stock Android, the possibility of a Nexus device on Verizon seems more plausible now than ever before. With that said, I also think that the Droid Turbo and Nexus 6 will share some internal hardware, and that the Turbo will actually post better specs (larger battery, higher resolution display, higher pixel camera) making the Turbo the potential phone of choice. The on-screen keys for the Nexus will continue, while the capacitive keys for the Turbo will continue. The Nexus will probably have a slightly larger display and the same camera sensor as the Moto X. If a Droid Turbo "pure edition" is released on Verizon, that would be the obvious hot phone to get, but that is still questionable as the Moto X "pure edition" is not available on Verizon. I would still be willing to buy the Turbo despite it being "locked down" since I am nearly fully satisfied with Moto's Android experience with useful software enhancements. I don't have the need to modify my phones too much these days.

I agree with the Turbo having slightly better specs in some areas which would make it the phone of choice. However, having a phone that comes with Android L out of the box is a huge advantage in itself. Don't have to deal with being updated to it, and the phone is meant to run on that system. A lot of things get screwed up with updates, esp major os changes. I would feel more comfortable on a device that starts with the next Android OS rather than being updated to it. This will be a tough decision.

 

[Highland Droid]

I think you have a misunderstanding on how Verizon's cellular service currently works.

For phones, CDMA is still needed for a voice calls. Verizon has begun their VoLTE rollout, though it's limited as to which phones support it.

AFAIK, Hangouts does not use data for SMS - it just hooks into whatever the phone uses.

I don't think a $10 tablet plan would be compatible with calls and text messaging. Maybe you just want a 5" LTE iPod touch-like Android device.

I should have been more clear. Hangouts + Google Voice integration makes this all possible over JUST the LTE (or Wifi) network. Right now, you could buy a Wifi N7 and with H+GV, have a fully functioning 7" "phone" whenever connected to wifi (Hangouts will make voice calls and send SMS/MMS through GV using just data). A VZW LTE N7 would offer the same thing, but including being able to make voice calls as well as send SMS/MMS all over the LTE data connection so you're not relegated to wifi only. All for $10/month access fee + a pool of shared data.

To be clear - I'm not talking about using the standard "Phone" app or sending SMS/MMS through the Verizon number.

 

[Ry]

I should have been more clear. Hangouts + Google Voice integration makes this all possible over JUST the LTE (or Wifi) network. Right now, you could buy a Wifi N7 and with H+GV, have a fully functioning 7" "phone" whenever connected to wifi (Hangouts will make voice calls and send SMS/MMS through GV using just data). A VZW LTE N7 would offer the same thing, but including being able to make voice calls as well as send SMS/MMS all over the LTE data connection so you're not relegated to wifi only. All for $10/month access fee + a pool of shared data.

To be clear - I'm not talking about using the standard "Phone" app or sending SMS/MMS through the Verizon number.

...and it still sounds like you want a 5" (5.2") iPod touch-like device running Android with built-in LTE.

Posted via Android Central App (Moto X)

 

[Jaycemiskel]

I think that it has a lot to do with who manufactures it, especially since the Moto X and Droid lines have gravitated towards a stock android experience. Although Vzw doesn't like unlocked bootloaders, there still is hope with this one.

I agree with the Turbo having slightly better specs in some areas which would make it the phone of choice. However, having a phone that comes with Android L out of the box is a huge advantage in itself. Don't have to deal with being updated to it, and the phone is meant to run on that system. A lot of things get screwed up with updates, esp major os changes. I would feel more comfortable on a device that starts with the next Android OS rather than being updated to it. This will be a tough decision.

Just because Motos software is almost stock doesn't mean that Verizon doesn't care about bootloaders being locked. Motorola Droid phones have been some of the hardest phones to crack in the past. That happens regardless of how stock the firmware is. I guess it's good to have hope but I highly doubt that it happens.

 

[Masheen]

Just because Motos software is almost stock doesn't mean that Verizon doesn't care about bootloaders being locked. Motorola Droid phones have been some of the hardest phones to crack in the past. That happens regardless of how stock the firmware is. I guess it's good to have hope but I highly doubt that it happens.

The hope I was referring to was the Nexus 6 coming to Verizon, not that the recent stock-like Droid series will make it more likely for the bootloader to be unlocked. I guess the Nexus wouldn't be a Nexus unless the bootloader is easily unlockable, so they go hand in hand. Therefore, I don't know if Verizon will be seeing it. But, I would like to see them make an exception because when VoLTE takes over, there will be many devices with unlocked bootloaders floating around, so why not start now.

 

[Ry]

The hope I was referring to was the Nexus 6 coming to Verizon, not that the recent stock-like Droid series will make it more likely for the bootloader to be unlocked. I guess the Nexus wouldn't be a Nexus unless the bootloader is easily unlockable, so they go hand in hand. Therefore, I don't know if Verizon will be seeing it. But, I would like to see them make an exception because when VoLTE takes over, there will be many devices with unlocked bootloaders floating around, so why not start now.

A Nexus is whatever Google calls a Nexus.

Posted via Android Central App (Moto X)

 

[exactnexus]

I for one am very interested in both the Nexus 6 and the Turbo. If both devices make their way to Verizon it will be a tough decision. I don't have an upgrade any time soon so I would have to pay full price for either, even though I am on the Verizon Edge program. Normally I wouldn't even be considering a new phone right now, but the two that we're talking about here are VERY tempting! A recent report suggested that the Nexus 6 will look like a blown up Moto X 2014...

Nexus 6 will reportedly look like oversized Moto X | Android Central

which is OK by me. The specs in that article look good too. Plus it's bigger than the rumored size of the Turbo by quite a lot and coming from a Note 3 that is a plus for me. On the other hand, the rumored Turbo specs look just as good and I really like the whole Droid theme and everything. I may go with the Droid Turbo, I may go with the Nexus 6 or I may just stick it out with the Note 3 for a while... Only time will tell. But I am looking forward to seeing what Moto brings to the table this fall and doing some extensive research before making that decision.

 

[Highland Droid]

...and it still sounds like you want a 5" (5.2") iPod touch-like device running Android with built-in LTE.

Posted via Android Central App (Moto X)

Close, but it's more accurate to say I'd like a 5" (phone size) Nexus Tablet that supports VZW LTE. The perfect device.

 

[Jaycemiskel]

The hope I was referring to was the Nexus 6 coming to Verizon, not that the recent stock-like Droid series will make it more likely for the bootloader to be unlocked. I guess the Nexus wouldn't be a Nexus unless the bootloader is easily unlockable, so they go hand in hand. Therefore, I don't know if Verizon will be seeing it. But, I would like to see them make an exception because when VoLTE takes over, there will be many devices with unlocked bootloaders floating around, so why not start now.

I don't think it will. They'll keep it off of their network for as long as possible due to that unlockable bootloader. It'll be at least a year before voLTE takes over would be my guess. Maybe next year we'll see one. I mean it would be awesome if we got one this year, I just can't see Verizon letting it happen.

 

[Masheen]

I don't think it will. They'll keep it off of their network for as long as possible due to that unlockable bootloader. It'll be at least a year before voLTE takes over would be my guess. Maybe next year we'll see one. I mean it would be awesome if we got one this year, I just can't see Verizon letting it happen.

Aye, knowing Verizon, I was leaning toward that conclusion as well. I don't entirely forgive them, but they are giving us the Moto X, and more importantly, this Droid Turbo. Turbo it is!

 

[Casey DC]

Masheen, don't forget that the Moto S originally showed up testing on Verizon's network before anything else.

 

[Masheen]

Masheen, don't forget that the Moto S originally showed up testing on Verizon's network before anything else.

That's true. Now I am thoroughly confused. We're victims of yet another waiting game. Anything that we say is just speculation until the release, but the wait kills us, thats why we talk.

 

[1dtbrown]

While we are waiting, I have a upgrade coming in November how convenient !! My HTC DNA is purring right along but I think 4G LTE may have me ready to make the move to a new Droid. I love them and I think BIG RED is going to give us some sort of streaming TV mid 2015 so I am thinking Shamu or the Turbo will give me the screen I want, or should I go with the 6+ and curve that screen for the home theater experience!

Does anyone have a LG3 or S5 who can attest to the increased speed of 4G LTE. I can't imagine anything much faster than we currently have.

 

[Ry]

Masheen, don't forget that the Moto S originally showed up testing on Verizon's network before anything else.

Was the Moto S listed as Quark?