Nexus vs Droid Razr (Unbiased)

[skw4712]

I know this is Galaxy Nexus section, and understandably biased opinions will be here (which is why I'm also posting this on RAZR forum)

But I want to know:
-the battery life (If I buy a Nexus, I will get a extended battery) (RAZR I'm thinking of buying is NOT MAXX)
-Camera/Camcorder differences
-Audio quality (I know when it comes to picture quality, 720p Nexus > qHD Razr)
-From what I read, Nexus gets updates frequently, and am wondering if the signal issue was fixed.

Also, without looking at the software (now jellybean vs. ICS), what can you tell me what the better phone is?

 

[dmmarck]

I know this is Galaxy Nexus section, and understandably biased opinions will be here (which is why I'm also posting this on RAZR forum)

But I want to know:
-the battery life (If I buy a Nexus, I will get a extended battery) (RAZR I'm thinking of buying is NOT MAXX)
-Camera/Camcorder differences
-Audio quality (I know when it comes to picture quality, 720p Nexus > qHD Razr)
-From what I read, Nexus gets updates frequently, and am wondering if the signal issue was fixed.

Also, without looking at the software (now jellybean vs. ICS), what can you tell me what the better phone is?

Software's a big part of the decision IMHO. Past that, it's up to personal preference.

 

[zedorda]

Just looking at the CPU of the two: The Razr has a CPU that matches the previous model but is overclocked from 1ghz to 1.2ghz. The Nexus CPU is a completely redesigned chip with a 1.6 ghz baseline that is under-clocked to save battery life down to 1.2ghz.

All the rest of the Razr hardware is parts that were out for over 6 months before finding their way to the Razr.

 

[NickA]

The best thing you can do is go to a store and play with both phones. Take advantage of your 14 day return policy. If you purchase from Best Buy (or similar) you'll get a 30 day return policy (on the phone, 14 on the contract).

Read the forums as well; this question has been asked a lot. You'll find a lot of ex-GN users on the Razr forum. And you'll find ex-GN users wishing they still had their Nexus.

The Razr has ICS now however, and Moto did a great job with it.

 

[dj hidroid]

After 4 Gnex replacements I had to fight with Verizon to get the razr maxx. I'm really upset that I have to say goodbye to my Nexus but after the 4.04 update my screen responsiveness is horrible. I'm looking forward to a phone that i can use all day and night without having to leave the brightness low and use it only when I need to. When I get some more cash I'm either going to grab a used Verizon Gnex as a spare from C.L. or pick a hspa variant from the play store.

 

[ultravisitor]

I owned a RAZR before the Galaxy Nexus was released.

No contest that the Galaxy Nexus is the better experience. Remember that the Galaxy Nexus has a removeable battery, whereas the RAZR does not. I felt the RAZR was very awkward to hold -- very thin and wide -- which resulted in me dropping it a lot. Also, the RAZR screen is ugly.

I also feel that the Nexus is better future proofed with the inclusion of NFC.

 

[JHBThree]

Just looking at the CPU of the two: The Razr has a CPU that matches the previous model but is overclocked from 1ghz to 1.2ghz. The Nexus CPU is a completely redesigned chip with a 1.6 ghz baseline that is under-clocked to save battery life down to 1.2ghz.

All the rest of the Razr hardware is parts that were out for over 6 months before finding their way to the Razr.

Uhh no. The nexus and RAZR have the same CPU, one is just binned and underclocked. The two phones are variants of the same chipset/hardware.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[Ry]

SoC/CPU

DROID RAZR/RAZR MAXX: TI OMAP4430, 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9
Galaxy Nexus: TI OMAP 4460, 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9


GPU

DROID RAZR/RAZR MAXX: PowerVR SGX 540 @ 300 MHz
Galaxy Nexus: PowerVR SGX540 @ 307 MHz



Display

DROID RAZR/RAZR MAXX: Super AMOLED Advanced PenTile 4.3 inch 540?960 px qHD at 256 ppi
Galaxy Nexus: Super AMOLED with RGBG-Matrix (PenTile) 4.65 inch 1280?720 px HD (316 ppi)

 

[carracerz14]

Just looking at the CPU of the two: The Razr has a CPU that matches the previous model but is overclocked from 1ghz to 1.2ghz. The Nexus CPU is a completely redesigned chip with a 1.6 ghz baseline that is under-clocked to save battery life down to 1.2ghz.

All the rest of the Razr hardware is parts that were out for over 6 months before finding their way to the Razr.

And my RAZR still performs just as good as your nexus.

Sent from my RAZR MAXXIMUS

 

[dmmarck]

And my RAZR still performs just as good as your nexus.

Sent from my RAZR MAXXIMUS

Yes, because there's no 720p HD screen to power. That's why it should perform just as adequately as the Nexus does--less to power.

...Although, an overclocked Nexus (which is past the point of this discussion, really) should smoke it handily.

 

[carracerz14]

I owned a RAZR before the Galaxy Nexus was released.

No contest that the Galaxy Nexus is the better experience. Remember that the Galaxy Nexus has a removeable battery, whereas the RAZR does not. I felt the RAZR was very awkward to hold -- very thin and wide -- which resulted in me dropping it a lot. Also, the RAZR screen is ugly.

I also feel that the Nexus is better future proofed with the inclusion of NFC.

The RAZR screen definitely isn't ugly. It may not be HD like the nexus but it definitely isn't horrible. If you drop your phone a lot then that's your problem. I felt that the nexus was harder to hold that my maxx. Way to slippery.

Sent from my RAZR MAXXIMUS

 

[dmmarck]

The RAZR screen definitely isn't ugly. It may not be HD like the nexus but it definitely isn't horrible. If you drop your phone a lot then that's your problem. I felt that the nexus was harder to hold that my maxx. Way to slippery.

Sent from my RAZR MAXXIMUS

Screen specs are undoubtedly in the Nexus' favor. That being said, while the RAZR's screen is not "horrible" and how you view it is entirely personal and subjective, those specs are not very good, either.

For me, I could never switch (and I've had the opportunity to do so) because I dislike the screen intensely. Past that and its exterior aesthetic, it's a brilliant device (well, the MAXX is).

 

[JHBThree]

Screen specs are undoubtedly in the Nexus' favor. That being said, while the RAZR's screen is not "horrible" and how you view it is entirely personal and subjective, those specs are not very good, either.

For me, I could never switch (and I've had the opportunity to do so) because I dislike the screen intensely. Past that and its exterior aesthetic, it's a brilliant device (well, the MAXX is).

I was the same way. I got used to it. The ICS update helped tremendously with some of the screen issues.

 

[dmmarck]

I was the same way. I got used to it. The ICS update helped tremendously with some of the screen issues.

No doubt, I'm sure I could have as well. It's just other things keep me on the Nexus "platform," sotospeak.

But like I said, the MAXX is a brilliant device. I wish more manufacturers would take that approach, particularly mirroring the RAZR/MAXX build quality.

 

[ultravisitor]

No doubt, I'm sure I could have as well. It's just other things keep me on the Nexus "platform," sotospeak.

But like I said, the MAXX is a brilliant device. I wish more manufacturers would take that approach, particularly mirroring the RAZR/MAXX build quality.

Motorola devices always have great build quality. I'm not unhappy with the build quality of the Nexus (other than the easily breakable glass used for the screen), but I will admit that the RAZR is superior in how well it is built. The RAZRs are tanks, which is why I recommended that my sister get one when upgrading from her Fascinate that her 2 year old son broke.

 

[dmmarck]

Motorola devices always have great build quality. I'm not unhappy with the build quality of the Nexus (other than the easily breakable glass used for the screen), but I will admit that the RAZR is superior in how well it is built. The RAZRs are tanks, which is why I recommended that my sister get one when upgrading from her Fascinate that her 2 year old son broke.

Absolutely; if my mom wanted an Android I'd recommend the RAZR in a heartbeat.

 

[iastonish]

You might be interested in reading about the potential screen defect in the Razr/Razr Maxx. It's said to be caused by the slim profile of the phone and the battery pushing expanding when heated and causing lcd cracks. It happened to my Razr Maxx.

I have had both phones and am now back to using the Galaxy Nexus. Let me be honest about both phones.

The Razr Maxx battery was all it was talked up to be. It lasted all day easily, even with moderately heavy uses. The screen wasn't the bad either to be honest, not as good as the Gnex, but definitely not bad. All in all though, I didn't want to deal with the possibility of having to file another insurance claim due to a defect was not caused by me.

The Gnex is a great device if you're techy. I loaded up jelly bean and let me tell you it's awesome. Google now is cool and makes searching things easier. Project butter is very real, noticed smoother transitions since loading it up. I also like the aesthetics of the Gnex better. The main downfall is battery, but if you tweak it and carry an extra you should be good.

 

[JHBThree]

You might be interested in reading about the potential screen defect in the Razr/Razr Maxx. It's said to be caused by the slim profile of the phone and the battery pushing expanding when heated and causing lcd cracks. It happened to my Razr Maxx.

I have had both phones and am now back to using the Galaxy Nexus. Let me be honest about both phones.

The Razr Maxx battery was all it was talked up to be. It lasted all day easily, even with moderately heavy uses. The screen wasn't the bad either to be honest, not as good as the Gnex, but definitely not bad. All in all though, I didn't want to deal with the possibility of having to file another insurance claim due to a defect was not caused by me.

The Gnex is a great device if you're techy. I loaded up jelly bean and let me tell you it's awesome. Google now is cool and makes searching things easier. Project butter is very real, noticed smoother transitions since loading it up. I also like the aesthetics of the Gnex better. The main downfall is battery, but if you tweak it and carry an extra you should be good.

Li-Ion batteries don't expand when they get hot.

 

[SteelGator]

There is a lot of discussion about the MAXX here but the OP explicitly states he is not looking at the MAXX. I have a GN and always thought the MAXX was tempting because of battery life, but the Razr was never really that tempting to me. At that battery size, I like being able to change batteries on the fly, particularly on my longer days. The phone is supposed to be wireless, so always topping it off having it connected to a wall drives me crazy.

Now that Jelly Bean is coming to the GN, I would certainly lean towards GN over the Razr. Like most of the people here, I have been running it since last week, and it is a significant improvement over ICS.

If you are decide on a Razr, you should really be thinking about a MAXX.

 

[dmmarck]

There is a lot of discussion about the MAXX here but the OP explicitly states he is not looking at the MAXX. I have a GN and always thought the MAXX was tempting because of battery life, but the Razr was never really that tempting to me. At that battery size, I like being able to change batteries on the fly, particularly on my longer days. The phone is supposed to be wireless, so always topping it off having it connected to a wall drives me crazy.

Now that Jelly Bean is coming to the GN, I would certainly lean towards GN over the Razr. Like most of the people here, I have been running it since last week, and it is a significant improvement over ICS.

If you are decide on a Razr, you should really be thinking about a MAXX.

100% agree with the bolded one. The MAXX presents clear advantages over the Nexus--battery, notably--while the RAZR simply does not IMO.