Droid 3 Running Tab On Rumors

[RJT185]

I thought it'd be nice to keep a running tally or list of what the internet swirls regarding a possible upcoming Droid 3 phone. So stop on by and share with the rest of us keyboard loving Moto phone users what you find.

Phandroid Droid 3 Guide (Work In Progress)
Motorola DROID 3 | Android Phone Fans

Motorola Droid 3 Dedicated Blog
Dedicated Blog

Articles and Blog Posts
FEB2011 - Tweet From Alleged VZW Engineer
FEB2011 - Droid 3, Droid X2, Samsung Stealth Also Coming To Verizon Q2 [RUMOR] | Android Phone Fans
MAR2011 - Motorola Droid 3 Bares All to Reveal Its Keyboard, Now a 5-Row QWERTY | Android Phone Fans
MAR2011 - More Pictures Courtesy of Unwired Review
APR2011 - DROID 3 Receives Bluetooth Certification?
APR2011 - http://androidforums.com/motorola-droid/325706-exclusive-unveil-motorola-droid-3-real-photos.html
MAY2011 - http://www.fun47.com/benchmark-results-of-motorola-droid-3-leaked-1ghz-ti-cpu-4-inch-qhd/

SPECS AS RUMORED OR LEAKED:
Core Speed: 1.0+ GHz
Core Number: Dual
Core Family: OMAP 4

Screen Size: 4.0 Inches
Screen Res: qHD (960x540)

Keyboard Rows: 5
Keyboard Type: Slide-Out
Connections: micro-USB and HDMI

Global Radios: Rumored Yes and Rumored No
4G Radio: Rumored Yes and Rumored No
3G Radio: EVDO RevA
WiFi Radio: B,G,N

Android Version: Rumored To Be 2.3 (Benchmarks done while running GB)
Blur Included: Yes
Bootloader: Same as Droid2,X,X2.

Height: No Word Yet
Width: No Word Yet
Thickness: Rumored To Be Thinner

Images

 

[ChiefIlliniwek5]

If HTC is even starting to go to locked bootloaders, I think it's safe to assume we'll never see a top-of-the-line android phone that has an unlocked bootloader. Such a shame...that's what makes my Droid such an impressive phone and stand out over newer and faster phones.

I'm going to miss my root-based apps

 

[‎iSamurai]

With a new year comes the likelihood that the Motorola Droid 3 is just around the corner. One of the most dramatic changes from previous Droid models is the keyboard–numbers now get their own row, making up a keyboard with five rows total. Another change is the much thinner top piece covering the keyboard.

Other specs revealed about the Motorola Droid 3, codenamed Solana, in the forum include a repositioned microphone back to the front of the phone to improve call quality which suffered from its placement on the bottom of the phone with the Droid 2.

http://goo.gl/Kyzmd

 

[android123456]

I love the keyboard..frust to see all android trow away keyboard
i love to do text..frust to see text area when the softkeyboard appear..

 

[640k]

If HTC is even starting to go to locked bootloaders, I think it's safe to assume we'll never see a top-of-the-line android phone that has an unlocked bootloader. Such a shame...that's what makes my Droid such an impressive phone and stand out over newer and faster phones.

I'm going to miss my root-based apps

last i checked, you didn't need an unlocked bootloader to gain root access. also, progress has shown that you don't even NEED the bootloader to be unlocked, it's just going to take more time to do customizations.

at first, i wasn't even remotely interested in the D3, now it's starting to peak. with the dismissal of NE2 @ VZW; if this phone ends up being a true replacement for the D1 (the D2 was a minor refresh, at best), meaning everything will be the way it was (unlocked, no blur, etc.), i could see myself living with this phone for a decent amount of time.

i'm hoping, by the looks of the "chrome" ring around the glass, that moto finally decided to ditch the edged metal frame for something else, even if it's plastic. that will mean scratches will be less evident (provided the paint doesn't wear off) and the life of the phone will be prolonged.

i do worry about the lack of dual core enhanced applications and battery life. hopefully we see nothing but good from this new model.

 

[RJT185]

@Chief: Locked Bootloaders wont restrict your gaining root, look at the D2 and D2G! It does complicate things a little but, not all hope is lost I guess.

@640K: If the Chrome ring is painted on plastic then eventually you'll get chipping taking place. I remember by LG Voyager and my LG ENV Touch both had that issue once wear & tear took over.


My biggest hope is that if this were to be truly the Androind Ice Cream device launch then that could be enough to let it be free like the Original Droid was. I've had a fully-keyboarded phone since the day the LG Voyager came out...and I'm not about to give up my keyboard, haha.

 

[ChiefIlliniwek5]

Perfect case of someone behind the times (how quickly they change!)...I was not aware that phones could be rooted now without unlocking the bootloader. My bad. I had rooted and unlocked my Droid 1 so long ago I haven't paid any attention to any of the new phones and new procedures.

I'm still concerned at how easy it will be to root the phone. With the Droid 1 it was so simple and from the instructions I've read for some of the newer phones, it sounds like you need a bit of know-how to do it without a significant risk of bricking. I liked the fact that with the Droid 1 I could always use clockworkmod to save my phone if something went wrong.

Anyone have any guesses as to when this phone will be released? I hope it's before Verizon changes their data plan to tiered so I can renew under my unlimited plan and have that for another 2 years.

 

[RJT185]

Perfect case of someone behind the times (how quickly they change!)...I was not aware that phones could be rooted now without unlocking the bootloader. My bad. I had rooted and unlocked my Droid 1 so long ago I haven't paid any attention to any of the new phones and new procedures.

I'm still concerned at how easy it will be to root the phone. With the Droid 1 it was so simple and from the instructions I've read for some of the newer phones, it sounds like you need a bit of know-how to do it without a significant risk of bricking. I liked the fact that with the Droid 1 I could always use clockworkmod to save my phone if something went wrong.

Anyone have any guesses as to when this phone will be released? I hope it's before Verizon changes their data plan to tiered so I can renew under my unlimited plan and have that for another 2 years.

With the Droid2 we have one-click solutions such as Z4ROOT which are as simple as they get. I think the locked bootloader just slows DEVs down some since its less of an incentive to work on a phone that's locked down. But from I know withint a couple months both the D2 and the DX had one-click rooting solutions regardless of the locked bootloaders.

ROMs are available for both and some are pretty darn sweet. I know I've used Liberty and Fusion/Fission quite a bit in the past and consider them good quality ROM's.

As far as a timeline...seems like the Droid 3 will be a late Summer launch. Maybe even looking at the Third Quarter. The rumor mill keeps hyping this phone up quite a bit, so it's pretty intriguing to be following it from the rumor stages and hopefully through fruition come later months this year.

 

[DasMuse]

patiently waiting for this phone... i'm hoping this has a processor of equal or better performance than the d2g... i played with my friends for awhile... thing had no lag from what i seen and i was messing with it for quite awhile. then again, more ram can make all the difference.

 

[RJT185]

patiently waiting for this phone... i'm hoping this has a processor of equal or better performance than the d2g... i played with my friends for awhile... thing had no lag from what i seen and i was messing with it for quite awhile. then again, more ram can make all the difference.

The more rumors I hear the closer I think it'll be to "revolutionary" instead of "evolutionary" when it comes to the progression of the D1 to the D2/D2G.

 

[PC Jona]

if this phone comes out and sprint doesnt have anything to answer to this phone

i will probably cancel my contract and get this.

4inch screen dual core and 2.4 + motorola build quality? the phone i was waiting for.

i have the epic but the build quality isnt that great.

 

[ChiefIlliniwek5]

From droidforums.net....
No Droid 3 until Summer or later according to the leaked image that shows a moto roadmap...check it out on their site to see what I'm talking about

 

[Beeray]

From droidforums.net....
No Droid 3 until Summer or later according to the leaked image that shows a moto roadmap...check it out on their site to see what I'm talking about

I couldn't find it on their site. Can you either send a link or send the web address.


Beeray

 

[ChiefIlliniwek5]

I couldn't find it on their site. Can you either send a link or send the web address.


Beeray

[Rumor] Verizon Roadmap Leaked - Incredible2, Droid X2, Charge, Bionic & Others Soon! - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum

Quick edit....it's actually a Verizon roadmap...not Moto.

 

[Beeray]

[Rumor] Verizon Roadmap Leaked - Incredible2, Droid X2, Charge, Bionic & Others Soon! - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum

Quick edit....it's actually a Verizon roadmap...not Moto.

Thank you
Beeray

 

[RJT185]

Photo from: Motorola Droid 3


I don't know if I'm sold on the potential keyboard yet.

 

[runner2k]

If it comes to Canada, I will definitely buy this phone.

 

[Chevy_Lover]

I am excited for the possible release of the Droid 3, does anyone know what the cost may be?

 

[RJT185]

These are pretty encouraging news: TI OMAP 4 Benchmarked, Pulls Ahead of Exynos and Tegra 2 | Android Headlines.

 

[DoAndroidDream?]

If the Droid 3 is real that is what I will most likely upgrade to from my OG Droid. I play a lot of emulators on my phone and I require a hard keyboard for the game gripper. That is pretty much my main requirement.

 

[usawrestling]

Just checking in on the D3 forum. Been a D1 user since launch day and love my rooted phone (running Gingerbread!). I'm really hoping this phone has an LTE radio in it. I cannot invest in a phone without 4G but love having the slide-keyboard....I guess only time will tell!

 

[RJT185]

I waited for the Droid 2 instead of the Origional Droid to jump on the Android OS train, so as of right now I'd be upgrading a year early to jump on the Droid3. However, it feels like the D3 if spec'ed as rumored would bring it up to the top of the heap as opposed to the D2 which felt like a minor upgrade.


ps: Added the article on the potential D3 bluetooth certification.

 

[nerdydesi]

I am VERY anxiously holding out for this phone. After my 1st Android (and smartphone) being a Samsung Epic 4G, I've become spoiled by a physical keyboard. I have a Thunderbolt now because I'm currently a VZW employee and also hoping to get grandfathered into the unlimited 4G data plan when they eventually move to tiered pricing. I'm even willing to pay full retail for the Droid 3 to keep the unlimited data!

Now, I'm really hoping it will have LTE. Some rumors say yes, others say no. I'm foaming at the mouth of a slider having dual-core, HDMI out, qHD screen (960x540) which is what all the rumors have said and matched so far. But please let it have LTE!

 

[RJT185]

I am VERY anxiously holding out for this phone. After my 1st Android (and smartphone) being a Samsung Epic 4G, I've become spoiled by a physical keyboard. I have a Thunderbolt now because I'm currently a VZW employee and also hoping to get grandfathered into the unlimited 4G data plan when they eventually move to tiered pricing. I'm even willing to pay full retail for the Droid 3 to keep the unlimited data!

Now, I'm really hoping it will have LTE. Some rumors say yes, others say no. I'm foaming at the mouth of a slider having dual-core, HDMI out, qHD screen (960x540) which is what all the rumors have said and matched so far. But please let it have LTE!

How "real" do you feel the LTE to Battery Life trade-off is? I would love for the Droid 3 to have it, but at the same time, it would suck to have to keep a usb cable/charge on hand at work at all times.


ps: Totally unrelated. Rumors obviously keep floating around, by the time August rolls along and this phone is ready for launch the "next best thing" could be enough to keep people from pulling the trigger. For me its simple ... keyboard or BUST. hahaha

 

[nerdydesi]

How "real" do you feel the LTE to Battery Life trade-off is? I would love for the Droid 3 to have it, but at the same time, it would suck to have to keep a usb cable/charge on hand at work at all times.

I will say the poor battery life of my TB disappoints me. I am lucky to be mostly near a wall or car charger though and I would be willing to keep LTE to sacrifice battery life, but that is just my own opinion of course. Perhaps Motorola will release a 3G and 4G version of the Droid 3, like their Droid 2 and then the Global version refresh?

But I agree with you that I need a physical keyboard. I am sad to see so many of the same, cookie-cutter 4.3" slabs out there and coming up as well.