Honest opinion of the MAXX after thorough use

[guyinlaca]

I've always been a huge fan of Motorola and have had every flagship they've offered. After over a month of use, I'd like to give some impressions of the MAXX.

Call Quality / Reception
Simply awesome call quality, natural voice sound. Reception is a bit better than the Galaxy S4. It holds 4G where no other phones can. That said, my first MAXX had a defective earpiece and was not loud enough. The speakerphone is probably the loudest and clearest I've ever used. Overall, Motorola has stayed true in this area.

User Interface
Stock Android really is smoother than the overlays out there. When compared to the Galaxy S4 and LG G2 running custom overlays, it's equally speedy for most functions. It's fast and rarely hiccups. Certain apps do hang at times, but I think that has to do with 4.2 instead of the hardware. Active notifications are awesome once you get used to them. I don't miss the notification light as much as I thought I would.

Battery
The best battery life I've ever seen on a phone. The S4 would last me 10-12 hours with moderate usage. This can easily run from one morning to the next and still go.

Build Quality/Quality Control
Disappointed in quality control. 3 out of 4 MAXX's I've used from various sources had large gaps on the side between the screen bezel and Kevlar, and gave off loud pops when pressed. The RAZR MAXX HD feels more solid side by side. The MAXX is still certainly more solid than the Galaxy S4 and LG G2 plastics. The MAXX I'm using now is the only one I've seen that the kevlar fits properly and feels solid all around. I'm guessing the reason you don't see more complaints is that so many stick a case on the phone before even inspecting that. Seeing as phones are becoming so "replaceable", I'd imagine Google and Motorola joined the crowd in cutting costs.

Screen
Perhaps I'm biased as I used a Galaxy S4, but the screen on the MAXX is clearly inferior. I've tested the screens on 4 MAXX's plus ones at the store. All of them had visible digitizer lines going horizontally. Majority also had banding artifacts on the screen (fuzzy vertical lines similar to what was seen on the Galaxy Nexus). Several display models also had severe image burn in. I know Samsung tosses the Super AMOLED displays to Motorola, but it's clear they get the second rate ones. Once again, the average consumer isn't that picky and would likely not notice these things. The phone I'm using now does not have the banding issue, but the digitizer lines are quite noticeable in many lights.

Camera
Again, I'm biased because I've used the Galaxy S4 but the camera on the MAXX is really bad. Rumor is a software update is coming to correct the issue but in it's current state, it's not up to par with any other high end phone. Motorola phones have always had inferior cameras, and sadly I can't say much has improved here.

All in all, I think I'm keeping the MAXX despite it's drawbacks. Having amazing battery life, great call quality, and the ability to carry it around without a case win over the great screen and camera on the S4. If you are one who is particular about screen quality or camera quality, I'd recommend you consider another device. I should also add that if you're coming from the RAZR MAXX HD, the Droid MAXX is probably not worth paying full retail for. Feel free to comment.

 

[doogald]

That's a fair review. My display is fine, with the exception of bright sunlight, but I can still see it. It's definitely better than the LCD display on the Droid 3, except for bright sunlight.

 

[Outatime]

im gonna disagree on screen and camera...

As do I. I have gotten some VERY good photos on the Maxx. My screen is crystal clear and sharp, and I am very fussy when it comes to brightness and clarity.

 

[redddog]

Plus, the drawbacks to the camera exist in the software. This will be fixed shortly with OTAs (on the identical Moto X) going out now. We're next. Camera is dramatically improved from what I can see.

The one thing I think you may be wrong on is that this thing doesn't need a case. There are plenty of reports out there that have this phone shattering relatively easily. You may want to rethink that one.

 

[vzwuser76]

Plus, the drawbacks to the camera exist in the software. This will be fixed shortly with OTAs (on the identical Moto X) going out now. We're next. Camera is dramatically improved from what I can see.

The one thing I think you may be wrong on is that this thing doesn't need a case. There are plenty of reports out there that have this phone shattering relatively easily. You may want to rethink that one.

Before I ordered my Maxx, I asked if there was a camera update on the horizon like those at the other big carriers. The rep checked and said we should see one in 2-3 weeks. I ordered mine last Monday (one week ago) so we should see it in the next couple weeks.

 

[redddog]

There ya go.

I do have to say though, I'm amazed given the reputation with Moto cameras that they didn't make damn sure they had their best foot forward on the camera AT LAUNCH.

For such an amazing phone, to give the reviewers out there something this big to key on is just stupid. The camera is something that has been universally panned and had to have cost them untold sales. Either wait a couple of weeks or don't sleep until this is fixed. But the plan to launch a crappy camera and fix it down the road was an incredibly ill-conceived business plan.

I think this is the best phone on the market right now and only after this camera upgrade will the Maxx get the reception it should have from the beginning.

 

[Kevin-B]

I love this phone. My main drivers for owning a phone are:

• Signal strength and reception
• Voice volume and quality
• Battery life

The Maxx rocks all of these. I was so unhappy with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on all those points. Often couldn't hear my callers at all. And the battery problems with that unit are legendary. The Maxx just works great as a phone.

On the secondary, but still important, aspects:
Build quality: no complaints. Seems very solid, well made.
User Interface: It's fine. It's Android, which is good. The new doodads are good but not great:The lack of an LED to instantly and touchlessly assess message status is a slight negative, but the ability to press the "Active Notification" to get a bit more info without unlocking the phone is great. "Assist" feature is only partially helpful, but easy to turn off. "Touchless control" is a silly parlor trick, but amuses me sometimes.
Screen: No problem. I never noticed anything to make me unhappy with this screen. If I want great art, I'm not using my phone for it.
Camera: Call me a snob, but I'm not using this tiny camera to document anything I actually care about or will put in a photo album. I have a nice camera for that. This camera takes pictures of stuff in the store aisles for future reference, documents the badly installed water heater vent, etc.
Internet browsing: when I'm killing time in the doctor's office or on a train platform, this device performs fine.

But first and foremost: it's a good phone. If it didn't do that, the rest would be pointless.

 

[scupking]

I have had this phone since day one and it is the best phone on the market right now. Only thing that could I would wish for is an improved camera and the option for 64GB.

 

[guyinlaca]

Kinda disappointing that the phone has already dropped to $199. Really makes those of us who got it earlier feel a bit cheated. Previous Droids have maintained their premium pricing for quite a few months after release and gradually got cheaper. I will reiterate that the most premium things about the MAXX are it's battery, kevlar backing and speakerphone. The Droid Ultra is a creaky flimsy mess just like the Galaxy S4. I'm probably as picky as you can get with build quality and creaks drive me nuts. Phones have become built to be replaceable and have a case is becoming more and more of a necessity.

 

[redddog]

They're sticking to their 14 day period as well. I just talked to customer service - and 3 levels up - and they all told me to beat it. "Nothing we can do outside of the 14 day window, Mr 20 year customer. Even if it is 5 days. Now beat it."

A little disappointed, I must say.

 

[redddog]

Understood. I know I said I never get lucky with this stuff but I WAS one of the ones that lucked out with the unlimited glitch. That's a pretty big one I guess.

What blows is when I keep hearing others in my position getting a credit back without any trouble. I mean, it's great for them but...

 

[SNeitzel]

Understood. I know I said I never get lucky with this stuff but I WAS one of the ones that lucked out with the unlimited glitch. That's a pretty big one I guess.

What blows is when I keep hearing others in my position getting a credit back without any trouble. I mean, it's great for them but...

I guess I was triple lucky...
I was within the 14 days so I got a credit on my account.
I had moved from unlimited to a 2GB plan and Hotspot was not working on my MAXX so I asked about that too. The rep said it probably just needs to be enabled, let me check... ok done. By the way, I can get you back your unlimited data if you want.
Me ... Why yes, yes I would like my unlimited data back.

$100 credit + hotspot + unlimited data =

 

[redddog]

that's just showing off.

 

[doublestack1]

Kinda disappointing that the phone has already dropped to $199. Really makes those of us who got it earlier feel a bit cheated. Previous Droids have maintained their premium pricing for quite a few months after release and gradually got cheaper. I will reiterate that the most premium things about the MAXX are it's battery, kevlar backing and speakerphone. The Droid Ultra is a creaky flimsy mess just like the Galaxy S4. I'm probably as picky as you can get with build quality and creaks drive me nuts. Phones have become built to be replaceable and have a case is becoming more and more of a necessity.

Not happy about the price decrease but it was expected. I guess it is a price we pay to be early adopters.

I have a love-hate relationship with my Maxx. While on bluetooth I have constant disconnects and poor sound quality. Off bluetooth, the sound quality is fine (voice). The handset volume does appear to be slightly low but tolerable.

Other than the copy / paste issues that continue, I am pleased with the battery life, speakerphone and active notifications.

 

[Outatime]

Really makes those of us who got it earlier feel a bit cheated.

Not in the least. Save $100 by waiting for two months? No way. I've enjoyed the heck out of this phone since I got it.

 

[hub1]

The Droid Ultra is a creaky flimsy mess just like the Galaxy S4. I'm probably as picky as you can get with build quality and creaks drive me nuts. Phones have become built to be replaceable and have a case is becoming more and more of a necessity.[/QUOTE]

I have the ultra and mine is not creaky at all. It is Kevlar just like the maxx except it has a smooth resin coating. Mine is solid with no flexing at all, so I have to disagree with the above statement. I have the Verizon silicone case on it. I was standing on my concrete driveway a couple of weeks ago and pulled it out of my pocket, it slipped out of my hand and hit the ground on the corner and bounced landing face up. When I picked it up there was no damage to the phone or the case. Guess I was lucky.... Lol

 

[jfriend33]

Screen
Perhaps I'm biased as I used a Galaxy S4, but the screen on the MAXX is clearly inferior. I've tested the screens on 4 MAXX's plus ones at the store. All of them had visible digitizer lines going horizontally. Majority also had banding artifacts on the screen (fuzzy vertical lines similar to what was seen on the Galaxy Nexus). Several display models also had severe image burn in. I know Samsung tosses the Super AMOLED displays to Motorola, but it's clear they get the second rate ones. Once again, the average consumer isn't that picky and would likely not notice these things. The phone I'm using now does not have the banding issue, but the digitizer lines are quite noticeable in many lights.

Camera
Again, I'm biased because I've used the Galaxy S4 but the camera on the MAXX is really bad. Rumor is a software update is coming to correct the issue but in it's current state, it's not up to par with any other high end phone. Motorola phones have always had inferior cameras, and sadly I can't say much has improved here.

That's interesting. All of the Samsung phones I've tested at two best buys and three verizon stores had severe burn in. None of the droid maxx or ultra models did. Now this could be attributed to newness of the droids. Either way a s4 shouldn't have burn in this soon. Never noticed banding on any phone since my galaxy nexus.

The camera is not the best but I'm satisfied. I find that focal does a decent job of rendering more difficult shots. Here's a few photos from my maxx.

 

[Jersey Tom]

Honestly... no complaints. Quite happy with it. I've had several long travel days without Wifi, or long days in general (wedding last week, up from 730am to 3am), and the battery always holds up superbly well.

Build quality has been good for me, screen quite good (though sure a little hard to see in bright glaring light), and I think the camera is fine. I'm not expecting to take a Pulitzer prize photo with my cell phone.

Phone has remained super snappy with performance, and I think over the months may have had ONE random reboot and that's it.

So yeah, no complaints. Happiest I've been with a phone in as long as I can remember.

 

[ArmchairBear]

I just got the MAXX, and I love it. It is an awesome phone!

The AMOLED screen looks great! I've always liked the colors on AMOLED screens. They may not be accurate, but it looks better than real life they way the colors just pop. Who cares about accuracy when it just looks good.

720p is a perfectly good resolution for a phone. At 294ppi, it looks very good, and you'd have to be really picky to complain that it's not dense enough.

I like the extra conveniences that Google and Motorola put into the DROID series and Moto X phones. Active notifications are great and seem like a no-brainer for modern phones with AMOLED screens. Touchless controls and voice commands seem like a natural fit for a smartphone, and I appreciate it being there, although I'm not sure how much I'll make use of it.

And boy is this thing fast. Coming from a RAZR M, the MAXX feels at least twice as fast. I've played with the HTC ONE and S4, and the MAXX feels just as fast. The Snapdragon 600 cpu's are just overkill for now.

Contrary to many opinions, I like the camera. It's huge leap over the RAZR M's camera. I'm really liking the twist to open gesture. I must not be very discerning or picky about camera quality, because I like the quality of the pictures taken indoors and outdoors so far. Yes, I know I've seen better, but the MAXX's camera is still very solid to me.

The biggest reason for getting this phone of course was battery life. The MAXX does not disappoint. I was very close to getting the Moto X instead, but I'm glad I didn't. I am a pretty heavy user, and it's nice to know that my phone will be there for me when I need it.

I was initially wary of getting the MAXX because of how big it is. I have small hands and would like to be able use a phone one-handed. However, the enjoyment of having all that screen real estate for web browsing, watching videos, reading ebooks, and playing games overshadows my want of easy one-handed operation.