Do you think there will be after-market (or OEM) extended batteries made available for the Droid 4? I'm new to Android, so I don't know the history of third-party support, especially with respect to something like the Droid 4 (which doesn't seem to have an easily replaceable battery because of the whole "special tool" thing).
I think I'd really like a physical keyboard for longer emails I might need to type, so I'm willing to live with some trade-offs to get it. But, I'd like to also be able to add a more substantial battery in case there are days when I plan to be away from a charger for extended times....
Given the buzz around the Maxx, I imagine there will be third parties offering the opportunity to crack open an original Razr and add a new battery plus new back to make it effectively a Maxx. Do you think the same type of thing might happen with the Droid 4?
Per the manual, the battery is non removable and requires an official service center to replace if faulty (like the Razr).
Thanks for the response, but I was hoping something more creative. I wan't asking about the specs of the phone -- that's obviously easy to find and I understand that Motorola doesn't intend for Droid 4 owners to replace the battery.
But, that's even more true with the Razr, with a completely "sealed" back panel. But, within a week or so of the Maxx being introduced, someone had already posted a video on Youtube showing how he removed the back and battery of a standard Razr, inserted a Maxx battery, and snapped on the Maxx's back panel. He showed how it was not a perfect fit (with some gaps between the Max back and the volume rocker, but the modified unit otherwise worked just fine.
I imagine given the hoopla about the great battery life of the Maxx, there will definitely be third-party providers of extended batteries and backs for regular Razr owners that will become available over time.
So, I was wondering if it's likely that the same type of thing might happen with the Droid 4. It's a different proposition, perhaps, because the unit is already so much fatter than the Razr, so adding a bigger battery might make it too portly. Which means those third-party manufacturers may not think there's enough of a market for it.
Anyway, that's what I was getting at with my original post. Has this line of phones experienced support of this kind from other suppliers? Do you think it's likely that people would buy a bigger battery even it is make the battery thicker?
I'm new to Android, so I'm just trying to get a better sense of this kind of third party support. I noticed that there are definitely non-OEM extended batteries on the market (with appropriate new back panels to match), so is it likely that these vendors would do something similar for a phone that technically does not have a removable battery?
Sorry for the long-winded explanation/elaboration of my query.
Thanks,
Will
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I ALWAYS buy the extended battery. I kill phone batteries.... BUT keyboard is a must. I have the Droid3 and bought my Motorola ext battery from Verizon they day I purchased the phone. That I can't with this one is a little disappointing. Wondering how much differance I will see? my 3's ext battery is and 1880 mAh and the one coming with the D4 is 1785 mAh.
Not having a replaceable battery is the main downside to me about this phone. I have always been able to carry a spare battery for my phone with me and it has saved me countless times.
Aside from a warranty-voiding hack to get a replacement battery in, does anyone have any experience with emergency phone chargers, like this energizer micro usb one? Any other suggestions for a portable way to save a phone battery? iPhone cases have gotten pretty creative with building extra battery into the back of the case, but I'd rather not have to use something permanent.
anyone know of a reason why it is in Motorola's interest to make the battery fixed when they're already allowing access to the the battery? It seems like they're missing out on potential $ from battery sales.
I also think the phone is a bit big, even though 4" is smaller than a lot of smartphones coming out. I am glad they did not go any bigger. I think the OG droid, which I currently have, and (hate to say it) the iPhone 4 are perfectly sized.
They sell extended batteries for the ipod color. Those bats were not intended to be removed but as long as you can get to the bat there is a way to remove it. How do you think the service center removed it...
So hopefully we can somehow convince someone to sell us extended bats.. the how is the question.
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I imagine those iPhone juice pack cases that plug into the USB and add more batt power will be marketable for these new Moto phones with no removable batteries. Hopefully someone makes some that don't make them massive bricks.
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Hi there! I'm pretty sure there will be. Considering how many features a modern smartphone can support, the battery drain is just something that we should take for granted until someone invents a completely different type of battery.
I personally am quite sure that Mugen Power will be offering something some time after the official release. They all ready offer a 3,600mAh extended battery for Droid 3, just Google HLI-XT862XL and have a look for yourself!
Spelling errores aside, it's one heck of a battery.
Last edited by PacifistShroom; February 13th, 2012 at 12:39 PM.
Alright alright... Does no one else see this possibility here?
There Droid 4 has contacts on the back for the wireless charging back cover. If someone could make a battery pack that has the same contacts and acts as a back cover... Tada.. I think we'd have something that could charge the main battery. Really an external battery pack that fits the Droid 4 like a glove.
-Droid 4 on Cricket Wireless (the first I'd imagine)
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I bought Universal Portable Charger from my local Verizon store since the sale person was asking me to buy all these other accessories for the phone for a good package price. I got the phone plus a bunch of accessories all for 250 dollars...
Now that iFixit has shown the battery isn't that hard to get to, is the move to wait until there are third party replacement batteries on ebay or something? Or still get a portable external charger.
Also, I did not realize that the Droid 4 would have wireless charging compatibility, that is pretty sweet.
I purchased an extended external battery unit that will charge pretty much anything that can plug into a USB port. New Trent is the manufacturer and was going to post a link to a new model of the one I got but the forum spam check won't let me. I have been very pleased with it. I just got a Droid 4 today and will use it with it as well. I would suggest going out to Amazon or Newegg and seeing what your options are. Read the reviews and figure out which one fits your needs and your budget.
We bought the Motorola P793 about a year ago and it works great for charging our phones. Not sure if Verizon still sells them but that's where we bought it. It has micro usb and standard usb ports for charging all sorts of electronic devices.
I am very disappointed that the battery is not removable. I was having trouble deciding between the Droid 4 and the Bionic. The swype feature on th Bionic is ok, which led me to the 4. Among the main features I want in a phone are: a removable battery, swype, and a built in FM radio. I was going download the Fm radio app to either,
At least removing the battery offers a reset of the phone and replacing when battery is low.
I'm curious to see if the new Samsung Galaxy 3 will be a Verizon phone and what it has to offer. But I must admit, I wish these Droids had it all.
Last edited by BrooklynGal; May 19th, 2012 at 03:40 PM.
Device(s): Bionic (98.72.22)
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Googling revealed that you can do a soft reset (A.K.A. battery pull) on the Droid 4 by simultaneously holding down the Up Arrow/Alt/Delete. Similar to doing CTRL/Alt/Del on Windows.
Next week, I'll go back to the Verizon store and see if I can download the FM radio app again. Yesterday, I did download it, but it would not launch. It could only be for the Bionic though. I'll try to install the FMRadio.apk app and see if that launches.
I'll also look for some type of backup battery as there have been times that I've needed to switch out the battery beacuse it was drained.
Device(s): Bionic (98.72.22)
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For the FM radio ... did you try ... Bionic FM Radio ... it worked on Bionic and Droid 3. I don't have a Droid 4 so I can not tell for sure that it will work for you.
... Thom
Last edited by Thom Little; May 19th, 2012 at 05:26 PM.
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Hi Thom:
I did not try that one. Sometime this week, I'll stop by the Verizon store and try to download it. I might wind up purchasing the Bionic. The swype feature on the bionic isn't as good as Samung's so, I may have to carry a stylus. I currently have a windows phone which has all the features I want, but I need more internal memory.
Device(s): Bionic (98.72.22)
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I wasn't suggesting a switch to Bionic. Bionic, Droid 3, and Droid 4 are missing the FM Radio App. The one in the message I provided defiantly works for Bionic and Droid 3. I don't know about Droid 4. I think it is likely. Worth a try?
The message has the link to the apk file. I just downloaded it to a PC, transferred it to the SD-Ext card with a USB connection, found it with the Files app, double-clicked on the file, and selected Install.
... Thom
(You will find that there is ONE person in the Verizon store that everyone goes to for their technical information. Find that person.)
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has anyone found a battery extending case for this phone? I found them for the iPhone and was curious? The 2nd battery is built into the case and you don't have to carry accessories
I realize you were not suggesting to buy the Bionic. I read that unless a chip was placed in the phone, that downloading the app will prove ineffective. I know that the Bionic has it, but not sure if the 4 does.
The tech people in NYC are not the most knowledgeable; in fact, I've taught them I thing or two. You should see the look they give me once they find out what I know about the phone. The phones are locked to the display so a sales person would have to get a tech person to look at it. If the techs are busy, then that will be a slim chance. But I will try my best to download it on my own and then approach the tech person myself. I'll keep up you posted.
Last edited by BrooklynGal; May 20th, 2012 at 03:27 PM.
The station(s) you are interested in might be on Tune-In Radio (streamed). The one local station that I am required to listen to on occasion is not streamed and I listen on the Bionic FM Radio.
... Thom
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If my present phone holds out long enough, I'm going to wait for the release of the Samsung Galaxy lll.
I have crossed the Bionic off my list. The swype feature is not as good the one on my present phone. Texting or entering a search into Google is frustrating.
The Verizon store that I went to today did not have a tech department, so I was unable to download the FMRadio.apk app. Once again the message stated the the bandwith had been exceeded. When I asked one of the reprentatives about it, she simply did not know. I like the slide out keyboard, but, without having an FM radio and the convenience of changing the battery, I'll have to wait.
BTW...I read that Verizon may be ending its unlimited data plan. That just may give me the incentive to switch to Sprint.
I download it to a PC, transfer it to the phone, and then try to open it under Files. I then selected install.
It works on the Bionic and Droid 3. I don;t know if it works on the Droid 4 (because I don;t have a Droid 4).
If you visit the Verizon forum you will see a massive thread on the grad fathered unlimited data issue and it contains the statement from Verizon that they will not be curtailing the grandfathered unlimited data (not this round at least).
... Thom
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I was so excited to have the Droid 4 come out. It has the slide out keyboard AND 4G... Yahoo!!! But unfortunately they ruined it with the non-changeable battery... So I will have to wait till the next model and hopefully they will NOT do that again or I will have to get a different phone. I always get an upgraded battery when I purchase a new phone. I got the Droid 2 as soon as it came out, so I guess I am just going to have to hold onto it for awhile.
Well I'm completely happy with my Droid4 (upgraded from a totally beatup original Droid that was good to me). The first thing I did notice was the poor battery life (I use my phone for business all day long). Although I have found to work around it. Like most technologies, I am not going to not dive in if there are work-arounds I can come up with. I bought an external battery backup that charges through USB then you switch tips and charge the phone through micro USB (has many tips for other devices). Great device and the size of a roll of nickles.
Another way to make it easier to charge is I ordered the Wireless inductive charging door (Still available from Verizon for $40 bucks). This thing I love! I have the charging pad next to me and constantly pickup the phone and set it back down to charge effortlessly. I have looked but cannot find one for the car...although I could just go out a buy a new Dodge Dart just for the $200 charging pad feature
Also, Push email really kills your battery that you can disable. 4G is even a worse killer but nothing that can be done there. I think I will just try an 18 volt laptop top cigarette lighter charging adapter and modify it to another charging pad for the work van. My Powermat uses an 18v power adapter and less then 1watt of power so any 18v adapter for the car should work (i.e. laptop car charger). Of course watching my phone slide off it as I pull Gs around every turn will not be fun (I'll have to put some Velcro down..or something).
I also have thought about sticking my thigh with rods and charging off my muscle like you do a potato but that might stain the carpet
See there is always a solution out there...there are no problems, only opportunities!
The Motorola Droid 4 will be the fourth entry into Verizon and Motorola's Droid lineup. Following in the footsteps of previous models, the phone will feature a slide-out five-row QWERTY keyboard (most resembling that of the Droid 3). Other spec... Read More
Extended battery for Droid 4??
I have been very pleased with it. I just got a Droid 4 today and will use it with it as well. I would suggest going out to Amazon or Newegg and seeing what your options are. Read the reviews and figure out which one fits your needs and your budget.
I have been waiting
battery... So I will have to wait till the next model and hopefully they will NOT do that again or I will have to get a different phone. I always get an upgraded battery when I purchase a new phone. I got the Droid 2 as soon as it came out, so I guess I am just going to have to hold onto it for awhile.
