Brief Review (negative on hardware)

[novemberwhiskey]

I played with a DroidX in the store for about 30-40 min. today, and have some details that some might find helpful. I'm going to start with the negative, since people would probably find that the most helpful and since there are so many glowing reviews already (i.e. I'm going to skip all the good stuff we already know about, so don't take this as biased/trolling).

1. Hardware buttons:

The first big negative that jumped out at me was how cheap the hardware buttons felt. I've read reviews that acknowledged movement in the keys, but really downplayed how this contributed to a cheap feeling (at least in my opinion). Seeing as how the X will be going in/out of pockets, I can easily see how over time, a button might even get dislodged. There is both vertical and lateral movement to the keys, and while haptic feedback is EXCELLENT (very clean presses/clicks with no confusion as to whether or not a press was registered) the keys themselves just had too much play in them for an otherwise great product.

Another minor quip about the keys is that they seemed to be yellowing already on the demo model. You can't tell with the backlighting on (which is pleasing) but the white portion had a yellowish tinge to it. The camera flash also had an ugly yellow tinge to it (which I don't think can be attributed to wear/tear/dirt).

Now, this may have just been limited to the particular phone I had used (which was a demo) so check it out for yourselves.

2. Freezing on the lockscreen

When you swipe to unlock from the homescreen, it's normally very quick. However, if you lock the screen (using the lock button on the top middle of the phone) while you are in an application (e.g. the camera app): when you unlock it, it will freeze/hang for a good 5 seconds before unlocking (it hangs on the lock screen and the lock stays where your finger left it).

It's minor, but still an annoyance; I have not seen any reviews mention this yet.

otherwise, I had a lot of fun with the phone and am def. considering switching to it. Pinch-to-zoom was excellent, and I would say just as good as on the iphone. I was not expecting that.

 

[dylo22]

Thanks of the info. Not bad...only minor negatives.

 

[JA1234]

well that is why they have 30 days right,,and why I pay full retail so I can buy and return as many different phones as I want...LOL
but those are minor things and probably user opinions will very greatly on the buttons..I for one will like them I think..probably will be less likely to accidentally hit one. but I will know a couple things to check out when mine comes in...Thanks

 

[novemberwhiskey]

Also, I guess I should say that anyone hesitant about the size/hump: you will be shocked how slim this phone actually is. It looks so big in pictures/video, but in person it is very very minor.

Also, the phone has a haptic feedback system which makes the entire phone feel "springy." you will know when you play with it. I am guessing there is a toggle to turn it on/off, and whether or not you will like it just depends on your taste. But when it registers the vibration feedback, it feels like there is a spring inside the phone being twanged. Over time I got used to it, but it was a shock when i first handled the phone. Good for haptic feedback i guess.

 

[you2]

Yea; the shape of the X didn't brother met at all; while the hump at the end of the vibrant did (played with them both yesterday). I didn' find the buttons cheap per sey but I had some issues with them. Most of my issues with the X were 3g speeds and the stock layout (which can be customizable). Also compared to my non-data phone the sound was a bit muted/soft at max volume.

Also, I guess I should say that anyone hesitant about the size/hump: you will be shocked how slim this phone actually is. It looks so big in pictures/video, but in person it is very very minor.

Also, the phone has a haptic feedback system which makes the entire phone feel "springy." you will know when you play with it. I am guessing there is a toggle to turn it on/off, and whether or not you will like it just depends on your taste. But when it registers the vibration feedback, it feels like there is a spring inside the phone being twanged. Over time I got used to it, but it was a shock when i first handled the phone. Good for haptic feedback i guess.

 

[Bonez]

The camera flash also had an ugly yellow tinge to it (which I don't think can be attributed to wear/tear/dirt).

Not sure about the "yellowing" on the buttons, but that's probably normal.

However, the yellow in the LED flash is normal. There are no white LED's. An LED uses color to make white, so yes the white LED's will have some color to them.

 

[novemberwhiskey]

Not sure about the "yellowing" on the buttons, but that's probably normal.

However, the yellow in the LED flash is normal. There is no white LED's. An LED uses color to make white, so yes the white LED's will have some color to them.

I said the yellowing appeared "normal" in the sense that it wasn't caused by dirt/wear/tear.

However, there is no reason that the LED itself, or the plastic covering has to have a yellow tinge. The last time I recall flashes looking like this was in the 80s with Polaroid cameras.

And the yellowing of the buttons is just cheap, whichever way you cut it. They should have really put a little more thought into that. The best solution would have been to get rid of all the hard buttons altogether. Not really sure why they included them at all.

Anyways, my phone is set to arrive on Friday. Can't wait to start playing with it.

 

[Airmaxx23]

I've had mine since July 1 and the buttons are still white, with the back light off, and my lock screen does not freeze when I leave an app open, lock the screen, and then unlock it.

 

[Bonez]

The phone he played with could have had too many tasks running, causing the phone to slow down a bit.

 

[mhornfeck72205]

the reason why the flash is yellow is probably to better match the white balance range of the camera. Have you ever seen a picture where the flash went off and the picture was too blue looking? If the flash had been tinted or the white balance corrected for the flash, the color would have been spot on. The reason why cameras used to have yellow flashes was the lack of white balancing on film(you have to buy film for certain light like daylight or indoor fluorescent). Blue LEDs are used behind a yellow phosphorescent coating on the LED to make white, and the glass is probably also tinted to remove any bit of blue remaining from that conversion.

 

[j_ryan]

The yellowing of thw buttons sounds pretty disappointing. I'm hoping that doesn't happen to every handset, but it's something I can live with to be honest.

 

[pequeajim]

The phone he played with could have had too many tasks running, causing the phone to slow down a bit.

Now THAT would scare me away. With a 1ghz processor, the X should not be slowing down enough to cause this problem. I tend to this is may be an issue with that phone.

 

[Lurkr]

I will agree that coming from the lockscreen is really the only place I get any lag on my phone so far (got it last night)...and it does seem to depend on what I've got running. That being said, it's momentary for me, nowhere near 5 seconds...Vaguely reminiscent of a computer coming out of hibernate, just REALLY fast.

 

[damstr]

Neither of those things bother me on my Droid X.

EDIT: Also I have not installed task killer on my Droid X and it has been running really fast so I don't see the need too which is nice.

 

[Airmaxx23]

Neither of those things bother me on my Droid X.

EDIT: Also I have not installed task killer on my Droid X and it has been running really fast so I don't see the need too which is nice.

Exactly, my phone is actually running smoother and faster without the task killer installed.

 

[2009m6]

no issues here. I actually own the phone as well. Who knows how many filthy hands have been on the demo you played with.

 

[2009m6]

Exactly, my phone is actually running smoother and faster without the task killer installed.

taskkillers are designed for low end phones really. like the eris...it gives that phone a quick boost

 

[damstr]

Exactly, my phone is actually running smoother and faster without the task killer installed.

I give you 100% credit on that one! Not having to mess with task killer is nice.

 

[darreno1]

Playing with my X right now. Haven't tried the lock screen yet but can't agree on the buttons. They seem fine to me. Only time will tell if they hold up but I see no reason to think they may not.

 

[Android_LIFE]

The keys on mine do not really have much sway up, down, left, or right. Maybe it was just the X you happened to play on. Not sure. Will keep an eye out here if others mention loose buttons.
They don't feel cheap. I don't really know how else they're suppose to feel.
Nice and sturdy presses.
The Droid X itself, feels amazing in hand. It does not feel, like an htc product.
And no I'm not bashing any company or device. Htc devices have a certain feel when you hold them.
The X gives you a feeling that you're holding something of higher craftsmanship.
You will have to pick one up to know what I'm talking about.
The battery door is nice and tight. Does NOT come off easy. NICE.
The camera was quick to snap a pic. Love it. Nothing like the Incredible's camera. (I don't miss my Incredible at all now after the X)
The Droid X is NOT oversized.
Absolutely love the multitouch keyboard.
The browser pinch 2 zoom is very responsive.
Best on any Android Device.

The Droid X is the best Android phone out on VZ.

Now, that pesky encrypted bootloader thingamajig...
Thats about the only issue I have so far.
Its not a dealbreaker for me...
If the bootloader gets cracked, COOL! IF NOT, so be it.
Time to write a nice lengthy letter to Motorola.

FROYO & Flash 10.1 will make the X like the HULK.
(Not that the X needs a boost, it FLIES!!!!)
I am using this phone mainly for shooting video & photographing my newborn as well as my 2 year old son. Among other things.


The Droid X is a DEFINITE recommend should you qualify for upgrade or are going to be a first time customer with Verizon, or anyone making the jump to the world of Android.

Anyone else with jiggly buttons want 2 chime in?