Droid Razr already outdated?

[GalaxyNexus]

I've been reading that the Droid Razr's soft buttons are going to be "outdated" by early next year when it is updated with ICS. With new phones coming out every month it seems like the Razr won't be able to keep up. Also, with a new Galaxy Nexus that will always be replenished with the newest software. Why choose a phone about to be outdated so soon, when you can buy a Nexus?

P.S.

Don't give me an excuse like: "phones will always be outdated".

Please don't call me a Galaxy Nexus fanboy.

 

[Szadzik]

I've been reading that the Droid Razr's soft buttons are going to be "outdated" by early next year when it is updated with ICS. With new phones coming out every month it seems like the Razr won't be able to keep up. Also, with a new Galaxy Nexus that will always be replenished with the newest software. Why choose a phone about to be outdated so soon, when you can buy a Nexus?

P.S.

Don't give me an excuse like: "phones will always be outdated".

Please don't call me a Galaxy Nexus fanboy.

There will be no new phones not outdated within months of their release. GNex included.

Software does nto change that.

 

[sean76]

I've been reading that the Droid Razr's soft buttons are going to be "outdated" by early next year when it is updated with ICS. With new phones coming out every month it seems like the Razr won't be able to keep up. Also, with a new Galaxy Nexus that will always be replenished with the newest software. Why choose a phone about to be outdated so soon, when you can buy a Nexus?

P.S.

Don't give me an excuse like: "phones will always be outdated".

Please don't call me a Galaxy Nexus fanboy.

With your high 11 post count and your wealth of knowledge about what the Razr's life span will be and what Google will do with Ice Cream Sandwich ...

I'd be in favor of closing this Thread and maybe closing down the whole Razr Forum and all of us will go return our phones and look for something else...

[removed]

 

[infamousjax]

A couple reasons why people will choose this phone over the Galaxy Nexus:

- Better build quality
- Better aesthetics
- Better reception/call quality
- Bigger battery

The GN is a google reference device and as such demonstrates the new ICS OS. However, even though the GN does not have capacitive buttons does NOT mean that ICS will not support them. Luckily, Android is a very adaptive and flexible OS.

I don't understand what you mean when you say the Razr will be outdated but the GN won't. How do you figure that? They are running similar hardware specs. Software does matter.

 

[kschultz89]

How do you figure? Being that I've owned pretty much every top of the line phone vzw has offered, I can honestly say the razr is the best phone I've owned period. Looks great, feels great, built great, and just overall, its great. How can you say it is already, or soon to be outdated, when not only does it have the same if not better hardware than the nexus, but also a much more of a unique form factor ( I mean cmon its sick! Super thin, super tight build quality and feel, and Kevlar? Bad ass haha) so when this phone gets ICS, how will it not be very comparable, if not EQUALLY as "great" as the nexus? Just my opinion. This phone rocks.

 

[gordongartrell]

I hate when people call new phones "outdated". If a phone is capable of running Gingerbread, Ice Cream sandwich, or other future Android OS's without major hardware slowdown, I don't consider it outdated. I'm pretty confident that the RAZR will run Ice Cream Sandwich and the next few Android OS's that come out in the future just fine.

 

[Martimus]

First off I'm seriously considering closing this thread! I see some of the questions and some of the answers as potentially inflammatory and we will not have a battle building over this issue. For the moment, however, I'm going to leave it open and try to answer the OP's question.

I've been reading that the Droid Razr's soft buttons are going to be "outdated" by early next year when it is updated with ICS. With new phones coming out every month it seems like the Razr won't be able to keep up. Also, with a new Galaxy Nexus that will always be replenished with the newest software. Why choose a phone about to be outdated so soon, when you can buy a Nexus?

Whether you like hearing this or not, ALL smartphones are outdated from day one! This isn't an excuse... it's unfortunately a fact! Q1 of next year we'll see the release of Quad core Android devices. Everything released today will then be obsolete... including the GNex! I'm sorry but that's a statement based on historical precedent!

Hard and soft buttons on smartphones are options. ICS will have within it subroutines to handle both hard and soft buttons. Therefore this is most likely a non-issue.

ICS will most likely be released on the Droid Razr in Q1. Therefore this is most likely also a non-issue.

 

[jroc]

I've been reading that the Droid Razr's soft buttons are going to be "outdated" by early next year when it is updated with ICS. With new phones coming out every month it seems like the Razr won't be able to keep up. Also, with a new Galaxy Nexus that will always be replenished with the newest software. Why choose a phone about to be outdated so soon, when you can buy a Nexus?

P.S.

Don't give me an excuse like: "phones will always be outdated".

Please don't call me a Galaxy Nexus fanboy.

Outdated in terms of what? So there will be no more phones made with soft or hard buttons after ICS launches? I seriously doubt that.

So if the RAZR, or any phone cant use the on screen buttons of ICS...its outdated now....I see.

The Nexus One is a Nexus phone....do you think the Droid X or Droid 1 is outdated compared to that? Think the GS2 is outdated compared to the Nexus One, Nexus S?

What does that make the RAZR and Nexus when the quad core HTC phone hits shelves next year? If a phone is outdated because it cant use the on screen buttons of ICS....we all need to dump the RAZR and not get the Nexus and wait for the quad core HTC phone...

And the #1 reason to get a RAZR and not a Galaxy Nexus...choice. Like ppl choose different phones for alot of different reasons. Choose what you feel is the best phone for you...not to keep from being outdated. Thats a battle you will never, ever win. Unless you have the money to burn getting a new phone every few months.

If I had the money a few months ago, I would probably have a Bionic right now and not a RAZR.

 

[dave1812]

I've been reading that the Droid Razr's soft buttons are going to be "outdated" by early next year when it is updated with ICS. With new phones coming out every month it seems like the Razr won't be able to keep up. Also, with a new Galaxy Nexus that will always be replenished with the newest software. Why choose a phone about to be outdated so soon, when you can buy a Nexus?

P.S.

Don't give me an excuse like: "phones will always be outdated".

Please don't call me a Galaxy Nexus fanboy.

LOL! phones WILL always be outdated in a brief span of time, so what is your point, exactly? Any "enthusiast" will feel that his/her spanking brand new phone will be eclipsed by the "next best thing" in a matter of days or weeks. nature of competition.

the nexus will also quickly become "obsolete", if by "obsolete", you mean that it is no longer the newest kid on the block.

 

[jdduncan11]

A couple reasons why people will choose this phone over the Galaxy Nexus:

- Better build quality
- Better aesthetics
- Better reception/call quality
- Bigger battery

The GN is a google reference device and as such demonstrates the new ICS OS. However, even though the GN does not have capacitive buttons does NOT mean that ICS will not support them. Luckily, Android is a very adaptive and flexible OS.

I don't understand what you mean when you say the Razr will be outdated but the GN won't. How do you figure that? They are running similar hardware specs. Software does matter.

Weeeell... I agree with most of what you are saying. I don't agree that reception/call quality will be better, just because the Razr is a Moto. Only time will tell on that.

 

[jdduncan11]

I've been reading that the Droid Razr's soft buttons are going to be "outdated" by early next year when it is updated with ICS. With new phones coming out every month it seems like the Razr won't be able to keep up. Also, with a new Galaxy Nexus that will always be replenished with the newest software. Why choose a phone about to be outdated so soon, when you can buy a Nexus?

P.S.

Don't give me an excuse like: "phones will always be outdated".

Please don't call me a Galaxy Nexus fanboy.

The "soft buttons" as you refer to them will still be functional after the ICSC update. This has already been addressed.

 

[mzjin]

I've been reading that the Droid Razr's soft buttons are going to be "outdated" by early next year when it is updated with ICS. With new phones coming out every month it seems like the Razr won't be able to keep up. Also, with a new Galaxy Nexus that will always be replenished with the newest software. Why choose a phone about to be outdated so soon, when you can buy a Nexus?

P.S.

Don't give me an excuse like: "phones will always be outdated".

Please don't call me a Galaxy Nexus fanboy.

1) It's a Samsung. Sorry, I'm getting an iPhone 5 when I'm done with the Razr. I'll buy an Apple phone everytime before I buy an Apple rip-off plastic POS like a Samsung.

2) Ice Cream Sandwich adds GPU acceleration, which can't come soon enough. But thankfully, it doesn't add anything worth worrying about waiting a few months for.

 

[teslas]

New features does not always mean better. It can also just mean different.

If u noticed, the soft buttons on ice cream sandwich in the nexus is using up screen real estate. While adding advantages it also ads negatives as well. One reason the nexus has a big screen is to make up for the lost real estate for soft buttons. This is not necessarily better as screens have to be bigger to support it. And not everybody wants a 4.3 inch plus sized screen. It also costs more.

I think u will end up with people on both sides of the fence and they will want either hard or soft, and until there is a clear winner phones will still be created with either.

If u think about it, the former nexus phones were not exactly blockbusters. Even with their additional features.

For me I am leaning towards the Nexus, only because I want the higher res screen and a removable battery. With that said, I do love the razr, it is one sexy phone. I still may get one as I can carry a external battery for while traveling.

 

[jdduncan11]

1) It's a Samsung. Sorry, I'm getting an iPhone 5 when I'm done with the Razr. I'll buy an Apple phone everytime before I buy an Apple rip-off plastic POS like a Samsung.

2) Ice Cream Sandwich adds GPU acceleration, which can't come soon enough. But thankfully, it doesn't add anything worth worrying about waiting a few months for.

Umm... I don't mean to be confrontational in any way, so don't take it as that - but you would rather buy a glass iPhone (yes - front and back) than a "plastic" phone that won't shatter when it hits the ground???

 

[IDEAL41]

don't call you a fanboy??? for crying out loud your handle is "galaxynexus". If my handle was "steelersfan" i would expect the obvious.

And I don't think there is really any need to rain on our little parade while yours is still technically a "coming attraction"...

 

[CGdroid]

Loving Android phone, but if Samsung is the only company left to make Android phone, i would rather choose Apple iphone instead. Never want to buy anything from that company, even that is Google Nexus phone.

 

[mzjin]

Umm... I don't mean to be confrontational in any way, so don't take it as that - but you would rather buy a glass iPhone (yes - front and back) than a "plastic" phone that won't shatter when it hits the ground???

I've dropped my iPhone 4 plenty of times and it has never affected the screen or back.

I WISH Android phones would have glass and all metal like iPhone build quality.

 

[mzjin]

Loving Android phone, but if Samsung is the only company left to make Android phone, i would rather choose Apple iphone instead. Never want to buy anything from that company, even that is Google Nexus phone.

Yes, my point exactly. Samsung has never made anything remotely interesting or original. Everything they have now is a Android rip-off of the iPhone. I'll take an iPhone anyday.

I've had several Motorolas and they've all had drawbacks in their way, but also were excellent in others - I loved the original Razr, the original Droid was the first good Android device (though Android OS was horrendous at that point), and the new Droid Razr I've played with is finally the right blend of speed, capabilities and form factor. If Motorola didn't come out with this, you can bet I'd have used my upgrade on an iPhone 4S instead, giving up 4G speed.

 

[IDEAL41]

I've dropped my iPhone 4 plenty of times and it has never affected the screen or back.

I WISH Android phones would have glass and all metal like iPhone build quality.

The RAZR has upped the ante a bit in the build quality category, especially over the "samsung plastic", don't you think?

 

[Chi-TownTx]

I've been reading that the Droid Razr's soft buttons are going to be "outdated" by early next year when it is updated with ICS. With new phones coming out every month it seems like the Razr won't be able to keep up. Also, with a new Galaxy Nexus that will always be replenished with the newest software. Why choose a phone about to be outdated so soon, when you can buy a Nexus?

P.S.

Don't give me an excuse like: "phones will always be outdated".

Please don't call me a Galaxy Nexus fanboy.

I could go on about my experience with Samsung and their crap radio's/hardware in phones but that is just my experience with them in this market. Oddly enough this doesn't mean i hate Samsung at all especially when you consider my entire house is wired with Samsung TV's, surround sound and blue ray players with the wireless blue tooth connect etc. Love them where home entertainment is concerned.

When it comes to ICS both phones are getting it and both phones have similar specs when it comes to hardware with a few pluses and minues to each on various options (such as hdmi out, sd card and non removable battery).

Either way i think too many people are trying to look at smart phones as being a part of the phone market when in fact they are now mini computers.

Will the RAZR become outdated a few months down the road? Of course it will. But then again i could spend 20k on a top of the line home computer and it would also be outdated within 7 days i guarantee you that.

Smartphones are now moving at the same pace as computer hardware. Software is irrelevant at this point. Hard for some to grasp but that's really where the Android market is heading with the amount of phone releases and updates for each version etc.

In this day and age you cannot buy a new smart phone and expect it to be top of the line for 2 years. Hell don't even expect it to be on top for 2 months. Find one you like that suites your needs and go with that.

Sure the Galaxy Nexus may get the ICS updates first, but that doesn't change it's hardware. Nor does it change it's lack of an SD slot or hdmi out. Even the Galaxy Nexus will be outdated within a couple months of it's release because as i said software means nothing at this point. So choose something with the specs you like and go from there. Everything else is irrelevant.

 

[droid_nexus]

I would also have to agree I don't like any Samsung phones, just don't like the quality.

The one thing on the Droid Razr I didn't like was they changed the style of the four soft buttons. But that is just an aesthetic.

 

[kschultz89]

I've dropped my iPhone 4 plenty of times and it has never affected the screen or back.

I WISH Android phones would have glass and all metal like iPhone build quality.

You obviously haven't played with a razr. The build quality is absolutely amazing. I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but squeeze the phone between your thumb and hand like you were pushing down on something on the screen, REALLY hard, and feel how rigid it is. This thing is a build quality beast. Just as good as the iPhone if not better. I mean, it has kevlar. WINNING! haha

And one more note about the galaxy, and iPhone for that matter. No removable memory doesn't appeal to me at all. What happens if you brick it or drop it in water, or break it to where it won't operate anymore. What happens to anything you've saved in there? Music, irreplaceable pictures, etc... ya your music is prob on your computer anyway, but what about those priceless snaps of your kids, or pics from a football game, or vacation? Correct me if I'm wrong, but they would all be lost wouldn't they? Just my two cents.

 

[Slug]

In case anyone missed the warning posted previously:

First off I'm seriously considering closing this thread! I see some of the questions and some of the answers as potentially inflammatory and we will not have a battle building over this issue.

I've had to edit and/or remove subsequent posts, which is frankly unacceptable. Any further rude, disrespectful or inflammatory posts will result in infractions in addition to thread closure. Disagreement is perfectly acceptable, but only if done in a manner that complies with the Site Rules.

 

[stauren1203]

I fully understand where OP is coming from. I've been toying with this for a while now. I've always loved Motorola's hardware and build quality, but at the same time, it's hard to buy a phone that no more than 2 weeks later isn't even being sold with the latest Android version.

On the other hand, the Samsung is being released with 4.0, larger screen, APPARENTLY and iPhone competitive camera(which is a huge selling point for me). Yet, I've never been sold on the potentially poor build quality(I've never owned one because I do not even like the feel in the store).

I think it will be interesting to see how the ICS updates integrate with "old" devices with dedicated buttons.

 

[kschultz89]

[edited]

Why would you need to do a battery pull? Power+volume will work identically, but only reason you do a battery pull is when something goes wrong, and I don't plan on that ever happening