S3 or Razr HD

[kgkg]

I am up for an upgrade. Anyone has suggestions on which one to choose?

 

[tbhausen]

I think most would ask "Note 2 or RAZR"?

 

[menmyjeep]

I think most would ask "Note 2 or RAZR"?

I agree completely! That's exactly what I am doing and actually have made up my mind to go with the Note 2. I have the first Razr Maxx now and the HD was just not enough of an update to keep me with Motorola and the on-screen buttons take away all of the extra real estate in all situations other than watching videos. I really like motorola but this update to the Razr line was disappointing to me.

 

[Roll-Tide]

I've had the s3 since it came out on Verizon and now have the Maxx hd.... I can say as far as performance they are extremely similar and I really couldn't pick a winner if I had to. Battery life is obviously a lot better on the Maxx but the camera is better (not drastically mind you) on the s3. The Maxx hd is much more comfortable to hold in my opinion than the s3...I just couldn't ever find myself loving that phone hardware wise. The build quality on the Maxx hd is world's better if you ask me... Feels solid as can be. The s3 is a damn nice phone and I have no real complaints about using it other than it was a tad too big for me. It's all plastic of course which still feels solid.. But it's still plastic so that's a personal preference thing probably. Overall, all things considered I like the Maxx hd best.

 

[Ag76]

I'm trying to decide between the Note 2 and Razr HD Maxx, but am leaning towards the Note 2. Since I work in an area that gets a weak Verizon signal, I need a device with a strong wireless radio. So I'm very interested in how the Note 2 and Razr HD Maxx compare in this regard.

 

[Dnomac]

I'm struggling with the same decision. I like the HD for everything except for the camera. Roll-Tide, you don't think there is that much of a difference in picture quality? The pics posted online seem to be somewhat shitty.

 

[Roll-Tide]

I'm struggling with the same decision. I like the HD for everything except for the camera. Roll-Tide, you don't think there is that much of a difference in picture quality? The pics posted online seem to be somewhat shitty.

I actually did a comparison between the iPhone 5 that I had and the s3...just took one similar with this Maxx hd.....
Iphone 5

S3

Maxx hd



To me, now that I compare them all I think the s3 might be the worst... At least in this particular comparison

 

[Wolfedude88]

I'm trying to decide between the Note 2 and Razr HD Maxx, but am leaning towards the Note 2. Since I work in an area that gets a weak Verizon signal, I need a device with a strong wireless radio. So I'm very interested in how the Note 2 and Razr HD Maxx compare in this regard.

Well generally speaking Motorola is usually regarding as a one of the top OEMs when talking about strong wireless radio. Samsung usually isn't regarded as the best, but I have never had issues with either.

 

[wxman2003]

I went from the Razr Maxx to the iPhone 5. iPhone 5 stays connected a lot better to LTE than the Maxx did. In fact, at home in my lower level I would always go from LTE to 3G on the Maxx. So far, no issues with iphone 5 and always stays connected to LTE even though both where showing signal strength around -105 dBm. Upload speed on LTE are much better on iPhone 5. At work on maxx on LTE, I would get upload speeds of 6 to 8 Mbs, which is not bad, but iphone 5 around 18 Mbs. Download speeds are the same. Finally on wifi, at home Maxx download speeds would top out at 20 to 25 Mbs, while iPhone 5 is over 50. iPhone 5 is the the bees knees.

 

[Roll-Tide]

I went from the Razr Maxx to the iPhone 5. iPhone 5 stays connected a lot better to LTE than the Maxx did. In fact, at home in my lower level I would always go from LTE to 3G on the Maxx. So far, no issues with iphone 5 and always stays connected to LTE even though both where showing signal strength around -105 dBm. Upload speed on LTE are much better on iPhone 5. At work on maxx on LTE, I would get upload speeds of 6 to 8 Mbs, which is not bad, but iphone 5 around 18 Mbs. Download speeds are the same. Finally on wifi, at home Maxx download speeds would top out at 20 to 25 Mbs, while iPhone 5 is over 50. iPhone 5 is the the bees knees.

Then why are you here? Lol

 

[dirkbonn]

I went from the Razr Maxx to the iPhone 5. iPhone 5 stays connected a lot better to LTE than the Maxx did. In fact, at home in my lower level I would always go from LTE to 3G on the Maxx. So far, no issues with iphone 5 and always stays connected to LTE even though both where showing signal strength around -105 dBm. Upload speed on LTE are much better on iPhone 5. At work on maxx on LTE, I would get upload speeds of 6 to 8 Mbs, which is not bad, but iphone 5 around 18 Mbs. Download speeds are the same. Finally on wifi, at home Maxx download speeds would top out at 20 to 25 Mbs, while iPhone 5 is over 50. iPhone 5 is the the bees knees.

To be fair, you're comparing a phone released about a year (Jan, 2012) ago to a phone released less than a month ago. As fast as technology is improving do you think it's possible the LTE radio in the iPhone is improved over the LTE radio in the Maxx? I realize you had to wait until now to get an iPhone that finally has a 4G radio in it but still, wouldn't you think a 2012 model anything should be improved over a model designed in 2011?

Maybe to be fair, compair the speed of the iPhone 5 to the Razr Maxx HD? Also to be fair, you would need to compare the 2 phones in multiple locations and then take an average. :smokingsomb:

 

[darkcyber]

There would be no question if it were me getting a new phone. I have had the Motorola Droid and Droid X, then I moved to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (first Samsung device for me) and this is the first and last Samsung I will ever own. I absolutely hate this phone. The battery life is horrible...I finally had to purchase the Seidio 3800 mAh battery to be able to have any kind of battery life.

Then the biggest problem of all with Samsung phones is the crappy/horrible reception. This Nexus constantly is either dropping calls or my phone never even rings and just simply goes straight to voice mail. So, Samsung will never be an option for me...ever! Go with the Razr Maxx HD...Motorola makes the best radios.

 

[Roll-Tide]

There would be no question if it were me getting a new phone. I have had the Motorola Droid and Droid X, then I moved to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (first Samsung device for me) and this is the first and last Samsung I will ever own. I absolutely hate this phone. The battery life is horrible...I finally had to purchase the Seidio 3800 mAh battery to be able to have any kind of battery life.

Then the biggest problem of all with Samsung phones is the crappy/horrible reception. This Nexus constantly is either dropping calls or my phone never even rings and just simply goes straight to voice mail. So, Samsung will never be an option for me...ever! Go with the Razr Maxx HD...Motorola makes the best radios.

Don't base your opinion of Samsung solely on the nexus.... I've had the nexus and the s3 and the s3 to me was world's better in every way than the nexus... Even signal and battery life. Overall I like the maxx hd better, but the s3 is definitely a good phone.

 

[jkmasi]

I had the Galaxy Nexus and now I have the S3 and I completely agree that the S3 is worlds better. Much better performance, better camera, etc.

 

[jt85gt]

I have the same questions right now. S3 or Razr Maxx HD

Concerns
1.I keep a phone for the full 2 years. Will the S3 make it with 2 kids banging it around.
2.Camera. Is the S3 that more superior...this should be number 1 for me to be honest. Camera.
3. Will a non-replaceable battery hurt me with the HD if 1.5yrs from now it craps out

I'm sold on the Razr HD but that camera is what is stopping me. Hearing so many negatives on the Samsung radios, and fear of build quality are what is stopping me, but I do want that camera.

 

[Trekk]

I have the same questions right now. S3 or Razr Maxx HD

Concerns
1.I keep a phone for the full 2 years. Will the S3 make it with 2 kids banging it around.
2.Camera. Is the S3 that more superior...this should be number 1 for me to be honest. Camera.
3. Will a non-replaceable battery hurt me with the HD if 1.5yrs from now it craps out

I'm sold on the Razr HD but that camera is what is stopping me. Hearing so many negatives on the Samsung radios, and fear of build quality are what is stopping me, but I do want that camera.

The S3 is better in different places:

1- Better camera
2- A tiny bit smoother


But overall honestly as a phone the razr hd is a better device, the screen is much better. That's my personal opinion I just switched from the Galaxy s3

 

[carracerz14]

There would be no question if it were me getting a new phone. I have had the Motorola Droid and Droid X, then I moved to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (first Samsung device for me) and this is the first and last Samsung I will ever own. I absolutely hate this phone. The battery life is horrible...I finally had to purchase the Seidio 3800 mAh battery to be able to have any kind of battery life.

Then the biggest problem of all with Samsung phones is the crappy/horrible reception. This Nexus constantly is either dropping calls or my phone never even rings and just simply goes straight to voice mail. So, Samsung will never be an option for me...ever! Go with the Razr Maxx HD...Motorola makes the best radios.

+10000000

Couldn't agree more. Lucky Verizon send me a maxx to replace my Nexus. I will never buy another Samsung, I too had the droid x originally and thought the Nexus would be an awesome phone.

 

[jroc]

To the OP...get both...lol.

Seriously, it depends on what your wants n needs are. Ppl that value the camera more than anything will pick the GS3. I have a feeling The RAZR will have the edge for reception.

 

[wedgemoose]

I went from the Razr Maxx to the iPhone 5. iPhone 5 stays connected a lot better to LTE than the Maxx did. In fact, at home in my lower level I would always go from LTE to 3G on the Maxx. So far, no issues with iphone 5 and always stays connected to LTE even though both where showing signal strength around -105 dBm. Upload speed on LTE are much better on iPhone 5. At work on maxx on LTE, I would get upload speeds of 6 to 8 Mbs, which is not bad, but iphone 5 around 18 Mbs. Download speeds are the same. Finally on wifi, at home Maxx download speeds would top out at 20 to 25 Mbs, while iPhone 5 is over 50. iPhone 5 is the the bees knees.

Hummm, thats funny because me and my girl were at breakfast the other day and she had zero signal (phone or data) and I was reading e-mails, surfing the web and downloading pictures like no tomorrow. While all as she could do was wait to leave so she could show me a pic she had in her e-mail account. Come to the Android side, the world is so much better where you can do with your phone what you like(not what apple thinks you should like)and where phones work better than no setting, no choice, type phones.......haha

P.S. I have Razr Maxx and she has I-5

 

[zenman]

I've played with both of these phones during three different visits to my Verizon store. I found the display on the Maxx HD to be WAY better! The S3 is too dim (even on max brightness on phone and browswer) and had a blueish tint to it. The speaker phone on the Maxx HD is also WAY louder.

So why am I having trouble deciding? Well I've already ruled out the S3 due to the display/screen. What's making me doubt the Maxx is the camera and the lack of wireless charging ability. Wireless charging should be STANDARD on all phones these days imo. (My toothbrush has had wireless charging for YEARS) It will almost certainly be standard within a year but if I buy the phone now I'll be stuck with it for two years. I'm still pretty sure I'll get the Maxx HD though, my current contract has been up since Feb and I want something newer and faster and there's nothing coming out soon that looks like it has everything I want.

 

[rushmore]

The display issue is a settings issue and not normal. The displays use the same tech, so same good and bad points for both. Mainly good.

Too many great reviews for the GS3 including a measurement analysis showing great contrast and brightness.

 

[zenman]

Well on the GS3 they have at my Verizon store it's noticeably dimmer. It's not so noticeable when watching youtube videos but it is for most of the other things I tried. The dim screen is even noted by the CNET review. See this video at 1:28 where it's placed next to two other phones.
Samsung Galaxy S III Review - Watch CNET's Video Review

That good camera and wireless charging capability is really, really tempting me though but I loved the Maxx HD, ugh!

 

[BigBruDa3rd]

Well on the GS3 they have at my Verizon store it's noticeably dimmer. It's not so noticeable when watching youtube videos but it is for most of the other things I tried. The dim screen is even noted by the CNET review. See this video at 1:28 where it's placed next to two other phones.
Samsung Galaxy S III Review - Watch CNET's Video Review

That good camera and wireless charging capability is really, really tempting me though but I loved the Maxx HD, ugh!

Bruh stay with the Maxx HD. The only thing the S3 has on the Maxx HD is the non screen buttons so you have more screen. The Maxx HD has better battery life, better build quality, same or better screen, and better reception where I live and this is coming from a previous S3 owner of at least 3 months. BTW the JB leak I'm running has improved the camera greatly. Focus and low light is better and before when I would take 5 of the same pic they would come out blurry or dark and 1 would be OK. Now all pics are good and some perfect. Now it still not up to par with the S3 but its pretty dam close lets just say the camera doesn't suck anymore and its a non issue.

 

[zenman]

Ahh, good to hear the software improved the camera! I read elsewhere that people were suspecting it could be improved with an update. Very cool, thanks for letting me know this.

 

[jv59]

I had a Thunderbolt.... What a disappointment that was. I'd never buy an HTC phone again. I upgraded to the RAZR MAXX HD. I compared it against the S3. They are both great phones. I choose the RAZR because of the extended battery life and the build quality. So far it's been an excellent phone and the battery last a very long time. It remains no less than 80% by the end of the day.