As the smallest phone of the new DROID lineup, the DROID Mini packs plenty of features into a small device. With its lower price point and smaller size, it is an attractive choice for those looking for a capable Android smartphone that won’t break the bank and fits well in your pocket.
While the smaller form factor required a few changes to the hardware in the DROID Mini, it is powered by the same chipset as the DROID Ultra and DROID Maxx. K. T. Bradford of Digital Trends said “On the outside, the Mini looks just like a smaller Droid Ultra and Motorola reps repeatedly told us to think of them as the same phone just in different sizes.”
While the other two phones in the DROID series offer AMOLED displays, the DROID Mini uses a standard 4.3-inch LED display. Apart from a slightly reduced viewing angle, the screens look nearly identical. However, this change does pose some issues with Motorola’s new Active Display technology. Instead of isolating an area of the screen, the entire display must be powered for the feature to work. The smaller screen helps to balance the issue and offer an estimated 28 hours of mixed usage on a single charge.
With the debut of the DROID series and the Moto X, Motorola is showing a shift from bigger is better to designing phones with the user in mind. Active Display and Touchless Controls make it simple to interact with and control the phone, the X8 chipset provides snappy performance and the long battery life makes it possible to spend more time using your phone and less time searching for a power outlet.
If you are looking for the best stats or cutting-edge hardware, the DROID Mini missed the mark. However, if you are looking for a solid phone to check email, play a few games, stream video and post social media updates, the DROID Mini has you covered.
The Good: Great battery life, compact form factor, Active Display, Touchless Controls, simple UI.
The Bad: No MicroSD support, LED display prone to smudges and fingerprints, limited camera options.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Jeff Dunn, BrighthandIt's for people who want to save a buck, for one, since the Mini is no less powerful or featured than any of its bigger brothers. It's for Google-philes, since Motorola's leveraged its status as "Google's phone company" to make Google Now the centerpiece of the device. It's for people who want Andro...
- Brian Bennett, CnetBy all means, it will serve you well if price is your primary concern, but remember that you'll be making some serious design compromises to get that bargain price. The screen that produces low-contrast images in kooky colors is hard to swallow by itself, but the real deal breaker for me is the Mini...
- Dann Berg, The VergeI'd recommend the Droid Mini over the Ultra, certainly, but you shouldn't buy either one. Small phones are still targeted at placating a segment of the market that doesn’t want a large phone and doesn't demand a first-class experience, but what about the people that do? The Droid Mini comes cl...
- FAUguy, PhoneArenaWith a 2-year contract price of $99.99, the Motorola DROID Mini is the most affordable of the new DROIDs, and still has the same X8 processor, software, and features that its larger siblings have. The DROID Mini is truly designed for someone that wants a smaller and more-compact smartphone. Even tho...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Motorola DROID Mini user manual here.
Motorola backs up the DROID Mini with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your DROID Mini has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Motorola support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Motorola's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Ask the Community
Resources
Manuals / User Guides Helpful Links Share / Embed
Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.