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Motorola DROID 4 review

7/10 AVG.
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Motorola DROID 4
Motorola DROID 4
Motorola DROID 4
Motorola DROID 4
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7/10
Informr score
The Motorola DROID 4 currently has an Informr score of 7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 21 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

Want to enjoy the goodness of Android with a full QWERTY keyboard and 4G LTE? Take a look at Verizon’s Motorola Droid 4. It is currently one of the best QWERTY keyboard-equipped Android handsets on the market, and it features a 4-inch qHD color touchscreen display. It comes with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage space. In other words, it’s fairly well-equipped. However, some of the items on its lengthy spec sheet aren’t as good as the others.

As most reviewers note, its display could be a little brighter, partly to make up for its non-HD native screen resolution. Also, it’s been said that it deserves to have a higher capacity battery since it comes with so many advanced wireless features such as support for dual-band CDMA, EV-DO Rev. A data, and 4G LTE. Still, it’s a pretty capable smartphone overall, especially since the OS can be upgraded from version 2.3 Gingerbread to a later flavor of Android.

Speaking of the OS upgrade, a lot of users have posted complaints across the Internet, saying that going from Gingerbread to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich somehow ruins the whole user experience. Apparently, it messes with the keyboard and spurs a number of other software problems. Fortunately, any and all related issues can be easily avoided by simply not updating the phone’s OS.

Despite a handful of small problems with the software, the Droid 4 is still one of the most useful Android phones available through Verizon.

Need to Know: Motorola Droid 4

1. Lets users type long messages comfortably on a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. (The Good)

2. Default operating system can be upgrade to later versions of Android. (The Good)

3. Comes with a non-removable battery. (The Bad)

4. Upgrading to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich seems to break certain things and cause a number of software problems. (The Bad)


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1.2 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.2 GHz
4"
Screen Size
Screen Size
4"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
1785 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Android and Me
Android and Me

Each new release of the DROID line seems to be greeted with less excitement than the last despite the fact that the device does seem to at least subtly improve with each release. This is definitely the best version of the DROID yet, but I haven’t exactly heard anyone clamoring for it. Now in p...

- Sean Riley, Android and Me
Pocketnow
Pocketnow

The Droid 4 has gotten almost everything right: it's sized right for a phone that includes a keyboard and feels very durable, has acceptable battery life, a fast processor, and a nice display. While the Gingerbread OS is disappointing, the device still functions well and provides all the features th...

- Joe Levi, Pocketnow
Pocketables
Pocketables

The Droid 4 is the decidedly the best keyboard phone on Verizon, and almost certainly the best keyboard slider phone for sale in the US at this time. Doing what it's designed for, the Droid 4 excels with great tactile feedback, key spacing, and keyboard layout. Even the slider mechanism feels solid...

- Aaron Orquia, Pocketables
Brighthand
Brighthand

The Motorola Droid 4 has somewhat of a captive audience: being one of the few QWERTY smartphones on Verizon, it's really your only choice if you want a keyboard, a dual-core processor, and 4G. If that doesn't sound like an endorsement, it would be because it's not. That one design advantage aside, t...

- Adama D. Brown, Brighthand
Complex
Complex

null

- Alex Bracetti, Complex


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


Motorola backs up the DROID 4 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your DROID 4 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.



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Quick view

Screen Size
4"

The Motorola DROID 4's screen size is 4 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1.2 GHz

There is a Dual-core 1.2 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
8+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 8+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera useful for video chat and self portraits.

Storage
16 GB

Internal memory is 16 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1785mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1785 mAh battery. Motorola's performance ratings are 8.5 days standby time.

DROID 4 Specs

Overview
Release Date February 10, 2011
Regions Available USA
Operating System No

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Dual-core 1.2 GHz
Internal Storage 16 GB
RAM 1 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation No
SAR Head: 0.7 W/kg
Body: 0.58 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
EV-DO Rev. A, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth Yes
Bluetooth Profiles No
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
1.3 megapixels
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 4 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Multi-touch
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1785 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Up to 8.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Slider
Material Unknown
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 12.7 x 7.1 x 1.3 cm (5 x 2.8 x 0.5 in)
Weight 179 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design Yes
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 2.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type QWERTY
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, Google Talk
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Wallpapers
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Swype
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP
PC Synchronization: Yes
TV Out Info: HDMI
Java Application: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, AMR-WB, WMA, WAV, AMR-NB
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Viewable document types: DOC, PDF, PPT, XLS
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Timer, Calculator, Weather, Maps

Other Names (AKA): Motorola Maserati, Motorola DROID 4G, Motorola XT894
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