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Motorola Droid 3 review

6.6/10 AVG.
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Motorola Droid 3
Motorola Droid 3
Motorola Droid 3
Motorola Droid 3
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6.6/10
Informr score
The Motorola Droid 3 currently has an Informr score of 6.6 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 19 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The Motorola Droid 3 is the third generation of Droid smartphones, and brings a few new features to the table. While the phone looks about the same as the previous two generations, the Droid 3 is thinner, which makes it easier to slip the phone into a tight pocket. The Droid 3 is also heavier than its predecessors, thanks to a slightly larger screen. This is not the phone to buy if you cannot stand to use bigger phones. However, its heft does make the phone more durable than smaller phones. It features polished metal on the sides, rubberized plastic on the back, and a Gorilla Glass screen.

The Droid 3 also offers upgraded hardware. The QWERTY keyboard is back and is very high quality. If you text or send a lot of e-mails, it really pays to have a QWERTY keyboard instead of using the touch screen. The phone also features a high-resolution qHD display, which is easy on the eyes, and a dual core processor. The processor makes the phone snappy, but the Droid 3 cannot match up against the raw speed of the top dogs on the market.

Battery life is somewhat disappointing. If you are away from home for more than a few hours, remember to bring your charger. If this is not possible, you probably would be happier with another phone that offers stronger battery life. The camera is also lackluster at best and has buggy software which can make the camera freeze up. It also takes a very long time to focus in low light conditions.

Not all is bad though. If you are a heavy user of the keyboard and want a durable phone, there really is no better option than the Droid 3.

Need to Know: Motorola Droid 3

1. QWERTY keyboard is easy to use and high quality. (The Good)

2. Durability is much higher than most smartphones. (The Good)

3. Battery life is weak. (The Bad)

4. Camera software is buggy and the camera itself does not take the highest quality photos. (The Bad)


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1 GHz
Processor
Processor
1 GHz
4"
Screen Size
Screen Size
4"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
1540 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Hardware Secrets
Hardware Secrets

The Droid 3 has three things going for it: the top-notch keyboard, the latest Gingerbread Android operating system, and it can easily be used outside the United States.The well-thought-out keyboard with its offset keys, dedicated number row, and useful arrow keys is a wonderful addition to the Droid...

- Sandy Berger, Hardware Secrets
Mobile Syrup
Mobile Syrup

The final device in the Superphone quattro, the XT860 had the quietest release and the least fanfare. We have yet to see a single advertisement for a device that has nestled itself into our hearts over the past few weeks as one of the best QWERTY sliders ever released. What it lacks in finesse it ma...

- Daniel Bader , Mobile Syrup
Wired
Wired

But in its latest incarnation, the Droid 3, Motorola’s marquee smartphone really shines. The handset, which runs Android Gingerbread, is equally suited for work or play, with a larger screen, an even better keyboard and enough brawn to give you a satisfying experience across a variety of apps...

- Christina Bonnington, Wired
Android Community
Android Community

Fans of the DROID line of devices made by Motorola will not be disappointed, those upgrading from a feature phone will freak out over how amazing this device is, those moving away from a device with the same size screen with a lower resolution will be joyous over their decision.

- Chris Burns, Android Community
BGR
BGR

The Motorola DROID 3 was rushed and I’m betting pushed to the side in favor of the upcoming Motorola DROID Bionic. There is no other explanation. The fact that Motorola and Verizon could release the third major iteration of the original Motorola DROID and have most of the handset’s usabi...

- Jonathan S. Geller, BGR


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Motorola Droid 3 user manual here.


Motorola backs up the Droid 3 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Droid 3 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 3's screen size is 4 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1 GHz

There is a Texas Instruments Dual-core OMAP4 1 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 (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1540mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1540 mAh battery. Motorola's performance ratings are 12.5 days standby time.

Droid 3 Specs

Overview
Release Date July 7, 2011
Regions Available USA
Operating System No

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Texas Instruments Dual-core OMAP4 1 GHz
Internal Storage 16 GB
RAM 512 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.77 W/kg
Body: 1.46 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Data Cable, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
Mobile / Cellular Data
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
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
8x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, Frames, Geotagging, Panorama
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
1.3 megapixels
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 4 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features -
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1540 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 12.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Slider
Material Unknown
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 12.3 x 6.4 x 1.3 cm (4.8 x 2.5 x 0.5 in)
Weight 184 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type QWERTY, Touchscreen
Navigation Type D-pad, Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, IM, Google Talk
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
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, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
DLNA Support: Yes
Java Application: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, WAV, QCP
Video Playback Formats: H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
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, DOCX, PPT, XLS
Games: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Timer, Calculator, Weather, Maps, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Motorola XT860 4G, XT860, Milestone 3
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Motorola Droid 3 Reviews
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