Motorola DROID RAZR M Pro Reviews

The best inexpensive smartphone you can buy this year

The Droid RAZR M may not have come as a fresh surprise when it was officially announced, nor was it the wholly original product fruit many would've initially wanted the new Moto to bear, but it seems that's entirely intentional. MotoGoog isn't attempting a mobile revolution with the M. After all, it's merely a refresh of a recent refresh, the Droid RAZR, with a 4.3-inch qHD screen, dual-core S4, 2,000mAh battery and 8-megapixel rear camera. Instead, the companies have set their sights on creating a super-dependable smartphone for the everyperson -- one that's inoffensive in its design, pared down for comfort and easy to use on the software front.

The phone offers little that isn't available elsewhere, but there's something to be said for Motorola's Android skin. The improvements they've made are very easy to feel after a day or so of use, and this phone will be easier to recommend once the Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) update eventually makes its way to the device, with a number of performance improvements along with it. For now, it's probably worth holding out to see if the RAZR M drops to free-on-contract during the usual Black Friday sales. At $99, it's easy to recommend to those who already admire Motorola's hardware. If it drops a bit lower, it becomes more of a no-brainer for anyone else wishing to get into a high-performing Android phone with LTE, without breaking the bank.

Motorola has delivered what was promised in the pitch of this product. The Motorola Droid RAZR M has a compact and light design that is robust and should not shatter easily. There isn’t a whole lot of internal storage (8GB), but it is possible to expand it greatly for about $20. This phone is primarily targeted to regular users who want a no-nonsense 4G LTE Android smartphone that is small with a great battery life. For that, the Motorola Droid RAZR M is near-perfect.

The Droid RAZR M is a solid smartphone: it features great build quality, snappy performance, fast data, comfortable dimensions, and a bright display, and it does so at price that doesn’t break the bank. It’s not without its faults, I would have really loved to seen a higher resolution display and better camera, but for the most part, there’s a lot to like here. But at the end of the day, the RAZR M just doesn’t arouse the emotion that other smartphones do, which is exactly the same problem that earlier Motorola smartphones had. Its build, while solid, doesn’t match the fit and finish of the iPhone 4S or the HTC One X. The M lacks the wow factor and funky software tricks that smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S III offer, and though Motorola’s user interface isn’t intrusive, it’s not the same as the stock version of Android available on the Galaxy Nexus. If you want the best smartphone Motorola currently offers, you would do better with the Atrix HD, provided you can switch to AT&T. But if you are upgrading from a RAZR or RAZR Maxx from last year, and plan to stick with Verizon, the RAZR M offers a nicer display, faster processor, smaller size, and that all-important promise of an upgrade to Android 4.1, making it a suitable update to last year’s models. Of course, with the RAZR HD and RAZR HD Maxx (both of which feature 720p HD displays) expected to arrive before the end of this year, your patience may be rewarded.

The Motorola Droid RAZR M is a nice "compromise" device: something well suited to people who want the best parts of a high-end smartphone, but don't need all the bells and whistles. Some corners have definitely been cut to achieve its price, but not many; the majority of what's been left out is features that most users can live without, like HDMI, a full HD display, etcetera. What's left is a great screen, solid performance, comfortable memory, and robust battery life. And with a suggested retail price of $100 after rebate -- with some online retailers already offering it for $50 -- it's a tremendous value, and something that should definitely be considered by new smartphone users looking for that's not just cheap, but robust enough for them to grow into it.

It’s sometimes hard to get excited about the mid-range smartphones, that legion of under-appreciated workhorses keeping the cost-conscious buyers afloat, one two-year contract at a time. Too often, the devices filling this segment of the landscape reek of compromise, with last year’s components stuffed inside an unremarkable casing bearing the unmistakable stench of mediocrity. We’re happy to say that’s not the case with the Droid RAZR M. While its appearance might lack the ambition of its pricier compatriots, it’s still a sharp-dressed device that never gets close to looking frumpy. And while its display might be from 2011′s parts bin, it’s coupled with a powerful processor, ample RAM, a very nice software load, and enough battery life to make it through a day – and all at a price point sure to make everyone from students to moms to old-timers happy. In short, the Droid RAZR M is a mid-range device that does its high-end brand name proud. If you’re in the market for a reasonably-priced Android smartphone with high portability and good performance, this device should be near the top of your short list.

The Motorola DROID RAZR M for Verizon Wireless shows how blurred the lines between mid-range and top shelf smartphones have come to be. In terms of performance, the little Moto outdid all the current US heavyweights. Only its screen prevents it from being dubbed as a proper flagship. Like all recent Motorola smartphones, the DROID RAZR M is superbly put together and good looking. Ergonomics have been taken to a completely different level for a device with a screen this size. Up until the RAZR M's arrival one-handed operation on a smartphone with 4"+ screen was considered a hard task, but the compact fella handles like a much smaller device. While we can live with the uninspiring (but still pretty good) screen of the DROID RAZR M, given its price tag, we can't say the same about the software experience. Verizon's involvement in what is otherwise a pleasant blend of Motorola customizations and pure Google is way too intrusive. We do not recall dealing with so much bloatware in the past - that includes Verizon devices too.

Motorola did a bang-up job with the Droid RAZR M. It hits the mark on nearly every feature. It's small, light, and easy to use; offers an excellent display; excels at communications features; and even has a good camera. The Android 4.0 software and Motorola customizations run smoothly thanks to the zippy processor. Battery life exceeded my expectations (especially for an LTE 4G device). The RAZR M doesn't skimp on anything, except for perhaps the super huge footprint that plagues some of today's flagship devices. The RAZR M is the most balanced and usable smartphone I've come across in a long time. The Motorola Droid RAZR M is all killer and no filler.

The Droid Razr M is a jack-of-all-trades kind of phone. It's overall performance and premium make it a winner; it's just surprisingly snappy and sturdy for how affordable it is. The combination of ICS and Motorola's own UI is both functional and attractive. We'd recommend the Droid Razr M to consumers who want a balanced, affordable 4G phone with a premium feel. You might forget that it's in your pocket, but keep an eye on that data use. Those overage fees add up.

The Razr M is one of the nicest handsets to hit Verizon in some time. It doesn’t have the flash of the iPhone 5 or Galaxy S3, but at half the price — $100 on a two-year contract – it’s more than worth the savings. The only weak points here are the camera and the lower-resolution screen, but the great build quality and feel of the Razr M combined with its moderately-sized screen should make it a top pick for those who want a great phone at a good price – but also don’t have hands the size of Shaquille O’Neal’s. If you’re a Verizon subscriber (or on any carrier that has the Razr M), we highly recommend you try it out. It feels nice!

The Razr M doesn't attempt to punch above its weight, instead preferring to sit in the mid-tier and get on with the task at hand. In that respect it does a good job. The design is compact enough to sneak into a pocket or clutch bag without being Samsung Galaxy S3 huge, and the battery life and software specs help deliver good performance too. Motorola has said that the Razr M will be getting Jelly Bean in the near future - combating the usual complaints about upgradability and we can't see why this wouldn't only enhance what is on offer already. Yes there are bigger phones out there, yes there are better phones out there, but if you are on a tight budget and want a decent phone that delivers, this might just be what you are looking for.

This is a rather fun addition to the Motorola collection of smartphones, and Verizon will be better for it having it in the Droid universe as well. You’ll find yourself enjoying the DROID RAZR M’s near-edge-to-edge display especially, with bright, sharp, and colorful delivery yours for the taking. The processor under the hood is more than powerful enough to handle any app, game, or video you’ve got or will get in the next few years on Android, and the whole user interface is quite slick. This device is made to be its own little beast, not part of the docking and mirroring universe that Motorola smartphones have been almost exclusively for the past year. Because of that, you’ll have lower cost ($99.99 USD with a 2-year contract), and the device can be smaller as well. The battery inside this device is thinned-out in a way that makes it non-removable as well – the same situation as the original DROID RAZR too. So you’ve got a smartphone that’s not made to come apart and certainly isn’t made to be part of the Motorola lineup from the year previous to this season. This is indeed part of the “new plan” spoken about by Dennis Woodside as Motorola’s tie with Google keeps the company flying high into the future. We’re excited to see if the DROID RAZR HD and HD MAXX are up to snuff as well – soon enough!

I haven't been this excited about a compact Android smartphone for quite some time. The $99 Motorola Droid Razr M is not only fast, thanks to its premium processor, but it has generous battery life to match. Throw in this phone's gorgeous 4.3-inch AMOLED display, sleek styling, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS, and you're looking at one of the best deals to hit Verizon in ages. If you plan to take lots of photos on the go, though, this device isn't for you. Sadly, though the Droid Razr M's camera boasts lots of features and settings, it's a slow shooter with lackluster image quality. For shoppers looking for a phone that takes excellent pictures, I suggest springing for the more expensive $199.99 Samsung Galaxy S3. Motorola's upcoming Droid Razr HD and Droid Razr Maxx HD, due out by the end of the year, will offer bigger, sharper screens and larger batteries but at likely higher sticker prices. Still, the Droid Razr M's unique blend of high-class looks, premium features and performance, and low cost of entry are hard to pass up.

It’s not the fastest, the most chiseled, or most cutting-edge DROID we’ve seen to date. However, when you’re getting an equipped smartphone that’s packing the same processing power as some of its esteemed colleagues there’s plenty to like about the Motorola DROID RAZR M. Of all the lovely things attached with the handset, it’s the edge-to-edge display that’s most amazing, which is made more spectacular when it translates over to being the most compact smartphone on the market with a 4.3-inch display. Add to the fact that it’s sporting one easy and affordable price point of $99.99 with a 2-year contract, it’s poised to make one successful run that’s sure to etch out a piece of the pie for itself. Even though there are still two other DROID RAZR’s on the horizon for Big Red, this one is undoubtedly a great way for Motorola to establish its presence in the crucial fall and holiday period. So people, the Motorola DROID RAZR M has all the ingredients and execution to be a respected contender – and that’s despite being regarded as a mid-range device. When all is said and done, this actually sets the standard in what it means to be a mid-range smartphone nowadays.