Next Best or Upcoming Android Phone to Buy

So, my Droid X which I've had for the past 2 years with the extra warranty plan for Verizon is finally taking a dump. I loved it and think it's one of the best investments I've ever made in terms of toys for myself. I was going to use the warranty to replace it, but found out I have to pay $100 just to get a replacement. I figured, why not get a newer phone for about a 100 bucks more or so. I've been out of the whole phone loop, but finally did some research but still not sure.

At one point I was really excited about the Galaxy Nexus, I was really looking forward to getting it now, but then I found out that the Droid Razzr Maxx is probably the next best and the best one out right now in terms of Android Phones.

My question is - should I jump on the Droid Razzr Maxx pay the $230 for upgrading or is there a newer and better version of the Nexus coming out or a better android phone coming out for verizon wireless thats worth waiting another week or two?

Quote from reddem0n : So, my Droid X which I've had for the past 2 years with the extra warranty plan for Verizon is finally taking a dump. I loved it and think it's one of the best investments I've ever made in terms of toys for myself. I was going to use the warranty to replace it, but found out I have to pay $100 just to get a replacement. I figured, why not get a newer phone for about a 100 bucks more or so. I've been out of the whole phone loop, but finally did some research but still not sure. At one point I was really excited about the Galaxy Nexus, I was really looking forward to getting it now, but then I found out that the Droid Razzr Maxx is probably the next best and the best one out right now in terms of Android Phones. My question is - should I jump on the Droid Razzr Maxx pay the $230 for upgrading or is there a newer and better version of the Nexus coming out or a better android phone coming out for verizon wireless thats worth waiting another week or two?

I have the nexus and like it, the max might have a better battery life ? but I like the support that comes to the nexus (lots of custom roms). As far as new phones to come out I know there is a new HTC phone (the X?), galaxy s3, one by LG not to far out. Im just not sure which are coming to VZ.

Well here is what I found you might want to go to a MS store lose the challenge and just use/find an old phone, Verizon tend to push back phone releases so even though it shows April 12 I would think closer to May.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/La...ak_id27661

The Maxx is a nice phone, but no ability to replace the battery is annoying.

The Nexus is a good device, but no a good phone. Can't talk outside in the wind, not second mic for cancelling, or is doesn't work correctly. Had issues where signal gets dropped, although I think this is an issue will ass 4g phones when they have a weak 4g signal.

I have the Nexus, and the massive number of features is cool, if you need them. Most days, in average usage, I miss my Incredible and a zippy 2.3 OS.

Quote from Somesort : The Maxx is a nice phone, but no ability to replace the battery is annoying. The Nexus is a good device, but no a good phone. Can't talk outside in the wind, not second mic for cancelling, or is doesn't work correctly. Had issues where signal gets dropped, although I think this is an issue will ass 4g phones when they have a weak 4g signal. I have the Nexus, and the massive number of features is cool, if you need them. Most days, in average usage, I miss my Incredible and a zippy 2.3 OS.

Interesting review of the GNex. I knew about some of those issues, call quality being one of them. I know they have updated the radios to help with the drop issues. Weak 4g signals will sure cause problem, but its harder to blame this on the handset then your location. I have heard no one say that 4.0 is slow though. Are you stock? Custom Rom?


OP
So it sounds like you are eligible for an upgrade now then.

As a DX owner, what are your problems, and what steps have you taken to resolve them? If its software you can do quite a bit to mod this phone.

I do think the New Razr is a good phone, It will be getting ICS this week to, which by most accounts is a really good build. The Razr is not as customizeable as the GNex but not sure how important that is too you.

Personally, I am waiting until the next generation of LTE phones are out with the new smaller LTE radios. They will have greatly improved battery life (20-30%) because the LTE chips are significantly smaller. Chips are starting production soon meaning they should hit phones probably late summer.

Quote from LiquidRetro : Interesting review of the GNex. I knew about some of those issues, call quality being one of them. I know they have updated the radios to help with the drop issues. Weak 4g signals will sure cause problem, but its harder to blame this on the handset then your location. I have heard no one say that 4.0 is slow though. Are you stock? Custom Rom?

I just use the stock and it is by no means slow. Browsing is borderline PC fast and I notice no lag in moving around the phone itself. I mostly just miss the simplicity of 2.3 as well as fast boot. I turn my phone on and off several times a day so I really notice the boot times.

I went with the Nexus to be front line for updates, but aside from the change they pushed to make the signal look better (look better, not work better) they haven't pushed anything since December.

Quote from Somesort : I just use the stock and it is by no means slow. Browsing is borderline PC fast and I notice no lag in moving around the phone itself. I mostly just miss the simplicity of 2.3 as well as fast boot. I turn my phone on and off several times a day so I really notice the boot times. I went with the Nexus to be front line for updates, but aside from the change they pushed to make the signal look better (look better, not work better) they haven't pushed anything since December.

Running a custom Rom will take care of a lot of that, and is really the beauty of that phone. Developer support is fantastic. Not sure about how much the boot time would improve.. Not sure of your reason for power cycling the phone so often, but if are concerned about the phone ringing at work or vibrating etc, you might look into airplane mode. It effectively kills all the radios so there will be nothing to come in per say.

Personally I find 4.0 to be a huge improvement over 2.3. Things are easier to find, and faster to do, with less menus required. It is a much more polished OS.

Quote from LiquidRetro : Running a custom Rom will take care of a lot of that, and is really the beauty of that phone. Developer support is fantastic. Not sure about how much the boot time would improve.. Not sure of your reason for power cycling the phone so often, but if are concerned about the phone ringing at work or vibrating etc, you might look into airplane mode. It effectively kills all the radios so there will be nothing to come in per say. Personally I find 4.0 to be a huge improvement over 2.3. Things are easier to find, and faster to do, with less menus required. It is a much more polished OS.

True, my coworker is running several different roms, and he con't possible love anything more. I need to stop being lazy and do that. As for the power cycling, I have to lock up my phone for work so it is more my choice to turn it off and save battery.

I had an issue once where it wouldn't come out of airplane mode without power cycling so I usually just turn it off unless I am actually flying.

4.0 is an improvement on lots of things, folders for one. I think I am just not a big fan of how my contacts and previous calls are in tabs now. Not a huge deal, more of me just being a sissy about having to click one button the slide my finger slightly over to a name rather than the way I had it before. I could just avoid all of that by actually putting a contact shortcut on the phone, but then there is that laziness again.

In all, full HDMI out, USB host mode and amazing bluetooth functionality makes this phone great for me. Having a screen big and bright enough to actually read magazines or comics is great too. It actually replaced my tablet for the most part.

Be careful with the RAZR. My boss got it 2 weeks ago and has a shattered screen now from a 2 foot fall to a solid flat floor. Protect it good if you get it. I've heard really good things about how it runs and it should have ICS soon as well.

Quote from reddem0n : So, my Droid X which I've had for the past 2 years with the extra warranty plan for Verizon is finally taking a dump. I loved it and think it's one of the best investments I've ever made in terms of toys for myself. I was going to use the warranty to replace it, but found out I have to pay $100 just to get a replacement. I figured, why not get a newer phone for about a 100 bucks more or so. I've been out of the whole phone loop, but finally did some research but still not sure. At one point I was really excited about the Galaxy Nexus, I was really looking forward to getting it now, but then I found out that the Droid Razzr Maxx is probably the next best and the best one out right now in terms of Android Phones. My question is - should I jump on the Droid Razzr Maxx pay the $230 for upgrading or is there a newer and better version of the Nexus coming out or a better android phone coming out for verizon wireless thats worth waiting another week or two?

You'd be better off waiting a little: the Samsung Galaxy S III is looking to be a fantastic phone featuring a quad-core processor and most likely Android 4.0. It'll be worth waiting for. If you need an Android phone now, go with the Galaxy S II, but bear in mind that it'll become obsolete sooner than you'd think.

Quote from rustynail1978 : Be careful with the RAZR. My boss got it 2 weeks ago and has a shattered screen now from a 2 foot fall to a solid flat floor. Protect it good if you get it. I've heard really good things about how it runs and it should have ICS soon as well.

Careful with that claim! Motorola and Verizon put so much crapware on the Droid series that the performance takes a huge hit. MotoCAST, Verizon apps, etc. also hog memory, and there's no easy way short of rooting the phone to be rid of them on Android 2.3. The Droid Razr, although advertised as being protected with "Kevlar", is also another victim of superfluous advertising pitches.

Quote from chickenortheegg : Careful with that claim! Motorola and Verizon put so much crapware on the Droid series that the performance takes a huge hit. MotoCAST, Verizon apps, etc. also hog memory, and there's no easy way short of rooting the phone to be rid of them on Android 2.3. The Droid Razr, although advertised as being protected with "Kevlar", is also another victim of superfluous advertising pitches.

this - make sure you root the phones and either remove the crap or just go to cyanogen

you can probably try Sony Xperia S for the look.

Quote from chickenortheegg : You'd be better off waiting a little: the Samsung Galaxy S III is looking to be a fantastic phone featuring a quad-core processor and most likely Android 4.0. It'll be worth waiting for. If you need an Android phone now, go with the Galaxy S II, but bear in mind that it'll become obsolete sooner than you'd think.

Ugh, I have to wait till the end of May for that. So long!!!