Basically the 2014 Moto X, except what it should have been. Backstory: I have been using Apple and Android devices for the past 6 years (more Apple than Android). My latest Apple device was an iPhone 6 Plus 64GB. It's a great device. Battery life was awesome, camera was stunning for a smartphone, and the rounded corners were welcomed. However, something changed my thinking over almost 2 months of usage. I had a problem. Not with the phone's features, but with the size. I do a lot of work in some gritty environments. I need some pretty hardcore protection from dust, fibers, and metal particles. There was NO way I would have been able to put an Otterbox Defender on this phone and still put it in my pocket. There was no way the new LifeProof case would have fit in my pocket. Result: I had to have a phone that had equal if not better battery life, fit in my pocket well with a protective case, and had top of the line specs. Answer: The Motorola Droid Turbo. Why not the iPhone 6? I don't feel like waiting forever to get one. And the Droid Turbo is a spec'd out frickin' beast. Here is my initial review. How the device feels in hand: - It feels wonderful. Much thicker than the iPhone 6 Plus, but way easier to hold. - The glass weave "rubber" back feels good. It adds just enough grip and looks aggressive. - I purchased the Red variant as featured in the image above. I am tired of black/white. - The capacitive buttons don't bother me. They work fine. How the device performs in real life: - There is zero lag in the UI. Nothing. Zip. - The camera shutter does slow down a bit in low light. Which results in some blur if the subject is moving fast. - Battery life? It's amazing in my opinion. I've been using it heavily all day and I have 70% left. - The Turbo Charger is great. It certainly does charge FAST. Faster than any other charger I've ever seen (thanks Qualcomm). - Call Quality is great, even on CDMA2000. I've been used to VoLTE calls on my 6 Plus and there isn't a massive difference on my end. People on the other end say I sound clear and natural. The Turbo will receive an update in the near future to support VoLTE on Verizon. This will also enable simultaneous voice/data. - Reception has been equal/better than my iPhone 6 Plus at my house. LTE data speeds are definitely better on the Turbo, especially the upload. - This phone is built like a tank, even without any case it feels tough. - I LOVE MOTO DISPLAY OR ACTIVE DISPLAY (whatever it's called). It sounds gimmicky, but it's certainly not. Any time I grab the phone, it will automatically display 3 notifications (email, calls, texts, etc...). I can wave my hand over the phone without turning on the screen and it will show any current notifications. I love this. Again, this is extremely useful for someone who is on the go a lot and needs to quickly check current notifications. This is probably my favorite feature on the Turbo so far. Apps: - This is short. All apps I used daily on my iPhone, I have on the Turbo. No big deal. They all work fine and are equally useful. Bottom line, so far: - This phone is wonderful. I was so nervous to try a different platform, but once I got everything set up, it was a breeze. There are SO many high-end smartphones out there now. This is easily one of the best, if not THE best Android phones currently in my opinion. Could I go back to an iPhone? Sure. Do I feel like I need to run back to mama Apple ASAP? No. This phone is great. It's a beast. I love it. **Updates to this initial review will happen after more use**
Great review TWX, thanks, glad it's working out so well for you. Motorola has always been my favorite together with Nokia, with their fantastic reception and great call quality. I am happy to see that Moto is coming out with these high end devices and people are happy with them. Looking forward to more input from you. Sent from my iPad Air using Tapatalk
Thanks for the timely review! I've been thinking about a Moto X and the 1st line of your review gets right to the point.
So will you still be getting a Moto X? I had the 2013 version and really liked it. It's too bad that Turbo is a Verizon exclusive. Sent from my 6/128/SG using Tapatalk
The international version of the phone will be available as well, called Moto MAXX. No idea whether it'll have US-compatible LTE. TWX, thanks for the review!
I'm always in favor for getting the best phone or case for the intended need. Congratulations. What other protection will you use for the 'metal fibers, dust' etc? Is the LifeProof case out yet?
Thanks ViewFly! I believe I'll pick up the LifeProof Fre case. It's already out (Verizon must have pushed them hard and paid a pretty penny to get this case out upon launch). All the Verizon corporate stores have been selling out of them, so I'll buy it online this week.
TWX: I vaguely remember our chatting about photography before. (I'm still covetingly jealous of the lens in your photo, lol.) Seeing as you & I appreciate the finer things of photography, I'd be interested in seeing a frank critique taking a look at the capabilities of the phone's camera -- not your run-of-the-mill easy daylight shots but 1) low-light, 2)high contrast, 3) in-camera HDR, 4) action/sports shots. Truthfully, since I've been so seriously ill with cancer and chemo treatments, it has impossible for me to lug around my camera equipment anymore. Then again, most of what i do with my phone's camera comes down to medical selfies -- taking pics of skin blemishes, bleeding & other nasty symptoms too stomach-turning to mention here.
At least the X isn't exclusive to a single carrier. As long as you aren't on Sprint, you can have your X
As Quint mentioned, the Moto X is available on other providers. I am also reading vague rumors that a GSM version of the Turbo is going through FCC testing. Sent from my iPad Air using Tapatalk
Looks nice. I have a Moto X 2014, but think the Turb (or MAXX) would have been a good (or better) option, however they seem to both be for CDMA/LTE networks, anyway not available in EU. http://www.motorola.com/us/droid-turbo-pdp.html http://www.motorola.com/us/consumer...D-Maxx/m-droid-maxx.html#specs-droid-maxx-pdp
One rule of thumb is if you see the word DROID in the model, it is a Verizon model. DROID is used exclusively by Verizon under some sort of license. The Turbo is a Verizon exclusive... Not sure how long is the exclusive, though. Sometimes, a non Verizon version of the Motorola phone is made. Sent from my SM-N910V
I've had my Moto Razr M since Oct 2013 - I'm still not a fan of having a phone without a removable battery. And I like the smaller size. This is a great review - I'll direct the husband to check it out. He's really thinking he's waiting to use his upgrade on the S6 (though Samsung is supposedly using their own processor & not the Qualcomm)
I thought that there were legal reasons Samsung couldn't use Exynos in the cellular-enabled devices shipped to US (they do use them in their Wi-Fi-only devices), so I'm curious about how that'll pan out. Also the rumor has it that Samsung S6 will be joining the non-removable battery camp
