8. Motorola Droid X^2
The iPhone 5 may or may not be coming out in 2011. Assuming it does, there will be plenty of Android-based competition to deal with.
Challenger: Motorola Droid X² (aka X^2 or X-Squared)
Processor: Nvidia Tegra 2, dual-core 1.2 GHz
Screen Size: 4.3-inch qHD (960x540)
iPhone Threat Level: Yellow
The original Droid X was a massive success, and the Droid X² (previously known as the Droid 2X) is a nearly identical phone but with some extensive internal upgrades. Going from a single-core 1 GHz processor to Nvidia’s latest dual-core 1.2 GHz Tegra 2 SoC creates a massive leap in performance, certainly on par with the offerings expected from the iPhone 5. Like its predecessor, it’ll have just about every additional feature a smartphone can, such as HDMI output, dual LED flash, and potentially 1080p video recording.
On the downside, it doesn’t seem that the Droid X² will get to play on Verizon’s super fast 4G LTE network, though the Verizon iPhone 5 likely won’t either. You're also going to have a slimmed-down version of Motoblur running atop Android 2.2 (Froyo), which might turn some potential buyers off. There’s also the small issue that the Droid X² release date is completely unknown, though still expected before the iPhone 5.
- 1. The iPhone 5: Obsolete Before Release?
- 2. A Peek Inside The iPhone 5
- 3. HTC Sensation
- 4. LG Optimus 3D
- 5. HTC EVO 3D
- 6. Motorola Atrix 4G
- 7. LG Optimus 2X
- 8. Motorola Droid X^2
- 9. Samsung Galaxy S II
- 10. HTC Droid Incredible 2
- 11. HTC Thunderbolt
- 12. Samsung Infuse 4G
- 13. LG Revolution
- 14. Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
- 15. Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
- 16. Motorola Droid Bionic
- 17. LG Nexus 3
- 18. A Word on Windows Phone 7
- 19. Conclusion
Excellent article. I am a long time user of the IPhone, but I've been waiting for the latest and greatest by Apple. Since they decided to push off the launch of the new product as they had previously from June to September/October, I decided I am going to look into Android products as I don't want to wait that long. After this article, I know what phone I'm interested in. I'm even willing to wait a few months for it. Who knows, Apple may pull me back if they ever announce anything, but at this time, I'm extremely excited by the prospect of using an Android phone for the first time!
iPhone needs to incorporate T-Mobile 4G LTE band, which would make it compatible with all GSM networks in North America/Europe. This would significantly expand prospective user base. There is no need to sell iPhone on T-Mobile, as unlocked versions will show up on T-Mobile network. This would be a big plus for ATT as they are buying T-Mobile. Happy apple users, as now they can seamlessly switch between ATT and T-Mobile. There is still no 3G world phone on the market and Apple would be first one again.
For some reason I feel that it will be missing the most important features I need such as FLAC playback, high quality audio with professioanl EQ, 1080p60 at 80Mbps HD video recording/playback, dual microSDXC card reader, USB 3.0 support and on & on... So yes, I'll wait for Samsung Universe T instead.
Had one HTC last year, sold it fast again. Going no touch now, battery is king. Anyway, not speaking about battery time makes this rather useless. I will consider Iphone 5 if they bring in even more battery life.
This gave me a good chuckle. Very nice article by the way, it was a pleasure to read.
It looks like I may need to replace my Nexus 1 with the Sensation; the design even makes it look like an N1. I just hope the build quality is up to the same standards, as it is one of the things that I love about it over the other plastic HTC phones.
It looks like I may need to replace my Nexus 1 with the Sensation; the design even makes it look like an N1. I just hope the build quality is up to the same standards, as it is one of the things that I love about it over the other plastic HTC phones.
The Sensation should be a very sturdy phone. If you look closely, you can see that it has a unibody exoskeleton, which I believe is made from aluminum or at least some metal allow. It doesn't cover the whole phone though, so you won't have any antenna issues like the various versions of the iPhone.
It's good to hear from IPhone owners, but until they have used Micorsofts Windows Phone 7 they don't know what they are missing. Windows Phones will surrpass Apple and Google by providing phones that are both easy to use and clolely tied to all Windows systems.
To me, support from third party developers is almost more important than hardware specs. Apple and Android both have excellent support but, as we all know, Apple has a slight edge. Let's not forget there's so many Android sets out there with only a handful of real true smart phones. There will always be millions and millions of Android os's out there but Apple sells millions and millions of one phone and will continue to do so and so will the Android OS. I think everyone has learned from RIM and Palm... Don't get lazy by shoving out the same garbage year over year.
The Droid 3 should release soon as a iPhone5 competitor as well. A lot of the specs are unknown, but we can basically assume it'll be very competitive, with its show stopper feature being a 5 row qwerty keyboard.
- Us existing Droid and Droid 2 owners might know more than others missing out, but a good 5 row qwerty is a pretty big deal.
Maybe droids should think twice about launching so many flavors of its phones. Apples model works for them and for most of its consumers. I personally don't purchase Apple products of late but I do like how Apple supports their products. Can't say the same for some of the Android phones I've owned in the past. No updates and no support from my carrier. With Apple I could call or walk into any Apple store and get assistance. With my droid I have to get some geek off Craigslist to un-brick my phone ( I can do it myself but most Android users can't.)
I went from the original Droid to an iPhone 4, but if I see a 4G LTE Android handset with a 4" qHD screen, dual-core SOC, front facing camera, and NFC I'm jumping ship again. I miss Google Navigation
Dan I really liked the OS on the Windows Phone 7 the times I used it on AT&T's store. My 2 year Claro! contract expires this summer and I was hoping to get a Dual core WP7.
I guess I'll have to be happy with a dual core android.
... android phones have nice specs but no optimization and polish...
... android phones have nice specs but no optimization and polish...
I don't know...HTC's SenseUI looks pretty polished to me, and the performance hit from running the custom overlay is pretty negligible on these new devices. Personally, I prefer the pure Android experience over a custom UI - something like the G2x for example. I was using it the other day, and it is a really nice phone.
moto droid x2 for this guy,
Re: SE Xperia ARC - "uses technology derived from Sony’s top rated Bravia TVs, creating a extremely vivid and crisp image." - this seems like another marketing nonsense. I wish Tom's wasn't quoting Sony's BS.
Re: SE Xperia ARC - "uses technology derived from Sony’s top rated Bravia TVs, creating a extremely vivid and crisp image." - this seems like another marketing nonsense. I wish Tom's wasn't quoting Sony's BS.
Marketing nonsense makes the world go round.
The LCD on the Xperia Arc is supposed to be about average (it's not AMOLED, so keep that in mind). However the Mobile Bravia Engine being referred to is supposed to work very well when one is viewing pictures and video on the phone. That isn't marketing BS, since as much has been confirmed in reviews on Engadget, etc.
-Devin Connors
... android phones have nice specs but no optimization and polish...
You forgot to define a few terms:
Optimization = rejection of apps by Apple because they think the lack of them will "optimize" your experience with the phone
Polish = flashy animations with no function
Have you ever read Dilbert? You'd make a good Pointy-Haired Boss. He likes to throw around meaningless terms too =)