Motorola Droid X user reviews (Verizon Wireless)

Pros Big screen=less eyestrain & easier typing
Swype built in (easy text entry once you get used to it)
Nice feel in hand, solid build
Dedicated camera button

Cons User Interface not as polished as HTC Sense
Software sometimes buggy
Slightly big for pocket
Screen not as responsive as Incredible

Summary I used an iPhone 3G, upgraded to the Incredible a little less than a month ago, then switched to the Droid X. All great phones. Here, I'll focus on the X vs. Incredible.

Short version: The Inc has a nicer screen for indoor use, and the software and user interface is more polished with more built-in features. The X has a more versatile screen and is obviously bigger. Otherwise, there is no clear choice between the two--you would have to make tradeoffs as outlined below:

User Interface: The X's UI is not as polished as the Inc's. But, this is a matter of personal preference (I prefer the look of the X widgets since they aren't as visually heavy, but they also aren't as functional). Some other UI/OS differences:
*The X phone dialer is not as nice--with the Inc., you can just dial the first few digits corresponding to a name in your address book.
*Voice control is easier on the X. Hold home then say a command (this makes up for the dialer)
*No option to reduce ringer volume when picking up the phone as with Inc. Inc. has option to leave phone upside down on a desk--incoming calls will then cause one beep. With the X, turn the phone over to silence the ringer (but it rings if it's already face-down).
*The HTC mail widget is worth a separate mention: it allows you to easily scroll through messages without opening the mail app. I found it useful as a way to catch up between meetings. No such widget is on the X.

Look and Feel: The X isn't really as big as you might think. I am a big guy, and it is nice to find a phone that is the right size for me. Relative to the Incredible, I like that the camera lens doesn't protrude from the back, and that the phone feels thinner. It does fit better in my hand, and the big screen makes everything from typing to reading easier. Those with younger eyes and smaller fingers might prefer the opposite. The X seems to be made of plastic despite reports that it is made of metal, but it does feel solid.

Joystick: The Incredible has a joystick, the X doesn't. It was helpful when editing text--no need point my fat finger in between letters to insert, I could just scroll the joystick.

Keyboards: X comes the Swipe kb built-in, plus a multitouch version of the stock Android KB.No clear winner here (I'm sure you can eventually get Swipe for the Inc).

Browser: The Sense browser is nicer. It is smart about re-wrapping text when you zoom in and out, and double-tapping usually zooms in where you want. The X browser doesn't re-wrap the text as well, and you will often find yourself using horizontal scrolling. No cut-and-paste in the X browser as with the Inc. I think you can open more tabs, but I'd have to confirm this.

Android 2.2: It is worth mentioning that the X will (per Motorola) get the Android 2.2 update in August. The Droid Inc. will get it sometime before the end of the year (per HTC). 2.2 is rumored to increase speed, among other things. But neither phone has it NOW, so who knows.

Screen: The X has an LCD, no real surprises: it is passable in most light levels. The Incredible's AMOLED screen was wonderful under medium to low light (very good color contrast), but too washed out under bright light. Again, it is a trade off--do you prefer a great indoor screen, or a good all-purpose screen? (Note: the Inc IS usable under bright light, but barely).

Camera: The X has a dedicated physical camera button, making it quicker to open the camera and take a pic. However, the Incredible has tap-to-focus. The X does do 720p HD video recording and there is a noise cancelling mic for video recording. (Rumor: Inc will get 720p in a software update soon)

Phone: The X's dialer isn't as feature rich (see above). I've made several test calls: on the Inc, the people I call reported that my voice was "tinny". The same people report great call quality with the X, perhaps because of the noise cancelling mic. (not present on the Inc). However, I found the earpiece speaker on the Inc. to be clearer and louder.

Reception: reception is good. Note that you can't compare reception by using the "bars"--you need to look at the db reading. On the inc, go to settings->about->network, on the X go to settings->about->status (better values are closer to zero). The X gets consistently better values than the Inc did in the same spots (but, that can vary from day-to-day, so this isn't conclusive). The X is getting a stronger signal than my dad's Moto Droid in side-by-side tests (~5dBm on average!), whereas the Moto Droid beat the Inc in side-by-side tests (about 2dBm on average). I don't know if this translates into any real-world benefit, and it could have more to do with my local conditions/towers. The speedtest.net app shows similar 3g bandwidth and Wifi bandwidth to the Inc. The X gets faster WiFi downloads than the Moto Droid in side-by-side tests (both seem to limit upload to about 2mbps).

Pros Strong Signal
Large, vibrant screen
Snappy processor
Great Camera
High Level of customization

Cons Not the best looking phone i've seen
Software look can use some polishing
Lack of front facing camera

Summary I returned my lackluster iphone 4 and went to the droid x. Best decision i've ever made. There are plenty of great droid x reviews out there. So, i'll just give a straight up battle royal, showing all the benefits i've found in the droid x over the iphone 4 (because we know the comparison this summer will be inevetable)

Droid X Iphone
-4.3 in. screen -3.5 in. screen
-8 MP Camera w/ dual flash -5 MP Camera w/ single flash
-3 microphones for noise cancellation -2 mics
and sound capture during video recording
-HDMI port for video and photo playback -No HDMI port
on your high def TV
-Removable Battery -Non Removable Battery
-Removable Memory- 8 GB internal with up - Non Removable Memory 16 or 32
to 32 GB Removable Memory. Free 16 GB
card included
-Preloaded Swype Keyboard -No Swype
-Mobile HotSpot Capable -No Mobile HotSpot
-Free Turn by turn navigation -Navigation must be purchased
-Widget Capable -No Widgets
-Full Flash 10.1 Support -No Flash Support
-DLNA Support -No DLNA
-Integrated Social Networking through Ninja-Blur -No integrated social networking
-8 Hours talk time on a 1570 mAh Battery -7 Hours talk time on 1420 mAh
-Unlimited Data use -2 GB data restriction
-Universal Micro-USB charging port -Propietary 30-pin chargin port
-Verizon Network=GOOD -AT&T=BAD
-NO KNOW ISSUES -Death Grip, yellow spots,
dropped calls

Pros A powerhouse of everything mobile!

Cons - Battery can't keep up with your need to constantly fiddle with this thing.
- Choose the incredible or the iPhone if your hands are on the smaller side.

Summary I usually am the one reading the reviews to make my decisions and leave it at that, but I felt compelled to put it out there that this is without a doubt "the real deal," "the big boy," "the head honcho" of cell phones right now.
- Lightning Fast with the Ti processor
- Fantastic call quality
- Big beautiful screen
- Feels light, despite its size and fits nicely in your pocket (I suggest getting the glossy phone protector so you dont pull out a pocket sock everytime you answer your phone.)
- Chalked full of endless app options
- Great touch sensitivity
- Roomy keyboard and perfect those with larger meat hooks.
- I was iffy about the Camera housing that bumps out of the bottom of the phone, but it actually makes the phone feel more comfortable to hold.

::Bottom, Bottom Line::

It took the consumer reports denial of the iPhone and about 10 minutes of playing around with the DroidX to push me over the Iphone/droid fence that I've been walking along for the past year. I know that boasting one phone over the other is like discussing religion and politcs at the dinner table now a days, but if you are caught in the middle of the fire fight, do yourself a favor and nerd out with the droid for a while.

Pros Screen size
Screen quality
Call quality
Browser

Cons Battery life (is it ever good enough?)

Summary I have come from a two year experience with a BlackBerry Curve. Unlike many smartphone users, I'm a businesses user with heavy email needs. The BlackBerry was fine for email, but weak on calendar and Internet and the apps are sadly lacking. I liked the BB keyboard, and was cautious about moving to a phone without one.

I have an iPad that I love. I had tried out the original Moto Droid, but the slide-out keyboard was useless with my big thumbs.

So far, the Droid X seems to be the perfect phone for me. The big screen size and excellent resolution are perfect for my aging eyes. The larger screen also helps makes the on-screen keyboard larger and easier to operate with large thumbs. Only the keyboard in landscape mode is usable for me. I do wish that the screen was a little brighter for outdoor use.(I couldn't use the Incredible at all in sunshine.)

The overall large size of the phone isn't a problem.for me. The processor handles the screen and all processes beautifully.

I'm a professional photographer, so it's hard for me to praise any smartphone camera. The Droid X has one of the better ones, but it doesn't do as well as an average digital point-and-shoot. But, it's nice to have a camera of this quality with you at all times.

I think the battery will make it through a typical work day for me, but without much to spare. It charges very quickly, however.

Here's my analysis of Android 2.1: It isn't quite as polished as iOS on the iPhone. But it is much more customizable. If you think it's fun to tinker with the interface, you'll be able to build a phone that's really customized for your preferences and the way you use your phone. My me, it was worthwhile and enjoyable. So far, the Android Market is somewhat behind the Apple iTunes App store in both quality and quantity of apps, but it's improving quickly and many developers are flocking to this operating system.

Overall, I'm very happy I made this transition.