Windows Phones have been getting all the attention at this year's CES, but a few Android device makers proved they're still capable of innovating.
[bug id="ces2012"]Motorola debuted the Razr Maxx this week, an updated version of its recently released Droid Razr handset. Moto hasn't announced availability yet, but we got to spend some time on the show floor with one and see how it performed.
First things first: We like what Motorola is doing with its hardware. There's been a resurgence on emphasizing industrial design in the mobile world, as manufacturers like Nokia and Motorola have paid more attention to materials, flourishes and details once otherwise overlooked
The Maxx, for instance, is built on an aluminium chassis, strong enough to withstand a rough-and-tumble pocket ride. Kevlar mesh (yes, Kevlar is the material that goes into bulletproof vests) wraps around the phone's back, feeling smooth in hand, almost like touching the cooled surface of a piece of pottery. And the screen is kept safe with a Gorilla Glass facade.
If only the outsides were important to you, however, you may as well get the Maxx's younger brother, the Droid Razr. Both phones are nearly identical in terms of specs and materials: 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 8MP rear-facing camera with an HD-capable front-facing camera as well, microSD expandability, and a 4.3-inch super AMOLED screen are all standard on both devices.
So why buy the new phone, you may ask? This is where the Maxx's namesake comes in: The device comes with a highly upgraded 3300 mAh battery, which Motorola promises will deliver up to 21 hours of talk time. That's unprecedented in devices that suck down this much power, and arguably one of the biggest issues facing smart devices today.
To boot, it's a 4G LTE device on Verizon's network, which means fast data transfer speeds, and even faster battery draining. The amount of power required to use 4G radios has been a chief complaint with new smartphone owners, as LTE devices often run out of juice over the course of less than a day. And it's tough to enjoy blazing fast downloads if your phone is dead.
Here's the thing: The Maxx has to make some tradeoffs to fit the big new battery inside. Instead of the thin, recessed backing of the Droid Razr, the Maxx' backbone is filled out in a solid, candy bar shape. It's not a dealbreaker, but doesn't feel very "Razr-y" anymore.
But now we're nitpicking. In all, it's a fantastic idea coupled with a well-designed device. But we won't give it our full seal of approval quite yet -- not until we put it through our battery-life testing rigors.
There's no release date and no solid price, but Moto says that upon the Maxx's launch, the original Razr will drop a C-note in price to $200, so we're guessing the Maxx will go for somewhere in the range of $300.
