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The Motorola Droid (development codename "Sholes") is powered by Android, an operating system developed by the Open Handset Alliance to provide an open Linux Kernel platform for independent developers. This means that there is a whole realm of unique widgets, programs and features that can't be found on a traditional Windows based operating system. The Droid takes full advantage of this, providing top of the line hardware to back it up. It has a large 3.7-inch 854 x 480 pixel screen and a 5-megapixel camera that comes with flash, auto focus and video recording capabilities. The GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 and 3.5mm headphone jack are only to be expected for the Motorola Droid phone. Additionally the smartphone is reportedly the slimmest phone with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.
MSRP $299.00
Release date November, 2009
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Pros & Cons30
Reviews15
Details
Buy It
Competitors18
Related2
Gallery2
Pros & Cons
13 positive
0 mixed
1 negative
![[i]](/images/info.png)
How is the ProSCORE calculated?
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The ProSCORE is calculated based on the ratio of Pros & Cons about this product as voted by
approved reviewers from the ProductWiki community.
ProSCORE = 100 x (Pro votes) / [(Pro votes) + (Con votes)]
Numbers used for this ProSCORE:
Pro votes = 166
Con votes = 40
Total votes = 206
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Details
Features
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (including A2DP and AVRCP profiles)
- 5-megapixel camera
- Flash, auto focus, video recording
- 3.7-inch screen
- 854x480 pixels
- GPS
- Wi-Fi
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- QWERTY keyboard
- Developed by Motorola and Google
- Currently only available through the carrier Verizon (CDMA) in the USA
- CPU: Texas Instruments OMAP 3430 (also used on Palm Pre)
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This report was started
October 23, 2009 at 1:00 am by
sionorn
with the last edit occurring
Today, 3:09 PM by
Lefty10
This page has been viewed
1445 times,
with
470 edits by
20 contributors.
See the
full report history »
Buy It
Competitors
Motorola Droid (Sholes) is ranked 2nd among it's competitors.
See the
top picks in
Smart Phones »
MSRP --
Released November, 2009
Pros
- open Android OS
- WiFi
- 3.5mm headphone jack
Cons
- annoying/elitist/standard Sony gadget porn teaser advertisement
- custom Sony UI
- absence of multitouch features such as zoom or rotate
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
50%
vs.
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 (X3, Rachael)
50%
MSRP $649.00
Released October, 2009
Pros
- slide out QWERTY keyboard
- 5MP camera with dual LED flash, Carl Zeiss lens, lens protector
- WiFi
Cons
- unconfirmed battery life
- relatively unknown operating system means there won't be that many applications / might not take off
- currently there is no portrait mode support in Maemo 5 except for phone call functions (will be in Maemo 6, but uncertain if the N900 will see that update in late 2010)
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
60%
vs.
Nokia N900
40%
MSRP $199.00
Released June, 2009
Pros
- much faster processing
- video recording
- larger storage
capacities
Cons
- no background running apps
- not a revolutionary upgrade
- AT&T is not supporting many of the new updates quite yet - 7.2Mbps HSDPA in 2011, no tethering information/pricing, no MMS until later this summer
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
60%
vs.
Apple iPhone 3GS
40%
MSRP $999.00
Released October, 2009
Pros
- excellent camera: can replace a regular point-and-shoot, though no optical zoom
- modern operating system (Symbian S60 5th Edition: multi-tasking, touchscreen etc)
- powerful processor (ARM Cortex A8 600 MHz)
Cons
- too expensive!
- slow switching between landscape and portrait
- landscape on-screen keyboard is either too small (not full width) or fullscreen (can't see the rest of the screen any more)
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
67%
vs.
Sony Ericsson Satio (Idou)
33%
MSRP $199.99
Released June, 2009
Pros
- full 3.5mm headphone jack
- removable battery
- backlit QWERTY keyboard
Cons
- no higher capacity models
- exclusive to Sprint for the first half of 2009
- no expandable memory
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
75%
vs.
Palm Pre
25%
MSRP $693.00
Released June, 2009
Pros
- 32GB of internal storage
- QWERTY keyboard
- microSD expansion slot
Cons
- very expensive
- no open source or lossless music format support
- only 3 rows of characters on the keyboard - space button is not in its proper place
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
80%
vs.
Nokia N97
20%
MSRP $689.50
Released November, 2009
Pros
- WiFi
- open Android 2.0 OS
- large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
Cons
- no Google Maps Navigation
- flash memory isn't integrated into the device, the only option is microSDHC (not as fast)
- all plastic enclosure
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
vs.
Motorola MILESTONE
MSRP --
Released November, 2009
Pros
- DivX support integrated (first in Android!)
- 800MHz CPU clock frequency
- microSDHC flash memory expansion (up to 32GB)
Cons
- no (i.e. insignificant amount of) integrated flash memory
- only Android 1.5 (Cupcake) at launch (may be upgradeable if Samsung cares enough)
- slow ARM11 CPU architecture
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
100%
vs.
Samsung i5700 (Galaxy Spica)
0%
MSRP --
Releases January, 2010
Pros
- amazingly well designed interface - feels like it's not a Windows based device
- packs a next-gen 1GHz snapdragon CPU
- massive high resolution (480 x 800px) 4.3-inch touchscreen display
Cons
- slightly larger than the iPhone (which is already quite large)
- no internal storage
- Windows Mobile based
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
100%
vs.
HTC HD2
0%
MSRP $399.00
Released November, 2009
Pros
- the latest Android operating system (2.0)
- Full QWERTY keyboard
- Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
Cons
- Resistive Screen
- somewhat slow - older processor
- no stand-alone GPS functionality (according to current spec sheet), always need carrier's data coverage to enable GPS
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
100%
vs.
LG GW620 (Eve)
0%
MSRP --
Released October, 2009
Pros
- 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
- Expandable memory (Up to 16GB) via microSD slot.
- Support for (even fullscreen) Flash.
Cons
- need a better processor
- The "Chin"
- Uses an older generation ARM 11 CPU, considerably slower than that used by Pre and iPhone
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
100%
vs.
HTC Hero
0%
MSRP $199.99
Released April, 2009
Pros
- built in
WiFi
- runs Android
-
GPS functionality
Cons
- no 3.5mm headphone jack
- no hard keyboard
- custom modified firmware for Rogers; disables many of the goodies of the US Android phones
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
100%
vs.
HTC Magic
0%
MSRP $699.00
Released August, 2009
Pros
- full QWERTY keyboard
- WiFi
- 5MP camera with auto-focus
Cons
- software is still buggy - can lead to freezeups
- enhanced BLUR widgets (eg/ "Happenings") cannot be resized, relocated or removed altogether
- no internal storage
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
100%
vs.
Motorola Cliq
0%
MSRP $700.00
Released September, 2009
Pros
- 3.2" touchscreen display
- full QWERTY keyboard
- 8GB of internal storage
Cons
- not much smaller than the N97
- no lens cover
- keyboard is worse than that on the original
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
100%
vs.
Nokia N97 Mini
0%
MSRP $649.99
Released September, 2009
Pros
- now includes WiFi
- 3.2MP camera
- 3.5mm headphone jack
Cons
- no QWERTY keyboard
- heavy
- limited internal storage compared to other consumer targeted offerings
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
100%
vs.
RIM BlackBerry Storm 2
0%
MSRP $99.00
Released November, 2009
Pros
- microSDHC memory expansion
- 3.5mm audio output
- HTC Hero-like trackball for navigation
Cons
- old ARM11 core at only 528MHz (stable platform but mediocre performance)
- only Android 1.5 at initial release (even the G1 is already updated to 1.6!)
- mail in rebate, arghh!
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
100%
vs.
HTC Droid Eris
0%
MSRP $449.99
Released October, 2009
Pros
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Android OS
- mass market device - lower cost than other HTC Android offerings
Cons
- Resistive screen - no multitouch
- no QWERTY keyboard
- no internal storage
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
100%
vs.
HTC Tattoo
0%
MSRP $199.00
Released November, 2009
Pros
- 3G
- WiFi
- full QWERTY keyboard
Cons
- $100 MIR to reach the $199 price point (on AT&T)
- non-touchscreen display
- same look and functionality as previous generations / models - not a revolutionary improvement
Motorola Droid (Sholes)
100%
vs.
RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700
0%
Reviews
Yesterday, 2:18 PM
approved
reviewer
trusted
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- open Android 2.0 OS
- WiFi
- large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- fast processor
- multi-tasking capable
- first phone to offer up a beta version of Google Maps Navigation - a free turn-by-turn GPS app
- takes decent quality 720 x 480px video
- slide out QWERTY keyboard
- virtual keyboard for quick entries or those uninterested in sliding out the physical QWERTY
- comes with 16GB flash memory (microSDHC, expandable to 32GB)
- solid build quality
- very slim
- facebook integration into contacts
- car holder available (for GPS navigation with Google Maps Navigation in Android 2.0)
- stereo Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR with A2DP & AVRCP
- haptic feedback
- home dock with device stand and microUSB connector for charging/syncing/etc available
- 5MP auto-focusing camera with dual LED flash
- Motorola also makes a GSM version of the phone (doubtful if US GSM carrier will pick it up though)
Cons
- annoying $100 mail in rebate to get to $199 price point
- no multi-touch as in the GSM version for Europe (and though Android 2.0 would support it)
- flash memory isn't integrated into the device, the only option is microSDHC (not as fast)
- no MOTOBLUR (the lower-end Motorola Cliq has this)
Competitors
dom prefers
Motorola Droid (Sholes) over
LG GW620 (Eve),
HTC Tattoo,
RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700,
Nokia N97 Mini,
Motorola Cliq,
RIM BlackBerry Storm 2,
HTC Droid Eris,
HTC Magic,
Samsung i5700 (Galaxy Spica),
HTC Hero,
Apple iPhone 3GS,
Palm Pre
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
October 29, 2009
approved
reviewer
trusted
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- open Android 2.0 OS
- large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
- fast processor
- multi-tasking capable
- first phone to offer up a beta version of Google Maps Navigation - a free turn-by-turn GPS app
- slide out QWERTY keyboard
- facebook integration into contacts
Cons
- annoying $100 mail in rebate to get to $199 price point
- Ugly
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
Yesterday, 8:31 AM
approved
reviewer
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- open Android 2.0 OS
- WiFi
- large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- fast processor
- multi-tasking capable
- first phone to offer up a beta version of Google Maps Navigation - a free turn-by-turn GPS app
- takes decent quality 720 x 480px video
- slide out QWERTY keyboard
- virtual keyboard for quick entries or those uninterested in sliding out the physical QWERTY
- solid build quality
- very slim
- great sound quality (any output)
- 5MP auto-focusing camera with dual LED flash
- car mount and nightstand docks - alters the Droid's interface/functionality to better suit their situation (eg/ alarm clock)
Cons
- annoying $100 mail in rebate to get to $199 price point
- camera is slow to take photos, properly focusing is hit or miss
- no multi-touch as in the GSM version for Europe (and though Android 2.0 would support it)
- strange notable lag when flipping home pages etc...
- flash memory isn't integrated into the device, the only option is microSDHC (not as fast)
- all plastic enclosure
- Ugly
Competitors
Yale prefers
Motorola Droid (Sholes) over
Motorola Cliq,
RIM BlackBerry Storm 2,
HTC Tattoo,
HTC HD2,
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 (X3, Rachael),
Apple iPhone 3GS,
Nokia N900,
HTC Droid Eris,
HTC Magic,
HTC Hero,
Sony Ericsson Satio (Idou),
Nokia N97,
RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
Thursday, 4:11 PM
approved
reviewer
love it
have it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- open Android 2.0 OS
- WiFi
- large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- fast processor
- multi-tasking capable
- first phone to offer up a beta version of Google Maps Navigation - a free turn-by-turn GPS app
- takes decent quality 720 x 480px video
- comes with 16GB flash memory (microSDHC, expandable to 32GB)
- car holder available (for GPS navigation with Google Maps Navigation in Android 2.0)
- stereo Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR with A2DP & AVRCP
- home dock with device stand and microUSB connector for charging/syncing/etc available
- great sound quality (any output)
- car mount and nightstand docks - alters the Droid's interface/functionality to better suit their situation (eg/ alarm clock)
Cons
- annoying $100 mail in rebate to get to $199 price point
- camera is slow to take photos, properly focusing is hit or miss
- no multi-touch as in the GSM version for Europe (and though Android 2.0 would support it)
Comments
Competitors
reddan prefers
Motorola Droid (Sholes) over
HTC Hero,
Motorola Cliq,
RIM BlackBerry Storm 2,
Nokia N97 Mini,
HTC Droid Eris,
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 (X3, Rachael),
Nokia N900,
Nokia N97,
Sony Ericsson Satio (Idou),
Palm Pre,
HTC Magic,
HTC HD2,
LG GW620 (Eve),
HTC Tattoo,
RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
October 28, 2009
approved
reviewer
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- open Android 2.0 OS
- WiFi
- large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- fast processor
- multi-tasking capable
- first phone to offer up a beta version of Google Maps Navigation - a free turn-by-turn GPS app
- slide out QWERTY keyboard
- virtual keyboard for quick entries or those uninterested in sliding out the physical QWERTY
- comes with 16GB flash memory (microSDHC, expandable to 32GB)
- solid build quality
- very slim
- facebook integration into contacts
- stereo Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR with A2DP & AVRCP
- home dock with device stand and microUSB connector for charging/syncing/etc available
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
November 7, 2009
approved
reviewer
love it
have it
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- open Android 2.0 OS
- WiFi
- large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- fast processor
- multi-tasking capable
- first phone to offer up a beta version of Google Maps Navigation - a free turn-by-turn GPS app
- takes decent quality 720 x 480px video
- slide out QWERTY keyboard
- virtual keyboard for quick entries or those uninterested in sliding out the physical QWERTY
- comes with 16GB flash memory (microSDHC, expandable to 32GB)
- solid build quality
- very slim
- facebook integration into contacts
- car holder available (for GPS navigation with Google Maps Navigation in Android 2.0)
- haptic feedback
- home dock with device stand and microUSB connector for charging/syncing/etc available
Cons
- annoying $100 mail in rebate to get to $199 price point
- camera is slow to take photos, properly focusing is hit or miss
- no multi-touch as in the GSM version for Europe (and though Android 2.0 would support it)
- flash memory isn't integrated into the device, the only option is microSDHC (not as fast)
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
Thursday, 9:37 PM
approved
reviewer
love it
Pros
- open Android 2.0 OS
- WiFi
- large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- fast processor
- multi-tasking capable
- first phone to offer up a beta version of Google Maps Navigation - a free turn-by-turn GPS app
- takes decent quality 720 x 480px video
- slide out QWERTY keyboard
- virtual keyboard for quick entries or those uninterested in sliding out the physical QWERTY
- comes with 16GB flash memory (microSDHC, expandable to 32GB)
- solid build quality
- very slim
- facebook integration into contacts
- car holder available (for GPS navigation with Google Maps Navigation in Android 2.0)
- haptic feedback
- home dock with device stand and microUSB connector for charging/syncing/etc available
- great sound quality (any output)
- car mount and nightstand docks - alters the Droid's interface/functionality to better suit their situation (eg/ alarm clock)
Cons
- camera is slow to take photos, properly focusing is hit or miss
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
November 10, 2009
approved
reviewer
love it
have it
Pros
- open Android 2.0 OS
- WiFi
- large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- fast processor
- multi-tasking capable
- first phone to offer up a beta version of Google Maps Navigation - a free turn-by-turn GPS app
- takes decent quality 720 x 480px video
- slide out QWERTY keyboard
- virtual keyboard for quick entries or those uninterested in sliding out the physical QWERTY
- comes with 16GB flash memory (microSDHC, expandable to 32GB)
- solid build quality
- very slim
- facebook integration into contacts
- car holder available (for GPS navigation with Google Maps Navigation in Android 2.0)
- stereo Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR with A2DP & AVRCP
- haptic feedback
- great sound quality (any output)
- 5MP auto-focusing camera with dual LED flash
Cons
- no MOTOBLUR (the lower-end Motorola Cliq has this)
Comments
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
November 9, 2009
approved
reviewer
want it
Pros
- open Android 2.0 OS
- WiFi
- large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- fast processor
- multi-tasking capable
- first phone to offer up a beta version of Google Maps Navigation - a free turn-by-turn GPS app
- slide out QWERTY keyboard
- virtual keyboard for quick entries or those uninterested in sliding out the physical QWERTY
- comes with 16GB flash memory (microSDHC, expandable to 32GB)
- facebook integration into contacts
- stereo Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR with A2DP & AVRCP
- haptic feedback
- car mount and nightstand docks - alters the Droid's interface/functionality to better suit their situation (eg/ alarm clock)
Cons
- annoying $100 mail in rebate to get to $199 price point
- camera is slow to take photos, properly focusing is hit or miss
- no multi-touch as in the GSM version for Europe (and though Android 2.0 would support it)
- strange notable lag when flipping home pages etc...
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
November 6, 2009
approved
reviewer
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- open Android 2.0 OS
- WiFi
- large 3.7" touchscreen with high resolution (854 x 480px)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- fast processor
- multi-tasking capable
- first phone to offer up a beta version of Google Maps Navigation - a free turn-by-turn GPS app
- takes decent quality 720 x 480px video
- slide out QWERTY keyboard
- virtual keyboard for quick entries or those uninterested in sliding out the physical QWERTY
- solid build quality
- very slim
- facebook integration into contacts
- 5MP auto-focusing camera with dual LED flash
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
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