Comprehensive Review Motorola DROID 4 XT894 Features & Pricing

Design and Build

The Motorola DROID 4 XT894, released in early 2012, features a robust and practical design, emblematic of Motorola's engineering ethos. Its dimensions are 127 x 67.3 x 12.7 mm, weighing about 178.9 grams. The phone's build incorporates a physical QWERTY keyboard, a defining feature of the DROID series, which appeals to those who prefer tactile feedback absent in touch-based keyboards. The keyboard slides out smoothly, adding to the device’s usability while maintaining a compact form factor when retracted.

The device is crafted with a blend of sturdy materials that confer a high degree of durability. The inclusion of Corning Gorilla Glass provides resistance to scratches and minor impacts on the screen. Additionally, the device sports a micro-SIM, reflecting the standard of its time.

Display

The phone is equipped with a 4.0-inch TFT display, delivering a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 275 pixels per inch, offering sharp and clear visuals. While it may not compete with the Full HD displays prevalent today, for its time, the screen was more than adequate for all typical smartphone tasks, including video playback and web browsing. The TFT panel ensures good brightness levels, although it may not offer the same color richness or viewing angles as modern OLED screens.

Performance and Software

At the heart of the Motorola DROID 4 is the TI OMAP 4430 chipset, featuring a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU paired with PowerVR SGX540 GPU. This configuration was competitive for its time, providing sufficient power for multitasking and various applications. The phone comes with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSDHC slot. Such hardware allows users to run and switch between apps smoothly.

Initially launched with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), the device is upgradable to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). The Android OS on the DROID 4 ensures a customizable and user-friendly experience. However, with newer apps requiring higher versions of Android, the usage could be limited to basic functions and less demanding applications.

Camera Capabilities

The Motorola DROID 4 is equipped with an 8 MP rear camera, complete with autofocus and an LED flash. This setup allows for decent photo quality in well-lit conditions, with satisfactory detail and color reproduction for casual photography. The rear camera is also capable of recording 1080p video at 30fps, a commendable feature when considering the phone's release period.

The front-facing camera is 1.3 MP, suitable for video calls and basic selfies. It can also capture video at 720p, which adds to its usability for recording.

Battery Life

The device comes with a non-removable 1785 mAh Li-Ion battery. Under typical usage conditions, the battery life is sufficient to last a full day, which includes activities such as browsing, calls, and light media consumption. Official specifications indicate up to 12 hours and 30 minutes of talk time and a standby time of up to 204 hours. While modern smartphones often boast larger batteries, the DROID 4's power management was suited to its hardware and intended use at the time of its release.

Connectivity and Network

Supporting a variety of network technologies, the DROID 4 includes GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE, ensuring broad connectivity options. These capabilities allow it to operate on 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. The device provides sound data speeds with EV-DO Rev.A achieving up to 3.1 Mbps, supplemented by LTE and HSPA for faster connectivity where available.

Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot functionality, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS with A-GPS support. The inclusion of microUSB 2.0 with OTG capabilities offers additional flexibility for data transfer and peripheral connectivity.

Additional Features

The DROID 4 XT894 packs various sensors enhancing its interactivity, including an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors support a range of applications, from navigation to gaming, ensuring a versatile user experience.

Though lacking a radio, the device includes a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to traditional audio equipment. The loudspeaker assures audible quality for speakerphone calls and media playback.

Market Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, the Motorola DROID 4 was well-received, especially among users who preferred the physical keyboard experience over virtual keyboards. Its practical design and robust feature set ensured it was a reliable device for daily use, particularly appealing to business users and frequent texters.

While no longer in production, the DROID 4 remains a notable entry in Motorola's extensive lineup of mobile devices, remembered for its blend of traditional and modern smartphone functionalities during its era.

Conclusion

The Motorola DROID 4 XT894 is a testament to Motorola's capacity to innovate within the smartphone space, particularly through the inclusion of a physical QWERTY keyboard alongside a touchscreen interface. While advances in technology have rendered some of its specifications outdated, the DROID 4 served its purpose as a reliable, sturdy, and versatile smartphone for its time, and its influence can still be seen in devices catering to similar user needs today.