Which 3G RAZR reigns supreme? The HSDPA speedster V3xx, with Yahoo Music support, or the Maxx Ve, with its huge external screen and autofocus camera? We put the RAZRs in the ring.
Review summary of the Motorola RAZR Maxx Ve:
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Full Motorola RAZR Maxx Ve Review:
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Two new Motorola RAZR phones joined the pack this month, on competing networks, and with very different features to recommend them. Whether or not you still like the RAZR design, these two RAZRs are at the cutting . . . , er, forefront of feature-rich multimedia phones.
Round 1 - Design
They're both RAZRs, but the Maxx Ve has an updated look with a nice slant to the external shell. It has the same measeurements, but slightly different proportions. Most importantly, the Maxx Ve has one of the largest external screens we've seen, at 1.7-inches. We even liked the square keypad on the Maxx Ve better than the wavy layout of buttons on the V3xx. We're not fans of Verizon Wireless' interface; we definitely prefer the Motorola menus on the AT&T version of this phone. Still, perhaps the RAZR Maxx Ve simply wins this category because there aren't a dozen other phones on the market that look exactly like it.
Winner: Motorola RAZR Maxx Ve
Round 2 – Calling
We've always felt positive about call quality on the Motorola RAZR line. Therefore, it wasn't a surprise that both phones made calls that sounded good. Both phones also packed all of our favorite calling features, including Bluetooth, a speakerphone and speaker-independent voice dialing. Both phones had an acceptable, though not astounding, number of fields in their contact lists. What differentiated them in our tests were network issues. Strangely, though our AT&T V3xx showed stronger reception, we had more problems with calls that cut out mid-conversation on the GSM network. On Verizon Wireless, though the phone showed poor reception, and occasionally no EV-DO signal whatsoever, this didn't seem to affect call quality, and we never lost a connection.
Winner: Motorola RAZR Maxx Ve
Round 3 – Messaging
These phones are pretty much equal when it comes to messaging. Instant messaging and some e-mail support for MSN, Yahoo and AOL is standard on each. Each handled SMS and MMS messages with no problem. And each had keypads we found uncomfortable for long typing sessions. We'll call this one a draw.
Winner: Tie
Round 4 – Camera
This category was a complete wipeout. The RAZR Maxx Ve is the best RAZR for pictures, by far, thanks to its autofocus feature, and the inclusion of a two-stage button that lets you check your focus before you release the shutter. It won't replace your real digital camera any time soon, but you'll be much happier with pictures from the 2-megapixel Maxx Ve than the 1.3-megapixel V3xx.
Winner: Motorola RAZR Maxx Ve
Round 5 – Streaming video
Both the Cingular Video service and the V Cast Video service are remarkably similar, consisting mainly of small clips from popular shows, and a healthy dose of Comedy Central. Beyond the short clips, the RAZR V3xx also comes with the latest version of MobiTV, including the new MobiTV channel guide. On the V3xx super-fast connection, MobiTV looks very good. It doesn't compete with Verizon Wireless' V Cast Mobile TV, but it looks much smoother than videos on the Maxx Ve, which was a truly disappointing phone for all video handling, streaming and downloads. The Maxx Ve couldn't keep the lips and the hips in sync, so music videos were a waste of $2.50. For video, the V3xx is by far the better choice.
Winner: Motorola RAZR V3xx
Round 6 – Audio
The two phones offer dramatically different music options, mostly dependent on which network you're using. The V3xx, on AT&T, uses Cingular Music, which is to say Napster and Yahoo Music subscription services. The Maxx Ve on Verizon Wireless' V Cast network relies on proprietary transfer software and the V Cast store. We won't argue the merits of over-the-air downloads versus a subscription music plan and sideloading, but we will say that we spent a great deal of time with the V Cast Music Store while reviewing the Maxx Ve, and we were frustrated by the experience. Napster isn't perfect, and we're not personally fans of subscription pricing, but the experience was much better, and simply loading your phone with music is an easier, and in the long run cheaper, experience on AT&T's device.
Winner: Motorola RAZR V3xx
Round 7 – 3G services
In yet another 3G category, the RAZR V3xx does a much better job than the RAZR Maxx Ve. While the V3xx loaded complicated pages like The New York Times and our own infoSync World homepage quickly, albeit with a few layout problems, the Maxx Ve crashed on complicated pages, complaining of low memory. We have to give the Maxx Ve credit for GPS navigation, however, which the V3xx sorely lacks. Though we were impressed by the sheer speed of the V3xx, which surfs the Web using AT&T's fastest HSDPA network, at 3.6Mbps for downloads, we have to admit that we are more likely to use navigation on our phones than Web browsing, beyond some light Googling.
Winner: Motorola RAZR Maxx Ve
Round 8 – Value
The Motorola RAZR V3xx on AT&T is available for $50, with a contract agreement. That makes it as cheap as the first-generation V3, and a quarter of the premium you'd pay to have iTunes on your RAZR V3i. Of course, the Gold and Platinum editions cost $20 and $50 more, respectively. Still, the RAZR Maxx Ve on Verizon Wireless costs $200. Unlimited 3G access plans cost $5 more on AT&T, $20/month versus $15, so you could say that Verizon Wireless is saving you $120 or so over the two-year life of your plan, but the problem is with the quality of service you'll actually get with each phone. With AT&T, you may use the unlimited data plan to watch MobiTV, or browse Web pages. On Verizon Wireless, the Maxx Ve can't handle the streaming video content, and the Web browser isn't worth using. Basically, the only Get It Now feature we found remotely compelling on the Maxx Ve was the V Cast Music Store, but we still had problems with that experience. With or without the bean counting, the RAZR V3xx is clearly the better value.
Winner: Motorola RAZR V3xx
And the winner is . . .
Though the RAZR V3xx came out ahead in our original reviews, each phone has distinct advantages over the other that may make it the better choice, depending on your purpose. Both phones make calls that sound very good, and each has the calling features we prefer on feature-rich phones. The Maxx Ve has a much better camera, and that giant external screen is a nice touch. In fact, we like the design of the Maxx Ve better overall. Still, in our all-around testing sessions, the V3xx was a superior performer, with Web browsing speeds and video performance that were nearly unmatched. If you won't use these functions, and you prefer the look of the Maxx Ve, you'll be satisfied with the things it does well. But if you want to know which RAZR is the best of them all:
Champion: Motorola RAZR V3xx
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