LG Spectrum vs Motorola DROID RAZR

Introduction:

Alright, so the LG Spectrum can’t contain the power and allure found with the Ice Cream Sandwich trotting Samsung Galaxy Nexus, but you simply can’t keep it out of contention if you’re looking for a new smartphone to call your own.  This time around, we’re going to have it compete against the handset we proclaimed to have the best design out of all the smartphones released last year – the Motorola DROID RAZR. Sharing a good amount of commonalities, like their 4G LTE connectivity and dual-core processors, these two are remarkably equipped in providing a top-notch experience, but as we’ve come to expect, it takes something more to be memorable.


Design:

So here’s the deal. On one hand, you have the all-plastic construction of the LG Spectrum, which doesn’t help when its glossy back cover is easily dirtied by smudges and fingerprints. On the other hand, there’s the built like a tank construction of the Motorola DROID RAZR that oozes from head to toe with quality and top-notch materials. Furthermore, there’s something enchanting about the killer styling of the DROID RAZR that reels us in – and not to mention it’s ridiculously thin and lightweight for its size! Combining all of those factors, there’s no argument in this one as the Motorola DROID RAZR is hands down the better looking one.

Going by the numbers, the LG Spectrum easily comes away with the trophy in the detail department as its 4.5” True HD (720 x 1280) IPS TFT display is able to boast a pixel density of 329 ppi. In comparison, the Motorola DROID RAZR is still able to produce a decent pixel density of 256 ppi with its 4.3” qHD (540 x 960) Super AMOLED Advanced display. If there’s one thing that catches the gaze of many onlookers, it has to be the tantalizing saturated colors produced by the DROID RAZR’s display.

The LG Spectrum (left) and the Motorola DROID RAZR (right)

Ready to make those self-portraits a lot easier to shoot, they both feature 1.3-megapixel front-facing cameras for the occasion – plus, they’re ready for those lengthy video chat sessions too.

Front-facing cameras	Android buttons
The LG Spectrum (left) and the Motorola DROID RAZR (right)

Namely because they protrude more, we prefer the dedicated power button and volume control of the LG Spectrum, but it’s still not that bad with the Motorola DROID RAZR. With the Spectrum, its microUSB ports is the one-stop port for charging, data connectivity, and video-out functionality with the aid of an optional MHL adapter. Meanwhile, the DROID RAZR keeps things separated as it boasts a microUSB andmicroHDMI port. 

Left	Top	Right
The sides of the LG Spectrum (bottom) and the Motorola DROID RAZR (top)

Volume rockers	Power keys	microUSB ports
The LG Spectrum (bottom) and the Motorola DROID RAZR (top)

Ready and willing to take photos, these two high-end smartphones feature an 8-megapixel auto-focuscamera with LED flash, which can naturally record high definition 1080p videos as well.

	Rear cameras
The LG Spectrum (left) and the Motorola DROID RAZR (right)

Interface and Functionality:

As much as it pains us to know that these two quality devices are still sitting on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, there’s comfort in the back of our mind knowing they’re Ice Cream Sandwich upgradeable. In the meantime, when we look at the LG Optimus 2.0 UI versus Motorola’s latest MOTOBLUR-whatever interface, we have to say that Motorola’s take seems to be a bit more polished looking – thus, getting our attention more often than none. Although they share the same level of personalization, there’s simply more pizzazz and eye candy found with the Motorola DROID RAZR’s experience, which basically seals the deal in providing us with an encompassing experience.

The LG Spectrum features the Optimus 2.0 skin on top of Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread

The Motorola DROID RAZR has the latest customized MOTOBLUR on top of Android 2.3.5

Sure the LG Spectrum has the larger display, but it doesn’t particularly make it any better for typing messages over the Motorola DROID RAZR. In fact, they both perform extremely well with their respective keyboards as they’re able to keep up with our speedy rate of typing messages on the fly.

Typing messages on the LG Spectrum

Keyboards on the Motorola DROID RAZR

As for the rest, such as Gmail and various organizer apps, they both offer the same features and functionality that keep us in check with our daily lives. However, we have to admit that Motorola’s Smart Actions is in a league of its own as we’re able to control and monitor almost every aspect of the phone – and it’s something that’s pretty neat!


Processor and Memory:

Embodying the qualities of any super spec’d smartphone, they feature dual-core processors to deliver a tasteful, yet spot-on performance with most tasks. Specifically, the LG Spectrum packs a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 processor, while the Motorola DROID RAZR sides with a 1.2GHz dual-core OMAP 4430 CPU – both of which are coupled with 1GB of RAM. Not surprisingly, their executions with most basic tasks are swift and instant, thus, exuding one very responsive overall performance. However, there are some instances of choppiness that come around every now and then that minutely bog the experience, but it’s never to the point stagnant or crawling. Honestly, there isn’t one we can concretely say is faster than the other in terms of real-world usage.

Storage isn’t a concern out of the box for these two, seeing that the LG Spectrum is preloaded with a 16GB microSD card. Otherwise, if you need more, the Motorola DROID RAZR might be the better option with its 8GB of internal storage and additional preloaded 16GB microSD card.


Internet and Connectivity:

By now, we’ve come to appreciate all of the wonders behind Verizon’s 4G LTE network, and rightfully so, it shows on these two handsets as they deliver some swift data speeds to load our web site in no time at all. Looking past the awesome speeds, we take a liking to the DROID RAZR’s web browsing performance more because it flaunts the smoother navigational controls with kinetic scrolling and pinch zooming. Well, the Spectrum is still more than sufficient for our needs in this category, but its operation is dampened by its choppy movement.

Web browsing with the LG Spectrum

Web browsing on the Motorola DROID RAZR

Being CDMA devices and all, they’re made specifically to run off of Verizon’s network, but they also have that oh-so lovable 4G LTE connection  to deliver blazing data speeds as well – though, they can drop down to EV-DO Rev A connections if LTE isn’t present. On top of that, they share the same set of connectionssuch as aGPS, Bluetooth, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and mobile hotspot functionality.

Camera:

For all the talk surrounding these two titans, we’re rather underwhelmed by the performance of their 8-megapixel auto-focus camera, and in all fairness, they simply don’t cut it. First and foremost, there’s some time between each shots, but even worse is the poor quality exhibited by them. Without going into detail, they’re both painstakingly flawed by some ugly looking details, but the DROID RAZR’s color production is distastefully the more inaccurate between the two – thus, exhibiting a noticeable bluish hue to our shots. Naturally, the Spectrum edges out in this one, but it’s not pretty to say the least.

LG Spectrum
Motorola DROID RAZR
LG Spectrum
Motorola DROID RAZR Outdoor samples

Strong	Medium	Low light
LG Spectrum
Motorola DROID RAZR
3ft	5ft	7ft
LG Spectrum
Motorola DROID RAZR Darkness with flash Indoor samples

Yikes! There isn’t anything better found with either handset’s 1080p high definition video recordingbecause they’re simply lackluster in quality. Seriously, the flaws are extremely profound right off the bat as the Spectrum’s video is too over-exposed – thus, resulting in the loss of fine details with most things in the background. Oppositely, the DROID RAZR’s biggest fault is found in its washed out looking color reproduction. Well, they both capture video very smooth and audio recording is mostly clear and noise-free, but we can’t honestly say we’d use either of the two for capturing precious memories.

LG Spectrum Sample Video:



Motorola DROID RAZR Sample Video:




Multimedia:

Both music players have their own unique aspects that make them enjoyable, such as the 3D carousel of the Spectrum and the karaoke-like thing going on with the DROID RAZR as it displays the lyrics to the accompanying song. Placing them at their maximum volume, they definitely produce audible tones, with the Spectrum exhibiting a teeny bit of sharpness. Far from being the most deafening devices we’ve heard, their qualities are robust enough for our ears to enjoy wholeheartedly.

Music player of the LG Spectrum

The music player interface of the Motorola DROID RAZR

Showing no instances of slowdown or lag, the test videos encoded in MPEG-4 1920 x 1080 resolution looked wonderful on both devices. However, thanks to its deeper and considerably saturated color reproduction, we’re enticed more by the Motorola DROID RAZR. Nevertheless, the two are more than ideal for the occasion.

Performance:

When it comes down to it, calling quality is an undeniable win for the two smartphones, as they both are able to dish up distinctive and robust voices on both ends of the line – with no evidence of any background noise. Beyond that, we actually find the speakerphone on the DROID RAZR to be the more preferable one since the Spectrum tends to muffle voices.

Prone to the occasional loss of 4G LTE connectivity, which is typical of most 4G LTE devices we’ve reviewed for Verizon, we didn’t experience any dropped phone calls with either device. Moreover, testing them out in the same areas, they exhibit the same amount of signal strength.

Hardly a surprise to us, battery life isn’t something you get a lot of with these two thirsty ones – well, that’s because we’re able to get approximately 10 hours of normal usage out of both devices. Of course, we’ve come to appreciate our wall chargers even more with these two seeing they need charging whenever and wherever possible.


Conclusion:

Based on the current selling prices of both phones, $200 for the LG Spectrum and $250 for the 32GB Motorola DROID RAZR, we have to put our money on Motorola’s pride and joy since it’s boasting a lot more quality elements over its rival. Flaunting one killer looking industrial design that sets the benchmark for everything else, it’s the largest differentiator between the two since they perform very similarly in many categories – like shooting photos/video, battery life, and calling quality. Yes, we’re dying in the inside knowing that they’re still boasting Android 2.3 Gingerbread, but Motorola’s interface has the polish to match its charming looks. Ultimately, the Motorola DROID RAZR turns out to be the more memorable device that’ll keep on impressing just about anyone.