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Droid Mini vs. Droid Ultra vs. Droid Maxx: Spec Showdown

Droids
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Verizon subscribers are getting a whole new line of Droid devices from Motorola to consider this summer. Today, the company announced the Droid Mini, Ultra, and Maxx – three very similar devices with their own little quirks. The Mini, as expected, is the smallest of the three with a 4.3-inch screen but manages not to lose anything when it comes to the internals. The Ultra is the thinnest of the three, while the Maxx adds a bit of thickness to fit in it’s stand out feature: a battery that can get an absurd 48 hours of life. They are all priced to be competitive in their respective tiers, but which one is right for you? We take a look at the three in a spec showdown to help you choose.

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Droid Mini

DroidMini
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Droid Maxx

DroidMaxx
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Droid Ultra 

Screen shot 2013-07-23 at 11.03.00 AM
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Size 122 x 61 x 8.5 (mm) 137 x 71 x 8.5 (mm) 137 x 71 x 7.18 (mm)
Weight 140g 140g 140g
Screen 4.3-inch LCD 5.0-inch AMOLED 5-inch AMOLED
Resolution 720×1280 pixels 720×1280 pixels 720×1280 pixels
OS Android 4.2 Android 4.2 Android 4.2
Storage 16GB 32GB 16GB
SD Card Slot Yes Yes Yes
Processor X8 chipset, 1.7GHz octa-core X8 chipset, 1.7GHz octa-core x8 chipset 1.7GHz dual-core
RAM 2GB 2GB 2GB
Connectivity Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, EV-DO Rev.A Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, EV-DO Rev.A Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, EV-DO Rev.A
Camera Front 2MP, Rear 10MP Front 2MP, Rear 10MP Front 2MP, Rear 10MP
Bluetooth Yes, version 4.0 Yes, version 4.0 Yes, version 4.0
Battery 2000mAh (28 hours) 3500mAh (48 hours) 2130mAh (24 hours)
Charger Micro USB Micro USB Micro USB
Marketplace Google Play Store Google Play Store Google Play Store
Price $100 $300 $200
Availability Verizon Verizon Verizon

If you’re still having a tough time deciding just by looking at the internals, well, us too. All the devices are very similar, with everything from the cameras to the processor being the same. All three devices have 720p displays, and though the Mini is 4.3-inches compared to the 5-inch screen of the Ultra and the Maxx, it’s also the cheapest without losing anything but those tenths of an inch. All three also carry the ability to use Motorola’s new Touchless technology, allowing you to get a hands off experience with the phones as well. So how do you make your decision if you’re choosing between these handsets? Take the Mini if you’re looking for a little more portability, the Ultra if you like a well-priced, powerful phone, and the Maxx if you need an extra reliable device that isn’t going to die on you midday.

The Droid Maxx also has 32GB of internal file storage and wireless charging, while the Mini has an LCD screen as opposed to AMOLED. The difference between AMOLED and LCD can be minimal, but AMOLED screens tend to be more vivid and have deeper blacks, while LCD screens have more accurate color.

All three devices will be available at Verizon come August 20, so you’ll have some time to decide.

AJ Dellinger
AJ Dellinger is a freelance reporter from Madison, Wisconsin with an affinity for all things tech. He has been published by…
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