The holiday season is steadily approaching, and this year, Motorola has more than one trick up its sleeve. The American company is currently gearing up to unleash its next round of Verizon-exclusive smartphones, the Droid Turbo 2 and Droid Maxx 2. The former represents the sequel to last year’s lauded Droid Turbo — bringing with it a Snapdragon 810 processor, a 21-megapixel camera, and a shatterproof screen called Shattersheild — while the latter opts for similar specs beneath a 5.5-inch display.
How do the two Motorola devices stack up against one another when it comes to other hardware, software, and features? Check below to find out.
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Droid Maxx 2  |
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| Size | 149.8mm x 78mm (5.9 inches x 3.1 inches) | 148mm x 75mm (5.8 inches x 2.9 inches) |
| Weight | 169 grams (5.96 oz) | 169 grams (5.96 oz) |
| Screen | 5.4-inch | 5.5-inch |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1440 pixels, 540 ppi | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 403 ppi |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| Storage | 32GB, 64GB | 16GB |
| SD Card Slot | Yes, expandable to 1TB | Yes, expandable to 128GB |
| NFC Support | Yes | Yes |
| System Architecture/Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with 2.0 GHZ Octa-core CPUs, Adreno 430 GPU, Natural Language Processor, Contextual Computing Processor |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor with 1.7 GHZ Octa-core CPUs, Adreno 405 GPU, Natural Language Processor, Contextual Computing Processor |
| RAM | 3GB | 2GB |
| Connectivity | GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+, 4G LTE | GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+,CDMA, 4G LTE |
| Camera | Rear 21MP, Front 5MP | Rear 21MP, Front 5MP |
| Bluetooth | Version 4.1 LE | Version 4.0 LE |
| Sensors | IR Sensor, Magnetometer, Proximity Sensor, GPS | Light sensor, Proximity sensor, GPS |
| Misc. | PMA and Qi wireless charging compatible, Voice control, motion controls, Moto Loop, Moto Assist and Smart Lock | Voice control, Motion control, Moto Loop, Moto Assist and Smart Lock |
| Protection | 5-Layer Moto ShatterShield Screen | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Battery | 3,760mAh | 3,630mAh |
| Charger | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Marketplace | Google Play | Google Play |
| Price | Starting at $624 | Starting at $384 |
| Availability | Verizon | Verizon |
| DT Review | Coming Soon | Coming Soon |
Design
In terms of basic dimensions, the two smartphones are pretty similar. Whereas the Turbo 2 measures 5.9 x 3.1 inches, the Maxx 2 is a tad smaller at 5.8 x 2.9 inches. Both weigh in at just under 6 ounces, rendering them similar in size and scope, even if their build materials and designs vary quite a bit.
Motorola is making sure that users will be able to customize their new devices, regardless of whether you buy the Droid Maxx 2 or the Droid Turbo 2. With the Maxx 2, the back plate can be swapped out for different colors, designs, and materials that allow for better grip. The Maxx 2’s water-resistant design also may be enticing or those who find themselves using their phone in wetter situations, while the embedded the Gorilla Glass 3 ensures protection from small tumbles and drops, protecting the HD 1080p display in the process. However, for those who want even more customization and more protection, the Droid Turbo 2 makes a strong case for itself.
The Droid Turbo 2 can be better customized to fit your preferences than the Maxx 2. Motorola conveniently offers pebbled leather, ballistic nylon, and soft grip options. However, unless you have a strong preference, the Droid Turbo 2 alleviates any concern you might have over the grip of your phone with what Motorola believes to be the “world’s first shatterproof display.” The device comes standard with a five-layer display that includes a shatter-proof outer lens and flexible inner lens, not to mention a redundant touch layer, a flexible 2,560 x 1,440-pixel AMOLED, and an aluminum chassis for added durability.
Whether this construction really holds up to the company’s claims remains to be seen, but we’re willing to bet it will at least hold up better than other smart devices (including the Moto Maxx 2).
Winner: Droid Turbo 2
Power
With regards to power, the Droid Turbo 2 clearly has the upper hand. Armed with the 3GB of RAM and a Qualcom Snapdragon 810 2.0 GHZ octo-core processor, the Droid Turbo 2 beats out the Maxx 2’s slightly lesser — though, similar – Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 1.7 GHZ Octa-core processor and 2GB RAM.
Both Droids run Android OS 5.1.1 Lollipop, however, you’re more likely to see better system performance on the Droid Turbo 2 given its faster and more powerful chipset. Furthermore, thanks to the Turbo 2’s Adreno 430 GPU, it’s designed to handle graphically intensive apps and games better than the Maxx 2’s Adreno 405.
When it comes to battery power, the Droid Turbo 2 also once again takes the lead, ableit only slightly. At 3,630mAh, the Moto Maxx 2’s battery will give you about 48 hours of talk time, while the Droid Turbo 2’s 3,760mAh battery will last you even longer than that. Both phones also quickly charge thanks to the inclsuion of Motorolla’s TurboPower charging feature. A mere 15 minutes of charging will net you 13 hours of battery life on the Droid turbo 2 and eight hours on the Moto Maxx 2.
It’s clear from the numbers that the Droid Turbo 2 is the way to go when it comes to power, performance, and battery life. That’s not to say the Maxx 2 is a poor choice, but when choosing between the two, the Droid Tubro 2 takes this round.
Winner: Droid Turbo 2
Camera
A major draw for both phones are their rear-facing cameras, both of which tout 21-megapixel sensors with 4X zoom, rapid focus, and a color-balancing LED flash. The impressive cameras allow you to capture auto HDR images, too, so pictures will be crisp and clear regardless of the situation. On top of that, both cameras feature 5-megapixel front-facing cameras for selfies and group photos.
There is a difference between the two when it comes to video capture, however. The Droid Turbo 2 can record video at 1080p resolution and either 30 or 60 frames per second, or at 4K resolution at 30fps. It also supports slow motion video. Contrast this with the Maxx 2, which records video at a fixed 1080p 30fps, and the Turbo 2 take the advantage. Still, the specifications for the Maxx 2 are impressive when compared to other smartphones, even if they’re not quite on par with the Droid Turbo 2.
Winner: Droid Turbo 2
Availability and Price
Verizon customers will be able to purchase both new phones later this week, but sadly, customers on other providers are out of luck for the time being. The Moto Maxx 2 starts at $384, or $16 a month on a fixed plan. The Droid Turbo 2 starts at $624, or either $26 or $30 per month on a fixed plan depending on the specific model. Verizon is also offering a special deal for Turbo 2 customers that allows you to trade in your old Droid Turbo for credit toward their new phone.
In this case, we’re going to give the nod to the Maxx 2, though, only slightly. While it doesn’t have a special trade-in program, it’s the less expensive option and therefore easier on the wallet. Still keep in mind, however, that the Droid Turbo 2 beats the Moto Maxx 2 in all other categories.
Winner: Moto Maxx 2
Conclusion
Both phones offer cool customization options and impressive camera specs, but we can’t help but favor the Droid Turbo 2 on paper — it’s simply got the numbers on its side. The speedy Snapdragon 810 chipset, the durable screen construction, the customizable design, and other notable features makes the phone the hands-down winner. It might cost more, but robust functionality often comes at a price.
