Keeping track of today's new smartphones could be a full-time job -- and deciding which one you want to buy is even tougher. And that decision is only going to get more complicated when Motorola's Droid X hits the market.
The Droid X is the follow-up to last year's popular Motorola Droid, and arrives in stores just a few weeks after the launch of Apple's latest smartphone, the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 and the Droid X have a lot in common -- both are high-end, all touch-screen phones with plenty of advanced features. But these devices are not created equal: each has different hardware, different software, and very different costs associated with it. Here's what you need to know before deciding which one is right for you.
Carrier
If you have a favorite cellular carrier -- or are limited by which carriers offer decent service in your area -- choosing between these phones could be easy. Each is an exclusive offering from its carrier: the iPhone 4 is only available from AT&T, and the Droid X comes from Verizon only. AT&T's service problems with the iPhone have been well documented, while Verizon's network is universally regarded as the best around. So, if you clearly prefer Verizon to AT&T, your choice is easy.
Call Quality
Today's smartphones do so much, it can be easy to forget that these devices are, first and foremost, phones. But if you're using the iPhone 4 or the Droid X primarily to make phone calls, you should be aware that there are some key differences between the two devices. In my test calls, the Droid X delivered excellent call quality, with great sound on both ends of the line. It did not drop a single call.
The iPhone 4, meanwhile, has been plagued with reception problems since its launch. Users have complained that the phone's signal degrades markedly when they hold the phone on its left side. I have not experienced this problem in my tests of the phone, but the iPhone 4 did drop the first test call I made with it. And while it hasn't dropped a call since then, its call quality is poor - voices often are distorted and volume suffers.
Software
The choice between the two phones may be a little tougher if you're basing your decision on the software alone. The iPhone 4 runs Apple's slick new iOS 4, which offers features (like multitasking and the ability to create folders) that finally bring it up to par with Android's features.
The Droid X runs Android 2.1, a more customizable operating system. But Android lacks the polish and pizzazz that Apple's iOS offers; it can be overly complicated and a bit geeky, especially for newbies. Adding to the Android confusion is the fact that not all handsets run the same -- or even the latest version -- of the OS. The Droid X, for example, ships with Android 2.1, which is not the newest version of the OS. An older phone, Google's Nexus One, has already been upgraded to Android's newer version 2.2. The Droid X should get that update later this summer, but the timing is not certain.
Hardware
The iPhone 4 and the Droid X sport a similar design, with one major difference: size. Both are a touch-screen-only phones (no hardware QWERTY keyboards here) that sport a big display and minimal hardware controls. The iPhone 4's screen sports a higher resolution (960 by 640 pixels, compared to 854 by 480 pixels on the Droid X), which makes images and text look crisper and clearer. But, at just 3.5 inches diagonally, the iPhone 4's screen is significantly smaller than the monster 4.3-inch display found on the Droid X, and you're likely to notice that difference when browsing the Web or typing messages using the on-screen keyboard.
Cost
You can get a 16GB iPhone 4 or a Droid X for $199 upfront (though the 32GB iPhone 4 costs $299). Keep in mind, though, that getting this price requires that you sign a new two-year service contract with the cellular carrier. And, if you're an existing customer, you need to make sure you're eligible for the upgrade pricing.
But the money you spend on the phone itself is a drop in the bucket compared to what you pay for the service over the life of the phone. And this is where the phones differ greatly. If you opt for the cheapest iPhone 4 service plan from AT&T, you'll pay approximately $1320 for two years of voice and data service on the phone. The Droid X will run you about $1680 in service payments to Verizon Wireless for that same two years. Note though, that the Droid X's cheapest service plan comes with unlimited data, while the iPhone's cheapest option limits you to 200MB of data use per month.
For a more detailed breakdown on just how much you'll pay for service with these phones, see iPhone 4 vs. Droid X: A Cost Comparison.
Cameras
Both the Droid X and the iPhone 4 offer cameras with reasonably high resolutions. The iPhone 4's camera packs in 5 megapixels, while the Droid X offers 8 megapixels. Both phones feature a flash and an autofocus, and can capture video clips in HD. While the Droid X offers a higher-resolution camera, I was more impressed with photos taken by the iPhone 4. Too often, the Droid X captured blurry shots -- even when the subject was a still life. Photos shot with the iPhone 4 looked sharper and more colorful.
Multimedia
Verizon and Motorola are billing the Droid X as a multimedia powerhouse and -- to a certain extent -- they're right. The Droid X does offer some impressive multimedia features. You get access to mobile video clips and TV episodes through Verizon's excellent V Cast service, as well as access to movies right on your phone, thanks to a Blockbuster app. With a Blockbuster account, you can download movies to rent or own, and view them on the Droid X's big, bright screen. The Droid X features an HDMI-out port, so you can connect it to your HDTV for viewing video content on a big screen (though you'll have to supply the cord yourself). In addition, the Droid X is DLNA-compatible, so you can use it to stream video content to set-top boxes and other devices that share that certification.
The iPhone 4 can hold its own in the multimedia department, though. Its music player -- which features Apple's excellent iPod interface -- easily tops the bland music player found on the Droid X, both in looks and usability. And you get easy access to the iTunes store for downloading movies, TV shows, and music right to the phone. iTunes may not play nicely with other devices, but its integration with the iPhone is top-notch.
Bottom Line
For a more detailed review of these phones, see:
Remember, nothing compares to actually holding a phone in your hand and trying it for yourself. If you're still trying to decide which smartphone is right for you, head over to a retail store and try one for yourself.
| Apple iPhone 4 | Motorola Droid X | |
| Carrier | AT&T | Verizon Wireless |
| Price (phone) | $199/$299 | $199 |
| Price (cheapest monthly plan) | $54.99 | $69.99 |
| Operating System | iOS 4 | Android 2.1 |
| Size (inches) | 4.5 by 2.3 by .4 | 5.0 by 2.6 by .5 |
| Weight (ounces) | 4.8 | 5.5 |
| Screen Size (inches) | 3.5 | 4.3 |
| Screen Resolution | 640 by 960 | 480 by 854 |
| Wireless | 3G | 3G |
| Camera | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video Calling | Yes | No |