Motorola Droid X2 Review - A Droid X with Tegra 2
by Brian Klug on July 7, 2011 8:31 AM ESTWiFi Hotspot
Although the X2 we were sent wasn’t provisioned to use the WiFi hotspot functionality, I could indeed test the settings pages, verify that it worked, and at least get to the Verizon provisioning page. Motorola’s hotspot app lets you change DHCP server settings (or at least define the subnet), and also change the channel, something super important if you’re in a crowded spectrum environment.
Beyond that, I really can’t speak to the hotspot side of things, nor could we run our WiFi hotspot battery life test.
Speakerphone Loudness
Speakerphone on the X2 is a bit disappointing. For all the things that could and should have carried over from the X, speakerphone clearly wasn’t one of them. The actual port on the back of the device is the same as the X, however volume isn’t.
It’s just odd that this isn’t better. I listened to both side by side doing our call test, and the X2 simply isn’t as loud. Having a louder speaker is just so important, especially if you intend to use the device for playing music or frequently using Google Navigation.
Call Quality
Audio quality on the X2 over the earpiece is very good. Similar to other Motorola phones, you can also change the voice coder by dialing ##program, entering “000000,” tapping test mode, going right three pages or so, then changing from EVRC to either EVRC-B, or 13K.
Motorola Droid X2 - EVRC-B by AnandTech
Motorola Droid X2 - 13k by AnandTech
I recorded some examples of the X2’s 1x voice quality by doing line-out to a computer and simply recording. Subjectively I think things sound good, and again the X2 has a second microphone for ambient noise suppression when on calls in loud locations. I was unable to find out what audio codec is inside the X2 for those concerned with how music sounds through the audio jack, though I'd expect similar performance to the original X.
GPS
Finally we have GPS on the X2, which locks extremely quickly and shows similar performance to the original X. I’m not entirely certain, but it’s possible the X2 is using Qualcomm’s GPS on the MDM6600, or at least it would make a lot of sense to. Again, fixes happened extremely quickly on the device when given a good swath of visible sky. Even indoors, the X2 frequently was able to get a good 3D GPS fix, which is more than I can say for a number of other Android handsets.
Left: Droid X2, Right: Droid X
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HangFire - Thursday, July 7, 2011 - link
When are you going to review the Charge? Now, there's a screen!HangFire - Thursday, July 7, 2011 - link
Oops I see it has been reviewed, but it is missing in the third comparison graph- Contrast- on page 2.HangFire - Thursday, July 7, 2011 - link
Page 5? I'm sorry I'm used to MODERN comments section with at least a 60 second edit feature.Brian Klug - Thursday, July 7, 2011 - link
It isn't missing, it simply isn't included. The effective contrast of the SAMOLED+ panels is undefined (divide by zero).-Brian
Vepsa - Thursday, July 7, 2011 - link
What app do you show in the GPS testing screenshots?Brian Klug - Thursday, July 7, 2011 - link
I like to use GPS Test Plus, it does a decent job.-Brian
cditty - Thursday, July 7, 2011 - link
No reason to upgrade... I bought my Droid X for .01 from Amazon when I rid myself of the craptastic AT&T in my market.It is the best phone I ever had (I was an iPhone 4 user on AT&T). Verizon's network is what makes me say that, because ALL of the phone works ALL of the time (calls & data).
The original X is plenty fast. My next upgrade will be when my market goes LTE (a long way off). By then, there will be some great phones to be excited about. Funny how phones are the new *upgrade* hobby for old school computer enthusiast.
silow675 - Thursday, July 7, 2011 - link
Brian I think you have the best mobile handset reviews. Great work on including thorough reviews on mobile displays - something lacking in most mobile reviews.Spoelie - Thursday, July 7, 2011 - link
That thing looks hideous compared to recent HTC ventures, like some 80's throwback.Mind you, I'm not talking about performance or usability or screen quality or ... It's purely my own opinion on physical styling of the device.
jonup - Thursday, July 7, 2011 - link
Well, we spent the 90s and the better part of the last decade making phones smaller and more portable... and then all the effort went down the drain.You can thank Apple for that. After the iphone everyone try better them with bigger and heavier phone. Remember, in America bigger is better!