Motorola Droid Razr Maxx review

The Motorola Droid Razr fattens up, gains battery superpowers

Droid Razr Maxx
The definitive Motorola Razr Maxx review

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Maps

As is custom with every Android device, the Motorola Razr Maxx comes with the excellent Google Maps pre-installed.

Motorola Razr Maxx review

This complete mapping solution provides a wealth of useful information on top of the regularly updated maps.

The Motorola Razr Maxx comes with A-GPS, which aids a fast location lock when the maps app is fired up, and we found the handset was able to track our movements very well.

Alongside Google Maps you are also treated to Google's free Navigation app, which provides turn by turn driving directions.

Motorola Razr Maxx review

It's a great feature, especially when you consider you're getting it for free and easily takes the place of a traditional sat nav – just remember to invest in a car dock.

Apps

We're pleased to see that Motorola has kept away from adding too much unnecessary bloatware to the Razr Maxx, instead providing users with a relatively clean slate when they take the handset out of the box.

That said, we were disappointed to see in this social media day and age that the Facebook and Twitter apps where not pre-installed, however a quick trip to Google Play sorted that out.

Motorola Razr Maxx review

Motorola has chosen to pre-load the Amazon Kindle app, which is great for the avid readers, plus there's the popular Evernote app if you like making lists.

Flash is also present and correct, so you can jump online and browse fancy websites right from the word go - just make sure Flash is enabled in the settings, since sometimes it's not on by default.

Motorola has made printing from a mobile easier by including its MotoPrint application on the Razr Maxx. This app enables you to print wirelessly to a Wi-Fi-enabled printer or via a PC if your printer is a little less well connected.

Motorola Razr Maxx review

A word of warning, though, compatibility is limited to certain documents and printer models, so be sure to check yours before proceeding.

We touched on the MotoCast-enabled applications in the media section, with My Gallery, My Music and My Files appearing on the Motorola Razr Maxx.

It's always nice to see a file manager, and My Files is a good way to browse files on your phone, and is especially useful if you're dealing with a large amount of content.

Motorola Razr Maxx review

QuickOffice enables you to view and edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF documents. Editing options are limited, as you would expect from a mobile app, but it works well and is useful to check documents and make the odd amendment here and there.

Motorola Razr Maxx review

A nice inclusion from Motorola is its Smart Actions app. We didn't take notice of this when we first got the phone, but after some time using it, a notification popped up in the notification bar from the Smart Actions app.

Motorola Razr Maxx review

What the app does is suggest various settings for your device, depending on where you are. Cleverly, it knows where you are, so when you get to work it will, for example, set your phone to vibrate with no tones. When you get home, the smart actions app will automatically switch on your ringtones and turn on your Wi-Fi.

There are 10 example set ups in the app to get you started, but you can tweak these to your heart's content and add your own. It's a great little feature, which is easy to use and surprisingly clever.

John McCann
Global Managing Editor

John joined TechRadar over a decade ago as Staff Writer for Phones, and over the years has built up a vast knowledge of the tech industry. He's interviewed CEOs from some of the world's biggest tech firms, visited their HQs and has appeared on live TV and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, BBC World News, Al Jazeera, LBC and BBC Radio 4. Originally specializing in phones, tablets and wearables, John is now TechRadar's resident automotive expert, reviewing the latest and greatest EVs and PHEVs on the market. John also looks after the day-to-day running of the site.