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Razr Re-review with ICS

rushmore

rushmore

Extreme Android User
Just a brief "review" of the Razr with ICS via bullet points:


  • Everything is smoother
  • Blur is accelerated and smooth too. I see no reason to use Launcher Pro or anything else but the stock UI.
  • Stock UI is mainly ICS with a few "tweaks". Worthy UI, IMO
  • The annoying audio cracks and pops are gone. I really noticed this before while playing game emulators (especially when picking roms) and sometimes in music. All gone.
  • Data drops have not happened since the update- so far.....
  • CDMA-only option is gone, but download the Thunderbolt app called LTE OnOff. It works with the Razr, but the others I tried did not.
  • Now a World phone :)
  • Flash and everything else is smoother (yes, I mentioned smooth before, but worth mentioning again)
  • The new features/options and UI tweaks in both Blur and ICS are appreciated rather than intrusive or obtrusive.
  • I see no compelling reason to root now, since ICS allows disabling pesky apps and manages tasks MUCH better.
    Added: Unlike other ICS devices, you do not lose mass storage! You have both mass storage and MTP mode.


If this OS had come out with the Razr at the same time- the device would be a Ten or Spinal Tap Eleven. I am rarely impressed (FWIW), but the Razr does this now. ICS + Razr = Tech Luv. Added: Just wish it were the Maxx :(

For folks that stick with the Razr thin, the device rocks big time with ICS :) The Maxx for me would be a keeper and I would not bother for now with the SG3. Well, my intentions are good.
 
Everything is not smoother. I admit somethings have improved but others have gotten worse. For example swiping from side to side from your home page to others is not as smooth as Gingerbread was. Also when using the stock browser, scrolling up and down the web page is very choppy. You need several swipes to reach the end of the page. Before on Gingerbread I would be able to swipe one time and the page would scroll very quickly up and down. Maybe there is something in the settings I could tweek to make these things work better but for now I have not found it...
 
fantlash said:
Everything is not smoother. I admit somethings have improved but others have gotten worse. For example swiping from side to side from your home page to others is not as smooth as Gingerbread was. Also when using the stock browser, scrolling up and down the web page is very choppy. You need several swipes to reach the end of the page. Before on Gingerbread I would be able to swipe one time and the page would scroll very quickly up and down. Maybe there is something in the settings I could tweek to make these things work better but for now I have not found it...
Click to expand...

I had the same problem when I updated and then reset to stock (Factory Data Reset). Prior to me doing this, I was prepared to post a review with the theme: "ICS, it ain't all that!", but media issues I was having forced me to (sniff-tissue) start from scratch.

Starting clean with this update seems a must to get the best out of it. Again, ICS seems to big a jump from GB to not run into issues for some.

Everything is smooth for me, and that is with 313 apps (I have hording issues).

Added:

Summery: I updated over current GB with all apps and had lag and media issues. Then did a factory data reset and everything was sugar pixies and marshmellow bunnies :)
 
I added another point. In spite of Google's statement that mass storage can not be supported, so MTP is the only option, Moto keeps the feature and also provides MTP as an option. Worthy compound sentence :)

My guess is keeping the feature is due to the lapdock connectivity needs.

This IMO is huge and makes me more sad I do not have the Maxx instead. :(
 
So one thing to take from this would be, for best results do a factory reset before or after the update?

Just wanna make sure before I get the update to make sure everything goes as smooth as you say haha
 
I suggest trying to update first and if you have lag or media issues (or anything else that seems out of whack), then do a factory reset. You will than have a squeaky clean ICS device.

If everything is fine after updating, no need for a reset, but handy for later if any issues.
 
Too risky, IMO. This should be a service offered at VZW to appease the disenfranchised thin owners and charge them $50.

Too pricy as well. BB is giving me $350 for my Razr due to the buy back program. Considering I paid $200 for it and paying $300 for balance of SG3, seems a better deal.

Sadly, the only Maxx I have is Pepsi Maxx'.
 
I used matts utility to get .211. His instructions are to wipe data and cache. I did and ics is definitely smoother than gb. Not to mention my data speeds doubled with the new radios and no more signal drops :))
 
Rushmore,

I like you would only run 3g because it made a huge difference in battery life. I installed ICS on my razr the other day, and after doing a full charge (after letting it drop to 5%) with my phone off, i've noticed that even with 4g on, I get as good of battery life as I did before with 4g off.

I'm sure you've monitored your battery life since you upgraded but perhaps because you've been playing with it a ton (like I have) because of all the new stuff your perception of battery life seems less?

I don't know this is just my observations but i'm really happy with my droid razr after ICS and I can get through 2 days of use with 4g on now.
 
I think it depends on how much you use data. If sparingly, it does seem better, but Linda Blair starts spinning her head and projectile vomiting when using 4G for media. The LTE radio is too power hungry.

Ditto for all pre dual 28nm S4 devices.
 
Well I agree about the data part. I just noticed in the past even when I wasn't doing anything the battery would slowly die, but with 4g off that wouldn't happen. So it seems they fixed the slow drain (i'm guessing for constantly searching for the 4g signal) but there probably is no fix for the big drain from actually using it.
 
The 3300 battery in the Maxx is a much better fit for the first and second gen LTE radios..... Assuming the Razr radio is second gen...

I agree on your points!
 
You know it's kind of funny how I ended up with just a regular razr and not a Maxx.
After I bought my phone someone told me the Maxx has double the battery so I went back to the Verizon store, knowing I would have to pay an extra $100, I was prepared for that though.

When I got there the guy told me the Razr just had gone on sale so if I wanted they could price match the one I bought and give me $100 back because I was still in my 7 day window. So now it's either pay a $100 and get a maxx or get a $100 for free.

The 200 dollar difference ended making me keep the regular razr, I don't know if I would still make the same decision if asked again, but $200 bucks is $200 bucks.
 
Go into privacy settings.

Do not erase the internal storage unless you want to reload media or other data you may have on it.
 
rushmore said:
Go into privacy settings.

Do not erase the internal storage unless you want to reload media or other data you may have on it.
Click to expand...

What appears is:

Backup and restore:
Back up my data
Automatic restore

Personal data:
Factory data reset
Motorola Terms of Service

I can check either of the top but seem to have to select the data reset option...how would I prevent it from erasing the internal storage?
 
cmubwanel said:
What appears is:

Backup and restore:
Back up my data
Automatic restore

Personal data:
Factory data reset
Motorola Terms of Service

I can check either of the top but seem to have to select the data reset option...how would I prevent it from erasing the internal storage?
Click to expand...

After you choose Factory data reset, it offers you two choices on whether or not to erase SD card, if I remember correctly.
 
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