Razr M a 2 year phone??
alfred_in
Contributor - Level 1

Before I upgrade my device, does anyone think that the Razr M is a two year phone?

I’m wondering what changes everyone see in the next two for the wireless telephony industry?  With the announcement of a new, low cost Google Nexus4, users now have an option to kill the contract?  Some folks don’t view the Nexus4 as an innovative way to enter the smartphone game, but if you think about it, It’s brilliant.  Sure the device lacks LTE and some of the features purists prefer like a removal battery or microSD side-loaded, but ultimately it’s the first, real affordable way to outright-buy a nice phone and choose a provider. The Nexus4 may be the way of the future to upgrade your deivces at a more rapid pace than the traditional 2 year commitment. Heck, for $300, a full depreciation rate of $25/mo is nothing since you can probably sell the device in close to a year for near $150 to $200.


As I make my decision on what I want my next device to me, I ponder what the future will look like in 2 years (if I go on contract).  So back to my original question, is my next device (Thinking Razr M) even going to be a “2 year capable phone” – as is; will the battery still be any good or useful in 24 mos? Will I have exceeded the capacity of what it’s capable of by then? Or, will the device even be capable of running apps which may be optimized by newer hardware and quad-core processors?


The fact remains, Google is breaking new ground here and not many people realize it as I think that I do. If I had to guess, in two years contracts may start to be a thing of the past especially if Google offers an LTE Google4... For those of us who don’t mind ponying’ up a few bucks to stay off plan, it might be fun to be a carrier-whore and bounce around to the next, en-vogue carrier who has something cool to offer. 

But, my original question... Anyone with thoughts around the M? 

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Re: Razr M a 2 year phone??
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

The Nexus 4 is purchased outright with no contract attached to the device. In other words, off contract. If you don't want to be tied to a contract with Verizon Wireless then purchase the Droid Razr M at the full retail price.

BTW the Nexus 4 isn't compatible with the Verizon Wireless network.

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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Re: Razr M a 2 year phone??
alfred_in
Contributor - Level 1

no yet it's not.. no LTE.. but it is just the first device released by Google.  Chances are one like it will come to Verizon.  I could buy the M, but the unsubsidized price is still almost $600... no way.. $300 for a google phone, no problem.. some people pay that subsidized..

I think you are missing my point, but my question was "is the Razr M a two year phone"

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Re: Razr M a 2 year phone??
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

No one knows. Most devices reach EOL in less than a year.

Also the Nexus 4 will will never work on any CDMA carrier including Verizon Wireless. It doesn't have the proper radios for voice or data.

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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Re: Razr M a 2 year phone??
alfred_in
Contributor - Level 1

yes, Ann I know it doesn't work on Verizon.... the next one will.. Speculation I know. 

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Re: Razr M a 2 year phone??
silver6056
Specialist - Level 1

alfred_in wrote:

yes, Ann I know it doesn't work on Verizon.... the next one will.. Speculation I know. 

And of course your question involves speculation, as we don't know a) how the Razr M holds up physically (will it last two years) and b) even if it does, will it be impossibly outclassed by the later crop of phones.

On a) Generally, Moto has a good reputation for build quality (and of course numerous exceptions) so it will probably last most of that period.  Non-removable batteries are a little more of an issue, and might be the thing that fails.

b) There will clearly be much "better" phones, starting soon and near the end of two years they will be much much better. At that point, the latest phones might be running say the M or N versions of Android, and with Moto's current pace, the Razr M might just have got Key Lime Pie.

Then the question for you is how much that will matter.   If there is a killer app that the Razr M can't run, might be an issue (but you can quickly decide that the app is overhyped and who needs it!)  If all your friends laugh at you ("Oh, look at Alfred's dorky phone, still on Key Lime Pie!!!!!") because you have such a loser phone, well, maybe get some new friends.

Look back two years for an estimate, although of course the pace of change could be very different.  I bought a Droid 2 Global in Nov 2010, still works well, only a few scuff marks.  So great physically.  But I switched (to a Droid 4) in July 2012 as I wanted LTE, faster processors etc (and in this case a better physical keyboard).  That said, I didn't *need* to replace it, so hopefully the Razr M will be similar.

Re: Razr M a 2 year phone??
B33
Legend

Silver 6065 said ( And of course your question involves speculation, as we don't know a) how the Razr M holds up physically (will it last two years) and b) even if it does, will it be impossibly outclassed by the later crop of phones.

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This i why i'm not in Love with 2 year courtships = contracts with phones i know it's to pay them off but after the First year unless it's a Phone that can be updated to compete it will fall off the Main stream)  I would like to see the return of the 1 contract or put in place a Clause that if the phone is not capable of Upgrades let the Customer Bail to get a Device that is More Up-Grade Friendly)  I like what Motorola is Doing with the 100 off if the phone is not Up-Gradable)  If Verizon would do something like this in the Future i think it would pull in more Customers..

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Re: Razr M a 2 year phone??
rcschnoor
Legend

I have never purchased a phone(10+ phones) which has not lasted 2 years, except for the one(LG Dare) which I landed on(200+ pounds will break ANY phone) when falling on the ice. When this happened, I just reactivated my last phone which had already been used for 2 yrs and now needed to be used for another several months before I was eligible for an upgrade. My wife used her last BB for well over 3yrs before we purchased a new phone.

Of course there will be apps available in 2yrs which will not run on a phone purchased now. This is because of software/hardware upgrades though, not because the phone didn't last 2 yrs.

In my opinion, the Razr M is a 2yr phone.

Re: Razr M a 2 year phone??
silver6056
Specialist - Level 1

I think mid-range Androids are probably the most suspect (especially early ones).  Build quality isn't always great and they are often underpowered so the user "needs" a new phone before the 20 months are up.

My previous phones have lasted well, but I am now on my first with a non-removable battery.  Some of my previous phones needed a replacement battery before the two years were up.  So for me, this is an open question.

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Re: Razr M a 2 year phone??
breezex
Specialist - Level 3

silver6056 wrote:

I think mid-range Androids are probably the most suspect (especially early ones).  Build quality isn't always great and they are often underpowered so the user "needs" a new phone before the 20 months are up.

This does not describe the M.  Build quality of mine is good, power is equivalent to the HDs and Galaxy S3.  And if rumor is true it's about to receive Jelly Bean.  I gave my Samsung Galaxy S3 to my wife (she loves the big bright screen and speed) and gave her Maxx to a family member.  I kept the M.

If you're the type that keeps loads of 1 GB+ games on your phone, then the 8 GB internal memory will be a limiting factor, but for me it's a non-issue.  Most of my storage is on the external SDcard.

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