Verizon Droid X2 arrives May 19 with dual core but not 4G. Will you still buy it?

May 18, 2011 | by Andrew Kameka

Verizon has finally confirmed that it is releasing a refresh of its Motorola Droid X phone, set to go on sale for $199 tomorrow. The Motorola Droid X2 upgrades the hardware of one of Verizon’s popular Android phones, but doesn’t add the ability to access the 4G LTE network. Will that doom the device or will people still flock to a more powerful version of something they have already admired?

The Droid X2 has some welcome upgrades like a 4.3-inch screen that is scratch-resistant, anti-reflective, and has a qHD display that should provide a higher quality image for watching videos and playing games. The X2 still runs Android 2.2, but it has been treated to a dual core 1 GHz processor that improves performance on what was already a solid phone.

The improvements are commendable, but I can’t help but go back to the missing 4G LTE support. Verizon has made a massive push to get people thinking of both Android and its 4G rollout, yet the company didn’t merge the two with the Droid X2. LTE has not been deployed across Verizon’s entire coverage map, but it has already reached several major markets and will continue to expand in coming months. So why should someone commit 2 years to a device that will be incapable of accessing the network? One would think that if Verizon bothered to refresh the Droid X2, it could have taken some time to slip in support for something as important as 4G.

Android customers have been disappointed by the lack of dual core support for the HTC Thunderbolt, Samsung Droid Charge, and upcoming LG Revolution, but were pleased to get 4G LTE support. Things were far from perfect with LTE’s launch, but the difference in speed still makes these phones attractive. Will customers opt for the speed of completing tasks or the speed of data transfer?

The Drod X2 goes on sale tomorrow at VerizonWireless.com for $199.99 with a two-year agreement. The device will arrive in stores beginning May 26. Here are a few specs touted by Verizon.

Powered by Android 2.2, to be updated to Android 2.3
Mirror Mode allows you to view and share your photos, videos and downloaded movies on a larger TV via HDMI output
Enterprise-ready with security and IT-grade policies, allowing you to use your DROID X2 for work and play
Support for Google™ Mobile Services, including Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Talk™, Google Search™ and Google Maps™, as well as access to more than 200,000 apps available to download from Android Market™
Mobile Hotspot capability, allowing you to share your 3G connection with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices
Virtual QWERTY keyboard featuring SWYPE technology for quick and easy typing of messages and emails

DROID X2, motorola, motorola droid x2, verizon, Verizon Android phones

6 Comments

Sparhawk2k said: On May 18, 2011

I'm really going back and forth on what I want more… Dual-core or 4G. Really, I'd like both but I'm not sure I can wait that long. My fiancée has the original Droid and it's quickly dying on her (was pushing random points on the screen when she wasn't touching it, now it seems like 1/4 of the screen is entirely dead to touch) and so I'm hoping to upgrade and give her my Droid X. But I would love to hold out for 4G if I can…

That being said, because of this arrangement, I do only have to wait one year… But then she'll have it for another year so I'd like to pass on a good phone. *Sigh*

Paul said: On May 18, 2011

Nope. No buy. You put it correctly, a phone is now an investment in technology. If VZW still did 1 year contracts then maybe. And they're pricing it in the same range as the LTE phones? Watch how fast they drop this price.

@burnayev said: On May 18, 2011

The sparse availability of LTE makes it more a gimmick than a feature at this time. If I were shopping for a new phone, I'd definitely go for this one. It's got a very powerful combo of hardware and software and will likely be a winner.

As a developer I'm especially exited about the HDMI mirror mode. If it works as advertised it'll allow to do the demo screencasts of Android applications, which is currently not possible.

Borys Burnayev
actioncomplete.com
GTD for Android and Web
My recent post ActionComplete for Android 130- French Translation- Bug Fixes

Droidfan said: On May 18, 2011

Am Android all the way. But my Droid X will do just fine till 4g come to my neighborhood. And if I already had 4g availability, I certainly wouldn't be buying a 3g phone, on a 2 year contract. Otherwise great phone. And if you in an area that won't get 4g in the next 21 months, go for it.

David Williams said: On May 18, 2011

Boy I love my Evo, Sprint 4G (yes it's been available in my area for about a year now), and being able to show my movies from my phone on my TV in hi-def via HDMI, for about a year now!

vegit8 said: On May 20, 2011

I waited forever for the Bionic, but it's not coming soon enough. I wanted 4G and unlimited data so I had to settle for a Thunderbolt. Tiered pricing will probably arrive before the Bionic, so… VZW is weird.
4G rocks! Download a song in under 20 seconds.

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