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Which Droid is best for you? Motorola Droid Turbo 2 vs. Droid Maxx 2

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moto droid turbo 2 vs maxx spec showdown header
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The holiday season is steadily approaching, and this year, Motorola has more than one trick up its sleeve. The American company is currently gearing up to unleash its next round of Verizon-exclusive smartphones, the Droid Turbo 2 and Droid Maxx 2. The former represents the sequel to last year’s lauded Droid Turbo — bringing with it a Snapdragon 810 processor, a 21-megapixel camera, and a shatterproof screen called Shattersheild — while the latter opts for similar specs beneath a 5.5-inch display.

How do the two Motorola devices stack up against one another when it comes to other hardware, software, and features? Check below to find out.

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Droid Turbo 2

Turbo 2 Thumb
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Droid Maxx 2

Maxx Thumb
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Size 149.8mm x 78mm (5.9 inches x 3.1 inches) 148mm x 75mm (5.8 inches x 2.9 inches)
Weight 169 grams (5.96 oz) 169 grams (5.96 oz)
Screen 5.4-inch 5.5-inch
Resolution 2560 x 1440 pixels, 540 ppi 1920 x 1080 pixels, 403 ppi
OS Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
Storage 32GB, 64GB 16GB
SD Card Slot Yes, expandable to 1TB Yes, expandable to 128GB
NFC Support Yes Yes
System Architecture/Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon
810 processor with 2.0 GHZ Octa-core CPUs, Adreno 430 GPU, Natural
Language Processor, Contextual Computing Processor		 Qualcomm Snapdragon
615 processor with 1.7 GHZ Octa-core CPUs, Adreno 405 GPU, Natural
Language Processor, Contextual Computing Processor
RAM 3GB 2GB
Connectivity GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+, 4G LTE GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+,CDMA, 4G LTE
Camera Rear 21MP, Front 5MP Rear 21MP, Front 5MP
Bluetooth Version 4.1 LE Version 4.0 LE
Sensors IR Sensor, Magnetometer, Proximity Sensor, GPS Light sensor, Proximity sensor, GPS
Misc. PMA and Qi wireless charging compatible, Voice control, motion controls, Moto Loop, Moto Assist and Smart Lock  Voice control, Motion control, Moto Loop, Moto Assist and Smart Lock
Protection 5-Layer Moto ShatterShield Screen Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Battery 3,760mAh 3,630mAh
Charger Micro USB Micro USB
Marketplace Google Play Google Play
Price Starting at $624 Starting at $384
Availability Verizon Verizon
DT Review Coming Soon Coming Soon
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Design

In terms of basic dimensions, the two smartphones are pretty similar. Whereas the Turbo 2 measures 5.9 x 3.1 inches, the Maxx 2 is a tad smaller at 5.8 x 2.9 inches. Both weigh in at just under 6 ounces, rendering them similar in size and scope, even if their build materials and designs vary quite a bit.

Motorola is making sure that users will be able to customize their new devices, regardless of whether you buy the Droid Maxx 2 or the Droid Turbo 2. With the Maxx 2, the back plate can be swapped out for different colors, designs, and materials that allow for better grip. The Maxx 2’s water-resistant design also may be enticing or those who find themselves using their phone in wetter situations, while the embedded the Gorilla Glass 3 ensures protection from small tumbles and drops, protecting the HD 1080p display in the process. However, for those who want even more customization and more protection, the Droid Turbo 2 makes a strong case for itself.

Shatter Head
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Droid Turbo 2 can be better customized to fit your preferences than the Maxx 2. Motorola conveniently offers pebbled leather, ballistic nylon, and soft grip options. However, unless you have a strong preference, the Droid Turbo 2 alleviates any concern you might have over the grip of your phone with what Motorola believes to be the “world’s first shatterproof display.” The device comes standard with a five-layer display that includes a shatter-proof outer lens and flexible inner lens, not to mention a redundant touch layer, a flexible 2,560 x 1,440-pixel AMOLED, and an aluminum chassis for added durability.

Whether this construction really holds up to the company’s claims remains to be seen, but we’re willing to bet it will at least hold up better than other smart devices (including the Moto Maxx 2).

Winner: Droid Turbo 2

Power

With regards to power, the Droid Turbo 2 clearly has the upper hand. Armed with the 3GB of RAM and a Qualcom Snapdragon 810 2.0 GHZ octo-core processor, the Droid Turbo 2 beats out the Maxx 2’s slightly lesser — though, similar – Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 1.7 GHZ Octa-core processor and 2GB RAM.

Motorola 434
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Both Droids run Android OS 5.1.1 Lollipop, however, you’re more likely to see better system performance on the Droid Turbo 2 given its faster and more powerful chipset. Furthermore, thanks to the Turbo 2’s Adreno 430 GPU, it’s designed to handle graphically intensive apps and games better than the Maxx 2’s Adreno 405.

When it comes to battery power, the Droid Turbo 2 also once again takes the lead, ableit only slightly. At 3,630mAh, the Moto Maxx 2’s battery will give you about 48 hours of talk time, while the Droid Turbo 2’s 3,760mAh battery will last you even longer than that. Both phones also quickly charge thanks to the inclsuion of Motorolla’s TurboPower charging feature. A mere 15 minutes of charging will net you 13 hours of battery life on the Droid turbo 2 and eight hours on the Moto Maxx 2.

It’s clear from the numbers that the Droid Turbo 2 is the way to go when it comes to power, performance, and battery life. That’s not to say the Maxx 2 is a poor choice, but when choosing between the two, the Droid Tubro 2 takes this round.

Winner: Droid Turbo 2

Camera

A major draw for both phones are their rear-facing cameras, both of which tout 21-megapixel sensors with 4X zoom, rapid focus, and a color-balancing LED flash. The impressive cameras allow you to capture auto HDR images, too, so pictures will be crisp and clear regardless of the situation. On top of that, both cameras feature 5-megapixel front-facing cameras for selfies and group photos.

Selfie 34
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There is a difference between the two when it comes to video capture, however. The Droid Turbo 2 can record video at 1080p resolution and either 30 or 60 frames per second, or at 4K resolution at 30fps. It also supports slow motion video. Contrast this with the Maxx 2, which records video at a fixed 1080p 30fps, and the Turbo 2 take the advantage. Still, the specifications for the Maxx 2 are impressive when compared to other smartphones, even if they’re not quite on par with the Droid Turbo 2.

Winner: Droid Turbo 2

Availability and Price

Verizon customers will be able to purchase both new phones later this week, but sadly, customers on other providers are out of luck for the time being. The Moto Maxx 2 starts at $384, or $16 a month on a fixed plan. The Droid Turbo 2 starts at $624, or either $26 or $30 per month on a fixed plan depending on the specific model. Verizon is also offering a special deal for Turbo 2 customers that allows you to trade in your old Droid Turbo for credit toward their new phone.

In this case, we’re going to give the nod to the Maxx 2, though, only slightly. While it doesn’t have a special trade-in program, it’s the less expensive option and therefore easier on the wallet. Still keep in mind, however, that the Droid Turbo 2 beats the Moto Maxx 2 in all other categories.

Winner: Moto Maxx 2

Conclusion

Both phones offer cool customization options and impressive camera specs, but we can’t help but favor the Droid Turbo 2 on paper — it’s simply got the numbers on its side. The speedy Snapdragon 810 chipset, the durable screen construction, the customizable design, and other notable features makes the phone the hands-down winner. It might cost more, but robust functionality often comes at a price.

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Brendan Hesse
Brendan Hesse
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brendan has written about a wide swath of topics, including music, fitness and nutrition, and pop culture, but tech was…
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