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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The Motorola Razr Maxx offers up a decent camera in the shape of an 8MP rear snapper, as well as a front-facing 1.3MP offering.

The rear facing camera is the main focus here, with the smaller front camera really only there for video calls and vanity checks.

Motorola Razr Maxx review

There's a single LED flash located next to the lens on the rear of the phone, and thanks to the positioning at the top of the device, there's no chance of obscuring the camera when held in portrait orientation.

However, we did find our hand creeping into the corner of shots when held in landscape, which was slightly annoying as we had to change our grip to something much less natural.

Motorola Razr Maxx review

Also annoyingly the app does not rotate the menus in the camera when you're holding the Motorola Razr Maxx in portrait, which is frustrating when trying to read menus sideways – something that other handsets provide without a second thought.

Motorola Razr Maxx review

If you are an impulse snapper then the Motorola Razr Maxx has got you covered, with the option to open the camera app straight from the lock screen.

That said, there is a second or so delay as the camera app loads, which is then extended once the shutter is pressed, while autofocus sorts itself out.

The autofocus delay can be overcome by either a) pausing before pressing the shutter to let the auto-focus settle or b) turning off autofocus from the settings menu.

Autofocus and tap-to-focus are both present, but as mentioned it can take a little while to setting, especially is the target is moving, which can cause frustration and missed opportunities.

As with most smartphones these days, there are a number of options and settings within the camera app itself. There are seven effects, seven scenes and four modes to select from, as well as an exposure control and image quality toggle (8MP or 6MP widescreen).

Motorola Razr Maxx review

You can toggle between the front and rear cameras easily from within the app – although you lose pretty much all your setting options when using the front-facing camera.

There are slightly fewer options on the Motorola Razr Maxx than the likes of the Galaxy S2 and iPhone 4S, but they will suffice for most users.

Motorola Razr Maxx review

The camera does pretty well outside, colours are a little washed out

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Motorola Razr Maxx review

The digital zoom stands up quick well, we a reasonable image produced

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Motorola Razr Maxx review

Black and White: One of the effects available

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Motorola Razr Maxx review

Negative: another effect in the camera app

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Motorola Razr Maxx review

16:9 (6MP) mode - doesn't handle moving objects well, plus thumb in shot

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Motorola Razr Maxx review

Auto-focus can't cope if you're quick on the draw

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Motorola Razr Maxx review

Let auto-focus settle and it'll do the job

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Motorola Razr Maxx review

The camera struggles in poorly lit areas

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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.