The runt of the brand new RAZR litter is the much-rumored RAZR M, a device that’s easy on the budget without skimping on many specs. You’ve got the same super-fast S4 processor as the rest of the RAZRs here, along with ICS (Jelly Bean’s coming by the end of Q4, Moto says), 1 GB of RAM, an 8 MP camera and a 2,000 mAh battery. Performance-wise, the M is on par with the rest of the line– Motorola has made a concerted effort here to offer the same high-end internals as its flagship devices. The main difference here is size: the M’s footprint is considerably smaller than the RAZR HD and Maxx HD, engaging consumers who want a smaller phone without sacrificing screen size. And Motorola has succeeded– Interestingly enough, despite the smaller footprint, the screen is only shrunk by a few tenths of an inch, down from the 4.7 inches on the RAZR HD and MAXX to 4.3 inches. With that comes a lower qHD resolution, though don’t let that get you down. This display looks really great, and a welcome sacrifice for the $99 pricetag.
The RAZR M is a refreshing entry by Motorola, and sets a new standard for mid-level devices. Motorola has proven that you can have your cake and eat it too, and an affordable pricetag is no excuse for junky hardware. The M is up for presale today at 5 p.m. Eastern in both black and white, and we’re walking home with one, so sit tight for a full review in the coming week. Until then, enjoy some hands-on shots below.
