Motorola Droid X Review

Real-world and benchmark performance was class-leading for its time

In synthetic tests the Droid X scored strongly relative to contemporaries. PhoneArena reported a Quadrant score of 1,131 for the Droid X versus 1,304 for the Nexus One and 419 for the HTC EVO 4G; an independent test later showed a Droid X Quadrant score of 1,263. Jesse Chen and others attributed the phone’s strong showing to its 1GHz OMAP 3630 CPU despite shipping with Android 2.1.

Raw CPU/video capability translated to smooth media playback: PhoneArena’s footage showed the Droid X delivering 60 frames per second video playback, matching the Nexus One’s rate and outperforming the EVO 4G, which at the time played back at 30 fps. Reviewers noted that an update to Android 2.2 (Froyo) with a JIT compiler would further boost application-level performance.

Large 4.3-inch screen and strong video performance make it a media phone

Motorola fitted the Droid X with a 4.3-inch HD-class display (described in reviews as a 4.3-inch HD screen) that reviewers praised for media consumption, and benchmark video playback showed consistent 60 fps performance on test clips. That playback smoothness helped position the phone as one of the better multimedia Android devices of its generation.

PCMag and other reviewers also flagged the handset as an early candidate to run Adobe Flash via a forthcoming software update; Flash support was expected to arrive in a later summer update according to contemporary coverage, which increased its appeal for web and video-heavy users once the update was issued.

Solid build and large footprint — good for media, awkward for one-handed use

Physically the Droid X is notably large: PCMag measured it at 5 × 2.6 × 0.4 inches and commented that its size is the largest available in the US at the time. Reviews described the phone as bulky enough to make prolonged one-handed use uncomfortable — PCMag summed this up as stretching the joint between your thumb and your other four fingers.

The rear has a camera hump that adds to the bulk perception. While build quality and materials were regarded as sturdy, the trade-off is clear: excellent media surface area versus compromised pocket and single-hand ergonomics.

Capable feature set, but initial software lagged behind some rivals

At launch the Droid X ran Android 2.1; contemporaneous coverage noted that competitors like the Nexus One were already running Android 2.2 with the JIT compiler, which yielded significant benchmark improvements. Sources expected Motorola to push Froyo and Flash support in subsequent updates — Flash was called out by PCMag as arriving in a software upgrade later in the summer.

The handset included enterprise-level sync and management capabilities and 3G mobile-hotspot support, which reviewers highlighted as useful for business users and mobile tethering; Digital Bits specifically listed enterprise sync (including Microsoft Exchange) and remote management among the device’s capabilities.

Carrier-focused connectivity and enterprise tools were included

The Droid X was supplied on Verizon and included 3G mobile-hotspot capability as part of its connectivity feature set (reported in reviews), making it useful as a portable data hub. Reviewers called out its enterprise-level data sync support — Microsoft Exchange, Gmail, and Google Calendar — and management features such as remote password control and server remote wipe.

These connectivity and management features paired with a high-performance CPU made the Droid X a realistic contender for business users who needed larger-screen productivity and hotspot capability on a Verizon network.

Pros & Cons

• ✅ 1GHz OMAP 3630 CPU delivering strong single-core performance in contemporaneous benchmarks (Quadrant scores reported around 1,131 and 1,263)
• ✅ 4.3-inch HD-class display with test-backed 60 fps video playback
• ✅ Included 3G mobile-hotspot capability and enterprise-level sync/management (Exchange, remote wipe)
• ✅ Recognized by PCMag with Editors' Choice-level praise and listed among the period's phones with strong battery life
• ✅ Planned software upgrade path promised Adobe Flash support (update expected later in the summer)

• ❌ Physically large footprint (5 × 2.6 × 0.4 inches) that reviewers said made one-handed use uncomfortable
• ❌ Shipped running Android 2.1 while competitors were using Android 2.2 with JIT — required software updates for peak app performance
• ❌ Rear camera hump increases overall bulk and affects flat-surface stability
• ❌ Key web feature (Adobe Flash) required a later software update rather than being available at launch

How It Compares to the Competition

• Nexus One — Smaller device with the advantage of Android 2.2 and JIT at the time, producing higher synthetic CPU scores in some tests (e.g., Quadrant ~1,304).
• HTC EVO 4G — Competes on large display and media focus but lagged in synthetic CPU and video frame-rate tests (reported Quadrant ~419 and 30 fps playback in one report).
• Motorola Droid (original) — Lower-clocked predecessor (600MHz in some units) that scored lower in benchmarks (reported Quadrant ~874) compared with the Droid X’s ~1,100–1,260 range.
• HTC Droid Incredible — Smaller form factor alternative from the same era offering a more pocketable design versus the Droid X’s large footprint.

Who Should Buy This & Who Should Skip It

Buy it if: Buy the Droid X if you prioritize a large 4.3-inch display, strong single-core CPU performance for media and web playback, and carrier/enterprise features such as 3G mobile-hotspot and Exchange support. It's a solid choice for users who consume video and need hotspot functionality on Verizon.

Skip it if: Skip the Droid X if you need a compact, one‑handable phone or want the latest Android revision and features at purchase; the phone shipped with Android 2.1 and required later updates for Froyo-level JIT performance and Flash support. Users who prioritize minimal pocket bulk should consider smaller alternatives.