How does the new Motorola Droid 2 differ from the original?
Motorola and Verizon Tuesday announced the Droid 2, the sequel to the popular Droid, which launched in November 2009. While the device has received a handful of important improvements, it remains nearly identical to its predecessor in every other way.
The Motorola Droid was arguably the first smash hit Android device, capitalizing on the popularity of Verizon's network and pointing out the shortcomings of both AT&T's network and the Apple iPhone. So, Motorola appears to be giving the Droid the same treatment it gave the Razr for many years, by sticking with what people know, and improving in areas that matter.
With that said, there are a few noteworthy features of the Droid 2: improved processor speed, the inclusion of Android 2.2 and its full feature set including Flash 10.1 support and mobile hotspot functionality, the use of onboard storage in addition to MicroSD-based, and a slight redesign to the often quirky membrane keyboard and D-pad. The rest of the device is mostly unchanged.
| Motorola Droid 2 | Motorola Droid |
|---|---|
| $199 +2 yr contract/rebates | $199 +2 yr contract/rebates |
| 3.7" (480 x 854) capacitive touchscreen | 3.7" (480 x 854) capacitive touchscreen |
| Android 2.2 (at launch) | Android 2.0 (at launch) |
| 1 GHz Processor | 660MHz Processor |
| 60.5 x 116.3 x 13.7 mm, 169 grams | 60.00 x 115.80 x 13.7 mm, 169 grams |
| 5 megapixel cam, dual LED flash | 5 megapixel cam, dual LED flash |
| 8 GB memory plus 8 GB card included | 16GB card included |
The Droid 2 will be available through Verizon's website on August 11, and it will be in stores beginning August 12 for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.
Owners of the original Droid, meanwhile, are still waiting for their over-the-air update to Android 2.2.