Skip to main content

Nexus One vs. Motorola Droid

nexus-v-droidFor the past few months the Motorola Droid was the hottest Android device on the market, but after today’s press conference in Mountain View, California it looks like there’s a new droid in town. With all of the new reviews pouring in from lucky Nexus One handlers, there’s been a lot of “Droid-killer” talk. Will this new Google phone destroy the former Android king, the Motorola Droid? There are already mixed opinions on the matter, especially since the Nexus One isn’t linked to any specific provider and won’t hit Verizon until this Spring, but we’ll just have to wait and see how this Android duel plays out. And while we’re waiting, we’ll do a little comparison of our own.

So, which Android smartphone is the best? This is a tough question, because Google is basically competing with itself and even though the phones are very similar, they have distinct differences which would probably only seperate them by personal taste. The Nexus One is thinner but doesn’t have a physical keyboard. The Droid has that nice QWERTY keyboard and a 3.7” touchscreen (same as the Nexus), but it has a very boxey design.  Now, something to consider is that the Nexus one is about $20 cheaper across all options than Droid—unlimited plan and service plan—but buying either unlocked is still more expensive than buying a netbook. The Nexus One runs Android 2.1 which has been getting rave reviews for its speedy Web browsing. From the sounds of what we’re saying, the Nexus is sounding a little more appealing.

Here are the major Nexus and Droid specs so you can compare for yourself…


Nexus One Specs

  • google-nexus-one-combo5MP camera with LED flash
  • Qualcomm QSD 8250 1GHz processor
  • Android 2.1 OS
  • 512MB RAM
  • 512MB Flash drive (built in)
  • 4GM Micro SD card
  • 3.7″ touchscreen display
  • Weight: 130g with battery
  • Talk time: up to 7 hours on 3G/10 hours on 2G
  • Web use: up to 6.5 hours on Wi-Fi
  • Price: $179 with T-Mobile or $529 without contract

Motorola Droid Specs

  • motorola-droid5MP camera with LED flash
  • Android 2.0 OS
  • QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen
  • 600 MHz ARM Cortex A8 Processor
  • 256 MB RAM / 512 MB ROM
  • microSD/microSDHC
  • 3.7-inch screen touchscreen
  • Weight: 169g with battery
  • Talk Time: 6.4 hours on 3G
  • Web use: up to 6 hours on Wi-Fi
  • Price: $199 on Verizon or $599 without contract
Dena Cassella
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Haole built. O'ahu grown
I did a OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 12R camera test, and there’s a big difference
Genshin Impact Edition OnePlus 12R (left) and Flowy Emerald OnePlus 12.

OnePlus has had a very solid start to 2024 with the release of the OnePlus 12 and the OnePlus 12R. While both phones look very similar, one is a flagship, while the other is a more budget-friendly option with slightly lesser specs.

Though both devices' cameras appear similar at first glance, they’re actually quite different. In addition to different specs, only the OnePlus 12 has Hasselblad branding, meaning that it has better color calibration, white balance and exposure, and more. In short, photos you take with the OnePlus 12’s Hasselblad camera are probably going to look better.

Read more
AT&T just made it a lot easier to upgrade your phone
AT&T Storefront with logo.

Do you want to upgrade your phone more than once a year? What about three times a year? Are you on AT&T? If you answered yes to those questions, then AT&T’s new “Next Up Anytime” early upgrade program is made for you. With this add-on, you’ll be able to upgrade your phone three times a year for just $10 extra every month. It will be available starting July 16.

Currently, AT&T has its “Next Up” add-on, which has been available for the past several years. This program costs $6 extra per month and lets you upgrade by trading in your existing phone after at least half of it is paid off. But the new Next Up Anytime option gives you some more flexibility.

Read more
Motorola is selling unlocked smartphones for just $150 today
Someone holding the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024).

Have you been looking for phone deals but don’t want to spend a ton of money on flagship devices from Apple and Samsung? Have you ever considered investing in an unlocked Motorola? For a limited time, the company is offering a $100 markdown on the Motorola Moto G 5G. It can be yours for just $150, and your days and nights of phone-shopping will finally be over!

Why you should buy the Motorola Moto G 5G
Powered by the Snapdragon 480+ 5G CPU and 4GB of RAM, the Moto G delivers exceptional performance across the board. From UI navigation to apps, games, and camera functions, you can expect fast load times, next to no buffering, and smooth animations. You’ll also get up to 128GB of internal storage that you’ll be able to use for photos, videos, music, and any other mobile content you can store locally. 

Read more