The Motorola DROID Razr Maxx has just got the update to ICS which means it is the first phone from Motorola to move to Android 4.0. The update provides users with support for recent apps, multi-tasking, folder creation and much more. In addition Motorola have put in some of their own additions, including a better app for the camera, better browser and lock screen. So how does ICS on the Maxx weigh up against Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich experience of the Samsung Galaxy S3 Touch Wiz and the Sense on the HTC One X?
Samsung Galaxy S3, Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX or HTC One X: Best ICS Phone
The Razr Maxx has Face Unlock on the lock screen as does the S3 and One X. The handset can be used via a ring of shortcuts when their phone is locked. HTC take things even further as they have a themed lock screen, which means users can also use social media when the phone is locked. This means that the HTC One X wins here.
Multi-tasking on the Maxx is easy with a long press on the home button which brings up an overlay showing recent apps, this is very similar to the one of the Samsung Galaxy S3. Holding down search will allow you to voice search and long pressing the menu will bring up different options. However the Sense from HTC makes for better multi-tasking than the Razr Maxx thanks to a 3D menu that users can scroll through. To close apps simply flick them into the air. One of the drawbacks to the One X is that it is aggressive in comparison to the S3 and this could be annoying for power users as you will see background apps close down faster. So due to having both design and functionality the S3 surprisingly comes out on top.
Both the S3 and Razr Maxx have web browsers that allow you to sync to Chrome on your computer. This ensures that bookmarks remain up to date. Camera wise the Razr Maxx along with the other two can take video and photos at the same time. Volume keys can also be used for the shutter and for zooming. Samsung come out on top though thanks to their Share Shot and Best Shot features, allowing users to share photos through Wi-Fi. The One X meanwhile provides rapid shooting which does work better than any of the 3rd party app on the market. The winners in this category are the One X and the S3.
When it comes to looks the Razr Maxx is the closest to the stock ICS with its Blur UI while both the One X and S3 could be mistaken for running Gingerbread. The winner therefore has to be the Droid Razr Maxx.
To conclude Samsung do take things a step further with the features on the S3 which includes S Voice, Smart Stay and S Beam. The HTC is superb when it comes to design and also surpasses others in relation to camera filters, although Samsung have the better photo software. Touch Wiz, only by a narrow margin comes out on top as the best Android 4.0 skin and this is down to the innovative features and its appeal. Therefore the overall winner for the best Ice Cream Sandwich experience has to be the Samsung Galaxy S3.
