[Q] Moving from Bionic to Razr MAXX - Motorola Droid RAZR

I am moving from a Bionic to a RAZR MAXX. I may dump it quickly for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus or HTC Rezound, (as those were my other free replacement choices), but we'll see. For now, the MAXX is in the mail and I want to be ready when it arrives. Here are the initial questions I have off the top of my head:
When it comes to hacking/rooting/custom ROMs, is the Razr MAXX (XT916) the same as the regular Razr (XT912)? In other words, are the processes and available ROMs the same, or do I need to only use files specific to the MAXX?
Should I use Safestrap 2.0 or a different Recovery? I am so used to Safestrap but will not use it if established MAXX users say not to.
The Bionic is still an 'ICS-hopeful', and users are having to flash ICS leaks (unofficial) to get it, but I understand that ICS on the MAXX is officially released. What's the best custom ICS ROM? For me the word "best" means no MotoBlur, no custom launchers (i.e. most vanilla)
Thanks in advance for the boost. I want to hit the ground running when I get the phone.

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crobs808 said:
I am moving from a Bionic to a RAZR MAXX. I may dump it quickly for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus or HTC Rezound, (as those were my other free replacement choices), but we'll see. For now, the MAXX is in the mail and I want to be ready when it arrives. Here are the initial questions I have off the top of my head:
When it comes to hacking/rooting/custom ROMs, is the Razr MAXX (XT916) the same as the regular Razr (XT912)? In other words, are the processes and available ROMs the same, or do I need to only use files specific to the MAXX?
Should I use Safestrap 2.0 or a different Recovery? I am so used to Safestrap but will not use it if established MAXX users say not to.
The Bionic is still an 'ICS-hopeful', and users are having to flash ICS leaks (unofficial) to get it, but I understand that ICS on the MAXX is officially released. What's the best custom ICS ROM? For me the word "best" means no MotoBlur, no custom launchers (i.e. most vanilla)
Thanks in advance for the boost. I want to hit the ground running when I get the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Never heard of an XT916. Both the Maxx and regular Razr are model XT912. They're identical in all aspects except for the larger battery and the shell differences that allow the larger batteries. All XT912 files work for both devices.
2. I use Safestrap and I recommend it.
3. Both XT912 devices have received the 211 OTA. If your phone does not have it on start up, check for an OTA. We also have a 215 leak floating around that updates the kernel and installs a new (better) 4g radio. This leak IS fastbootable back to 211 so flash at will. The fastboot file is available for download so I recommend getting it for safe keeping.
As far as "best" rom, that's a matter of opinion. I flashed the Liquid rom a couple days ago and LOVED it. Unfortunately, just like all AOPK and CM roms I've flashed, I had issues with the phone and data connection. Those two are a must for me so I always nandroid back to iKream (blur based). Maybe you'll have better results.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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Great, thanks for the info. I wonder why the term 'XT916' is all over the internet then for the MAXX model...confusing
-edit-
From some quick Googling, this is what I found:
XT910 = Razr (GSM)
XT912 = Razr (CDMA/LTE)
XT913 = Razr MAXX (GSM)
XT916 = Razr MAXX (CDMA/LTE)

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crobs808 said:
Great, thanks for the info. I wonder why the term 'XT916' is all over the internet then for the MAXX model...confusing
-edit-
From some quick Googling, this is what I found:
XT910 = Razr (GSM)
XT912 = Razr (CDMA/LTE)
XT913 = Razr MAXX (GSM)
XT916 = Razr MAXX (CDMA/LTE)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm....maybe they changed the model # designations or something. I have a Razr Maxx (Verizon) and my model # is XT912. Obviously I'm on the leaked update and iKream rom but it's showed XT912 for as long as I've owned it.
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in case you're wondering the rom is 211 based so only the kernel and radio display differently.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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Isn't the model number based on the ROM being used? It would stand to reason that if all the custom ROMs are based on the original Razr, then they'll say "XT912" instead. I'll see what mine says when I get it - they said it is shipping with ICS 4.0.4.

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crobs808 said:
Isn't the model number based on the ROM being used? It would stand to reason that if all the custom ROMs are based on the original Razr, then they'll say "XT912" instead. I'll see what mine says when I get it - they said it is shipping with ICS 4.0.4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure it's not or it would say my device is a Razr instead of Razr Maxx. Also checked with a buddy using a completely stock, never flashed, OTA updated, VZW Maxx. His model is XT912 as well.
The fastboot files for Razr's and Maxx's has XT912 in the title. I still stick with original philosophy. Unless Verizon or Moto changed something very recently, both devices should have the same model #.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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As long as I can use Razr files that's all I need to know. Just found it interesting that there were all those model numbers for the same thing. All Bionics are XT875, never seen any others.

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Well...after even more deliberation I called Verizon and told them I'd rather have the Nexus. They had already shipped the MAXX, so they went ahead and shipped the Nexus also and just said to return the one I do not like along with my Bionic when I have made a decision. I guess I will have both phones at once for a couple days, not sure if that will help me decide or not, since you really have to use them to know which is better but that's the deal. I am still on the fence, but leaning toward keeping the Nexus now - I can send back whichever one I don't want though since they're both coming now.

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crobs808 said:
Well...after even more deliberation I called Verizon and told them I'd rather have the Nexus. They had already shipped the MAXX, so they went ahead and shipped the Nexus also and just said to return the MAXX. I guess I will have both phones at once for a couple days, not sure if that will help me decide or not, since you really have to use them to know which is better but that's the deal. I am still on the fence, but leaning toward keeping the Nexus now - I can send back whichever one I don't want though since they're both coming now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus is nice because of the unlocked bootloader and JB roms but you'll need an extended battery or 3. I upgraded to the Maxx from a Nexus and never looked back.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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joshw0000 said:
Nexus is nice because of the unlocked bootloader and JB roms but you'll need an extended battery or 3. I upgraded to the Maxx from a Nexus and never looked back.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you like more about the MAXX? Don't you miss not being able to have the latest software? Do you miss the screen of the Nexus? Do you miss the slim profile?

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crobs808 said:
What do you like more about the MAXX? Don't you miss not being able to have the latest software? Do you miss the screen of the Nexus? Do you miss the slim profile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The battery sells the phone for me. My Nexus would die before lunch time. I literally had 3 extended oem batteries. Then the Verizon belt clip case wouldn't fit with the slightly larger extended battery so I took a dremmel tool to the stock cover and hollowed it to fit the extended battery.
The roms where nice. I had 6 roms booting at once with Boot Manager. Since they're built from source, most/all roms/customizations simply work. Unlock/relock/flash at will. For a hardcore modder, a Nexus is the way to go. But over time I grew tired of carrying a battery in my pocket, leaving one at work, and the stock battery at home for a backup...or being tied to a cord all day.
I can't tell a difference in the screen and the Maxx is pretty damn slim as-is. I made the switch right around the time the first ICS leak came out so jumping from ICS to ICS was a nice switch. I like the customizable soft keys of the Nexus but I had a certain set up I like. Not all roms would have the settings to move/add/remove buttons like I like so I was constantly relearning the softkey configuration. Or even worse, if a rom didn't have the option for a menu button, I would have to search for it in different apps/pages (it moves). So I like the stationary soft keys of the Maxx.
It's all personal preference I guess.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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Well, I've gotten everything I need to decide. Both the MAXX and Nexus are in the mail to my home now as well as Otterbox Commuter cases and ZAGG screen protectors for both. Extended battery (2100mAh) + back cover for Nexus is also on the way.
I guess I'll have one set of accessories to re-sell once I choose the other.

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crobs808 said:
Great, thanks for the info. I wonder why the term 'XT916' is all over the internet then for the MAXX model...confusing
-edit-
From some quick Googling, this is what I found:
XT910 = Razr (GSM)
XT912 = Razr (CDMA/LTE)
XT913 = Razr MAXX (GSM)
XT916 = Razr MAXX (CDMA/LTE)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For what it's worth, I just got a Razr MAXX GSM at the system menu it says Model number: "XT910 MAXX". Now to figure out how to move to ICS ... seems that most posts are geared for Verizon/CDMA owners. cheers -j

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jmcqup said:
For what it's worth, I just got a Razr MAXX GSM at the system menu it says Model number: "XT910 MAXX". Now to figure out how to move to ICS ... seems that most posts are geared for Verizon/CDMA owners. cheers -j
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's plenty of roms for us GSM folk
From RAZR by Tapatalk

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Well, I used both the MAXX and Nexus for a day each and settled on the Nexus to replace my Bionic (send the MAXX back). Thanks for the input anyway though

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if it's not too late, i recommend eclipse for the maxx....
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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Casen said:
if it's not too late, i recommend eclipse for the maxx....
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Meh, I used Eclipse on my Bionic. If you had asked me 24 hours ago, I would have said Eclipse was great...but man, now that I am rockin' Jellybean (Android 4.1) on this Nexus, nothing compares

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crobs808 said:
Meh, I used Eclipse on my Bionic. If you had asked me 24 hours ago, I would have said Eclipse was great...but man, now that I am rockin' Jellybean (Android 4.1) on this Nexus, nothing compares
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I played with it on a TF201. Seemed just like ICS with the exception of a few minor differences.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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joshw0000 said:
I played with it on a TF201. Seemed just like ICS with the exception of a few minor differences.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
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My main like is the offline speech to text. Don't have to have a signal now for it to translate what you said to text. I use that in every app, since I hate typing on the keyboard. It is always accurate when it hears me, but on ICS it needed the network. Now it can do it offline, I love it - I can speak out a long paragraph without any spelling errors in an email in 2 minutes! Also, the camera app is much better. Swiping back and forth between photos/live camera is MUCH improved.

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I flashed CM10 on my Maxx yesterday. Pretty solid build. As soon as we get data working fully (less drops), I'll use it daily. For now it's a fun dual boot to play with.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2