Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the powerful Motorola DROID Turbo released last fall goes up against the new OnePlus 2…or as OnePlus dubbed it, the “flagship killer.” While that is certainly not the case, it is a lot of smartphone and a great value. But does it have what it takes to beat the older DROID Turbo? Which one is really a better daily driver? Let’s take a look at some of the specifications that these two devices share.
The DROID Turbo and OnePlus 2 are approximately the same physical size and close in display size…and the OnePlus 2 is only 6 grams heavier. They both use a Qualcomm processor, but the DROID Turbo uses and older 32-bit 805 and the OnePlus 2 uses the newer 64-bit 810. Both devices have a 3GB model – the DROID Turbo has 32GB/64GB memory option and the OnePlus 2 has 16GB of internal memory with 3GB of RAM. Neither device has a means to expand their internal memory. Both have large, non-removable batteries and both have most of the usual suspects – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (4.0 for the DROID Turbo and 4.1 on the OnePlus 2), GPS, and a microUSB port for charging and data transfer (v2.0 on the Turbo and Type-C on the OnePlus 2).
Please take a deliberate look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each individual device in greater detail and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.
Specifications
Motorola Droid Turbo
The Motorola DROID Turbo was added to the Verizon DROID collection, but it shares certain DROID characteristics – that same Kevlar backing and DROID ‘chin’ are there to greet you. It is typical Motorola – rugged, well built and good looking in a masculine sort of way. They also added an optional ballistic nylon material as well. It has a real good feel in your hand and a comfortable size that seems just right.
Most smartphone users like their device to be in the ‘sweet spot’ of 5-5.2-inches, and that is just where the Motorola DROID Turbo lands. Motorola went all out with a 5.2-inch QHD AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and an amazing 565 pixels-per-inch (PPI) – not even in the same ballpark is the FHD and 401 PPI on the OnePlus 2. Motorola used the best processor Qualcomm had at the time – a 32-bit Snapdragon 805 quad-core clocked at 2.7GHz. This does not stack up against the 64-bit Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor used in the OnePlus 2. The DROID comes with 3GB of RAM and has a 32GB or 64GB option of internal memory. The OnePlus 2 comes with either 3GB/16GB or 4GB/64GB variants, although OnePlus said the latter version is all that will be available for a while. Neither device has any means to expand their internal memory.
Motorola, long criticized for their mediocre cameras, finally started to step up their specs. They started by putting in a 21MP sensor, autofocus and a dual-LED flash, but still no OIS in the DROID Turbo. While the camera does a good job taking photos, the 13MP on the OnePlus 2 is somewhat more sophisticated and should outclass the camera on the DROID Turbo. The front-facing camera (FFC) on the DROID Turbo is only 2MP, compared to the 5.0MP on the OnePlus 2. It comes with a huge non-removable 3900mAh battery and will certainly last you a day or two of service. If you need to charge it, you have the wireless charging option or Turbo Charger to get you quickly up and running again. The smaller 3300mAh battery in the OnePlus 2 will also get you through the entire day, but offers no quick charge option. Both batteries are non-removable.
Extras on the DROID Turbo include a single front-facing speaker and an inside nano-coating for water resistance. Because it is a DROID device, it is a Verizon exclusive, and the current price for the 32GB model is down $480 off-contract or $528 for the 64GB model and it has been upgraded to Lollipop 5.1 in July.
OnePlus 2
The OnePlus 2 is following up to OnePlus’ first smartphone from last year, the OnePlus One. The build quality of the OnePlus 2’s with its solid metal frame and trim is without question a nice looking device – however, any time you build a flagship device and offer it for low price, you have to cut some corners. OnePlus stayed with an FHD display, the same size camera (although made improvements), added 1GB of RAM and increased the battery from 3100mAh to 3300mAh. Then, OnePlus did a strange thing – they added a fingerprint sensor, which certainly increased costs, but took away the OnePlus 2’s NFC functionality. OnePlus included NFC in the OnePlus One when it had no fingerprint sensor. What this means now is that the fingerprint sensor can unlock the phone, but nothing else…no Android Pay, no mobile purchases at all.
The OnePlus 2 sports a 5.5-inch LTPS LCD FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 401 PPI versus the AMOLED QHD display on the DROID Turbo with 565 PPI. OnePlus selected Qualcomm and their 64-bit Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor and to keep it from overheating, under-clocked it to 1.8GHz. This goes up against the DROID Turbo with its 32-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor. The OnePlus 2 has two options when it comes to RAM/Memory – 3GB/16GB or 4GB/64GB – although, according to OnePlus, the 4GB/64GB is the only one available for a while. The DROID Turbo packs 3GB of RAM with either 32GB or 64GB of internal memory. There is no room for expansion in the OnePlus 2 or the DROID Turbo.
The camera in the OnePlus 2 retains the same 13MP sensor as the OnePlus One, but OnePlus did improve the overall experience. They added laser autofocus, included a dual-LED flash and OIS. This goes up against a large 21MP, autofocus and dual-LED flash on the DROID Turbo. For the FFC, OnePlus included a large 5MP camera for selfies or video chatting…the DROID Turbo has only a 2MP FFC. The OnePlus 2 increased its non-removable battery size from 3000mAh to 3300mAh. This competes with the larger, non-removable 3900mAh battery in the DROID Turbo, which has a quick charge option and wireless charging.
The OnePlus 2 does come with a great sound ‘system’ built-in to the device. It is also using a newer USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer that uses a nice, reversible plug. It runs OnePlus’ own OS called OxygenOS 2.0 over stock Android Lollipop 5.1. LTE works on AT&T and T-Mobile and the OnePlus 2 will cost you $329 for the 16GB model and $389 for the 64GB model.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
Oh my what a dilemma we have…again! It seems like the last few comparisons we have done have been so hard to decide a winner and this one is no exception. Either device would be a great smartphone and each one offers different advantages – and the right one for you will depend on what you are looking for in a smartphone.
The OnePlus 2 certainly looks more premium, but both are built like a rock. The OnePlus 2 has a faster, 64-bit processor and adds 4GB of RAM to the 64GB model. If you are into taking photos, the OnePlus 2 would most likely be your first choice, although the 21MP shooter in the DROID Turbo will take good photos and the OnePlus 2 also has a larger FFC for better social media selfies and video chatting. If you are into fingerprint sensors, that do nothing but unlock your device, the OnePlus 2 would be your device. The OnePlus 2 has no NFC, so you will not be able to do any Mobile purchasing.
The DROID Turbo has a much better QHD AMOLED display and is a little smaller overall in size. It also is dust and water resistant, and has large 21MP main camera sensor, but the OnePlus 2 will match its photos. The Droid Turbo does have a single front-facing speaker, built-in a wireless charging as well as quick charge with Motorola Turbo Charger and a huge battery.
The OnePlus 2 will work on AT&T and T-Mobile’s LTE networks and the Turbo will work only on Verizon’s network, so that is another consideration for some users. Either device will work, just for different people…which one is right for you?
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