Which would you rather have — a phone with a screen so nice you'd do just about anything to keep it safe for those times you want to use it, or a phone that can survive a whole lot more than most phones but isn't quite as nice to look at?
That's basically the question you ask when comparing the Motorola Droid Turbo 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Samsung's display tech is without a doubt the best in the industry right now, but the mostly glass body of the phone makes it unlikely to survive that less-than-sober counter grab to take that late-night selfie. Meanwhile, Motorola's latest is the first high end smartphone where the company all but dares you to drop the phone to see how well it survives.
There's obviously a lot more to these phones than the displays, but this is a great place to start when comparing the Droid Turbo 2 and the Note 5. Let's take a closer look.
Motorola and Samsung both make Android phones, but that's just about all these two companies have in common right now. Samsung is focused on an almost jewelry-like experience with their high end products right now, and the combination of stellar display quality and fantastic camera quality makes up for comparably mediocre battery life and an outwardly fragile look and feel for many people.
Motorola's focus, specifically on the Droid Turbo 2, has been durability and battery life. The new ShatterShield tech in the Droid Turbo 2, coupled with an army of textured backs to offer extra grip and a massive battery inside, create a wildly different experience. These are phones you can knock around a little and not be worried, and Motorola swears you can get through a whole day of just about anything without hunting for a power outlet.
More than anything, it's fascinating to see how differently these two companies do business.
Software is another critical differentiation when comparing Motorola and Samsung. The Galaxy Note 5 is supposed to be what it looks like when Samsung tones down their TouchWiz software a bit, with a whole lot of erroneous features removed and a UI more in line with Google's rules for how to make better software through Material Design. Looking at the phone compared to something like a Droid Turbo 2, which is just about as close to Nexus-style Android as a phone can get in many respects, you see TouchWiz is still a unique and powerful experience in its own right. Motorola's software is a lot more than looks, though, especially once you get to know the context-aware Moto apps and gestures. Set up correctly, Motorola's phones do a ton of work for you, which is a unique and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
| Category | Galaxy Note 5 | Droid Turbo 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, TouchWiz | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| Display | 5.7-inch QHD (2560x1440, 518 ppi) Super AMOLED | 5.4-inch "shatterproof" POLED Quad HD (1440x2560) 540 ppi |
| Processor | Exynos 7420 octa-core (2.1GHz quad + 1.5GHz quad) 64bit, 14nm |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 (MSM8994) 64-bit |
| Storage | 32 or 64GB, UFS 2.0 Non-expandable |
32GB/64GB microSD card up to 2TB |
| RAM | 4GB (LPDDR4) | 3GB (LPDDR3) |
| Rear Camera | 16MP, f/1.9, OIS, phase detection auto focus 4K video, slow motion video |
21MP, f/2.0 aperture, phase detection auto focus 4K video |
| Front Camera | 5MP, f/1.9 | 5MP, f/2.0 |
| Network | LTE cat.9 (network bands vary by market) |
LTE (network bands vary by market) |
| Connectivity | 802.11ac Wifi, 2.4/5GHz, MIMO (2x2), 620Mbps Bluetooth 4.2 LE, ANT+ NFC, Location (GPS, Glonass, Beidou) |
802.11ac Wifi, 2.4/5GHz, Bluetooth 4.1 LE, NFC, Location (GPS-A, Glonass) |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro, Fingerprint, Barometer, Hall, HRM | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, color spectrum |
| Charging | Micro USB 2.0, Adaptive Fast Charging Qi wireless, Powermat wireless, fast wireless charging |
Micro USB 2.0, Qualcomm Quick Charge Qi wireless, Powermat wireless |
| Battery | 3000 mAh Non-removable |
3760 mAh Non-removable |
| Dimensions | 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6mm | 149.8 x 78 x 7.6-9.2 mm |
| Weight | 171g | 169 grams |
Availability is another interesting difference. There's a lot to like about both of these phones, especially if you're a Verizon Wireless customer. The Moto X Pure Edition, which is the closest offering outside of Verizon made by Motorola, is a great phone in its own right but missing a lot of the things that make the Droid Turbo 2 special. Meanwhile, the Note 5 you buy on every carrier offers a nearly identical experience, which is important to a lot of people.
More than anything, it's fascinating to see how differently these two companies do business. At least on Verizon, the Droid Turbo 2 is going to sit side by side with the Galaxy Note 5 for users to choose between, and depending on what you want in a phone that choice is either really easy or quite complicated.
Reader comments
Quick comparison: Droid Turbo 2 versus Galaxy Note 5
According to a Verizon site I found before even looking at either device the turbo 2 blew both the note and iPhone 6s out of the water in almost every category. I haven't been able to put this down since I got it yesterday. If I'm going to nitpick about screen quality I won't be doing it over a phone. The turbo 2 is just a better phone. Better battery life and durability makes the note irrelevant. If it were a tablet then it would be a different story.
love the looks of the note 5. only thing is the size. so use to 4.7 in phone one hand operation. not sure yet but leaning this way. have had Motorola droid phones for 5 yrs. loved the Razr HD Maxx which I still have and still serves me well. just a little slower than the Samsung phones. And then the camera. wow! my wife has the GS5 and the camera is so much better. We compare the same picture and hers is so much brighter and clearer. The note 5 is even better. And then all the other stuff which we all know about. So, no more Droid for me when I decide to upgrade. just wish they would keep the size at a max of 5in. Larger than that is just too big IMO. I know IOS has a 4.7 which is my size, but .............I'm all warm with my clothes on and just don't want to jump into the cold water. We'll see.
Sorry, meant to say the T2 numbers are incorrectly listed for Res - identical to the N5 but Width first, then Height.
You are missing some epecs, and using caps on the Left and lower case on the right also dimishes what is very good and equal on both phones.
The higher mega pixel far out shines the slightly better lens app, but the thing about the front face cam is the T2 has a wide-angle 32mm lens, the N5 has standard 55mm. So much for selfie stick needs with the T2!
Missing: The T2 also has Fast Wireless Charging through APM, the Note 5 does not have that kind of fast charging - Moto calls it Turbo Charging (8 times faster than Fast Charging)
Connectivity speed is identical in both phones - why did You leave it off the Moto list?
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 is also an Octa-core - why leave that info out?
The RAM in BOTH is DDR3 - DDR4 didnt exist for consumer devices yet.
Tjhe resolution numbers in BOTH are IDENTICAL, yet you have the Note 5 res numbers reversed. No reason for that.
If you are going to include Touch Wiz as part of the OS (which it isnt) rthen you need to state Blur for the T2. well, it's more Blur-ish than full on Blur.
The turbo 2 (or moto x force for anywhere else) is a legitimate choice here. It has a better GPU, expandable storage, cleaner ui, and most of all it has the most durable screen to ever be in a smartphone, so durable in fact that it dents before it cracks.
Personally I'd still go for the edge+ though (not interested in stylus)
The T2 also operates with a stylus (and attendant app)
This is easy folks note 5 are gs6 edge plus hehe hey had to throw my phone in there since I don't have the note 5 . My vote n5 best phone of the year well till the gs7 is released
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Just want to know why my ZTE z793c phone will not work with any selfie stick.
Please don't be one of them
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I think Droid Turbo is really the Rorschach test for those who claimed that they did not care about thinness or aesthetics of a smartphone. The phone literally checks all the boxes. Large battery, expandable storage, water resistant, wireless charging built-in, top of the line specs, etc.
LOL?
I think the screen quality is what hurts it. If you're coming from a 2 or 3 year old device and are an average consumer, you probably don't care. But anyone coming from an iPhone or Samsung Panel would probably find themselves not even considering the T2. It has great features, but that screen is pretty horrible.
You obviously havent touched a T2 yet.
Actually, I have and I prefer the Moto X screen. The panel in the T2 is no where near the quality of an S6 (not that it's reasonable to think it would be).
Calling it horrible was probably harsh of me, but all that protection comes at a cost. That cost weighs differently depending on preferences. Nothing wrong with that.
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Totally agree. Which is why I'm gonna try out the T2. I care about speed, batt life, durability. The thinness contest is ridiculous. Aesthetics are way down on the list for me. I will always choose functionality over form.
They are identical in thin.
N5 all day
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Nope 12 hours before charge at best.
Honestly, both are different animals, made for different types of users.
That said, for a daily, I might pick the Turbo 2 mainly due to the larger battery and more durable build, which makes it last longer during the day and also gives me more confidence in handling.
As a work phone, however, nothing beats the Note 5.
The new Hamilton Beach SD toaster. Powered by the Snapdragon 810.
Work? Completey depdns on your type of work, pal. On an oil rig, the T2, in a cubicle, the T2. Sleeping N5 (it has a louder alarm)
For Display, is 2560x1440 the same as 1440x2560?
Technically, yes they are the same resolution, does screen resolution matter? No. PPI helps a little but still doesn't say it all. Basically, seeing the two side by side is believing. I doubt the Turbo 2 out did the Note 5 screen, but it's got to be close considering the Turbo 2 PPI is higher and it is using oled.
Posted via the Android Central App on the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
Technically and non-technically, the res are equal and the proper way to list it is in Landscape orientation, with Width (left to right) first, then height second. AAlways, in all cases, TVs, Phones, Tablets, nver matters. That is also true for dimensions - 4:3, 16:9 - always.
They both use OLED, the POLED is identical in light output to the Super AMOLED, so the higher PPI in the T2 proves it will be a better screen, without even looking at them side by side.
If I were into phablet sized devices (the turbo 2 is nearly the same size as the Note, so it kind of qualifies as a phablet), I'd go with the Turbo 2, solely for the expandable storage, since Marshmallow will allow the SD card to be considered as internal storage.
No one has ever seriously said the T2 is a phablet. The N5 of course is that.
While this isn't a "what should you buy article," I'd definitely take the turbo 2. Especially in the black and gold combo, because I think it looks pretty awesome.
If it was available on TMOBILE I'd give it a try as well.
Note 4 vs Note 5 Speed Comparison: http://youtu.be/MYkTxA7dcEY
I used the Droid Turbo on T-Mobile. I would use my Droid Turbo 2 on T-Mobile also if I hadn't switched to Verizon. I love the battery life and Motorola's software. To each their own.
But, you can use the T2 on T-Mobile now, and they will pay the ECF, and because all VZW devices sold today are carrier-unlocked.
B&G combo only available on line via Moto site, cant get in store.
I have both and really like both.
They are two different animals and both have their place.
Moto Droid Turbo 2
Samsung S3 vs Samsung Note 5........ What are the difference's and what you need to know!
Dam It Feels Good To Be A Google Gangster
That update that T-Mobile put out the other day has greatly improved the battery life on my phones. I'm definitely getting at least one extra hour of SOT.
Note 5/Edge+/AC App
I take the nexus, oops wrong thread.
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This isn't really any worse than when Andrew wrote an "article" explaining why you should buy a Note 5 over the Nexus 6P.......before the 6P even came out!
Lmao, no kidding.
When we die, we go bye-bye. - Sal Vulcano
I can't imagine too many people are losing sleep over this decision...
Posted via the Android Central App using my Note 5
Plain and simple the Droid Turbo 2 is........ Never mind..........
Dam It Feels Good To Be A Google Gangster
I don't see a comment on the Turbo 2's display quality, just the specs, or is it in a video I can't see on the app.
I thought I heard mention the thick glass ruins it.
You heard way wrong, no one with intelligence of a 3rd grader and older ever would say that, complete crap.
While I appreciate the content AC pumps out, why not include a video!!?? There are times I'd rather watch a 3 minute video than to read an article. Just make a video and throw the comparison spec sheet in the article.
This applies to all the "Hands-On" articles on here lately too.
Personally, I'd rather read than have to watch and listen to a video. Considering how short this article is, there is no way it could take 3 minutes to read, maybe a minute.
Posted via the Android Central App on the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
drop the "personally" when you just say "I'd" that informs personally.
Love the comments! My first thought was "Is this even a comparison"?
That's what I was thinking too! It's obvious the Moto is the better option......right? Wait, but....
Note 4 vs Note 5 Speed Comparison: http://youtu.be/MYkTxA7dcEY
Well ya, it doesn't come with touchpiss
It's a sumo match!
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Will never own another Moto phone, I don't care what they put in it. It's like carrying around the most non descript brick.
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So you want to impress people with your phone? Nobody cares.
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I care. That's all that matters.
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No one is impressed by your phone anymore. Everyone has a smart phone now
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Motorola Droid 2 is only available on Verizon, whereas the Note 5 is on every carrier. Maybe one day they'll figure out why they don't sell very many phones.
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The droid line has always been exclusive to Verizon. Moto only makes this phone for them on the US but gets to sell the international version but Verizon pays for all the development costs.
It is not about volume.
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The Moto Droid 2 is no longer manufactured.
Are you freaking serious? Lol
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The Note 7 is much faster.
Posted via The Next Big Thing. My Samsung Galaxy Note 5!
Im surprisingly really loving the Note 5. Added a crystal clear Spigen case for a bit of very minimal protection. MicroSD would be nice as would a shatterproof screen, but specs are just specs until reviews are out. The camera being a prime example. Honestly, I dropped Verizon a while ago and am much happier and saving $$, so moot point for me.
Quick question: Note 5 has GPS, Droid T2 has GPS-A. I know GPS-A is generally less accurate. Does GPS-A also require carrier signal to get/track position?
I'm surprisingly loving the Note 5 too. I'm new to Android after being an iPhone user since 08 but just got bored with ios. Though I was a bit concerned with the transition it only took me a few days and some reading to get the hang of Android and I'm really enjoying the Note 5. Got the Spigen case too great fit for Note 5.
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You nailed it. If the Note 5 had Micro-SD I would own one this second but I can't live without it. And I also like to text while talking (I hear you cannot do that either - Is this correct?).
Erroneouisly (here) called GPS-A, in fact is desginated A-GPS or aGPS officially and in all documents. "A-GPS is extensively used with GPS-capable cellular phones, as its development was accelerated by the U.S. FCC's 911 requirement to make cell phone location data available to emergency call dispatchers". IOW, you WANT A- for E911, and it is NOT less accurate, so you DONT know that anymore.
No, GPS with or without A does not require carrier signal in fact never did/does - where do you get this? GPS requireas a minimum of 6 of the 12 line-of-sight satellites in the sky. If you mean DATA then , yes, BUT only so that MAP info can be downlioaded then the GPS coords can be tied to that MAOP data. Jeez, where do we get these guys?
I do mean data. I was under the impression when A-GPS is used and GPS signal is weak, cell tower location information can be used and result in less than accurate data on the device's actual location. Also, I did not say A-GPS required carrie signal to pinpoint location, I was asking.
Apparently, this got your panties in a bunch. Forget I mentioned it.
You know what.......... I'm over it. I'm gonna start using an S5 as my daily driver and wait and see what the S7 has to offer.
Dam It Feels Good To Be A Google Gangster
Turbo 2, easy.
Note 5 vs. V10 would be a better comparison.
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Maybe.
Exactly right sir.
The Note 5 has better competition than Droid!
And here we go... Enjoy the ride everyone! LOL
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I'll take the one without Verizon bloatware
They both have Verizon bloatware....?
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That is to say, neither one
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You can disable all bloatware in Lollipop - and further, when 6.0 arrives, you will be able to strangle any permissions you desire - per app, at install AND runtime.
Next up, we compare a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle with a Rolls Royce Phantom.
Lmao
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Touchpiss
Hahaha, A+
Posted via the Android Central App using my Note 5
Bloatwiz
You are the most annoying baboon. Must be cuz your Niners suck balls. Sent from a Note 5.
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So true.
Lagpiss?
Funny but on point!
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Note 5 all day every day.
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Seriously?
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