There are a heck of a lot of cell phones out in the market, and a lot of them provide different features. I’ve used the Razr MAXX, and many others, and noticed many differences. Some are better for business, while some are better for games, and others are best for simple casual uses such as texting and talking. Most recently, I’ve had my hands on the 4G LTE Droid 4 from Verizon Wireless. I’ve been using it for a little while now, and I enjoyed using it for both games and for keeping in contact with my family and friends.

The first thing that sets the Droid 4 apart from most new phones is the presence of a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. This is becoming more rare, but to me a phone that includes a decent sized keyboard is always going to be a plus. I’m not one that enjoys touching a screen to type emails, send texts, or browse the Internet. I’d rather have a physical keyboard that allows me to type quickly, whether it’s for business or casual use. On top of the slide-out keyboard, the Droid 4 offers a 4 inch display, 8MP rear camera, and 1.5MP front-facing camera capable of capturing 1080p video. The device comes loaded with Android OS 2.3.5.

To me, the screen was just the right size. Picture quality was very good, the OS was very clean (as usual), and was updated with normal consistency. The Google Play store allows users to install a ridiculous number of apps, and the device only rarely has issues with app compatibility. With these apps all running, battery life is always a factor to keep an eye on. The Droid 4 managed to last longer than I expected it to on a single charge. I was able to get nearly a full day of usage as long as I didn’t go too far overboard with app use. My advice is to manage your active apps well to ensure that you’re maximizing your battery life between charges.

Overall, the Droid 4 is a solid phone. The price might be a bit high without a contract, but that’s generally the case for most smartphones. From all of the phones that I’ve reviewed in the past, I’d have to say that this one would be my first or second choice for a personal purchase. I enjoyed the inclusion of a QWERTY keyboard, and I appreciated the large screen, high quality pictures and videos, and the lengthy battery life. If you’re interested in more information about this phone, head over to Verizon.

The 4G LTE Droid 4 was provided by Verizon Wireless for review.