In the ever-evolving landscape of smartphones, Motorola has consistently strived to carve out its niche. With the release of the Edge 50 Pro, the company aims to redefine what users can expect from a mid-range device.
This comprehensive review delves into the various aspects of the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, exploring its design, performance, camera capabilities, and overall value proposition.
Design and Build Quality
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro immediately catches the eye with its sleek and modern design. Available in four striking colors – Luxe Lavender, Black Beauty, Moonlight Pearl, and Vanilla Cream – the device caters to diverse aesthetic preferences.
The phone’s dimensions (161.23 x 72.4 x 8.19mm) strike a balance between screen real estate and ergonomics, while its weight of 186g feels substantial without being cumbersome.
One of the standout features is the curved 6.7-inch pOLED display, which seamlessly blends into the aluminum frame, creating a premium look and feel.
The back panel, depending on the color variant, features either a vegan leather finish or a smooth glass surface, both of which resist fingerprints admirably.
The build quality is impressive for a mid-range device. While it doesn’t boast the same premium materials as flagship models, the Edge 50 Pro feels solid and well-constructed.
The IP68 rating for dust and water resistance is a welcome addition, providing peace of mind for users who may encounter accidental spills or splashes.
Display
The 6.7-inch pOLED display is undoubtedly one of the Edge 50 Pro’s strongest selling points. With a resolution of 2712 x 1220 pixels and a pixel density of about 446 PPI, the screen delivers crisp and vibrant visuals.
The 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, enhancing the overall user experience.
What sets this display apart is its impressive brightness capabilities. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, the Edge 50 Pro’s screen remains legible even under direct sunlight.
The display also supports HDR10+ content, offering a wider color gamut and improved contrast for compatible media.
Motorola has partnered with Pantone to ensure color accuracy, a feature that will appeal to content creators and those who value true-to-life color reproduction.
The curved edges of the display may be polarizing for some users, but they undeniably contribute to the phone’s premium aesthetic.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset. This octa-core processor, built on a 4nm process, offers a good balance between performance and energy efficiency.
While it may not compete with flagship processors, it provides more than enough power for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.
The device comes in two configurations: 8GB RAM with 256GB storage, and 12GB RAM with 512GB storage. The generous RAM allocation ensures smooth multitasking, while the ample storage space negates the need for expandable memory for most users.
In benchmark tests, the Edge 50 Pro performs admirably for its class. Geekbench 6 scores hover around 1,100 for single-core and 3,000 for multi-core performance, placing it comfortably in the upper echelons of mid-range devices.
Real-world performance is smooth, with apps launching quickly and minimal lag when switching between tasks.
Gaming performance is solid, with most titles running smoothly at medium to high settings. More demanding games may require some graphical compromises, but the overall gaming experience is satisfactory for a device in this price range.
Camera System
Motorola has equipped the Edge 50 Pro with a versatile triple-camera setup:
- Main Camera: 50MP, f/1.4 aperture, OIS
- Ultra-wide Camera: 13MP, f/2.2 aperture, 120° FoV
- Telephoto Camera: 10MP, f/2.0 aperture, 3x optical zoom
The main 50MP sensor impresses with its large f/1.4 aperture, allowing for excellent low-light performance.
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) helps reduce blur in both photos and videos. In good lighting conditions, the main camera captures detailed and vibrant images with accurate colors.
The ultra-wide lens offers a 120-degree field of view, perfect for landscape shots or group photos.
While there’s some expected distortion at the edges, overall image quality is good, maintaining consistent color reproduction with the main sensor.
The inclusion of a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom is a welcome feature in this price range.
It allows for closer shots without significant loss in quality, though its performance does dip in low-light situations.
On the front, a 50MP selfie camera delivers detailed self-portraits and is more than capable for video calls. Portrait mode, powered by AI, does a commendable job of separating subjects from the background, though it occasionally struggles with complex hair outlines.
Video capabilities are solid, with 4K recording at 30fps available on both the rear and front cameras. Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) helps smooth out handheld footage, though it’s not quite as effective as OIS for video.
Battery Life and Charging
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, which may seem modest on paper but proves to be more than adequate in real-world usage.
Thanks to the efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset and software optimizations, most users can expect a full day of use on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy usage.
Where the Edge 50 Pro truly shines is in its charging capabilities. The device supports 125W TurboPower charging, which Motorola claims can provide a full day’s power in just 7 minutes of charging.
In our tests, the phone consistently charged from 0 to 50% in under 10 minutes, and reached full charge in about 25 minutes.
Additionally, the Edge 50 Pro supports 50W wireless charging (with a compatible charger) and 10W reverse wireless charging, adding versatility to its power management options.
Software and User Experience
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro runs on Android 14 with Motorola’s MyUX skin. Motorola’s approach to Android has always been one of minimal interference, and that philosophy continues here.
The user interface is clean and intuitive, with useful Motorola-specific features like gesture controls and the Moto app for centralized customization options.
Motorola promises three years of OS updates and four years of security patches for the Edge 50 Pro. While this is an improvement over previous offerings, it still falls short of the longer support periods offered by some competitors.
The Edge 50 Pro introduces several AI-powered features, including:
- AI Photo Enhancement: Automatically adjusts and enhances photos based on scene recognition.
- AI Adaptive Display: Adjusts screen parameters based on ambient light and content being viewed.
- AI Power Management: Learns usage patterns to optimize battery life.
These AI features generally work well, enhancing the user experience without feeling intrusive.
Audio and Connectivity
The Edge 50 Pro features stereo speakers that deliver clear and loud audio. While they may lack the depth of more premium offerings, they’re more than adequate for casual media consumption and speakerphone calls.
On the connectivity front, the device supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E is particularly noteworthy, as it’s not always a given in this price range.
Value and Competition
Priced competitively in the mid-range segment, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers a compelling package. Its strengths lie in its versatile camera system, fast charging capabilities, and smooth performance. However, it faces stiff competition from devices like the Google Pixel 7a, Samsung Galaxy A54, and OnePlus Nord series.
The Edge 50 Pro distinguishes itself with features like the 144Hz display, 125W charging, and the telephoto camera, which are not common at this price point. However, potential buyers should weigh these advantages against factors like long-term software support and brand preference.
Conclusion – Motorola Edge 50 Pro
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro represents a strong offering in the mid-range smartphone market. It successfully balances performance, features, and affordability, making it an attractive option for users who want a premium experience without breaking the bank.
Pros:
- Stunning 144Hz pOLED display
- Versatile camera system with telephoto lens
- Incredibly fast 125W charging
- Clean, near-stock Android experience
- IP68 water and dust resistance
Cons:
- Curved display may not appeal to everyone
- Software update commitment lags behind some competitors
- Performance, while good, may not satisfy power users
In conclusion, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a well-rounded device that should be on the shortlist for anyone shopping in the mid-range segment.
It offers several flagship-like features at a more accessible price point, making it a worthy contender in an increasingly competitive market.