Motorola Edge 20 Pro review
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro is the flagship device in the Edge series, boasting a premium price tag. But does it live up to its costly reputation? The phone's sleek and grippy design, courtesy of its curved back and resin-coated aluminum frame, sets the tone for an impressive package. With a high-refresh-rate OLED display, robust battery life, and capable cameras, this device promises to deliver on performance, display, and photography chops. But can it justify its price?
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro boasts a sleek and premium design that sets it apart from its competitors. The device's curved tapered back is a typical feature for modern smartphones, but the Midnight Blue variant I reviewed takes it to the next level with a matte yet reflective Gorilla Glass 5 back panel. The frame is made of resin-coated aluminum, which provides a sturdy and comfortable grip. One notable design choice is the absence of IP rating on the water-resistant coating, making it essential to exercise caution when exposing the device to liquids. However, this minor drawback doesn't detract from the overall build quality of the Edge 20 Pro. The phone's dimensions make it easy to wield, and the grippy texture ensures a secure hold. The use of high-quality materials is evident in every aspect of the design, making it feel like a premium device in the hands. In terms of construction, the Moto Edge 20 Pro feels solid and well-built. While there may be some minor compromises in certain areas, such as the lack of IP rating on the water-resistant coating, the overall build quality is undoubtedly one of the highlights of this device. Overall, I'm impressed by the Motorola Edge 20 Pro's premium design and build quality, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a high-end smartphone experience.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is its impressive battery life. With a capacity of 4500mAh, this phone is designed to last all day and then some. In our testing, the Edge 20 Pro earned an endurance rating of 112 hours, which is a great result for this capacity. Not only does it offer excellent battery life, but it also supports fast charging at up to 30W. This means that you can quickly top up your phone when needed, and we found that charging from 0-53% took just half an hour. While this may not be the fastest charging speed on the market, it's still a welcome feature for those who need a quick boost. In our everyday usage, we found the Edge 20 Pro to be incredibly efficient, with the battery lasting well over a day and a half even with moderate use. The phone's power management system does an excellent job of balancing performance with battery life, ensuring that you get the most out of your charge. Overall, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro's battery life is one of its strongest features, and it's a major selling point for anyone looking for a device that can keep up with their busy lifestyle.
Display
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro boasts an impressive display that is sure to turn heads. The 6.7-inch OLED panel is flat, unlike the curved design found in last year's model, but still offers stunning visuals. With a 1080p resolution and Gorilla Glass 5 protection, this phone's screen is both durable and vibrant. One of the standout features of the Edge 20 Pro's display is its incredibly fast refresh rate of 144Hz. This means that swiping and scrolling on the screen looks silky smooth, making it perfect for gaming or general use. However, it's worth noting that this refresh rate is locked in and won't adjust to save energy, so be prepared for a potential hit on battery life. The display also supports HDR10+ color accuracy, which results in deep blacks and vibrant colors. While the maximum brightness might not be the highest we've seen, it's still more than sufficient for comfortable outdoor use. In our tests, the screen reached a peak brightness of 480 nits with a slider, and up to 670 nits in auto mode. One area where the Edge 20 Pro falls short is in audio quality. The phone only has a single bottom-firing speaker, which doesn't compare favorably to the stereo speakers found on some other devices. Additionally, there's no headphone jack, requiring users to rely on adapters for regular headphones. Overall, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro's display is a major highlight of this device. With its lightning-fast refresh rate and vibrant OLED panel, it's perfect for anyone who wants an immersive visual experience. While it might not be without its flaws, this screen makes the Edge 20 Pro a compelling choice for those in the market for a new smartphone.
Camera
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro's camera system is largely similar to that of its non-pro counterpart, with some notable upgrades. The main camera boasts a 108-megapixel sensor, while the ultra-wide-angle camera has an 16-megapixel resolution and autofocus capabilities. The periscope telephoto lens offers five times optical zoom and OIS. During the day, photos from the main camera are generally good, with plenty of detail and natural color rendition. However, some local areas of softness can be visible from time to time. Portraits taken with the main camera are excellent, with great edge detection and nicely defocused backgrounds. Five times zoomed photos from the telephoto cam are upscaled from 8 megapixels, but they retain good fine detail and color accuracy. One quirk of Motorola's camera app is that photos from the ultra-wide-angle camera are downscaled from 16 megapixels to 12 megapixels. This results in a decent level of detail, high contrast, and okay dynamic range. The ultra-wide cam also supports macro close-up shots with lively colors and good dynamic range. At night, the main camera produces well-exposed images with good dynamic range and detail. However, we noticed that Auto HDR can be indecisive sometimes engaging and sometimes not, which may require forcing HDR on for low-light photos. The Night Vision mode boosts shadows and highlights but introduces heavy sharpening and some loss in fine detail. Unfortunately, the telephoto lens struggles at night, producing soft and underexposed shots with limited dynamic range. There's no night mode support on this camera, nor is there any on the ultra-wide-angle cam. These photos are often soft and lacking in dynamic range, with focus hunting a notable issue after dark. Selfies captured by default are 8 megapixels and excellent, offering good detail and wide dynamic range. The phone can also record video in 8K resolution using the main camera, although this results in significantly cropped clips. 4K video from the main camera is decent, with plenty of detail and little noise. Overall, while the Motorola Edge 20 Pro's cameras have their strengths, they also have some notable weaknesses. While daytime photos are generally good, nighttime shots can be lacking. The absence of night mode support on the telephoto and ultra-wide-angle cameras is a notable omission. Nevertheless, this camera system still offers plenty to like, making the Motorola Edge 20 Pro a solid choice for those seeking a well-rounded smartphone experience.
Price and Value
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro is an interesting device that straddles the line between affordability and premium features. With a price tag that puts it in the same bracket as some flagships, it's natural to wonder if this phone delivers on its promise. At first glance, the Edge 20 Pro seems like a solid value proposition. It boasts a sleek design, an excellent high-refresh-rate OLED display, and great battery life. The performance is also commendable, with a powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset that provides seamless everyday experiences and decent gaming performance. However, when you consider the price, some aspects of the phone start to feel less impressive. For instance, the single bottom-firing speaker is not exactly something to write home about, and the lack of night mode support for the zoom and ultra-wide cameras is a notable omission. Given its premium price point, one would expect more from the Edge 20 Pro's camera capabilities, especially in low-light conditions. The phone's inability to deliver on this front makes it feel less value-for-money than some other options in its class. Ultimately, whether or not the Motorola Edge 20 Pro represents good value depends on individual preferences and priorities. If you're in the market for a high-end smartphone with impressive display capabilities and decent performance, then this phone might be worth considering. However, if camera prowess is a top priority, there are other options that might offer better bang for your buck. In conclusion, while the Edge 20 Pro has its strengths, its price tag makes it feel less like a value proposition than some other high-end smartphones on the market.
Performance
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro is a formidable device that boasts impressive performance capabilities. Under the hood, you'll find a Snapdragon 870 chipset built on a 7-nanometer process, which provides snappy execution in everyday tasks and gaming sessions. This processor, often seen in "Flagship killer" phones, delivers results just shy of the highest-tier flagships. However, during intense gaming, I noticed some thermal throttling from the device, which might be a concern for hardcore gamers. Nevertheless, this should not be a significant issue for casual users or those who don't engage in prolonged gaming sessions. In terms of overall performance, the Edge 20 Pro excels, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a powerful smartphone experience. The interface is smooth, and apps launch quickly, ensuring a seamless user experience. The device's ability to handle demanding tasks with ease is indeed a notable strength, making it suitable for heavy multitasking, video editing, or other resource-intensive activities. Furthermore, the Edge 20 Pro handles gaming with aplomb, thanks to its high-performance chipset and optimized software. While some throttling occurs during prolonged gaming sessions, this is not likely to affect casual gamers or users who don't engage in intense gaming experiences. Overall, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro's performance capabilities are a significant selling point, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable, fast, and capable smartphone experience.
Pros
1. A sleek and premium design
2. An excellent High refresh rate OLED display with a super fast 144 HZ refresh rate
3. Great battery life with an endurance rating of 112 hours in our proprietary battery tests
4. Good performance from the cameras too, at least during the day
5. Excellent Edge detection in portraits and good fine detail in five times zoomed photos
Cons
1. A premium price without some expected features
2. Just a single bottom firing speaker which earned an average score on our loudness charts
3. No night mode support for the zoom and ultra-wide cameras at night
4. Thermal throttling from the device during intense gaming sessions
5. Limited dynamic range in low-light photos, especially with Auto HDR