Motorola Edge 30 Pro review
I recently purchased a used Motorola Edge 30 Pro for around $350 Australian, which is a significant discount from its new price of about $600. Having previously owned a Samsung Galaxy S21, I was excited to try out this mid-range device. The Android 13 operating system has been smooth and problem-free, and the battery life has been impressive, with a single charge lasting up to a day and a half for general use. However, performance does take a hit on weekends, requiring nightly charging. One of my biggest complaints is the phone's physical size, which feels too large in my hand, especially compared to the S21. The camera setup, featuring a 1x, 0.5x, and 2x macro lens, has been underwhelming. While the wide-angle and macro cameras are fine, I miss having a dedicated telephoto lens for capturing distant subjects. Image quality is good during media playback, but zooming in reveals grainy, oversharpened images that pale compared to the S21's camera performance. The phone's audio capabilities have been solid overall, except for occasional issues with voice calls through a generic case. The processor and 8GB of RAM ensure seamless performance, making it well-suited for general use. However, considering its price point, I'd expect a more capable camera setup. Overall, while the Edge 30 Pro has its strengths, the camera limitations and physical size make it less appealing to me.
Build Quality and Design
I recently swapped my Samsung Galaxy S21 for the Motorola Edge 30 Pro, which I picked up for around $350 AUD second-hand. One of the first things I noticed about this phone is its size - it's a lot larger than my previous device, with a 6.6-inch display that feels more suited to a tablet than a smartphone. While the build quality is generally good, I'm not a fan of the physical size of the Edge 30 Pro. The phone is a bit too tall for my liking, and it often gets in the way when I'm getting in or out of cars. This is a personal preference, but I've found that smaller phones like the S21 fit much better in my hand. The camera setup on the back of the Edge 30 Pro is also a letdown. While the macro camera is useful for taking close-up shots, I would have preferred a higher-quality zoom lens. The standard camera and wide-angle lens are decent, but they can't quite match the image quality I got from my S21. The audio experience on the Edge 30 Pro has been mostly fine, although I've noticed that voice calls can be a bit tricky with the cover on. It's not ideal, but it's not a deal-breaker either. Overall, while the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is a capable smartphone in many areas, its build quality and design let it down for me. The physical size of the phone is a major drawback, and the camera setup could be improved. If you're looking to upgrade from an older mid-range phone like the Samsung Galaxy A20 or A30, this might still be a good option - but if camera quality is your top priority, there may be better choices available. As someone who values pocketability and excellent cameras in their smartphone, I'm afraid I'll have to go back to my trusty S21 for now.
Battery Life
I recently swapped my Samsung Galaxy S21 for the Motorola Edge 30 Pro, a mid-range smartphone that caught my attention with its affordable price tag of around $350 Australian. While I was excited to try out this new device, I have mixed feelings about its battery life. In general use, such as walking around and listening to music on YouTube or Spotify, I've found the Edge 30 Pro to be relatively efficient. With moderate usage, I can easily get a day and a half out of the phone's 5,000mAh (or 4,800mAh) battery, even without actively thinking about charging it. However, if I use the phone more intensively on weekends, I do need to charge it each night. While this is not an outstanding performance in terms of battery life, it's certainly not bad either. The Edge 30 Pro's battery has performed adequately for my needs, and I haven't had any major issues with it running out of juice unexpectedly. Overall, I'd say the phone's battery life is just average, but it gets the job done. One thing to note is that I've found myself getting used to charging the phone each night on weekends, rather than trying to stretch its battery life. This might be due to my changing habits or the phone's efficiency, but either way, it's not a major concern for me.
Display
The Motorola Edge 30 Pro boasts an impressive display that has been perfectly fine with Android 13. The screen's general use performance is also noteworthy, with decent battery life even when not actively charged. However, I've found that charging it each night is necessary on weekends, indicating a moderate to high usage scenario. One of the standout features of this phone is its large display size, which measures around 6.7 inches. While some might appreciate the extra real estate, I find it to be too tall for my liking. This has resulted in a few instances where the phone bumps into my waist when getting in and out of cars. The display itself is relatively sharp and clear, making it perfect for Netflix usage. The image quality is impressive, especially compared to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S21. However, I do notice that some media playback is restricted, possibly due to the screen's resolution. Audio-wise, the phone performs admirably during general use, but there are instances where voice calls become muffled when using a plain cover. This might be a minor issue for some users, but it's worth noting nonetheless. In terms of display specifications, I'm not aware of any notable features that would set it apart from other high-end devices. Overall, while the Motorola Edge 30 Pro's display is decent and performs well in most scenarios, its size and design may not be to everyone's liking.
Camera
I recently swapped my Samsung Galaxy S21 for the Motorola Edge 30 Pro, thinking that its Android 13 operating system and decent specs would make up for some of the phone's drawbacks. However, one aspect of the Edge 30 Pro has been a major letdown: its camera performance. With a triple-camera setup consisting of a primary sensor, an ultra-wide-angle lens, and a macro camera, I expected more from this high-end device. Unfortunately, my experience with the camera has been underwhelming. Even in good light or cloudy conditions, the image quality is relatively poor, especially when zooming in. The photos I took using the Edge 30 Pro lack sharpness and detail compared to those taken with my S21. The biggest issue I have with the Edge 30 Pro's camera is its inability to capture clear, crisp images when using the telephoto lens. Photos tend to become grainy and oversharpened, which makes them less enjoyable to look at. In comparison, my Samsung Galaxy S21 has a superior camera that consistently produces better results. One of the things I find particularly disappointing is the lack of a 2x telephoto lens on the Edge 30 Pro. Instead, it relies on a macro camera and an ultra-wide-angle lens, which are useful for specific scenarios but not ideal for general photography. The primary sensor itself seems to be decent, but its limitations become apparent when trying to capture more detail or zoom in. Considering my experience with this phone's camera, I'm inclined to believe that the S21 has a better camera setup than the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. If you're looking for a reliable and high-quality camera on your smartphone, this might not be the best choice for you.
Price and Value
The Motorola Edge 30 Pro is an intriguing mid-range smartphone that offers a mix of impressive features and frustrating compromises. Priced around $350 AUD second-hand, this device is relatively affordable, especially considering its new retail price of approximately $450. One of the standout aspects of the Edge 30 Pro is its battery life. With a 5,000mAh or 4,800mAh capacity (depending on the variant), I was able to easily get a day and a half's worth of general use without needing to charge it. However, if you're an avid user, you may find yourself charging it every night. In terms of performance, the Edge 30 Pro is solid, with no noticeable issues during my time with the device. The Android 13 operating system ran smoothly, and I didn't experience any lag or slowdowns. However, the camera setup is where things take a turn for the worse. While I was initially excited to try out the quad-camera arrangement, I was disappointed by the subpar results. Even in good light, images lacked detail and often appeared grainy when zoomed in. The standard 2x telephoto lens is particularly underwhelming. Considering its price point, the Edge 30 Pro feels like a solid mid-range option for those looking to upgrade from a budget device (such as a Samsung Galaxy A20 or A30). However, if you prioritize camera quality, this may not be the best choice. For around $350, you can find better cameras on other devices. Ultimately, my experience with the Edge 30 Pro has left me feeling somewhat underwhelmed. While it's not a bad phone by any means, its strengths are overshadowed by its weaknesses. If I were to buy another device at this price point, I'd probably opt for something else that offers better value – perhaps a Pixel 6 on special or another smartphone with a more impressive camera setup.
Performance
I recently swapped my Samsung Galaxy S21 for the Motorola Edge 30 Pro, which I purchased secondhand for around $350 Australian. In this review, I'll focus on the performance aspects of this device. The Motorola Edge 30 Pro has been a pleasure to use, with no issues or complaints regarding Android 13. The processor, a high-end Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, combined with 8GB of RAM, makes it capable of handling most tasks seamlessly. I've used the phone for various activities, including PS2 emulation, and experienced no lag or crashes. The performance has been perfect in my opinion, with no issues whatsoever. The device handles demanding tasks like gaming and video playback smoothly, without any noticeable slow-downs. The inclusion of 5,000mAh battery (or 4,800mAh depending on the source) also means I can get a day and a half of use even with moderate usage. The only performance-related aspect that could be improved is the camera system. While image quality is good for general use, zooming in or using the macro camera reveals a lackluster image, especially compared to my previous S21 device. This was a significant letdown for me, considering I'm accustomed to using a two-time telephoto lens. Overall, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro's performance has been impressive, making it a great option for those looking for a reliable and capable smartphone. However, the camera system is a drawback that prevents me from giving it a higher rating.