Motorola Edge 30 Pro review
The Motorola Edge 30 Pro - a mid-range smartphone that promises big performance on a budget. With Android 13 running smoothly and a respectable battery life, this device is a decent option for those seeking a hassle-free experience. However, its large size and underwhelming camera capabilities may be a turn-off for some users. In this review, we'll delve into the pros and cons of this phone, exploring whether its affordability justifies its compromises on design and photography.
Build Quality and Design
I recently swapped to the Motorola Edge 30 Pro after using a Samsung Galaxy S21, and I was initially drawn to its affordable price point of around $350 Australian (second-hand) compared to the usual retail price of $600. While my experience with this phone has been mostly positive, there are a few areas where it falls short. One of my main gripes is the physical size of the phone. As someone who prefers smaller devices, I found the Edge 30 Pro's 6.7-inch screen to be awkwardly large in my hand. It's not uncommon for me to accidentally bump into my waist with the phone when getting in and out of a car. The build quality itself is decent, but it doesn't quite live up to the standards set by other high-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy S21. The edges are slightly rounded, which makes the phone feel a bit cheap in comparison. However, I did appreciate the smooth finish on the back, which made it easy to grip. In terms of design, the Edge 30 Pro is your typical mid-range device with a standard rectangular shape and minimalistic aesthetic. It's nothing particularly exciting or innovative, but it gets the job done. If you're looking for a phone that ticks all the boxes without breaking the bank, then this might be worth considering. However, if design and build quality are high on your priority list, you may want to look elsewhere.
Battery Life
The Motorola Edge 30 Pro's battery life has been a pleasant surprise, but also a bit inconsistent in my experience. I've found that under general use, such as walking around and playing YouTube videos or Spotify on Bluetooth while driving, I can usually get about a day and a half out of the phone without needing to charge it. However, if I'm using it more extensively on weekends, I find myself needing to recharge each night. The battery itself is a respectable 5,000mAh (or 4,800mAh, depending on who you ask), which should provide decent juice for most users. But what's curious is that the phone seems to handle heavy use differently from lighter use. It's almost as if it has different power-saving modes, and I'm not sure how to trigger them. Overall, I'd say the battery life of the Edge 30 Pro is solid but not outstanding. While it won't necessarily get you through a full day without needing to recharge, it should still provide enough juice for most users' needs. If you're someone who's always on the go and uses your phone extensively, you might want to consider other options. In my experience with the Samsung Galaxy S21, I found that its battery life was similarly decent but not exceptional. However, the Edge 30 Pro seems to have a slightly more inconsistent power-saving approach, which might make it less appealing to heavy users.
Display
After using the Samsung Galaxy S21 for some time, I decided to switch to the Motorola Edge 30 Pro, which I picked up secondhand for around $350 Australian. While it's not a new phone, the price was attractive, and I thought it would be an interesting comparison. One aspect of the Edge 30 Pro that caught my attention is its display. Android 13 runs smoothly on this device, with no complaints from me whatsoever. The battery life has been good too, lasting around a day and a half even with moderate use. The phone's screen size (6.7 inches) made it a bit too large for my liking, especially when trying to fit into tight spaces like the car. However, this is more of a personal preference than an actual issue with the display itself. Image quality on Netflix has been decent, with no major complaints. The resolution of the screen is not the main concern here; rather, it's the overall viewing experience that counts. I've had no issues with video playback or gaming, and the phone handled PS2 emulation without a hitch. While the display is generally good, there are some minor niggles. Image quality does become somewhat grainy when zooming in on photos taken with the camera, especially compared to my previous Samsung Galaxy S21. This might be due to the camera setup rather than the display itself, but it's worth mentioning nonetheless. Overall, while I have no major issues with the Edge 30 Pro's display, it's not something that stands out as particularly impressive either. If you're in the market for a mid-range phone and don't mind a slightly larger screen, this might be a good option to consider.
Camera
I recently had the opportunity to try out the Motorola Edge 30 Pro, but unfortunately, my experience with its camera was a major letdown. As someone who values good image quality, I was disappointed to find that this phone's camera doesn't quite live up to expectations. The main camera on the back of the phone is a decent 50MP sensor, but it often struggles in good light or cloudy conditions. Even when capturing identical photos with my wife and kids, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro consistently delivered images that were grainy and oversharpened compared to my Samsung Galaxy S21. The difference was especially noticeable when zooming in, where the image quality would degrade significantly. I also found myself missing the telephoto lens on the S21, which allowed for better zoom capabilities without compromising image quality. In contrast, the Edge 30 Pro's camera is limited by its lack of a true telephoto lens, resulting in a less-than-ideal experience when trying to capture distant subjects. While the phone's macro camera did improve my ability to take close-up shots, it wasn't enough to offset the disappointment I felt with the main camera. The image quality was simply not as good as what I'm used to getting from the S21, and that was a major factor in my decision to switch back to my previous phone. In comparison to the S21, the Edge 30 Pro's camera feels like a step backward. I found myself consistently preferring the images taken by my old phone, even when using identical settings and conditions. If you're considering purchasing the Motorola Edge 30 Pro for its camera capabilities, I would caution you that it may not deliver on that front. While the phone excels in other areas, such as performance and battery life, its camera is a major letdown. For me, at least, it's a deal-breaker. Ultimately, my experience with the Motorola Edge 30 Pro has left me feeling underwhelmed by its camera capabilities. If you're looking for a phone that can deliver excellent image quality, I would recommend exploring other options before settling on this one.
Price and Value
I recently swapped from my Samsung Galaxy S21 to the Motorola Edge 30 Pro, which I picked up secondhand for AU$350, a fraction of its original price. While it's not the most impressive phone in every aspect, I'll be discussing its pros and cons, focusing on whether it offers good value for money. The Edge 30 Pro features Android 13, which has been flawless for me. Battery life is also decent, with general use allowing me to get a day and a half out of it without needing to charge it actively. However, if I'm using it more extensively, like on the weekends, daily charging becomes necessary. One significant drawback is the phone's size, which feels too large in my hand, especially compared to my previous S21. This makes it awkward to get in and out of cars, as it tends to bump against my waist. In terms of performance, I've had no issues whatsoever. Image quality on Netflix has been excellent, with only restricted media content affecting the overall resolution. Audio playback is also fine, but I did experience some issues during voice calls due to the phone's design. The camera setup, however, is a major letdown for me. The 50MP primary sensor and 2MP macro lens can't compete with my S21's camera performance, even in good light or cloudy conditions. Photos from the Edge 30 Pro often appear grainy and oversharpened compared to those taken on my Samsung phone. Considering its price point of around AU$350, I believe the Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers decent value for money, excluding the cameras. The rest of the phone has been problem-free, making it a suitable option for someone looking to upgrade from an older mid-range device like the Samsung Galaxy A20 or A30. However, if camera performance is a priority, there might be better options available at this price range, such as the Google Pixel 6.
Performance
I recently had the opportunity to use the Motorola Edge 30 Pro as my daily driver, swapping it out from a Samsung Galaxy S21 for a relatively affordable $350 Australian secondhand price tag. This phone boasts an impressive spec sheet, with Android 13 running smoothly and no complaints whatsoever. The battery life has been a pleasant surprise, with general usage yielding around a day and a half of use without needing to charge, even with moderate activity like watching YouTube videos or listening to music while driving. With the phone's large 5,000mAh (or 4,800mAh) battery, I've had no issues whatsoever. Performance-wise, this phone has been perfect, handling all tasks with ease and speed. The Snapdragon 8+ processor combined with 8GB of RAM makes it a powerhouse, capable of handling demanding tasks like PS2 emulation without any issues. I even managed to run some games on the switch, albeit with some setup quirks that might not be related to the hardware itself. However, my experience was marred by the cameras, which were a letdown in terms of quality, especially when zooming in or shooting in good light. The image quality and sharpness just didn't live up to expectations, making me miss my S21's camera performance.
Pros
1. Android 13 on here has been perfectly fine with no complaints whatsoever
2. Battery life on this has been pretty good, lasting about a day and a half with general use
3. Performance-wise has been perfect with no issues whatsoever
4. Image- wise using Netflix has been pretty darn good with no complaints
5. Audio has been perfectly fine during media playback
6. Has handled PS2 emulation perfectly fine without any issues
7. Excluding the cameras, the rest of the phone has been problem-free
8. Value for money at around $350 secondhand is a decent price point
Cons
1. Physical size is a bit too large and unwieldy, especially with a large hand
2. Cameras on the back are not overly thrilling, particularly lacking in zoom capabilities
3. Camera quality is relatively poor, especially when zooming in or in cloudy light
4. Images can look grainy and oversharpened, compared to the Samsung S21
5. Audio during voice calls can be a bit tricky with certain phone covers
6. Physical size makes it difficult to get in and out of cars without bumping into waist
7. Camera setup is not ideal for someone who prefers a 2x zoom lens
8. Value proposition is compromised by the camera's shortcomings compared to other options