Motorola Edge 50 Fusion review
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion stands out in the mid-range class with its sleek leather design, IP68 ingress protection, and a vibrant 144Hz display. The phone's stereo speakers deliver great sound quality, while the solid camera performance is notable for its price point. While the chipset may be middling, the overall package makes the Ed50 Fusion a unique and attractive choice. In this review, we'll delve into the phone's features, performance, and camera capabilities to see if it lives up to its potential as a compelling mid-range option.
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion boasts a design that sets it apart from its premium siblings, all while being priced significantly lower. The phone's build quality is exceptional, with a soft and textured vegan leather back that adds an extra layer of grip. The phone's curvature is seamless, rising into the camera bump on the rear, which blends smoothly into the thin plastic frame. The Edge 50 Fusion feels light and comfortable to hold, weighing in at an unspecified amount. Its IP68 rating ensures protection against dust and water ingress, a feature that's also found in its more expensive brethren. The phone's back is made of high-quality vegan leather that not only looks great but also provides a soft touch. One of the standout features of the Edge 50 Fusion is its display. A 6.7-inch OLED panel with a 1080p resolution and a refresh rate of 144Hz, although some variants may have 120Hz instead. The screen is plenty sharp at around 393 PPI, making it ideal for watching videos or browsing through content. The phone's speakers are another notable feature, offering excellent sound quality with Dolby Atmos support. They're loud and produce rich bass notes, balanced mids, and highs. The under-display fingerprint reader is quick and accurate, providing biometric authentication on demand. Overall, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion boasts an impressive design that checks many of the boxes for a mid-range device. Its build quality, display, speakers, and fingerprint reader all work together to create a solid foundation for this phone. While it may not have the most premium feel, it's still a well-made device that should satisfy users looking for a reliable mid-ranger.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is its impressive battery life. With a large 5,000mAh capacity, this phone can easily last a day and a half with moderate use. In our tests, it earned an active use score of 12 hours and 40 minutes, which is respectable for a mid-ranger. While charging times may not be the quickest, with a rated power of 68W, the Edge 50 Fusion still manages to juice up from 0-60% in just half an hour. A full charge takes around an hour, which is still relatively fast considering the capacity of the battery. One minor drawback is that wireless charging is not supported on this model, unlike its higher-tier siblings. However, given the phone's overall performance and feature set, this omission feels like a minor compromise. In terms of battery life specifically, the Edge 50 Fusion holds its own against other mid-range devices in its class. It's clear that Motorola has prioritized longevity over sheer charging speed, and we appreciate the effort to deliver a phone that can last throughout the day without needing a top-up. Overall, the Edge 50 Fusion's battery life is a strong selling point for anyone looking for a reliable device that won't leave them scrambling for power mid-day.
Display
The display on the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is a notable aspect of this mid-range smartphone. The phone features a 6.7-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 1080p and a high refresh rate of 144Hz. While it may not match the higher-resolution displays found on more expensive Moto Edge models, the fusion's panel still delivers impressive sharpness at around 393 PPI. One notable omission is support for HDR video playback, which might be a drawback for some users who value this feature. However, the high refresh rate makes scrolling and swiping a smooth experience, making it stand out from its mid-range competitors. It's worth noting that there is a variant of the Edge 50 Fusion sold in Latin America that comes with a 120Hz refresh rate instead of 144Hz. As for brightness, the phone excels, reaching up to 520 nits maximum with a manual slider and boosting to over 1,300 nits in auto mode. The display's performance is further enhanced by its ability to dial down to 60Hz when idling to conserve battery life. Overall, the Edge 50 Fusion's display offers a great visual experience for the price, making it an attractive option for those looking for a mid-range phone with a high-quality screen.
Camera
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion's camera system has been a subject of interest among mid-range enthusiasts. The phone boasts a 50MP primary sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera with autofocus, and no telephoto lens. In this review, we'll dive into the details of the Edge 50 Fusion's camera performance. The primary sensor delivers impressive results, capturing photos with plenty of detail, good contrast, and minimal noise. Even in low-light conditions, the main camera produces competent shots with sufficient detail and saturated colors. The dual-pixel autofocus and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the main camera contribute to its excellent performance. The ultra-wide-angle camera is also a highlight, producing detailed and sharp photos with good contrast and decent dynamic range. However, it struggles in low-light conditions, exhibiting noticeable noise and a slightly compromised dynamic range. The ultra-wide camera's autofocus feature allows for close-up shots, which turn out reasonably well, although the focus can occasionally be off. One of the standout features of the Edge 50 Fusion's camera is its ability to capture good digital zoom photos. Even at 2x zoom, the main camera delivers detailed and noise-free images in low light. The ultra-wide-angle camera also performs relatively well in this aspect, albeit with slightly compromised quality. Video recording capabilities are another area where the Edge 50 Fusion shines. In standard light, 4K video footage exhibits plenty of detail, good dynamic range, and minimal noise. Electronic image stabilization does a commendable job of smoothing out bumps and shakes, but unfortunately introduces some focus hunting. Low-light 4K videos show a higher level of noise, although the dynamic range remains decent. The front-facing camera produces selfies with decent-looking detail, skin textures, and saturated skin tones. However, the photos can feel slightly overexposed at times. In conclusion, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion's camera system delivers a solid performance for its mid-range price point. While not perfect, it offers a good balance of features, including dual-pixel autofocus, OIS, and decent low-light performance. If you're in the market for a mid-range phone with an excellent camera, the Edge 50 Fusion is certainly worth considering.
Price and Value
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is a refreshingly straightforward mid-range offering from the brand, eschewing frills in favor of practicality and value. Priced significantly lower than its flagship siblings, this phone delivers on its promises without breaking the bank. At under half the price of the Edge 50 Pro, the Fusion is an attractive proposition for those seeking a reliable smartphone without the hefty premium tag. This device has been designed to serve as a more affordable alternative to last year's Edge 40 Neo, and in doing so, Motorola has managed to retain a multitude of appealing features. The phone's build quality, design, and display are all on par with higher-end models, with a curvy vegan leather back, a 6.7-inch OLED screen with a high 144Hz refresh rate, and IP68 ingress protection against dust and water. The cameras, although not telephoto, still produce impressive results, particularly in daylight conditions. In terms of value for money, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is an outstanding choice. It offers a comprehensive set of features at a price point that won't dent your wallet too significantly. While it may not be as powerful as its premium siblings, this phone more than makes up for it with its practicality and reliability. For those seeking a mid-range smartphone that delivers on performance without the hefty price tag, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is an excellent option to consider. Its value proposition is hard to beat, making it a compelling choice for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-packed phone without breaking the bank.
Performance
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is a mid-range device that boasts several impressive features, but its performance is where it truly shines. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7S Gen 2 chipset, this phone delivers a smooth user experience and can handle some light gaming without any issues. In our benchmark tests, the Ed50 Fusion performed admirably, placing itself in the middle of the pack for mid-range devices in its price range. While it may not be the most powerful device out there, it gets the job done, making it perfect for everyday use. One notable aspect of the Edge 50 Fusion's performance is its thermal management. During our prolonged stress tests, we were impressed to see that the phone handled heat well, with minimal throttling. This means you can use your phone without worrying about overheating issues. The Ed50 Fusion also boasts a large 5,000mAh battery capacity, which provides respectable battery life. We were able to get around 12 hours and 40 minutes of active use out of it in our tests. While it may not be the longest-lasting device on the market, it's certainly enough for most users. Lastly, the Ed50 Fusion supports 68W fast charging, which is a nice touch. Our testing showed that you can get from 0 to 60% charge in just half an hour, and a full charge takes about an hour. Overall, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion delivers solid performance for its price range, making it a great option for those looking for a reliable mid-range device.