Motorola Edge 50 Neo review
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is a compact mid-range phone that's smaller than its predecessor, with a 6.4-inch display, a plastic frame, and vegan leather backing. It weighs 171g, making it light and easy to carry. The phone boasts an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, as well as military-grade protection against extreme temperatures. The Edge 50 Neo's OLED display has a high resolution and supports HDR10+ video. However, the maximum refresh rate is lower at 120Hz, but it can dial down from 120Hz to 1Hz when idling to save energy. The camera setup includes a 50MP main camera, a 13MP ultra-wide camera, and a new 10MP three-time telephoto camera. The phone runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 chipset, which provides smooth performance and efficient battery life. The battery has been reduced from 5,000mAh to 4,310mAh, but the phone makes up for it with efficient software. The Edge 50 Neo also supports wireless charging at 15W. In terms of camera performance, the main camera delivers sharp photos in good lighting conditions, but image processing can be inconsistent. Low-light photography is decent, but focus can be unreliable at night. The ultra-wide camera performs well during the day, and the telephoto camera produces photos with a similar rendition to the main camera. Overall, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo offers a compact design, improved protection, and great battery life, making it a viable option for those seeking a smaller phone in its price segment.
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo boasts an impressive build quality and design that sets it apart from its predecessor. This compact mid-range phone has shrunk in size compared to last year's model, with the 6.4-inch display being a notable reduction from the previous 6.55 inches. The smaller frame is paired with a lightweight body of just 171g, making it easy to carry around. The vegan leather backing lends the device a premium feel and provides excellent grip, while the plastic frame adds to its durability. The Pantone-approved orange colorway is a stylish touch that catches the eye. One of the standout features of the Edge 50 Neo is its exceptional ingress protection. With an IP68 rating, it can withstand water and dust exposure, and it also boasts military-grade protection against extreme temperatures. The design decisions made for this phone have resulted in a device that feels solid and well-built, even if some might find the smaller size a bit of an adjustment. Overall, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo's build quality and design are notable strengths that make it stand out in its price segment. While the compact form factor may appeal to those who prefer a more portable phone, others may find themselves longing for a larger screen. However, the Edge 50 Neo's smaller size is not without its benefits – it allows for better battery life and improved protection against the elements. Despite this being a mid-range device, Motorola has managed to deliver a premium-like experience in terms of build quality and design.
Battery Life
In an era where phone batteries are often sacrificed for the sake of sleek designs, I'm pleasantly surprised to report that the Moto Edge 50 Neo defies this trend. Despite its compact size and smaller battery capacity (4,310 mAh) compared to its predecessor, this device still manages to deliver a respectable active use score of 13 hours and 29 minutes in our tests. This is not just a minor achievement; it's a testament to Motorola's commitment to providing efficient power management. The phone's i7 UltraPower technology allows for seamless performance without significant throttle during prolonged stress tests, further extending its battery life. While this isn't the longest-lasting device on the market, it certainly holds its own against other compact phones in its price segment. What's more impressive is that Motorola has managed to achieve this feat without sacrificing too much screen time or power-intensive features like wireless charging (15W). In a world where bigger batteries are often touted as the solution to prolonged use, the Moto Edge 50 Neo shows that even smaller devices can have their cake and eat it too – in this case, excellent battery life without breaking the bank. If you're in the market for a compact phone with great power efficiency, this is certainly one worth considering.
Display
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo boasts a 6.4-inch OLED display, a reduction from its predecessor's 6.55-inch screen. While the decrease in size may be noticeable, it's not at the expense of overall quality. The new display still features high resolution and uses LTPO technology to conserve energy by dynamically adjusting refresh rates. In our testing, we found that swiping and scrolling remained smooth despite the lower maximum refresh rate of 120Hz compared to 144Hz on last year's model. The display also benefits from increased brightness, with a manual slider capable of up to 570 nits and auto mode boosting to over 1400 nits. This makes it suitable for use in direct sunlight. The pixel density remains high at 474 PPI, resulting in a sharp and clear image. HDR10+ video support is also available, as well as 10-bit color. While the display may not be ideal for those seeking a larger screen size, it's an upgrade over its predecessor in terms of brightness and energy efficiency. One notable change to this year's model is the adoption of LTPO technology, which allows the phone to dynamically adjust refresh rates based on usage. This can help save battery life when idling or running less demanding tasks. Overall, Motorola has made a positive change with the Edge 50 Neo's display, offering improved brightness and energy efficiency while maintaining smooth performance.
Camera
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo has been making waves in the mid-range phone market, and its camera capabilities are one aspect that warrant close examination. While this device checks many boxes, the camera experience is not without its drawbacks. One of the standout features of the Edge 50 Neo's main camera is its ability to capture sharp and detailed photos with vibrant colors during the day. The dynamic range is also impressive, ensuring well-balanced highlights and shadows. However, the image processing can be inconsistent, sometimes resulting in overly contrasty images with deep shadows and a gritty look. Low-light conditions are another story altogether. While the camera triggers the night mode automatically, shots from the main cam have good sharpness and detail, minimal noise, and a wide dynamic range. The focus is reliable, though, with some notable exceptions. The three-time telephoto camera performs decently in good lighting conditions but struggles indoors or in shadows. Zoom photos are satisfactory for this type of camera but lack the detail of the main cam's images at night. The ultrawide camera fares better during the day, offering an okay amount of detail and a quality similar to its competitors. Selfies from the 32-megapixel front-facing camera look lively with good exposure and wide dynamic range, though skin tones can sometimes appear reddish due to HDR application. Recording 4K video is possible with all cameras, and the main cam's footage is commendable, with good sharpness, detail, and dynamic range. Overall, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo's camera capabilities show promise but are not without their limitations. While it excels in certain areas, inconsistent image processing and some camera interface issues detract from the overall experience. If you're willing to overlook these caveats and prioritize a compact phone with a telephoto camera, the Edge 50 Neo is an intriguing option.
Price and Value
In a market dominated by larger smartphones, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo stands out as a compact mid-range phone that punches above its weight. With a price point of under $500, this device offers an impressive set of features that make it a compelling option for those seeking a smaller phone without sacrificing performance. The Edge 50 Neo's design is sleek and stylish, with a vegan leather backing that adds a premium feel to the device. Its compact size makes it easy to carry around, and at just 171g, it's incredibly light. The phone's IP68 rating ensures it can withstand dust and water exposure, while its military-grade protection against extreme temperatures adds an extra layer of durability. Inside, the Edge 50 Neo runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, which provides smooth performance and efficient battery life. The device's OLED display may have lost some resolution compared to last year's model, but it still offers great color accuracy and HDR10+ support. With up to 570 nits of brightness, this screen is perfect for outdoor use. One of the standout features of the Edge 50 Neo is its value proposition. For under $500, you get a phone with a telephoto camera, wireless charging, and a respectable 13-hour battery life in active use. This makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a compact phone without breaking the bank. While some may find the camera experience to be inconsistent, the Edge 50 Neo's price point is hard to beat. With this device, you get more than just a phone – you get a solid package of features that make it a great value for its price. If you're in the market for a compact mid-range phone, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo is definitely worth considering.
Performance
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo's performance is a mixed bag. On the plus side, it has a more efficient chipset in the form of the Mediatek Dimensity 7300, which provides a noticeable boost in daily usage compared to its predecessor. The phone handles tasks smoothly, and gaming is also possible without significant lag. However, when put under stress with benchmarking apps or prolonged use, the Edge 50 Neo shows some signs of strain. It's not as powerful as some other mid-range competitors, and there can be noticeable stuttering within certain apps, including the camera app for reasons that are unclear. In terms of battery life, the Edge 50 Neo makes up for its smaller size by being much more efficient than last year's model. It lasted an impressive 13 hours and 29 minutes in our active use test, which is a testament to Motorola's efforts to optimize performance. Charging speeds are also quick, with a 68W power delivery charger able to top the battery from 0 to 80% in half an hour. One area where the Edge 50 Neo falls short is its inability to match the sustained performance of some of its competitors when subjected to prolonged stress. This could be due to the Dimensity 7300's mid-tier silicon status, which while better than last year's model, still lags behind more powerful mid-range options. Overall, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo's performance is solid but not spectacular. It gets the job done, but it may not wow users with its raw power or smoothness in demanding situations.