Motorola Edge 50 Pro review
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a high-end smartphone that packs some impressive features despite being positioned as the mid-range model this year. With its curvy design, Pantone-validated color science display, and stereo speakers, it's hard to ignore its appeal. But can it deliver on performance and camera capabilities? Our review delves into what makes this phone tick, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses, to determine if it's worth considering in a crowded smartphone market.
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro boasts a sleek and curvy design that is both visually appealing and comfortable to hold in the hand. The back panel has been replaced with eco-leather, a rubber-like polymer that provides excellent grip while maintaining a premium feel. This textured material wraps elegantly around the aluminum frame, creating a seamless and cohesive look. One of the standout features of this device is its robust build quality. The Edge 50 Pro has achieved an impressive IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, making it well-suited for daily use in various environments. The phone's design has been carefully crafted to ensure that it feels light yet substantial in hand, weighing just enough to be noticeable but not so much as to feel cumbersome. The attention to detail is evident throughout the device's design, with a focus on creating a cohesive and premium experience. The curved display, which boasts a 6.7-inch OLED panel with a 1220p resolution, adds to the phone's overall visual appeal. When combined with the eco-leather back panel, the result is a device that looks and feels like a high-end product. Motorola has taken care to ensure that the Edge 50 Pro's design complements its functionality. The phone's build quality and materials have been carefully chosen to provide durability without adding excessive weight or bulk. This attention to detail makes it clear that Motorola prioritizes both form and function in their design process, resulting in a device that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also built to last. Overall, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro's build quality and design make it an attractive option for those seeking a premium smartphone experience. While there may be some compromises on features such as screen refresh rate and chipset performance compared to other high-end devices, the Edge 50 Pro more than makes up for these in its overall construction and design.
Battery Life
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro's battery life is decent but not impressive. In our testing, the phone earned an overall active use score of 11 hours and 59 minutes, which is satisfactory for a mid-range device. However, it falls short of expectations when compared to last year's Edge 40 Pro. The phone's 4500mAh battery should be sufficient for most users, but we found that it struggles to keep up with heavy usage. We experienced some battery drain issues during extended gaming sessions and video playback. While the battery life is not abysmal, it's clear that Motorola has prioritized other aspects of the device over battery optimization. One redeeming quality of the Edge 50 Pro's battery life is its charging speed. The phone supports up to 125W fast charging, which is incredibly quick and convenient. We were able to charge the phone from zero to full in just 18 minutes, making it a great option for those who need a quick top-up. In summary, while the Motorola Edge 50 Pro's battery life is decent, it's not outstanding. The phone's mid-range chipset and software optimization play a significant role in its battery performance. If you're looking for a device with exceptional battery life, there are better options available in the market. However, if you prioritize other features like cameras, display, or design, the Edge 50 Pro might still be a great choice.
Display
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is an intriguing device that straddles the line between mid-range and flagship smartphones. While it may not boast the top-tier chipset, its display is a compelling reason to consider this phone. The curved OLED screen on the Edge 50 Pro is a visual treat, boasting a 6.7-inch resolution of 1220p with a 144Hz Refresh rate. Although it doesn't quite match the 165Hz refresh rate of last year's Edge 40 Pro, the auto refresh rate mode still manages to save energy without dipping below 60Hz. In terms of color accuracy, the display shines with Pantone-validated color science that renders natural colors and skin tones. The HDR10+ support is a bonus, allowing for vivid video playback. The maximum brightness of over 500 nits (boosting to nearly 1,300 nits in auto mode) ensures comfortable outdoor use. The OLED screen itself looks great, with plenty of contrast and sharpness on offer. Although not as bright as some other displays, the Edge 50 Pro's display holds its own against more expensive flagships. The only notable omission is Dolby Vision support. In an era where smartphones are increasingly becoming an extension of our daily lives, a well-crafted display like the one found on the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is undeniably appealing. While some may bemoan the slightly lower refresh rate compared to its predecessor, this screen remains an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and visually pleasing experience. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro's display is a mid-range marvel that effectively balances quality with affordability. While not revolutionary, it's a solid option for anyone in search of a well-crafted screen without the hefty price tag of top-tier flagships.
Camera
Motorola's Edge 50 Pro boasts an impressive camera setup, with a 50MP main cam featuring a wide f/1.4 aperture, a 10MP three times telephoto lens, and a 13MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus. During the day, the main camera delivers solid results, producing photos with plenty of contrast and expressive colors. Detail is very good, although some finer textures like grass may appear unnatural if examined closely. The camera also excels at capturing skin tones, thanks to its super wide aperture. When shooting close subjects, the shallow depth of field produces a nicely blurred background. Google Photos' AI-based enhanced feature can be toggled directly in the viewfinder for a more polished look. However, this comes with the trade-off of not saving a non-enhanced version alongside the enhanced one. In low-light conditions, exposures are balanced and natural-looking, with reasonably wide dynamic range and excellent colors. Detail is good too, but some photos may have a slightly processed quality. The ultra-wide camera delivers sharp results with wide dynamic range and pleasant colors, making it ideal for capturing nearby objects or distorting close-ups. While pixel-level detail can be soft in shadows at night, better-lit scenes are rendered quite well, with excellent colors and dynamic range. In terms of video recording, the main camera captures 4K clips with excessive contrast and harsh tonal extremes. Detail looks over-processed, and electronic stabilization is mostly good but may exhibit some imperfections when panning in low light. The telephoto camera produces decent three times zoomed photos with good detail and a natural rendering. The ultra-wide camera's 4K video is similarly over-contrast and has softer detail than the other two cameras. Selfies, taken from a large sensor 50MP front-facing camera, are excellent, with great detail, nice wide dynamic range, and lifelike skin tones. Overall, Motorola's Edge 50 Pro offers solid camera capabilities, particularly in well-lit conditions. While there may be some compromises in low-light scenarios or when using certain features, the cameras provide a good balance of quality and functionality.
Price and Value
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a high-end smartphone that straddles the line between mid-range and flagship devices. While it may not have the top-tier specifications of its predecessors, this year's model still packs a punch in terms of features and performance. Priced at a premium level, the Edge 50 Pro demands a price tag higher than many popular mid-rangers on the market. With a starting price of around $600, users can expect a range of high-end features, including a curved OLED display, water-resistant design, and stereo speakers with impressive sound quality. However, it's essential to consider the compromises made in this year's model. The Edge 50 Pro employs a lower-tier Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, which, while still capable, lags behind the top-of-the-line processors found in flagship devices. This is reflected in the phone's performance, which, although decent, can't match the snappiness of its more expensive counterparts. The question remains: is this mid-range marvel worth your money? If you value the Edge 50 Pro's unique design, impressive display, and solid camera performance, then yes, it might be a good fit. The phone's price point puts it in direct competition with other high-end mid-rangers, such as the OnePlus 12r and Samsung Galaxy S23. Ultimately, the decision to purchase the Moto Edge 50 Pro comes down to individual preferences and budget constraints. While its premium price may seem steep at first glance, this device offers a compelling value proposition for those willing to compromise on top-tier performance. For those seeking an upper-mid-range experience without breaking the bank, the Edge 50 Pro is certainly worth considering.
Performance
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro's performance is a mixed bag. This year's pro model doesn't get the top-of-the-line Android chipset, opting for a higher-end mid-range Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 instead. In benchmarks, it holds its own against other mid-range devices like the Samsung Galaxy A55, but lags behind last year's Edge 40 Pro with its more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. In everyday use, we didn't encounter any significant hiccups or lag, making it suitable for casual users. However, for those who demand top-notch performance, the Edge 50 Pro might feel a bit underpowered compared to last year's flagship. The phone's thermal management is excellent, with minimal throttling during prolonged stress tests. The battery life of the Edge 50 Pro is decent but not impressive. It managed an overall active use score of 11 hours and 59 minutes in our testing. Charging speeds are respectable, with support for up to 125W wired charging. We were able to fully charge the phone from zero in just 18 minutes using a 125W charger. The Edge 50 Pro's performance is more on par with its mid-range designation rather than flagship status. While it won't blow you away with its processing power, it should still provide smooth and responsive performance for most users. However, for those who crave the best of the best, there may be better options available in this price range. Ultimately, the Edge 50 Pro's performance is a compromise that suits its mid-range ambitions rather than flagship aspirations. If you prioritize design, cameras, and features over raw processing power, the Edge 50 Pro might still be worth considering.
Pros
1. Motorola Edge 50 Pro brings some nice features like a light, waterproof build
2. The phone's curved OLED screen looks great, it's plenty sharp and contrasty
3. The camera setup has been set up in collaboration with Pantone to be as true to life as possible
4. Battery life isn't impressive but it's decent, the ed50 pro earned an overall active use score of 11 hours and 59 minutes
5. Charging is incredibly fast, we were able to charge the phone from zero to full in just 18 minutes
6. The camera can record video in up to 4K at 30 FPS on all of its cameras
7. The telephoto camera produces good three times zoomed photos with decent detail and natural rendering
8. The ultra wide cam delivers sharp results with wide dynamic range and pleasant colors
Cons
1. This year's pro model is more of a mid-ranger than a flagship, it doesn't get the top chipset
2. The Edge 50 Pro has a lower screen refresh rate compared to previous models
3. The camera's 4K videos are over contrasty and have a bit softer detail than other cameras
4. Selfies taken with the front-facing cam can be soft in low light conditions
5. The wireless charging is not mentioned as being particularly fast, just faster
6. The phone demands a price that's higher than other popular mid-rangers
7. The phone has some downgrades compared to the previous pro model, like a lower tier chipset
8. The Edge 50 Pro competes in the upper mid-range territory, which may not be ideal for everyone