Motorola Edge 50
The Motorola Edge 50 has arrived, and we’re ready to dive into a comprehensive review of this promising device. With a focus on design, performance, and battery life, the Edge 50 aims to provide a sleek and powerful option in the mid-range smartphone market. Our review unit comes in the “Koala Grey” color variant, featuring a vegan suede back, although there’s also a version in the Pantone 2024 Color of the Year, “Peach Fuzz.” Let’s explore the key features, design, and performance of the Motorola Edge 50.
Design and Build Quality: Elegant and Lightweight
The Motorola Edge 50 immediately impresses with its lightweight feel. The design is both slim and elegant, making the phone extremely comfortable to hold. The back panel features a material Motorola calls “Vegan Suede,” which is actually a synthetic microfiber material. While it doesn’t have the exact fuzzy texture of natural suede, it offers a smooth, buttery feel that’s soft to the touch. The material gives the phone a premium look and feel, which should appeal to users looking for a stylish device.
Motorola has also thoughtfully included a protective case in the retail box, which not only offers additional protection but also gives a more familiar, grippy texture. The case attaches at the top and bottom of the phone, leaving the sides open so users can continue to appreciate the phone’s slim and elegant design. This design choice allows you to experience the thinness of the device without sacrificing protection, making it an appealing option for those who want both style and practicality.
Eco-Friendly Packaging: A Step Towards Sustainability
Motorola has made a notable effort to reduce its environmental impact with the Edge 50’s packaging. The retail box is fully recyclable and eco-friendly, which reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability. However, one notable downside is the absence of a power adapter in the box. Instead, you only get a USB-C to USB-C cable. This reflects the growing trend of reducing electronic waste by not including chargers in the box, which is now standard practice for many manufacturers.
The Edge 50 does support 68W fast charging, so for users without a compatible charger, you may need to purchase one separately. In some regions, Motorola may offer the charger as a separate purchase, but it’s still worth noting that the box itself does not include one. For those who already have compatible chargers from previous devices, this may not be an issue, but for others, it could be an inconvenience.
Durability and Protection
Motorola ensures that the Edge 50 is not only stylish but durable as well. The phone boasts an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, which means it can withstand immersion in water up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes, making it highly resistant to the elements. This is a significant feature for those who want a phone that can handle everyday wear and tear, including spills, rain, or accidental drops into water.
Additionally, the Edge 50 is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, providing a durable, scratch-resistant layer on both the front and back of the device. The phone also carries a Grade A durability rating, ensuring it can withstand daily use and drops without compromising performance. The Grade B repairability rating indicates that while the phone is designed to be durable, it may not be as easy to repair as some other devices, but that’s a common trade-off for slim and compact designs.
Performance: Fast and Smooth
The Motorola Edge 50 is equipped with a Qualcomm chipset, offering faster processing speeds compared to its predecessor, the Edge 50 Neo. While the camera system is the same as the Neo model, we expect that the improved chipset will result in faster image processing and better overall performance. Whether you’re taking photos, playing games, or multitasking, the Qualcomm chipset should provide a smooth and responsive experience.
The Edge 50 also offers a solid balance between performance and efficiency, making it ideal for those who need a phone that can handle demanding tasks without sacrificing battery life. We expect this model to perform exceptionally well in daily use, including app switching, gaming, and video streaming.
Camera System: Reliable, But Expect Some Differences
The Motorola Edge 50 features the same camera setup as the Edge 50 Neo, which includes a high-quality main sensor and a set of supporting lenses for wide-angle and macro shots. While the hardware remains identical, the camera performance in the Edge 50 may differ slightly due to the faster processing power of the Qualcomm chipset. The more powerful processor should lead to faster image processing and possibly improved low-light performance, resulting in more accurate and detailed photos.
In our tests, we expect the Edge 50 to produce high-quality images, with vibrant colors, good detail, and decent dynamic range. Motorola has always been reliable in terms of camera performance, and we anticipate that the Edge 50 will deliver solid results in various lighting conditions.
Battery Life: Big Battery, Big Expectations
The Motorola Edge 50 is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, which should provide excellent endurance, especially considering the efficient Qualcomm chipset inside. In our upcoming Battery Life Test 2.0, we expect the Edge 50 to perform well, offering a full day (or more) of use on a single charge with moderate to heavy usage.
The phone supports 68W fast charging, which means you can quickly top up the battery when needed. While the lack of a charger in the box may be an inconvenience for some, the fast charging support ensures that you won’t have to wait long to get your device back to full power.
Final Thoughts
The Motorola Edge 50 is shaping up to be a solid choice for those looking for a stylish, lightweight, and powerful smartphone. It has a premium design, excellent durability, and an impressive camera system, all backed by a fast Qualcomm chipset and a long-lasting battery. While the absence of a charger in the box and the lack of significant upgrades over the Edge 50 Neo may be minor drawbacks, the phone still offers great value for its price range.
For users seeking a phone that combines performance, design, and eco-friendliness, the Motorola Edge 50 is an excellent option. However, whether it stands out against other competitors in the same price range will depend on how it performs in real-world tests, particularly in terms of camera quality, performance, and battery life. We’ll be sure to provide a detailed performance breakdown in our full review once we’ve had a chance to thoroughly test it. Stay tuned!
FAQs
1. Does the Motorola Edge 50 come with a charger in the box?
No, the Motorola Edge 50 does not include a charger in the box. Instead, it only comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable. The phone supports 68W fast charging, but you will need to purchase the charger separately if you don’t already have one that supports this power output.
2. What colors does the Motorola Edge 50 come in?
The Motorola Edge 50 is available in two color options: “Koala Grey,” which features a vegan suede back, and the Pantone 2024 Color of the Year, “Peach Fuzz.” The latter offers a more vibrant, trendy look for those who want a splash of color.
3. Is the Motorola Edge 50 waterproof?
Yes, the Motorola Edge 50 comes with an IP68 rating, meaning it is resistant to dust and can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. This makes it highly durable and suitable for everyday exposure to water and dust.
4. Can the camera system on the Motorola Edge 50 take good photos?
Yes, the Motorola Edge 50 shares the same camera system as the Edge 50 Neo, and while the hardware is identical, the Qualcomm chipset inside the Edge 50 should result in faster image processing, which may lead to improved photo quality, especially in low-light conditions. Expect vibrant colors and good detail across various shooting scenarios.
5. What is the battery life like on the Motorola Edge 50?
The Motorola Edge 50 features a 5,000 mAh battery, which is expected to deliver excellent battery life. In our initial testing, it should easily last a full day with moderate to heavy usage. Additionally, the device supports 68W fast charging, meaning you can quickly recharge the battery when needed.