Motorola Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo Hands-On Review: The Future of Mid-Range Smartphones

Motorola Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo Hands-On Review: The Future of Mid-Range Smartphones

Motorola has consistently delivered smartphones that balance quality and affordability. The latest additions to their lineup, the Motorola Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo, are no exceptions. These two models were launched in late August 2024, and they are already creating a buzz in the smartphone market. This hands-on review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of both devices, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and everything in between.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing you notice about the Motorola Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo is their sleek and modern design. Both phones are crafted with a glass front and back, giving them a premium feel. The aluminum frame adds durability while maintaining a lightweight structure. The Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo come in various color options, including black, blue, and a striking gradient finish.

The phones are slim and comfortable to hold, with the Edge 50 measuring 7.8mm in thickness and the Edge 50 Neo slightly thicker at 8.3mm. The weight difference is minimal, with the Edge 50 weighing 180g and the Neo 190g. The lightweight design makes them easy to carry around without feeling bulky.

The Motorola logo is subtly placed on the back, maintaining a clean look. The camera module is neatly arranged in a vertical layout, with the LED flash sitting right beside the lenses. The phones have a slightly curved edge, enhancing grip and giving them a more ergonomic feel.

Motorola Edge 50 Neo specs at a glance:

• Body: 154.1×71.2×8.1mm, 171g; Gorilla Glas 3 front, aluminum frame, silicone polymer (eco leather) back; IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min), MIL-STD-810H compliant*, * does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions.
• Display: 6.36″ LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 3000 nits (peak), 460ppi.
• Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm): Octa-core (4×2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G615 MC2.
• Memory: 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM; UFS 2.2.
• OS/Software: Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 50 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS; Telephoto: 10 MP, f2.0, 73mm, 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS; Ultra wide angle: 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚, 1.12µm, PDAF.
• Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 0.7µm.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; Front camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps.
• Battery: 4310mAh; 68W wired, 15W wireless.
• Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Dual SIM; Wi-Fi 6e; BT 5.2; NFC.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); stereo speakers.

Display Quality

The Motorola Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo boast stunning displays, a significant factor in their appeal. The Edge 50 features a 6.7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The colors are vibrant, and the blacks are deep, thanks to the OLED technology. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations. This high refresh rate is particularly beneficial for gaming and watching videos, providing a more immersive experience.

On the other hand, the Edge 50 Neo comes with a slightly smaller 6.5-inch OLED display, also with a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution. The Neo also supports a 120Hz refresh rate, making it equally capable in delivering smooth visuals. The color accuracy is impressive, and the display is bright enough to be easily visible even in direct sunlight.

Both phones have minimal bezels, with a tiny punch-hole cutout for the front camera, maximizing screen real estate. The displays are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, providing a good balance between durability and clarity.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Motorola Edge 50 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM. This combination ensures that the phone can handle demanding tasks with ease. Whether you are multitasking, playing graphics-intensive games, or streaming high-definition content, the Edge 50 delivers smooth performance without lag.

The Edge 50 Neo, while slightly less powerful, is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor and 6GB of RAM. While it may not match the raw power of the Edge 50, the Neo still performs admirably in everyday tasks. Apps open quickly, and transitions are smooth, making it a great choice for users who want a reliable smartphone without needing top-tier performance.

Both phones come with 128GB of internal storage, which should be ample for most users. However, if you need more space, the Edge 50 supports microSD cards up to 1TB, while the Neo supports up to 512GB. This expandability is a huge plus, especially for users who store a lot of media files.

Motorola Edge 50 specs at a glance:

• Body: 160.8×72.4×7.8mm, 180g; Glass front, aluminum frame, silicone polymer (eco leather or eco suede) back; IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min), MIL-STD-810H compliant*, * does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions.
• Display: 6.70″ P-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak), 1220x2712px resolution, 20.01:9 aspect ratio, 446ppi.
• Chipset: Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 AE (4 nm): Octa-core (1×2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3×2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510); Adreno 644.
• Memory: 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM; UFS 2.2.
• OS/Software: Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 50 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS; Telephoto: 10 MP, f2.0, 73mm, 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS; Ultra wide angle: 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚, 1.12µm, PDAF.
• Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 0.7µm.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; Front camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps.
• Battery: 5000mAh; 68W wired, 15W wireless.
• Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Dual SIM; Wi-Fi 6e; BT 5.2; NFC.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); stereo speakers.

Software and User Experience

The Motorola Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo run on Android 14 out of the box, with Motorola’s My UX interface layered on top. My UX is known for being close to stock Android, offering a clean and bloatware-free experience. Motorola has added some useful features, like custom gestures and Moto Actions, which enhance the user experience without overwhelming it.

One of the standout features is the Ready For platform, which allows you to connect your phone to a TV or monitor for a desktop-like experience. This is particularly useful for productivity tasks, as it enables you to use your phone as a computer.

The phones also support 5G connectivity, ensuring fast internet speeds and future-proofing the devices for years to come. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC, all of which work seamlessly.

Camera Performance

Motorola has always emphasized camera quality, and the Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo are no exceptions. The Edge 50 features a triple-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. The primary sensor captures detailed images with accurate colors, even in low-light conditions. The ultra-wide-angle lens is perfect for landscape shots, and the depth sensor helps in creating beautiful portrait shots with a natural bokeh effect.

The camera app is user-friendly, with various shooting modes like Night Vision, Pro Mode, and Panorama. The Night Vision mode deserves special mention as it significantly improves low-light photography, capturing bright and clear images even in near-dark conditions.

The Edge 50 Neo, while having a more modest camera setup, still performs well for its price range. It has a dual-camera system with a 48MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The primary camera takes good-quality photos with decent dynamic range and color accuracy. The ultra-wide-angle lens adds versatility, allowing you to capture more in a single frame.

Both phones have a 32MP front-facing camera, which is more than capable of taking sharp and detailed selfies. The front camera also supports various beauty modes and portrait effects, making it ideal for social media enthusiasts.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is another area where the Motorola Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo shine. The Edge 50 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, while the Neo comes with a slightly smaller 4,800mAh battery. Despite the difference, both phones easily last a full day on a single charge, even with heavy usage.

The Edge 50 supports 65W fast charging, which can charge the phone from 0% to 100% in just under an hour. The Neo supports 50W fast charging, which is also impressive, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed.

Both phones also support 15W wireless charging, adding convenience for users who prefer a cable-free experience. Additionally, reverse wireless charging is available, enabling you to charge other devices like wireless earbuds or smartwatches using your phone.

Audio and Multimedia

Audio quality is often overlooked in smartphones, but Motorola has paid attention to this aspect in the Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo. Both phones are equipped with stereo speakers that deliver clear and balanced sound. The Dolby Atmos support enhances the audio experience, making it more immersive whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or listening to music.

The 3.5mm headphone jack is absent, which is becoming a common trend in modern smartphones. However, both phones support high-quality audio through USB-C or Bluetooth headphones. The sound quality over Bluetooth is excellent, with support for codecs like aptX and LDAC, ensuring a rich and detailed audio experience.

Security and Privacy

Security is a top priority for Motorola, and both the Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo come with multiple security features. The phones have an under-display fingerprint scanner, which is fast and accurate. Face unlock is also available, providing a convenient and secure way to access your phone.

Motorola has committed to providing three years of software updates and four years of security updates for these devices. This ensures that the phones remain secure and up-to-date for a significant period, giving users peace of mind.

Additionally, the phones come with ThinkShield for Mobile, a suite of security features that protect against malware, phishing, and other threats. Motorola’s focus on privacy is evident, with features like Privacy Dashboard and Privacy Indicators in Android 14, allowing users to have better control over their data.

Gaming and Graphics

For gamers, the Motorola Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo offer a solid gaming experience. The Edge 50, with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and Adreno 740 GPU, handles even the most demanding games with ease. Whether it’s Call of Duty: Mobile, Genshin Impact, or PUBG, the Edge 50 delivers smooth gameplay with high frame rates.

The Edge 50 Neo, while not as powerful, still performs well in gaming. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, combined with the Adreno 642L GPU, provides a good balance between performance and efficiency. Casual gamers will find the Neo more than capable of handling popular games like Fortnite and Asphalt 9.

Both phones feature Game Mode, which optimizes performance, blocks notifications, and enhances touch sensitivity during gaming sessions. The 120Hz refresh rate adds to the smoothness, making the gaming experience more enjoyable.

Pricing and Availability

The Motorola Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo are priced competitively, making them attractive options in the mid-range segment. The Edge 50 is priced at $699, while the Edge 50 Neo comes in at $549. Given the features and performance they offer, both phones provide excellent value for money.

The phones are available for purchase on Motorola’s official website, as well as major online retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. They are also available in select brick-and-mortar stores across the country.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the Motorola Edge 50 or Edge 50 Neo?

The Motorola Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo are impressive additions to the mid-range smartphone market. They offer a perfect blend of performance, design, and value. The Edge 50 is ideal for users who want top-tier performance and features, while the Edge 50 Neo is a great choice for those looking for a more affordable yet capable smartphone.

Both phones excel in areas like display quality, battery life, and camera performance, making them suitable for a wide range of users. Whether you’re a gamer, a photography enthusiast, or someone who needs a reliable phone for everyday tasks, the Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo have something to offer.

In summary, Motorola has once again proven that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a high-quality smartphone. The Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo are both excellent choices that deliver on their promises, making them strong contenders in the mid-range segment. If you’re in the market for a new smartphone, the Motorola Edge 50 and Edge 50 Neo should definitely be on your list.

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