The mid-range smartphone segment is more competitive than ever, with brands vying to offer the best balance of features, performance, and value. Motorola’s latest addition, the Edge 50, aims to stand out with a sleek design, a promising camera setup, and Motorola’s typically clean software experience. But in a field crowded with strong contenders, the question is whether the Edge 50’s compromises are few enough to make it a compelling choice. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what the Motorola Edge 50 brings to the table—and where it falls short.
Design and Build: Sleek and Stylish
Motorola has always prioritized design in its Edge series, and the Edge 50 is no exception. The phone features a sleek, modern design with curved edges that give it a premium feel. Its matte back finish not only looks stylish but is also more resistant to fingerprints and smudges, making it ideal for everyday handling. At 7.9mm thickness and weighing around 170 grams, the device is lightweight and easy to hold, a plus for users who value comfort.
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While the design is undeniably stylish, the plastic frame and back are typical of mid-range builds, which may disappoint those expecting a glass or metal body in this price range. It does, however, sport IP52 water resistance, which provides basic protection against splashes.
Display: Bright but Lacking Precision
The Motorola Edge 50 comes with a 6.55-inch OLED display that offers Full HD+ resolution and a smooth 144Hz refresh rate, a rare find in mid-range devices and a highlight for smoother scrolling and gameplay. The panel is bright and vibrant, making it a pleasure for multimedia consumption and daily usage. Colors are rich, and the viewing angles are impressive.
One area where the display falls short is its HDR support. While it handles contrast and black levels reasonably well, HDR10 or HDR10+ support would have elevated the experience, especially for streaming content. This absence becomes evident when comparing the Edge 50’s display to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy A54 or the Google Pixel 7a, which offer better display fidelity.
Performance: Solid, But Not Groundbreaking
The Motorola Edge 50 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor, combined with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. For day-to-day usage, the phone handles tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming without any hiccups. The 144Hz refresh rate adds a layer of smoothness that enhances the overall experience.
However, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 falls short in high-performance scenarios. Heavy games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile run adequately on medium settings but struggle on higher graphical settings. Additionally, while the 8GB of RAM is ample, heavy multitaskers may notice some lag during intense usage. Competitors like the Pixel 7a, equipped with Google’s Tensor chip, tend to offer better performance in demanding tasks.
Camera: Capable but Inconsistent
Motorola has equipped the Edge 50 with a triple-camera setup featuring a 50MP primary sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. The camera setup is versatile and performs well in favorable lighting conditions. The 50MP sensor captures sharp, detailed images with decent dynamic range, and the ultra-wide sensor offers a fun perspective, although it lacks the same sharpness as the main lens.
Low-light performance, however, is where the Edge 50 stumbles. Photos tend to come out noisy and lack detail, with the night mode only providing a marginal improvement. The ultra-wide sensor also suffers in low light, resulting in washed-out images with noticeable grain. Competitors like the Pixel 7a and Samsung Galaxy A54 deliver significantly better low-light photography.
The 32MP front camera is reliable, producing clear selfies with good color accuracy. It lacks the ability to produce true depth-of-field effects but still delivers solid shots for social media use.
Software: Clean and Close to Stock
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Motorola’s near-stock Android experience continues to be a selling point. Running on Android 13, the Edge 50 offers a bloat-free interface that is simple, intuitive, and snappy. Motorola has included some useful additions, like the signature Moto gestures, which allow users to quickly launch the camera or turn on the flashlight with a twist or chop gesture.
The downside here is Motorola’s track record with updates. While Motorola has committed to two major Android updates and three years of security patches, other mid-range devices like the Samsung Galaxy A54 come with longer update support, making Motorola’s offering seem less future-proof.
Battery Life: Decent but Could Be Better
With a 4,400mAh battery, the Motorola Edge 50 can comfortably last a full day with moderate usage. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip, while not the most power-efficient, still manages to keep battery drain at bay. For those who are more power-hungry, including frequent gamers and heavy content consumers, a recharge will likely be needed by evening.
Motorola includes support for 33W fast charging, which gets the phone from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes. However, some competitors have pushed charging speeds to 50W and above, making the Edge 50’s charging speeds feel a bit dated.
Connectivity and Extras: What’s Missing?
The Motorola Edge 50 supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2, providing solid connectivity options. One notable feature missing from the Edge 50 is NFC, which is increasingly expected in mid-range devices for contactless payments. The lack of stereo speakers is also a downside, as many competitors at this price point have added dual speakers for a richer audio experience.
Verdict: A Good Effort, But Not Quite There
The Motorola Edge 50 aims to bring premium-like features into the mid-range market, and in many respects, it succeeds. The design is attractive, the display is smooth, and the performance is competent for general use. However, the device makes some key compromises that may deter buyers—particularly its lackluster low-light camera performance, limited software support, and absence of features like NFC and stereo speakers.
In a competitive mid-range landscape, the Edge 50 ultimately feels overshadowed by rivals like the Google Pixel 7a and Samsung Galaxy A54, both of which offer a more balanced package without skimping on essential features. For Motorola enthusiasts or those looking for a clean Android experience with a high-refresh-rate display, the Edge 50 is worth considering. But for those who prioritize camera quality, software longevity, and well-rounded features, there are stronger alternatives available.
