Motorola Edge 50 Pro review: Stands out in the segment full of good options

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a new competitor in the mid-range smartphone market, where competition is fierce with offerings from brands such as OnePlus, Xiaomi and Nothing. However, Motorola’s latest release stands out with notable features such as a 144Hz refresh rate display, an AI-enhanced imaging system, fast wired and wireless charging options, and top-notch water and dust resistance. On paper, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro seems like a feature-rich smartphone that will suit a wide range of users. But does it meet expectations? Let’s see:

Design

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro has a simple yet captivating design with a sleek and lightweight build. The smartphone feels premium in the hand, thanks to the vegan leather coating on the back and a sturdy metal frame. Motorola has highlighted that the Luxe Lavender color variant (reviewed here) is Pantone validated, and extends to the color-matched standard plastic bumper casing that comes with the device.

In terms of user experience, the soft-touch vegan leather back provides a secure grip, instilling confidence in handling the device without the fear of a fall. Combined with its slim profile and lightweight design, the phone offers a secure and comfortable user experience.

Display and audio

In practical terms, the screen is vibrant, responsive and free of the accidental touch issues that often come with curved panels. By default, the screen is set to Vivid mode, with saturated colors and enhanced contrast, but users can switch to a natural color profile if desired. Additionally, the screen allows for warm or cool tones to be adjusted to individual preferences, and Motorola claims that it is Pantone validated for color accuracy as well as guaranteeing lifelike skin tones.

In terms of fluidity, the screen typically runs at a 90Hz refresh rate, handling interface navigation and app usage seamlessly. While manually selecting the 144Hz refresh rate provides a consistently smooth experience, it does impact battery life. Notably, Motorola has included an option in the built-in gaming hub to adjust the refresh rate within game interfaces, improving the visual experience for gaming enthusiasts.

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro has stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. These speakers deliver clear and loud sound with a wide soundstage, which is especially noticeable when experiencing content encoded in Dolby Atmos format. The device also includes a spatial sound feature for non-Dolby Atmos content, although the latter tends to offer a superior audio experience. It’s worth noting that the device doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio jack, but it does support spatial audio over wireless connections.

Camera

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro has an AI-powered triple camera system on the back, consisting of a 50-megapixel main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 13 MP ultra-wide-angle sensor and a 10 MP 3x telephoto lens with OIS. On the front, it features an industry-leading 50MP autofocus camera sensor.

The rear camera system offers versatility, but may leave some users wanting better image quality. Although improved with AI improvements, results are not consistently optimal in all scenarios. The primary camera performs well in different lighting conditions, while the ultra-wide-angle lens offers a wide field of view but exhibits color differences compared to the main sensor. The telephoto lens delivers satisfactory results, especially in daylight.

Suitable for everyday use, the front camera features autofocus and automatic night mode, adding to its effectiveness in capturing clear and detailed selfies.

Despite potential shortcomings in image quality, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro compensates with a range of value-added features aimed at improving visual content. These include customizable image filters and a range of post-processing tools accessible through the built-in photo editing tool, which integrates Google features such as color accents, portrait enhancements and blur effects. It’s important to note that some of these features require a subscription to Google One.

Performance

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro delivers smooth performance across tasks. It can handle everyday use and demanding tasks with ease, including high-graphic gaming at high graphics settings. Although the chipset may show limitations under extreme workloads, it meets the requirements of the target group within its segment.

Improving the user experience is Motorola’s near-standard user interface, known as Motorola’s Hello interface, based on the Android 14 operating system. The interface prioritizes essential features and minimizes bloatware, ensuring smooth transitions and efficient app management.

Battery

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is powered by a 4,500mAh battery, which provides enough power for a full day of moderate use. However, intensive tasks can quickly drain the battery, prompting the use of the 125W wired charging capacity, which can fully charge the device in about 40 minutes. Notably, the device stands out as the only smartphone in its segment to support wireless charging, with 50W fast charging capacity. Additionally, it offers 10W reverse wireless charging, allowing users to charge compatible accessories using the phone’s battery .

Pronunciation

Priced at Rs 35,999 for the top model, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a versatile smartphone that caters to diverse user preferences. Its standout features, including 144Hz refresh rate display, AI-enhanced camera system, fast wired and wireless charging, and top-notch water and dust protection, give it a competitive edge over its counterparts. However, the device is not without its flaws, especially when it comes to its imaging capabilities. Nevertheless, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro presents a comprehensive package, prioritizing the overall user experience over individual features.

First print: April 9, 2024 | 5:35 PM IST