Motorola has returned with what might just be the most stylish phone of the year. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a mid-range smartphone that exudes a premium look and feel. While many brands have attempted this blend in recent years, only a few have truly succeeded. The Edge 50 Pro raises the bar by introducing several world-first features, but do they actually deliver? After spending a couple of weeks with the Edge 50 Pro, I’m here to determine if there’s more to this phone than just its design and some impressive specs.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Handling and Design
This phone is available in three stunning colors: Luxe Lavender, Moonlight Pearl, and Black Beauty. I had the pleasure of reviewing the Luxe Lavender variant, which, like the Black Beauty model, features a luxurious Vegan Leather finish. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro, much like its predecessor the Edge 40 Neo, boasts a sleek and elegant design with its rounded edges and slim, lightweight construction.
Under the hood, it’s equipped with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset and has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The 50 Pro features a 6.7-inch Super HD (1220p) display, curved at the edges, with a smooth 144Hz refresh rate, just like the flagship model.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Image Quality and Performance
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro delivers impressive performance, particularly with its main and telephoto cameras, which produce detailed and vibrant images. However, colors like greens and blues can sometimes appear over-saturated. To achieve more natural-looking photos, you can disable Shot Optimisation, which utilizes AI to enhance images.
The 1x lens performs exceptionally well across all cameras, with the ultrawide and 3x telephoto lenses also capturing a good level of detail. As with many smartphones, zooming beyond 3x results in a noticeable decline in image and video quality.
In Macro mode, the phone switches to the ultrawide camera, which can focus as close as 2.5cm. Although Macro mode works adequately, I preferred using the main camera for photographing flowers, as it captures smaller subjects effectively and produces warmer tones with a more pronounced bokeh, thanks to its wider aperture.
The 50 Pro also excels at taking selfies, which is expected from a 50MP selfie camera with autofocus. You can choose between solo and group selfie modes, with the camera slightly zooming out in group mode. For instance, I was able to fit one of the sphinxes from Crystal Palace Park into the frame, even though it was close, and the focus was sharp. Additionally, you can adjust the F-stop in Portrait mode while taking selfies.
For portrait photography, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers several focal length options: 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm. The main camera is used for all except the 85mm option, where the telephoto camera comes into play, delivering exceptional detail that holds up well even on a computer screen. It’s unfortunate, however, that video can’t be recorded in Portrait Mode.
Photos taken in Night mode on the main camera show increased detail and contrast compared to those taken without it in low light. The sky appears much brighter than it actually is, even around 10 pm when it’s already dark. Artificial lights are rendered cleaner, and colors are more vibrant. Occasionally, the phone will suggest keeping it as steady as possible.
While the telephoto camera is capable of producing decent photos for social media, it’s best not to zoom in too far beyond 3x, as images tend to become blurry, especially in low light.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Specs
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Review: Performance
When it comes to performance, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro excels at handling everyday tasks, gaming, and more. Equipped with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, a relatively new chipset, it offers enough power to smoothly manage various activities under most conditions. I conducted some benchmark tests to gauge its performance, and it achieved a score of 8,18,387 points on AnTuTu. This is slightly higher than the recently released OnePlus Nord CE 4 (Review), which also uses the same chipset.
While the performance is impressive, the display truly stands out. Motorola has outfitted the Edge 50 Pro with a 6.7-inch pOLED curved display that boasts a 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The panel delivers up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness, supports HDR10+, offers 10-bit color, and covers the DCI-P3 color gamut. Additionally, it is claimed to be the world’s first Pantone-validated true color display.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Review: Verdict
This time, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro might not be the top-tier model in the Edge lineup, but it fits comfortably just below flagship status. Despite being overshadowed by the feature-packed Ultra model, the Edge 50 Pro still holds its own with a commendable camera setup. Its main camera excels in light gathering, complemented by a solid telephoto lens, which is a rarity in this segment, and an ultrawide lens with autofocus that’s put to great use. To top it all off, it delivers excellent selfies, adding to its appeal.
However, if video recording is a priority for you, this might not be your perfect match. The video capabilities don’t quite meet the expectations set by the still photography. Another potential downside is the choice of chipset. While it’s sufficient for most tasks, it doesn’t quite shine compared to similarly priced competitors in some markets. The charging options of 125W and 68W could be seen as a positive, especially if the latter helps reduce the price for lower-specced versions. Yet, we consider it a drawback, given the need for extra explanation.
There’s plenty to like about the Edge 50 Pro, not least of which is its 125W super-fast charging, a feature that’s tough to beat. Even the 68W option is far from sluggish. The display outperforms many others in most metrics and boasts Pantone validation—a first in the industry, likely to attract buyers (if the marketing team is to be believed). The color of the back cover, sourced from Pantone’s catalog, is indeed appealing, but we’d be just as happy with a generically named hue, provided it maintains the same grippiness and water resistance—features that aren’t always guaranteed, even at the Edge 50 Pro’s price point.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight design with a textured back that feels secure in hand.
- Offers vibrant and sharp display with a 144Hz refresh rate.
- Exceptional charging capabilities with the 125W adapter, plus support for wireless charging.
- Clean software experience with a stock-like interface and plenty of useful features.
- Delivers consistently impressive photo quality across all cameras, in various conditions.
- Takes outstanding selfies.
Cons:
- The chipset feels underpowered for the price point.
- Video quality could be better.
- Charger type may vary depending on the memory variant you choose.
Conclusion
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro strikes a compelling balance between features and value, making it a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market. Its sleek design, vibrant display, and impressive camera performance ensure it stands out, while the addition of fast and wireless charging is a significant bonus. However, the slightly underpowered chipset and inconsistent video quality may give some potential buyers pause. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Edge 50 Pro is a solid choice for those seeking a stylish, feature-packed device without breaking the bank. If you’re in the market for a mid-range phone that offers a lot of bang for your buck, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is definitely worth considering.