Motorola Edge 50 Pro Review
From its appearance to its impressive camera, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a remarkable device in the mid-range category.
Featuring a durable and quick-charging battery, a robust processor, and an attractive 6.7-inch curved screen, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is difficult to criticize. The camera takes center stage, and given its mid-range cost, it deserves attention from those who prefer not to spend flagship prices on a premium device.
Advantages
- complete recharge in under 20 minutes
- stunning screen
- Outstanding camera
Disadvantages
- The Moonlight Pearl color option does not provide adequate traction.
- The slim profile and curved display may be inconvenient.
- The processor’s performance could be improved.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro review
With the revival of the Razr and the launch of the Edge series, Motorola has made a remarkable return to the market. They are vying with brands like Google and Samsung for the title of the top Android phone, frequently appearing in our rankings for the best budget phones and best foldable devices.
Motorola continues its winning streak with the Edge 50 Pro. While it may be challenging to categorize it as inexpensive at £599.99 / AU$999, I truly enjoyed my experience with this device, and I believe it deserves a spot on our list of the best phones.
Available in several design options, including two vegan leather shades—Black Beauty and Luxe Lavender—as well as the elegant Moonlight Pearl, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro sets itself apart from the Edge 40 Pro with its more vibrant choices. Additionally, it boasts a lighter and slimmer profile compared to its predecessor, while maintaining a similar design language.
A notable improvement is the rear camera bump, which has transitioned from a mismatched protrusion on the Edge 40 Pro to a visually appealing ridged design that complements the phone’s color.
Before I continue, I should point out that the Motorola Edge 40 Pro was the brand’s top-tier model in 2023. Although it has kept its naming convention, the Edge 50 Pro now occupies a position between the affordable Edge 50 Fusion and the premium Edge 50 Ultra.
The latter of which is presently only accessible in the UK and a few other areas. As of now, the sole option available in the United States is the Motorola Edge 2024, which features specifications that vary slightly from those of the Fusion.
For a device in the mid-range category, the Edge 50 Pro is quite impressive, beginning with its beautiful 6.7-inch curved OLED display.
Although the curved edges may lead to unintended touches, which might not appeal to all users, the remarkable 2,000-nit brightness, 1220 x 2712 resolution, and Pantone-certified colors significantly enhance the immersive experience when viewing content on the move.
I also appreciate how the display seamlessly integrates with the aluminum frame, contributing to the device’s upscale appearance.
The camera is undoubtedly its standout feature. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is equipped with three rear lenses (50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto), along with an impressive 50MP front-facing camera. It also includes AI functionalities for autofocus and automatic adjustments, making it nearly impossible to take poor-quality photos.
Additionally, there are various features like Long Exposure Mode and Scan that are both enjoyable and practical, designed to simplify photography or document scanning for complete beginners. AI capabilities are abundant here, not only enhancing the camera experience but also generating wallpapers that allow style-conscious users to coordinate their phone with their outfits.
The longevity of the battery and the speed of charging also merit attention alongside the camera features. The provided 125W charger can replenish 70% of the battery in just 15 minutes, and the 4,500mAh battery is more than capable of lasting throughout the day – during my tests.
It comfortably lasted from 5:30 am to 7:30 pm, with plenty of charge remaining. Additionally, if you find yourself in a situation where you need your phone to endure, it can last for several days with light usage (it lasted a full five days with four hours of screen on time).
I encountered several issues while using the Edge 50 Pro. Although it may not be a concern for everyone, I noticed that the Pearl model I received for this review had a significant lack of grip, so it might be beneficial to try it out in person before making a purchase.
Additionally, while I usually appreciated the curved display, it made capturing landscape-oriented photos quite frustrating, as my palm frequently pressed the ‘back’ button located at the bottom of the screen.
There was a significant amount of evident stuttering and delay when utilizing the camera application, particularly in burst mode. Although the images usually come out well, the screen struggled to keep pace. Therefore, individuals aiming to pursue photography seriously, as well as gamers requiring smooth, high frame-rate performance, may find this unsatisfactory.
The main drawback of the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is that it will only get three years of software updates and four years of security patches. Nonetheless, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is an outstanding option for the typical user.
A more powerful processor and extended software support could elevate this phone to perfection, but it would likely come with a higher price tag, and that £600 / AU$1,000 threshold is a limit many consumers may hesitate to exceed.
At slightly below that price, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is an outstanding mid-range smartphone that delivers a high-quality experience.
Here’s a brief overview of the main specifications:
Motorola Edge 50 Pro specs
Dimensions: | 161.23 x 72.4 x 8.19mm |
Weight: | 186g |
Screen: | 6.7-inch Super HD (2712 x 1220) |
Chipset: | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 |
RAM: | up to 12GB |
Storage: | 256GB / 512GB |
OS: | Android 14 |
Primary camera: | 50MP |
Ultra-wide camera: | 13MP |
Telephoto camera: | 10MP |
Front camera: | 50MP |
Audio | Dual stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos |
Battery: | 4,500mAh |
Charging: | 125W wired charging, 50W wireless (with Motorola wireless charger) |
Colors | Black Beauty Vegan, Moonlight Pearl, Caneel Bay (UK only) nd Luxe Lavender |
Motorola Edge 50 Pro review
Regardless of whether you choose the understated yet equally chic vegan leather shades or the vibrant Moonlight Pearl, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is truly attractive. Featuring a spacious 6.7-inch curved screen that seamlessly integrates with its aluminum casing, which is complemented by either the vegan leather or pearl finish, this phone is designed for the style-conscious user.
My preferred design feature, which I believe plays a quietly significant role in its sophistication, is the rear camera bump. By choosing a textured design that complements the color and pattern of your selected model, it creates a camera setup that appears to be protruding from the back of the phone. I find its cohesive look far more attractive than the mismatched block of the iPhone 15 or the insect-like lenses of the Galaxy S24.
A brief online search reveals that many people, particularly a vocal minority, tend to have a negative opinion about curved smartphone displays. However, I found myself appreciating the sleek design of the Motorola Edge 50 Pro.
The screen’s curvature enhances the viewing experience significantly, but it also introduces some usability challenges. The slim design, paired with the fully curved display, required me to be constantly mindful of where I placed my hands to minimize unintended touches.
Although I received the Pearl model for this review, I also had the opportunity to handle the leather variants and was struck by their comfortable feel in the hand.
Even with the same slim profile, the leather texture offered a better grip for one-handed use, even with my larger hands. However, I noticed they seemed prone to attracting lint and dust, in contrast to the smooth acetate finish of the Moonlight Pearl Motorola Edge 50 Pro, which remains unaffected by such debris.
The Gorilla Cornish Glass 5 used on the back provided me with some reassurance, as I felt it would withstand a few minor scratches. However, I wasn’t inclined to perform a drop test to evaluate its resilience against a 6-foot drop onto concrete.
It’s important to mention that the Edge 50 Pro features a One-Handed Mode that reduces the screen display by half vertically, making it significantly easier to reach all sections of the (reduced) screen with your thumb.
Activating and deactivating this mode is straightforward, but the clear downside is the reduction of the visible screen area. While a case could enhance grip, it would also add unnecessary bulk, obscure the attractive back panel, and potentially cover the curved edges of the display.
I haven’t come across a phone with a camera bump that I truly appreciated. I understand that one of the trade-offs of keeping phones slim while accommodating large sensors is the resulting camera bump, but I can’t help but feel frustrated when a device wobbles when placed rear side down on a table.
While it’s a necessary feature in contemporary smartphones – and I certainly don’t want them to be thicker – some models, like the iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy A55, manage it more elegantly than others.
Unfortunately, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro isn’t one of those models, so you’ll need to set it down face first, which isn’t the worst option considering how appealing it looks.
This smartphone exudes sophistication and is nearly as tough as it is stylish, thanks to its Gorilla Glass, aluminum casing, and IP68 certification. However, the slim profile and slick back surface of the Pearl variant made it difficult for me to grip it securely.
If I were considering purchasing a Motorola Edge 50 Pro, I would choose a leather version despite the appealing design of the Pearl.