Nowadays, in order for you the very best Android smartphone expertise, get a tool with the phrase ‘Extremely’ in its identify.
Samsung has included it to nice impact on the Galaxy S24 Extremely, the perfect telephone you should purchase proper now should you ask us. Xiaomi’s 14 Extremely is one other stellar smartphone, with the Images Equipment accent remodeling it right into a DSLR substitute for a lot of. And Oppo’s Discover X7 Extremely isn’t far off – if solely it was launching outdoors China.
With that in thoughts, it ought to come as no shock to see Motorola rejoin the occasion. The Lenovo-owned model already skipped the Extremely version on the Edge 40 sequence, however we now have a real successor to 2022’s Edge 30 Extremely.
Nevertheless, even earlier than testing it, I’m assured this telephone doesn’t need to be referred to as an ‘Extremely’ system. It’d turn into an excellent smartphone, however in comparison with the handsets above, it’s a big step down in a number of methods.
Processor
The obvious purpose is the processor…
The Edge 50 Extremely is the primary telephone in Europe to function the brand new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset. Which may sound thrilling, nevertheless it’s really a downgrade in comparison with the common Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with reference to efficiency, AI options, video seize and face unlock.
None of those might be dealbreakers, nevertheless it speaks volumes when Motorola’s Extremely telephone doesn’t have Qualcomm’s strongest chipset. Even the Asus Zenfone 11 Extremely, which I additionally don’t assume needs to be an ‘Extremely’, makes use of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
even earlier than testing it, I’m assured this telephone doesn’t need to be referred to as an ‘Extremely’ system
Cameras
Then there are the cameras. I’m positive the 50Mp primary, 50Mp ultrawide and 64Mp 3x telephoto lens can take superb images, however I extremely doubt they’ll compete with the perfect digicam telephones round. Each the Galaxy S24 Extremely and Xiaomi 14 Extremely function an extra 5x telephoto lens for even higher zoom photographs, whereas the software program processing on final yr’s Edge 40 Professional was nothing particular.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Battery life
Regardless of a big 6.7-inch show, the battery capability is a step down from what we’ve come to anticipate on high-end Android telephones.
The 4500mAh cell would possibly nonetheless ship strong battery life, nevertheless it’s unlikely to be a key energy when even smaller telephones sometimes are available in at 5000mAh.
Software program longevity
The software program assist promise can be missing.
Motorola ensures solely three years of Android OS updates and 4 years of safety updates, which is underwhelming by trendy requirements. Xiaomi presents a yr extra of each, whereas Samsung and Google cleared the path with seven of every.
It’s no shock to see AI options, with Motorola promoting advantages for images, navigation, search and creating themes. Nevertheless, arguably probably the most thrilling are AI photo-editing instruments, which you’ll be able to entry on any system through Google Images.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
On the plus aspect
It’s not as if any of those options are unhealthy: simply not fairly as much as ‘Extremely’ requirements. Loads of different elements definitely are, although.
The show has a 144Hz refresh price that beats most flagship handsets, whereas premium vegan leather-based or picket backs assist the telephone immediately stand out from the gang. You additionally get extremely quick 125W wired charging, with the mandatory charger included within the field – that’s method higher than Samsung or Google.
As you may see, Edge 50 Extremely appears prefer it’ll be an excellent telephone, probably an awesome one. However an ‘Extremely’ smartphone? Completely not in my view.
With that in thoughts, it’s maybe no shock that the Edge 50 Extremely is extra reasonably priced than each the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely (from £1,249/€1,449) and Xiaomi 14 Extremely (£1,299/€1,499).
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
It’ll begin at simply £849/€999, placing it consistent with the Asus Zenfone 11 Extremely (from £869.99) and Google Pixel 8 Professional (from £999/€1099) as a substitute. I firmly consider the Edge 50 Extremely ought to have been referred to as the Edge 50 Professional, slightly than that telephone being a downgraded model for £599/€699.
The Edge 50 Fusion, the opposite handset within the lineup, looks as if a a lot better purchase at simply £349/€349. However after all, the success of those telephones goes far past specs; it stays to be seen how properly they carry out in real-world utilization – will they be among the many finest telephones you should purchase, or simply the perfect Motorola telephones?
We don’t have lengthy to attend to search out out within the UK: they’ll be on sale there “from mid-Could”, although a particular date is but to be revealed. And nothing has been introduced concerning US availability up to now.