In 2024, discovering a cellphone that’s actually distinctive is tougher than ever earlier than.
That’s very true for mid-range handsets, which all goal to pack in as many options as doable with out letting the costs attain flagship territory.
It makes a whole lot of sense, but in addition signifies that they’ll generally be slightly… boring. Should you’re seeking to make an announcement along with your mid-range cellphone selection, you could find yourself upset.
Nevertheless, Motorola has come to the rescue.
The brand new Edge 50 Neo (from £399.99/€499), certainly one of 5 Edge 50 telephones to reach in 2024, has a design that’s certain to show heads.
After I obtained it out of the field for the primary time, the brilliant crimson (formally ‘Pantone Poinciana’) colourway stopped me in my tracks. After 5 years of writing about tech, it’s very uncommon for a cellphone to do this.
The crimson end extends all the best way across the sides of the cellphone, giving it a genuinely distinctive look. This actually gained’t be to everybody’s tastes, however personally, I’m a fan. I like Motorola for providing this sort of factor in a world the place most cellphone makers play it protected with colors.
The brilliant crimson colourway stopped me in my tracks
Judging by official pictures, the gray (‘Pantone Grisaille’) and gold (‘Pantone Latte’) are slightly extra muted, although the blue (‘Pantone Nautical Blue’) appears to be simply as eye-catching.
Greater than a splash of paint
Nevertheless, it’s not simply the colors Motorola has chosen; it’s the supplies. The cellphone’s vegan leather-based again makes it really feel immediately premium, including the grip you merely don’t get with plastic- or glass-backed telephones. And naturally, you don’t want to fret about fingerprint smudges.
Alongside Corning’s robust Gorilla Glass 3 on the entrance, the cellphone feels impressively well-built and sturdy. It will get flagship-level IP68 water and mud resistance and meets the military-grade MIL-STD-810H for sturdiness.
Regardless of all this, it weighs simply 171g, making it one of many lightest telephones I’ve tried in years. It makes an actual distinction whereas in my pocket, which is often weighed down by a heavy slab of glass and metallic.
The premium expertise extends to the 6.4-inch pOLED display screen, which gives a decent 1.5K decision and LTPO refresh price as much as 120Hz.
It additionally will get impressively brilliant, with Motorola promoting a peak brightness of 2000 nits. In my quick time with the gadget, I couldn’t inform the distinction in comparison with flagships.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Underneath the hood, you’ll discover the MediaTek Dimensity 7300, which is a transparent step down from probably the most highly effective chipset MediaTek makes. Nevertheless, alongside 12GB of RAM, efficiency has been easy and dependable, although I haven’t examined demanding workloads similar to gaming simply but.
Software program is one other key power, with Motorola’s considerate additions to Android 14. Motorola can be providing 5 years of each OS and safety updates, making it the most cost effective cellphone to take action.
Snappy or toothless?
Moto AI additionally makes an look, however its major utility is for bettering pictures which brings me onto certainly one of my major issues for the Edge 50 Neo.
On paper, the cellphone’s triple rear lenses, consisting of a 50Mp Sony Lytia major, 13Mp ultrawide and 10Mp 3x telephoto, sound promising.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
However as you most likely know by now, that doesn’t imply the outcomes can be nice. A dimly lit area was a little bit of a combined bag – it was typically good at preserving particulars however struggled with shadows at occasions.
The true check will are available in well-lit situations and outside, the place folks are likely to take most of their pictures. Till then, the jury is out.
The opposite concern is battery life, with the Edge 50 Neo that includes only a 4310mAh cell. Motorola claims all-day battery life, however that capability is smaller than many rivals, together with the OnePlus Nord 4 (5500mAh) and Samsung Galaxy A55 (5000mAh).
To profit from quick charging, you’ll even have to purchase the 68W charger individually, although that’s not unusual today and it’s sooner than many flagship telephones together with the Pixel 9.
Any main weaknesses within the cameras and battery life might be dealbreakers for many individuals. With out additional testing, I can’t advocate the Edge 50 Neo but, however there’s no doubting its skill to face out from the group and I’ll have a full evaluate for you quickly.
The Edge 50 Neo has launched alongside the common Edge 50 (€599), Moto G35 (€199) and G55 (€249). Full UK pricing and availability is but to be revealed.
To see what the brand new Motorola units can be up in opposition to, see our round-ups of one of the best funds telephones and greatest mid-range telephones.