This $500 Motorola proves you don’t need to spend more on flagship phones

Simply after I thought I used to be out, they pulled me again in. I’ve spent a superb chunk of the 12 months going by way of Motorola’s 2025 catalog. I assumed the Motorola Razr could be the top, however yet one more has not too long ago been launched: the Motorola Edge.

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Upon first look, it is not as flashy as a few of its siblings — like the Razr — because it solely is available in one Deep Forest grey shade. What it lacks in pizzazz, nonetheless, the Motorola Edge makes up for with a long-lasting battery and immersive multimedia capabilities.

Mini Cinematics

The 2025 Edge seems much like last year’s model, sporting a curved pOLED show, though its output is improved. It runs at Tremendous HD decision (2,712 x 1200 pixels) and has a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. For comparability, the older gadget had a FullHD Plus (2,400 x 1,080 pixels) display screen with 1,300 nits of peak brightness, so it’s a vital change. Additionally, it is a little bit bit greater at 6.7 inches.

There may be one draw back — if you happen to might even name it that. The 2025 Motorola Edge has a decrease refresh fee of 120Hz as an alternative of 144Hz. The distinction wasn’t that massive of a difficulty. 120Hz nonetheless permits for easy internet web page scrolling and on-screen content material. 

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Talking of content material, the smartphone homes a pair of Dolby Atmos stereo audio system that ship beefy audio. I even felt the bass hitting my fingers as I held the telephone. Film dialogue was freed from all noise or distortion. Collectively, the show and audio system allow a theater-like expertise within the palm of your palms.

I do have one nitpick. The curved glass may cause you to make unintentional inputs. Typically, whereas holding the telephone in a single hand, I might unintentionally choose a special video on YouTube.

Glossy design

The phrase “Edge” within the gadget’s title would not simply check with the curved glass, however its kind issue, too. It measures 6.35 x 2.88 x .0.31 inches, the slimmest mannequin in its collection. Like final 12 months’s mannequin, the smartphone has an additional button on the left; nonetheless, it has a special operate.

Additionally: I replaced my slab phone with Motorola’s $1,300 Razr Ultra for a week – and it’s very convincing

As an alternative of offering entry to Google’s platforms, it launches Moto AI, the corporate’s personal generative AI. You’ll be able to ask the AI mannequin your burning questions, very similar to ChatGPT, or activate certainly one of its 5 options. Picture Studio, for instance, has the telephone generate a picture for you, and Catch Me Up summarizes all your notifications.

I am not tremendous excited by generative AI, so it might’ve been good if I might remap the button to a different operate. Sadly, you’ll be able to’t. The most effective you are able to do is customise what motion is carried out inside the Moto AI app.

Mid-range efficiency

Underneath the hood is the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 alongside 8GB of reminiscence. This configuration permits the Motorola Edge to carry out higher than the 2025 Moto G Power. I loved graphically demanding cell video games like Honkai Star Rail in excessive decision, though there may be some stuttering. 

The telephone dealt with Star Rail simply high quality for many of my playtime. Nevertheless, as soon as the graphical results began to go loopy in-game, the 2025 Edge had a tricky time maintaining. Do notice that this can be a very particular state of affairs; I did not encounter any issues utilizing the cell gadget whereas searching the web.

When you’re a numbers particular person, beneath is an inventory evaluating the Motorola Edge’s cell benchmark outcomes to these of the 2025 Motorola Razr. You may discover that the 2 carry out at the same stage, though the Motorola Edge has (pardon the pun) a slight edge over its sibling.

Triple-threat digital camera

What actually impressed me is the three-lens digital camera system. It consists of a 50MP primary lens, a 50MP ultrawide digital camera, and a 10MP telephoto possibility. Each carried out very properly in my exams, delivering extremely detailed pictures and movies. Beneath is {a photograph} I took of flowers when out in the future. The file switch processor has compressed the picture a bit. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless clearly notice the colourful colours and particulars.

My favourite of the trio was positively the telephoto lens. The digital camera let me clearly file a pod of dolphins from about 200 ft or so away, zoomed in. I am unable to give all of the credit score to the lens, as optical picture stabilization stored the shot rock regular.

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That mentioned, I used to be not a fan of the picture saturation. Every photograph taken by the cameras had its shade artificially enhanced to be bolder than in actual life. This was notably egregious with the Macro device, which turned a light-weight blue flower into an unnatural purple.

Battery life: no complaints

Motorola claims the Edge can last as long as two days straight on a single cost. With informal utilization, that could be the case, however I ran a special check the place I performed a YouTube livestream till the battery gave out. In my expertise, the telephone lasted about 20 hours earlier than calling it quits.

The corporate states that its cell gadget helps quick charging and might obtain a 12-hour battery life in about six minutes. Nevertheless, you’ll need Motorola’s 68W TurboPower charger, which is a separate buy. I used an previous 33W OnePlus charger, and it took about an hour to succeed in 50%.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The Motorola Edge is at the moment retailing for $550 on the corporate’s official web site and Best Buy. It arrives unlocked, so you’ll be able to join the gadget to your most well-liked provider. I might advocate this smartphone to anybody searching for a cell gadget with stable efficiency, a long-lasting battery, and a lush OLED display screen.

If you’d like a telephone with some flexibility, I recommend wanting into the Motorola Razr. The Moto G Stylus can also be noteworthy for its top-notch output courtesy of its Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset.