Motorola Edge 50 Neo Review

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is a strong contender in the sub-Rs. 25,000 smartphone category, offering a balance of display quality, camera performance, and battery life. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, it stands out with the promise of five years of OS and security updates.

Competing with the likes of the Nothing Phone 2a, Poco X6 Pro, Vivo T3 Pro, iQOO Z9s Pro, Realme 13 Pro, and OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G, this phone is priced at Rs. 23,999 for an 8GB+256GB variant, with discounts occasionally dropping it below Rs. 20,000 during sales.

Design: Stylish and Comfortable

• Dimensions: 154.1 x 71.2 x 8.1 mm
• Weight: 171 g
• Colors: Grisaille, Latté, Nautical Blue (reviewed), and Poinciana

With a vegan leather back and flat edges, the Edge 50 Neo is sleek and comfortable to hold, even without a case. The back panel features a subtle “Pantone Nautical Blue” branding, showcasing Motorola's design collaboration with Pantone. However, the camera module's placement prevents the phone from lying flat on surfaces.

Software: Minimal UI with Some Annoyances

• UI: Hello UI (based on Android 14)
• Security Patch: September 1, 2024

Motorola’s Hello UI offers a near-stock Android experience with unique features like Moto Unplugged and Family Space. Unfortunately, the preloaded MotoHub app downloads unwanted apps and sends frequent notifications, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite this, the promise of five years of OS and security updates is a standout feature.

Performance: Punchy and Reliable

• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300
• Memory: 8GB LPDDR4X
• Storage: 256GB (UFS 2.2)

The Dimensity 7300 chipset ensures smooth day-to-day performance and handles demanding tasks like gaming with ease. Popular titles such as Call of Duty Mobile and BGMI run smoothly without noticeable lag or throttling.

In benchmark tests, the Edge 50 Neo fares well against competitors like the Nothing Phone 2a and OnePlus Nord CE 4.

Benchmark	Motorola Edge 50 Neo	OnePlus Nord CE 4	Nothing Phone 2a
Geekbench 6 Single	941	1154	768
AnTuTu v10	669,224	814,981	688,079
3DMark Wild Life	1,271	5,423	4,165

Display: Smooth and Vibrant

• Screen: 6.4-inch pOLED
• Resolution: 1200x2670 pixels
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz

The display is bright and vibrant, with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for seamless scrolling. The colors can be adjusted to a more natural tone through the settings, making it versatile for all lighting conditions.

Camera: Reliable Across Scenarios

• Primary Camera: 50MP (OIS, PDAF)
• Ultrawide: 13MP (macro mode, PDAF)
• Telephoto: 10MP (3x optical zoom, OIS, PDAF)
• Selfie Camera: 32MP (AF)

The 50MP primary camera captures detailed and vibrant images in daylight and low-light conditions. The ultrawide camera doubles as a macro lens but performs best in well-lit settings. The 32MP selfie camera produces sharp results during the day but struggles slightly in low light.

Battery: Reliable Endurance

• Capacity: 4,310mAh
• Charging: 68W TurboPower (wired), 15W wireless

Despite its smaller battery size, the Edge 50 Neo offers over a day of usage, with fast 68W wired charging taking it to full capacity in just over an hour. Wireless charging is also supported, a rarity in this price range.

Verdict: Value for Money

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo delivers a great combination of performance, design, and features at its price point. The Dimensity 7300 chipset, robust camera setup, and long-term software support make it a compelling choice, despite the minor annoyance of bloatware.

If you’re in the market for a mid-range smartphone, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo stands tall among competitors like the Nothing Phone 2a, OnePlus Nord CE 4, and Realme 13 Pro.