Motorola has been prominently featured on senses.se with its impressive Motorola Razr 40 and Motorola Razr 40 Ultra. With a broader strategy for the Nordic market, many of their phones aim to offer affordability with slightly reduced performance, while still providing a range of smart features and respectable specifications. This approach prioritizes keeping the price competitive, which they achieve effectively compared to many other devices, excluding their specialized flagship models.
The latest phone, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo, embodies this strategy. It presents itself as a standard phone initially, but quickly reveals intelligent features like Motorola Smart Connect, PANTONE-curated colors, MIL-STD 810H compliance, a protective case from agood company, guaranteed 5 OS updates (plus security updates), and currently includes moto buds+ (which we previously reviewed and found to be an excellent accessory).
All of this is available for 6,999 Swedish kronor.
So, is it a good phone?
In many aspects, yes. There is only one notable area for improvement, which we will address shortly.
First Impression – Motorola Edge 50 Neo
The phone feels light in hand, weighing in at 171 grams, which is notably less than the iPhone 15 Pro Max (221 grams) and Xiaomi 14 Ultra (220 grams). It’s closer to, but still lighter than, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 (187 grams). The dimensions suggest Motorola has taken user feedback into account regarding a preference for smaller mobile phone sizes. As the saying goes, millimeters can make a difference. While not as compact as the Asus Zenfone 8, it’s relatively close.
The four PANTONE color options available for the Edge 50 Neo are well-considered and visually appealing. They possess a unique and attractive quality. The package includes a case from agood company and a charging cable. A screen protector is pre-installed, but a charger is not included for the first time. This might be a one-off, as Motorola has traditionally been generous with accessories. Hopefully, this is not a new trend.
In summary, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo is an elegant phone with attractive colors and subtle accents, though its overall design is relatively understated.
Hardware
As mentioned, Motorola aims for affordability, which necessitates some compromises. The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor (also found in the Moto Razr 50) is one such compromise, which becomes apparent when compared directly to devices like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In general use, the performance is adequate, with only occasional lags noticeable, such as when launching the camera, particularly with other apps running. Game loading times are also slightly longer. While there are other instances, the performance impact is generally limited to multitasking scenarios. Otherwise, the phone operates smoothly.
The display is a 6.4” P-OLED with Super HD (2670×1220, 460 ppi) resolution, a brightness of 3,000 nits, and a 120 Hz refresh rate. These specifications are commendable, providing a clear, detailed screen with excellent sharpness.
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo features IP-68 water resistance and MIL-STD (Military Standard) 810h compliance. This signifies that the phone’s durability has been tested against conditions like vibrations, shocks (including gunfire and ballistic impacts), extreme temperatures, sand and dust ingress, and humidity. For example, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo can withstand temperatures ranging from -20 to +60 degrees Celsius. This robust build quality, combined with the promise of five OS updates, suggests long-term reliability. The battery life is rated at 34 hours with 68W TurboPower charging (charger not included), which aligns with our experience. A full day of use is easily achievable, and up to 30 hours is possible with moderate use.
Motorola Edge 50 Neo – The Camera
The phone is equipped with the following three cameras:
- 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.5″
- 10 MP, f/2.0, 73mm (telephoto)
- 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
The main camera features a Sony – LYTIA™ 700C sensor, which performs admirably, capturing sharp and detailed images. While the camera system isn’t top-tier, it offers respectable aperture values. However, the camera’s processing requires a bit of time. This is where the processor’s limitations become apparent. There’s a slight delay in capturing the photo and during post-processing. Once completed, however, the resulting images are of good quality.
Motorola’s Ingenious Innovations
Beyond Motorola’s signature gestures for flashlight and camera activation, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo incorporates several useful software features that enhance its overall value.
Motorola Smart Connect
We previously highlighted the capabilities of Logitech’s ecosystem, where keyboards and mice can seamlessly transition between up to three devices, regardless of the operating system, using Logi FLOW. Motorola has developed its own enhanced version of this functionality. With Smart Connect, you can link a tablet or phone to your computer via Bluetooth or WiFi with relative ease. You are not limited to a single device and can connect at least three simultaneously, potentially more.
Arranging the devices is similar to setting up multiple monitors, allowing you to use your keyboard and mouse to control them. This includes using the mouse pointer to launch apps and the keyboard to type messages on your phone.
What potential uses does this smart feature enable? Here are a few possibilities:
- Utilize your mobile’s superior external camera for video conferencing.
- Transfer images directly from your mobile to your computer without the need for cables or cloud storage.
- Drag images or screenshots from your computer directly into chat applications and send them.
- Compose messages in your chat programs using a physical keyboard.
- Arrange multiple chat programs side-by-side on your desktop.
- Access your bank-id through a mirrored window on your primary computer screen.
- Use your phone as a baby monitor while working (particularly useful with a Moto Razr, which allows flexible camera positioning).
Motorola Smart Connect quickly became a valued feature due to its ability to streamline tasks. Limitations include the requirement for Windows 10 (version 0.0 or later) and compatibility only with Lenovo or Motorola products. While iPad connectivity would be desirable, the restriction encourages users to remain within the company’s ecosystem.
Motorola Family Space
This feature is primarily aimed at readers with children. iPhone users can draw parallels with Parental Controls, while Android users may compare it to FamilyLink. In essence, it allows you to manage aspects of your child’s phone usage, including screen time, app installation permissions, bedtime schedules, and location tracking. The setup is straightforward and effective.
It is a free, cross-platform solution not exclusive to Motorola phones. While more advanced, multi-platform programs exist, they often require payment. This provides a fundamental and simple program for managing the most essential aspects of a child’s device usage.
Magic Canvas
This feature allows Moto AI to create a background image for your camera based on a photographed garment with an interesting pattern or a text description of your desired motif. It is simple, fun, effective, and the image is optimized for your phone’s display.
Conclusion Motorola Edge 50 Neo
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo can be summarized as “affordable,” but this shouldn’t be mistaken for “budget” or inferior. It prompts a reconsideration of the increasing normalization of smartphone prices reaching 12,000 to 25,000 Swedish kronor. Considering the typical lifespan of a phone, this represents a significant annual expense.
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo distinguishes itself with its focus on long-term value at a reasonable price of 6,999 Swedish kronor. This is particularly compelling considering its five-year OS update commitment. The phone offers a solid feature set without being top-of-the-line. The focus on sustainability, highlighted by the inclusion of a case from agood company, is also a positive aspect.
Overall, we are impressed with the Motorola Edge 50 Neo. It’s a well-rounded, stylish, and capable smartphone with a comprehensive range of features, offered at a price point that provides excellent value.
Motorola provided the review units for this test. The provision of review materials does not influence our editorial independence. We maintain an unbiased perspective, prioritizing the interests of our readers and consumers.
