The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is hands-on with Moto’s new mid-range choice

Motorola has officially announced the Edge 50 Pro internationally, and I had the opportunity to spend some time with the phone before its release. Motorola wanted the Edge 50 Pro to stand out in the competitive Android market, and it does. This is a nice-looking phone that comes in a variety of appealing colors and two separate back textures.

The Edge 50 Pro, released alongside the Motorola 50 Edge Ultra, is a £599/€699 mid-range Android phone with plenty of storage, a sleek design, and a few AI features. Continuing this trend, Motorola has added a new smartphone to its inventory in the form of the Moto Edge 50 Pro. The cellphone has been priced in India starting at, putting it up against the Vivo V30 and Redmi Note 13 Pro+, both of which are promising smartphones in the segment. Is the Motorola Edge 50 Pro capable of outperforming its competitors in the real world? Read this review to discover out.

MOTOROLA EDGE 50 PRO KEY FEATURES

This year, Motorola is all about sensory experiences and shifting the focus from specs to lifestyle – at least that’s what they’re selling us with the Edge 50 Pro. Colors, materials, experiences, and AI are where the marketing focus is, but we’ll strive to stay pragmatic and avoid getting too bogged down in the esoteric.

More to our liking are numbers in general, and the 6.7-inch OLED is both sharp (1220p) and fast (144Hz), as well as bright (2000nits, according to Motorola). There are also camera specifications to enjoy, most notably the main camera’s f/1.4 aperture. It’s also good to see a true three-camera system, including the telephoto, and the ultrawide’s autofocus merits special mention right away. We’re less thrilled with the Edge 50 Pro’s processor, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. Perhaps you recall that the Edge 40 Pro got the flagship Snapdragon last year, but this year’s Pro is different – a lineup restructure in 2024 means an Ultra at the top, like there was one generation previously, and that one gets the top-tier chipset. Meanwhile, the Pro moves down to an upper-midrange status; we’ll see where it stands on the value meter as we continue.

However, the charging capability is about as flagship-grade as they come: at 125W and 18 minutes from empty to full, the specifications are more than encouraging, albeit with some limitations. The 50W wireless charging rating is a considerable upgrade over the previous generation’s 15W, even if the 4,500mAh capacity isn’t particularly substantial. We enjoy the reasonably compact dimensions and pocket-friendly weight, and the IP68 rating is quite welcome (as is the ‘Pro’ label).

MOTOROLA EDGE 50 PRO UNBOXING

Motorola unboxings have become somewhat of a pleasure in recent years, thanks to the company’s practice of applying scent on the interior of the box – that is certainly ‘a distinct sensory experience’ that you will not get with other companies. We’ll concede that this has little practical benefit, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like it. That’s in addition to the packaging being devoid of plastic and produced from 80% recyclable materials, which is always a plus.

In addition to the phone, you will receive a TurboPower adapter. The maximum output varies depending on the phone’s area and/or version. Our 12GB/512GB Euro spec contains the 125W charger, as will the 12GB/256GB option, but the 8GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB variations will come with a 68W charger (as far as we can tell – double-check with your vendor). A USB-C cable is also supplied.

The package also includes a snap-on back cover that has a semi-transparent frosted look. The color of this accessory will be matched to the phone’s color scheme, which for our Luxe Lavender review unit is dubbed Blue Heron (in Pantone speak).

CAMERA

The camera array is easily the most distinguishing feature between the Edge 50 Pro and the Ultra. The Edge 50 Pro has a measly 10MP telephoto and 13MP ultrawide sensor, neither of which provided enough resolution to make photographs stand out in my early testing. Secondary cameras feel like an afterthought, which is understandable given the need to keep mid-range costs low.

However, the plot works much better with the main camera. This 50MP sensor offers a wide f/1.4 aperture to let in a lot of light, OIS, and rapid autofocus. I’ve been shooting photos for the past few days, and while there is a lot of sharpening going on, giving some detailed photographs a little false appearance, the results are largely wonderful, with lots of vivid colors and natural bokeh.

Motorola is emphasizing AI, and the camera features an ‘Intelligent Photo Enhancement Engine’. According to the brand, this is designed to remove the guessing’ from photography, resulting in strong images with no fuss. I believe this is what is pushing up the sharpness.

DESIGN AND SCREEN

For those looking for a stylish design and a slim form factor, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is ideal. The handset has a curved screen design and a vegan leather back, giving it a sophisticated appeal. Interestingly, the manufacturer has added a fragrance to the device, which improves its overall appeal. While we’re not sure how long the fragrance will linger, its sweet scent is sure to put you in a good mood even during stressful calls.

The smartphone also feels strong, thanks to its aluminum frame with a subtle matte texture, which provides a firm hold on the handset. The handset is lightweight (186g) and thin (8.19mm), making it easy to hold. Furthermore, the Motorola smartphone is IP68 certified for water and dust resistance, ensuring all-weather use. Despite the tiny hump, the rear camera module, which includes triple sensors and an LED flash, is flush with the body, giving it a seamless appearance. However, the camera sensors protrude slightly beyond the frame, causing the gadget to wobble when placed flat on a surface.

The Edge 50 Pro is available in three colors: Luxe Lavender, Black Beauty, and a limited-edition Moonlight Pearl. The latter has an acetate finish around the back rather than vegan leather. Our review unit arrived in Luxe Lavender, a bold shade that may not appeal to everyone. If you prefer something more modest, Black Beauty could be a better option. Each color version comes with a matching snap-on case for extra durability and flair.

The front of the Motorola Edge 50 Pro features a 10-bit 6.7-inch pOLED 3D curved display with 1.5k resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, DCI-P3 color, and 2,000 nits brightness. Aside from a few unintentional touches that are common with curved panels, the display is an absolute joy to use. Pantone certification ensures precise color representation. To experience this, change the display color profile from Vivid to Natural in the settings menu. The colors are quite vibrant and vivid, with deep blacks, whether indoors or outdoors. The HDR10+ support ensures a flawless viewing experience even in direct sunshine.

The 144Hz refresh rate feels buttery smooth throughout the UI and compatible apps. While not as dynamic as an LTPO panel, the Edge 50 Pro’s display refresh rate can drop as low as 60Hz, depending on the content on the screen. The display also includes eye health features including blue light protection, DC dimming, reduced motion blur, and flicker protection, among others. Dolby Atmos stereo speakers with Spatial sound and head-tracking capabilities enhance the viewing experience by making everything sound broader and crisper, even at high volumes.

HOW’S THE PERFORMANCE?

The Motorola Edge 50 Pro runs Android 14 with Motorola’s in-house enhancements, dubbed Hello UI (“Hello, Moto!”). The company guarantees three OS updates and four years of security patches (which will be supplied weekly, we’re assured). This is our first meeting with a Moto running Android 14 and the first time we’ve seen the Hello logo. We’ve previously stated that Motorola’s software resembles AOSP with some extra in-house functionality and finishing touches, and this remains true to a great extent. Even something as simple as a font can bring a lot of personality, and Motorola has done so expertly. If you want customization, Motorola offers an AI-generated wallpaper option called Style Sync, which allows you to have a background tailored to your outfit right now.

The customizations are stored in the standard Moto app ‘hub’, which has been restyled for this version. Things are now more cleanly ordered, with categories having a large number of entries, such as Gestures, fitting everything on a single page with no scrolling. Moto Unplugged and Family Space are two features that restrict access to apps and features for one of two reasons: to relax or keep focused, or to control a child’s phone usage.

Buy it if...

• The body is light and compact, with a gripping back and fascinating color possibilities. It is dust and water-resistant to IP68 standards.
• Excellent display – bright and sharp at 144Hz.
• Wireless charging is also available, in addition to class-leading charging speed (with the 125W adaptor).
• Great software bundle – looks stock and has a ton of useful additional functions.
• Overall, all cameras produce excellent photo quality under all conditions.
• High-quality selfies.

Don't buy it if…

• The chipset is underpowered for the price.
• The video quality is not nearly up to par.
• The bundled charger varies depending on the memory version.

FULL SPECIFICATION