Motorola Edge 50 Pro Review
Motorola's latest lightweight mid-ranger punches well above its weight
Verdict
With a nice design that’s well thought out, attractive colours and a healthy dose of flagship-level features, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a good pick for those who want an Android phone that looks a little different to everything else.
Pros
- Premium, lightweight design
- Full charge in 20 minutes
- Flagship-level screen
Cons
- Lacks processing power
- Only three OS upgrades
- Camera quality can be inconsistent
Key Features
- Very fast charging125W Turbo Power is supported and you get a charger in the box.
- Standout DesignVegan leather or pearl rear, combined with a slimline design, gives a distinct finish.
- Top-end screen techThe Edge 50 Pro’s 6.7-inch OLED screen is every bit top-end, from its 144Hz refresh rate to its 2000nits peak brightness.
Introduction
Motorola’s here to shake up the mid-range market with the £599 Motorola Edge 50 Pro, offering both style and substance in one tempting package.
It not only boasts a unique slimline design that makes alternatives seem comparatively chunky, but look a little closer and you’ll see an impressively specced screen with a fast 144Hz refresh rate, a versatile camera setup – including a rarely seen lens at the price point – and rapid fast charging that’ll get you untethered in no time at all.
It doesn’t always reach its lofty aims, but if you’re after a good-looking phone that doesn’t cost the Earth, the Edge 50 Pro should be a serious consideration.
Design
- Marble or vegan leather finishes
- Charming rear design
- Feels great to hold
Motorola wants the Edge 50 Pro to stand out among the crowded Android market, and it does. This is a good-looking phone, coming in a trio of attractive colours with two distinctive back materials.
There are two vegan leather choices, a very nice purple and a far more neutral black. Motorola’s vegan leather is soft, grippy and a lot warmer than the colder aluminium or titanium that much of the competition uses. The material, which Motorola says is constructed sustainably, also manages to eradicate fingerprint marks and should age well over time.
It’s clear that Motorola is trying to differentiate itself with this year’s Edge collection. I really like how the rear material and colour are pushed up and into the camera bump, making it feel like a complete device while also smoothing out the edges of said camera bump, allowing it to almost disappear into the rear casing.
It’s a stark change to the usual approach of using ostentatious camera housings to stand out from the crowd, and one that gives the Edge 50 Pro a rather elegant look – especially compared to much of the mid-range competition. Added touches, like the aluminium lens frames and frame of the body matching the colour of the rear panel, further elevate its look.
Alongside the leather, there’s also a white marble finish available that, according to Motorola, will have a unique patina on each device due to the manufacturing process.
It’s not just a good-looking phone; it’s a lightweight 186g that makes it the dream to use one-handed even with a 6.7-inch display, and boasts features like IP68 dust and water resistance and Qi wireless charging not often seen in the mid-range market – even at the upper end where the Edge 50 Pro sits.
The Edge 50 Pro sticks with the curved display of its predecessor, even if this trend is starting to lose popularity. I like how Google went to a flat display for the Pixel 8 Pro, and Samsung followed suit with the S24 Ultra, and I’d have liked to see Motorola make the switch too – but more on the display in a second.
The combination of a nice grippy textured rear, lightweight frame, curved screen and slim dimensions make the Edge 50 Pro an absolute delight to handle in everyday use, slipping in and out of my pocket with ease while added benefits like IP68 dust and water resistance and Corning Gorilla Glass protection gave me the confidence to not only use it one-handed, but do so without any kind of case.
If you’re in the market for a good-looking phone without the associated price tag, it’ll be hard to beat the Motorola Edge 50 Pro.
Screen
- 6.7-inch 144Hz OLED screen
- 1200p resolution
- 2000nits peak brightness
Despite the Edge 50 Pro’s mid-range price tag, the display is pretty much flagship-level. It’s a 6.7-inch OLED screen with support for premium formats like HDR10+ and 10-bit colour, and when combined with a surprisingly high 1.2K (1220 x 2712) resolution, makes for an exquisite viewing experience.
The use of an OLED panel means that blacks are inky and colours are vibrant, and those extra pixels make details pop on-screen. It’s a great panel for watching movies, especially with HDR content that can make use of the screen’s maximum 2000nits brightness for exceptional dynamic range.
It’s also fast – faster than most of the competition – at 144Hz, though it lacks the LTPO of more premium models that allow it to drop down to 1Hz to save battery life. Regardless, it helps the smartphone feel more responsive and smooth in everyday use, and allows for higher framerates in games. Well, it would if it were a little more powerful – but more on that in a bit.
I must admit, I’m not a huge fan of curved screens in 2024, but the curvature of the Edge 50 Pro’s isn’t as egregious as others I’ve seen. It’s rather subtle, making side swipes feel more comfortable without going to extremes. There’s still subtle shadowing on the long edges of the screen as a result, as with all curved screens, but it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.
There’s a fingerprint scanner embedded within the display for a more convenient unlocking system, though it’s not the most reliable I’ve used of late – even in a mid-ranger. The fingerprint scanner seems to take a couple of attempts before correctly recognising my fingerprint, so much so that most of the time I simply skip the step and input my PIN instead.
The combination of stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support means the audio experience is pretty solid. It’s more than loud and clear enough for me to listen to a podcast via the speaker while I prepare dinner, and it’s suitable for casual Netflix streaming or YouTube binges, but a lack of bass means you’ll want to switch to dedicated headphones for any serious audio sessions.
Performance
- Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip
- Up to 512GB storage and 12GB RAM
- Not quite as powerful as similarly priced options
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro sits below the Edge 50 Ultra (but above the Edge 50 Fusion) in Motorola’s new collection, and it doesn’t quite have the internal grunt of its pricier sibling. Qualcomm’s 8s Gen 3 chip makes way for the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, while there’s a max of 512GB storage rather than 1TB and a healthy 12GB of memory.
That translates to a solid everyday experience, though one that’s not quite up to matching its flagship brethren. I haven’t noticed any stuttering or lag per se, but it does feel like apps take a touch longer to load than they should, and there can be quite a delay not only when snapping pics but in waiting for Motorola’s built-in imaging AI to do its thing and enhance the images.
You’ll only notice the phone’s lack of power in the gaming department. If you’re a casual gamer playing basic 2D titles like Survivor.io or Candy Crush, you won’t notice any issues but as soon as you want to crank things up with a demanding 3D title – Genshin Impact is a good example – you’ll need to drop down the graphical settings to hit a manageable frame rate.
That’s a shame considering the screen can output a maximum of 144fps given the refresh rate – I can’t see many (or any) titles hitting such lofty heights on the Edge 50 Pro.
That experience is largely borne out in benchmark tests, with the Motorola Edge 50 Pro’s performance in line with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G and Honor 90, phones that cost £150 less than Motorola’s option. Rather ironically, it also falls behind last year’s Motorola Edge 40, which was already cheaper than the 50 Pro at launch in 2023 and is much cheaper a year on.
Simply put, performance isn’t a focus for the Edge 50 Pro. You can get similarly powerful phones for much less, or way more powerful phones for a similar amount if that’s essential for your needs.
Camera
- Triple camera array on the rear
- Dedicated 3x telephoto lens
- 50MP selfie camera
Easily the biggest difference between the Edge 50 Pro and the Ultra is the camera array – though don’t let that fool you into thinking that the Edge 50 Pro isn’t a capable snapper.
In fact, with a 10MP telephoto alongside its 13MP ultrawide and 50MP main, the Edge 50 Pro stands out in the mid-range market. Where most manufacturers would pair a mid-ranger with an ultrawide and a dedicated low-res macro lens to boost camera count, Motorola has gone all-in with three very functional lenses – and the effort has paid off.
The main camera – identical to last year’s Edge 40 – remains an impressive specimen. The 50MP camera is well specced with a 1/1.55-inch sensor and wide f/1.4 aperture to match, along with staples like OIS and ToF-based autofocus for rapid focusing tech.
As was the case with the Edge 40 from last year, the Edge 50 Pro uses its conjunction of a large sensor and wide aperture to capture impressive snaps in the daytime, packed with light, detail and vibrant colour, and it makes an admirable attempt at low-light photography too.
Low-light performance may not be quite as strong as you’ll find from the likes of the Pixel 8a, but the results are still natural. The f/1.4 aperture also comes with the added benefit of adding a natural bokeh (that trumps the Portrait mode) to close-up shots.
The 10MP 3x telephoto is, as noted, a great addition to the mid-ranger that lets you zoom in closer to the action without relying on the digital zoom used by most alternatives. That said, there is a notable difference in camera quality when you jump between the digitally zoomed 2x and dedicated 3x, and not always for the better, with shots in less-than-ideal lighting looking comparatively dim.
The 13MP ultrawide suffers from a similar issue to the telephoto, where images don’t always look quite as good as those captured from the 50MP main, but at least it can double up as a macro lens without those annoying low-res sensors, and can capture good enough shots in well-lit environments for sharing with friends and family.
With that said, the 50MP main camera will almost certainly be your go-to lens for use in most scenarios, delivering the kind of shots you’d happily showcase on social media. The secondary cameras are nice to have for added versatility, though.
Software
- Clean approach to Android 14
- Moto Gestures are a welcome addition
- Three OS upgrades
In stark contrast to much of the mid-range competition, Motorola goes all-in on a near-stock approach to Android 14. It’s a clean, refreshing alternative to skins like MagicOS, HyperOS and even Samsung’s OneUI seen at the price point, sticking closely to Google’s playbook for the Android 14 update.
That means that you get a Pixel-like experience, though without some of the fancy AI features of Google’s flagship, and where there are differences, these are generally for the better.
The Moto app is a handy one-stop-shop for these Android customisation options, allowing quick access to Motorola-exclusive features like the Karate chop move to turn the torch on and off, and a twist of the wrist to access the camera. These are admittedly long-time staples of the Motorola experience but remain some of the handiest around.
Motorola’s ReadyFor system is another huge benefit for Windows users, allowing you to not only connect to the phone from your PC or laptop wirelessly, but access files and apps, and even use the Edge 50 Pro as a PC webcam. It also features a Samsung DeX-like system that’ll turn the mobile OS into a desktop when plugged into a large external display.
There are a few odd omissions from the software, like the option of having an always-on display despite the use of OLED screen tech, but it’s largely a positive experience – and one that’ll continue to get better with a fairly average three years of OS upgrades and four years of security updates to come.
Battery life
- 4500mAh battery
- Enough for a full day’s use
- Seriously fast 125W charging with charger included
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro’s 4500mAh battery has the stamina to last a full day without much issue, but you likely won’t be able to stretch it far into a second day’s use without some sacrifices.
Most days, I’d reach the end of the day (with a healthy dose of scrolling through TikTok, texting, listening to music and sending emails) with around 20% left in the tank. That should be fine for the average user, but doesn’t leave much room for error for those longer-than-usual days.
However, I’d argue that it doesn’t matter as much as some mid-range competitors that can, admittedly, last a lot longer on a charge.
That’s because not only does the Edge 50 Pro support the same rapid 125W fast charging as the Edge 50 Ultra, making it one of the fastest charging phones around in 2024, but the 125W charger comes bundled in the box. That’s a refreshing change compared to a growing number of fast-charging flagships, let alone mid-rangers.
More specifically, the Edge 50 Pro regained 50% charge in just seven and a half minutes, with a full charge taking just 20 minutes – though the fast charge process does make the phone almost uncomfortably hot to hold at times. Regardless, this still makes the Edge 50 Pro one of (if not the) fastest-charging phones on the market in 2024.
That means that, even if you find your battery dwindling before the end of the day, a quick 20-minute top-up will give you all the juice you need to keep on going. Of course, it’d be nice if the battery just lasted a little longer, but given the thin, lightweight nature of the phone, this is a decent trade-off.
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
You want a capable, good-looking phone
The Edge 50 Pro’s design sets it apart from the mid-range market, and a smattering of flagship-level features help it punch above its weight in several key areas.
You want top-end processing power
The Edge 50 Pro is a lot, but it isn’t a powerhouse of processing power with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 that puts it in line with phones like the Galaxy A55 5G that cost around £150 less.
Final Thoughts
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is an impressive mid-range specimen that looks to break free of the commonplace look of similarly priced alternatives, offering a lightweight design in attractive finishes and colour options to suit most tastes.
It’s more than just a looker, however; the 144Hz 1.5K OLED screen is fast and detailed, ideal for both gaming and doom-scrolling on TikTok, it goes from flat to full in just 20 minutes with 125W charging (and a charger in the box no less), plus its near-stock approach to Android 14 is a refreshing change too.
The camera setup is another highlight; despite using the same main camera as last year’s Edge 40, it remains an impressive arrangement for the price point with a wide f/1.4 aperture that gives close-ups a natural bokeh, and the inclusion of a 3x telephoto camera at the £599 price point is a rarity. It’s not quite up to Pixel 8a levels, but it’s not far off either.
It’s not the most powerful phone around with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 delivering performance more in line with cheaper mid-rangers like the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G, but it can still deliver a smooth enough everyday experience – it’s just mobile gamers that should probably look elsewhere.
How we test
We test every mobile phone we review thoroughly. We use industry-standard tests to compare features properly and we use the phone as our main device over the review period. We’ll always tell you what we find and we never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
Used as a main phone for over a week
Thorough camera testing in a variety of conditions
Tested and benchmarked using respected industry tests and real-world data
You might like…
FAQs
Yes, you’ll get the full 125W fast charger in the box with the Edge 50 Pro.
It does indeed. In fact, with IP68 dust and water resistance, it’s more in-line with flagship protection.
Motorola has committed to three OS upgrades and four years of security patches for the Edge 50 Pro.
Trusted Reviews test data
Full specs
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
