Motorola Edge 50 Neo Review: A Budget Smartphone That Almost Does It All

In the budget smartphone market, it’s rare to find a device that seems to check all the boxes. The Motorola Edge 50 Neo comes close, offering a well-rounded package with an attractive design, good performance, solid battery life, versatile cameras, and a great screen—all in a comfortably portable size. But is it the budget phone that can truly do it all? Let’s dive into the details.

Pros

• Good screen
• Interesting design
• Versatile cameras

Cons

• Not the absolute best photo quality
• Other smartphones are more powerful
• Side buttons are a little small

Key Features

Telephoto Camera

The Edge 50 Neo includes a 3X telephoto camera, which is a rare feature in this price range, allowing users to zoom in further than most competitors.

One-Handed Design

Weighing just 171g and sporting a 6.4-inch display, the Edge 50 Neo is designed to be easy to use with one hand, making it a great choice for users who prefer compact devices.

Vibrant Color Options

The Edge 50 Neo stands out with its vibrant color options, including Poinciana red, Nautical Blue, Grisaille (grey), and Latte (brown). These colors help the device break away from the usual black, white, and grey smartphones.

Introduction

Few companies have left as big a mark on the mobile industry as Motorola. From pioneering the first mobile phone to dominating the early 2000s with the Razr lineup, Motorola has had its ups and downs. After being sold to Lenovo, the brand has become synonymous with budget-friendly devices, particularly through its Moto G series.

The Edge lineup, however, is Motorola’s attempt to break away from the budget mold and offer something more experimental. The latest in this series is the Motorola Edge 50 Neo, a budget-friendly option that promises good performance, a versatile camera, and a design that stands out.

But does the Edge 50 Neo do enough to compete in the crowded budget smartphone market? Let’s find out.

Design

Comes in a Variety of Colors

Motorola has taken a bold step with the Edge 50 Neo’s design, offering it in a range of vibrant colors. My review unit came in a striking “Poinciana” red, which certainly stands out in a sea of black and grey smartphones. Other options include “Nautical Blue,” “Grisaille” (grey), and “Latte” (brown). The addition of these color options injects a bit of personality into the phone’s design, making it more appealing to users who want something different.

Emphasis on One-Handed Usability

At 6.4 inches, the Edge 50 Neo’s display isn’t small, but its tall and thin aspect ratio makes it easy to use with one hand. Weighing just 171g, it’s also incredibly light, which is a refreshing change from some of the heavier flagship models like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max. The phone feels solidly built, and its IP68 rating ensures it can withstand dust and minor water exposure.

Screen

The Edge 50 Neo features a 6.4-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1256 x 2760 pixels, HDR capability, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The OLED technology ensures deep blacks and vibrant colors, making it ideal for watching videos and browsing photos. The high 3000-nit peak brightness also means you won’t struggle to see the screen in direct sunlight.

While the display may not be the largest, it’s a great size for users who prefer something more compact. You might find it a bit small for watching long-form content, but for everyday tasks, it’s more than adequate.

Camera

3X 10MP Telephoto Sensor

The Edge 50 Neo’s camera setup is one of its standout features in the budget category. It includes a 50MP main sensor, a 13MP ultrawide sensor, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3X zoom. The telephoto lens is a rare find in this price range and adds versatility to the camera system.

In good lighting conditions, the main sensor produces detailed images with accurate colors. The ultrawide and telephoto lenses perform well but struggle a bit in low-light conditions. Night mode helps brighten up shots, but don’t expect miracles. The selfie camera, a 32MP sensor, is also impressive, delivering warm and detailed images.

Performance

MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Processor

The Edge 50 Neo is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. While not the most powerful chip on the market, it’s more than capable of handling day-to-day tasks like browsing, messaging, and watching videos. It can even handle light gaming, though more demanding games like PUBG will cause the phone to heat up over time.

In Geekbench 6, the Edge 50 Neo scored a respectable 1052 in single-core and 3031 in multi-core tests, putting it on par with older flagship devices like the Snapdragon 870.

Software

The Edge 50 Neo runs on Android 14 with Motorola’s customizations. Motorola’s software is known for being clean and user-friendly, with useful features like the double wrist twist to open the camera and the double chop to turn on the flashlight. Motorola has also promised five years of updates, including security patches, which is a significant commitment for a budget device.

Battery Life

4310mAh Battery

The Edge 50 Neo is equipped with a 4310mAh battery, which is more than enough to get you through a full day of moderate use. In my testing, the phone lasted from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with about 32% battery remaining. With lighter use, you could easily stretch it into a second day.

When it comes to charging, the phone supports 68W fast charging and 15W wireless charging. The latter is a rare feature in this price range and a welcome addition. A 15-minute charge gives you about 44% battery, with a full charge taking around 46 minutes.

Final Thoughts

In the budget smartphone market, there’s rarely a device that can do it all, but the Motorola Edge 50 Neo comes closer than most. It offers an interesting design, versatile cameras, good performance, and solid battery life, all in a compact, one-handed form factor. While it doesn’t have the best camera or the fastest charging, its overall balance makes it one of the best budget smartphones available today.

If you’re looking for a phone that’s easy to use one-handed, has a versatile camera setup, and won’t break the bank, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo should be at the top of your list.

Where to Buy

Looking to buy the Motorola Edge 50 Neo? You can find it on Amazon here.