A survey conducted earlier this year showed that the first three models in Motorola's Edge 50 series were promising but expensive. Since then, the company has added a few new models, including the relatively compact Neo.
Motorola Edge 50 Neo
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo isn't small, but with a 6.4-inch display, it's smaller than most Android phones on the market. Compared to a Pixel 9 Pro, it's 1.3mm taller but 0.8mm narrower and 0.4mm thinner, not to mention 28g lighter. All this while offering a bit more screen real estate. The Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15 Pro are both smaller than the Neo, but they're about the only mainstream flagships that are.
The Edge 50 Neo isn't a flagship: the Dimensity 7300 chipset is the same one used in the $200 CMF Phone 1. However, the Neo stands out with several premium features. For one, that 6.4-inch display is an LTPO OLED with a resolution higher than FHD+ (the pixel density is higher than that of the iPhone 15 Pro). And it's a flat screen, unlike most Edge 50 models.
The Gorilla Glass 3 is certainly outdated (why not the 7i?), but the vegan leather and suede back looks really classy. And it's a pretty rugged phone with an IP68 rating and MIL-STD-810H compliance.
But what really caught our attention was the triple camera: there's a 3x 10MP telephoto module (73mm lens) on the back, in addition to the main 50MP module (1/1.5″) and the 13MP ultra-wide angle. The Asus Zenfone 10 and Sony Xperia 5 V don't have a telephoto lens (nor do the 2024 sequels, for that matter).
15W wireless charging is often omitted on these smaller phones as well, but not here. The 4,310mAh battery capacity falls between the S24 (4,000mAh) and Pixel 9 Pro (4,700mAh) batteries, but the 68W wired charging is faster than both.
We've reviewed the Motorola Edge 50 Neo and are working on a full review as well, so expect more details soon. For now, there's only one thing left to mention: the price.
At €500 for an 8/256GB model (UFS storage, but no expansion), the Neo isn't a cheap phone, but we wouldn't expect it to be, given the premium elements of its hardware. We'll have to check out the competition, though.
The Pixel 8a will have to hold out until the 9a arrives. It costs just over $500 for an 8/256GB device and while it doesn't have a dedicated telephoto lens, camera quality is pretty good overall. The 6.1-inch FHD+ 120Hz display isn't a 10-bit LTPO panel like the Neo, though. The 4,492mAh battery has a comparable capacity, but the inefficient Tensor G3 chipset makes for average battery life, and the 18W wired and 7.5W wireless charging is quite slow.
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion costs €400 for a 12/256GB unit and it also feels cheaper. The 6.7-inch 144Hz OLED display may look sleek with its curved sides, but it has a lower FHD+ resolution and is not an LTPO panel (the GG5 glass is also old). The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is only slightly faster than the Dimensity 7300. Additionally, the 50+13MP camera lacks a telephoto lens. Finally, the 5,000mAh battery only delivers 68W in wired mode and no wireless charging.
Google Pixel 8a • Motorola Edge 50 Fusion • OnePlus 12R • Realme GT 6
The OnePlus 12R is available for €550 in a 16/256GB configuration. This one has a flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and a high-resolution LTPO display – a rather large 6.78-inch panel. However, it lacks a telephoto camera (it has a 50+8+2MP configuration). Also, the 5,500mAh battery may be large and fast to charge via USB-C (100W), but it lacks wireless charging. Even the water resistance rating is only IP64.
The Realme GT 6 is another great model with a high-resolution 6.78-inch LTPO display. For €550, you can buy a 12/256GB phone with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and a decent telephoto lens – the short 47mm focal length is compensated by the high-resolution 50MP sensor. Water resistance is still not up to par (IP65), and the 5,500mAh battery only supports wired charging (120W).
Colors of the Motorola Edge 50 Neo
Maybe the arrival of the Pixel 9a will shake things up. Maybe the Xperia 5 VI will too, but it will cost double the price of the Neo. It will instead compete with the Xiaomi 15, at least in terms of price. Asus may or may not launch a smaller Zenfone 11.
The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is in a unique position: no two phones offer an identical hardware package at a comparable price. Has the Neo topped the “my next phone” list, or do you see any flaws?