Motorola Edge (2022) review: Edge-appropriate

Regardless of its bland, under-protected, all-plastic construct, the Motorola Edge (2022) is likely one of the model’s sharpest and most value-packed Edge sequence choices so far. Bolstered by long-overdue enhancements to its software program replace coverage and killer battery life, the 2022 Edge would possibly discover a new viewers nearer to the mid-range, although the full-priced unlocked mannequin’s attraction is dulled by ultra-competitive rivals.

Motorola’s Edge sequence has had a turbulent few years. It’s solely been round since 2020, but it feels just like the Edge has tried to speedrun the lifetime of a smartphone. We’ve seen it dabble within the flagship sphere with combined outcomes, however it’s by no means solely dedicated its future to the higher crust. Now, for its vanilla “flagship,” Motorola is altering tact altogether — the Edge is heading for the higher finish of the mid-range. Will the transfer be sufficient to tackle a crowded market? Let’s discover out in our Motorola Edge (2022) review.

What you must know concerning the Motorola Edge (2022)

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• Motorola Edge (6GB/128GB) — T-Cellular: $498
• Motorola Edge (8GB/256GB) — Unlocked: $599 ($499 at launch)

The third-generation Motorola Edge (2022) arrived in September 2022 as a successor to Motorola’s 2021 mannequin of the identical title. It continues the shift in the direction of affordability we noticed with its predecessor, although the Edge (2022) feels way more dedicated to the brand new position with $100 knocked off the MSRP of the bottom mannequin in comparison with the $699 unlocked Edge (2021). It sits under the premium-focused Motorola Edge Plus (2022) to a stunning diploma contemplating that cellphone’s $999 asking worth — one thing we didn’t really feel it earned.

You’ll discover laborious plastic stretched throughout the again panel and the body, with a Gorilla Glass 3 show to finish the bundle. At 6.6-inches, the Full HD OLED show misplaced a couple of quarter of an inch from the earlier mannequin, however slimmer bezels supply an improved screen-to-body ratio. It hasn’t misplaced its clean refresh price although, which sits at a crisp 144Hz.

Contained in the glass and plastic physique, Motorola tapped the brand-new Mediatek Dimensity 1050 chipset to maintain the lights on, which you’ll pair with as much as 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The default is 6GB and 128GB, respectively, and the decrease configuration will prevent a bit cash. Backing the processor and storage is a hefty 5,000mAh battery and as much as 30W “Turbopower” charging. The Edge gives 15W wi-fi and 5W reverse wi-fi charging as properly, in case you must share some juice.

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We examined the Motorola Edge with Android 12 and the sunshine My UX pores and skin onboard. It ran the July 1, 2022 safety replace and the March 1, 2022 Google Play system replace. Motorola hasn’t been recognized for its replace commitments, however the Edge (2022) looks like a step in the proper course. It’s tapped for 3 full Android updates (although one in every of them might be Android 13) and 4 years of safety patches.

Like most telephones — each budget-friendly and costly — the Motorola Edge comes with little or no within the field. You’ll discover a USB-C cable with a SIM ejector instrument and a few important paperwork, however you would possibly discover modifications to the field. The basic deep blue cardboard is gone in favor of a pure tan with soy-based ink particulars. That is Motorola’s first system to return in 100% plastic-free packaging, and it’s indicative of what the model says is a bigger shift towards sustainability.

The Motorola Edge launched on T-Cellular on September 1, 2022, for a limited-time launch worth of $498. It’s going to even be obtainable by means of retailers like Greatest Purchase and Amazon unlocked for $599. For those who’re , it’s greatest to undertake the Edge early, as the value for the unlocked mannequin will briefly begin at $499. Different carriers together with AT&T and US Mobile may also promote the cellphone however have but to verify pricing. A Verizon mannequin with mmWave 5G assist may also arrive afterward, although once more, we’ve but to listen to phrase on the value.

Whereas the Motorola Edge is a North American unique, those that dwell exterior of america and Canada have the Motorola Edge 30 sequence as an alternative.

The Motorola Edge is available in a single coloration: Mineral Grey.

What’s good?

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One among our foremost expectations for any Motorola system is a clear, simple software program expertise. The Motorola Edge delivers in spades, bringing My UX to the forefront with loads of customization choices. It delivers nearly no Motorola bloatware, as an alternative choosing Google’s model of nearly the whole lot. There have been just a few additional T-Cellular apps and a replica of Fb on our review unit, however they’re simple sufficient to uninstall.

Together with My UX, the Edge locations a major emphasis on Motorola’s Prepared For app, which trickles down from the top-tier Edge Plus. It’s primarily the corporate’s model of Samsung Dex, permitting you to show your pc or TV right into a base to your cellphone. From there, you possibly can both forged video games and pair them with an Xbox controller for straightforward entry or go for a full desktop expertise. With the latter, the Edge turns into your trackpad and keyboard, and you’ll navigate by means of the whole lot else as when you had a laptop readily available.

Motorola’s new dedication to the longer term is maybe extra vital than the software program itself. We’ve lamented the model’s weak software program assist up to now, however the Motorola Edge now comes with the promise of three Android variations and 4 years of software program updates. It’s nonetheless not a Samsung-level of dedication, however it provides the Edge some additional longevity and places it according to competing manufacturers like OnePlus. Android 13 would be the first replace, however you’ll nonetheless get assist by means of Android 15 into 2026.

It may possibly’t contact Samsung, however Motorola’s significant software program dedication provides the Edge (2022) legs to final into the longer term.

The Edge additionally packs a fairly spectacular show. Quick refresh charges, excessive resolutions, and waterfall edges have been hallmarks of the sequence, and the most effective two of the three are again. Motorola’s 6.6-inch flat OLED panel packs a crisp, adaptive 144Hz refresh price that leaves a lot of its competitors within the rearview, and it feels clean by means of absolutely anything you throw at it. Combine within the Dolby Atmos stereo audio system, and you’ve got a terrific cellphone for having fun with streamed content material. I didn’t discover any distortion from the audio system, however you possibly can at all times pair your favourite wi-fi earbuds when you don’t need to distract others.

For those who forgot to cost these wi-fi earbuds, you can provide them a lift with Motorola’s new 5W reverse wi-fi charging. It’s not very quick, however it’ll save your equipment in a pinch. In any other case, Motorola boasts that the Edge will go for 2 days on a full cost from its 5,000mAh cell (200mAh bigger than the Motorola Edge Plus (2022). I had no issues utilizing the cellphone all day with average use and was going to mattress with round 45% remaining. That’s mightily spectacular; even when a full two days is a little bit of a top-end estimate for low use, most will get a minimum of a day and a half out of it.

Motorola’s 30W Turbopower charging refills it lots quick, too. It topped the Motorola Edge up from 5% to full in about 70 minutes. In fact, you’ll must supply your personal charger as there isn’t one within the field — a Energy Supply brick will do the job. The cellphone additionally helps 15W wi-fi charging by way of Motorola’s Turbopower pads, or simply common Qi wi-fi charging.

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One final piece of reward for the Motorola Edge — it’s good to see an OEM trot out a bit sustainability pledge once in a while. Motorola has declared the Edge to be the primary solely carbon offset system, and it arrives in 100% plastic-free packaging. On the very least, it’s a handsome field. Whereas there’s in all probability extra that Motorola might be doing once you look over its carbon offset program, it’s a begin on the very least. If you wish to study extra about carbon offsets, take 20 minutes and let John Oliver enlighten you — it’s value it.

What’s not so good?

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Plastic is now not a assure all through the higher mid-range market. Rivals just like the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6a, Apple’s iPhone SE (2022), and the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G all sport steel frames on the very least. Motorola, then again, feels content material to double down on plastic throughout. The result’s an Edge that’s feather-light within the hand however doesn’t really feel remotely premium. You possibly can inform it’s plastic from the second you choose it up, and the uninteresting Mineral Grey end — the one coloration possibility — is more than pleased to point out off fingerprints and smudges in direct lighting.

Persevering with with the design, the Motorola Edge isn’t all that thrilling to take a look at. You’ll in all probability spend most of your time staring on the show — which, as we famous, is a beautiful panel — however the general design is nearly equivalent to that of the 2022 Moto G Energy or Moto G 5G fashions; these are two telephones that may be had for considerably much less cash. The again panel is dominated by a camera bump that follows Motorola’s fashion information to the letter and is barely interrupted by a small “M” emblem in any other case.

The Edge (2022) could be unmistakeably Motorola, however the plastic construct is something however premium, and the single-option grey colorway is, properly, bland.

The Gorilla Glass 3 that protects the show is a grade or two under what we’ve come to anticipate from telephones on this worth tier. Nonetheless, if there’s one different notable flaw with the Edge’s in any other case good show, it’s the position of the fingerprint reader. It sits low sufficient on the panel that I nearly should stretch my thumb down to succeed in it. Relying on the way you maintain your cellphone and the way huge your fingers are, you will have a neater time, however most will discover it a great way to get your thumb calisthenics for the day. On the intense aspect, I by no means had points with pace or accuracy — solely placement.

One factor that has steadily change into nearly a assure within the mid-tier smartphone worth vary is a stable IP ranking. Every of the rivals talked about above gives a minimum of IP67 safety, however not the Edge. Regardless of being tied as the costliest of the lot with the Pixel 6, Motorola’s 2022 entry gives simply an IP52 certification. It’s going to defend the system from some splashes of water and some extent mud, however it’s far under the extent of the competitors.

Geekbench 53DMark Wild Life

The Motorola Edge’s Dimensity 1050 chipset is lots succesful, a minimum of in comparison with most mid-range methods in the marketplace. I didn’t discover any struggles or lag by means of my day-to-day use, and streaming or scrolling by means of social media felt particularly mild. If you flip your consideration to the benchmarks, it even breezes previous Motorola’s inexpensive 5G choices just like the Moto G Stylus 5G and Moto G 5G. The Galaxy A53 5G tells the same story. Nonetheless, these mid-rangers are removed from probably the most highly effective contenders within the Edge’s worth bracket.

For those who get it for $499 proper off the bat at launch, you’ll in all probability be proud of how the Edge compares to telephones round that worth. Nonetheless, when you’re paying the complete $599 MSRP for the unlocked mannequin and anticipate it to maintain up with the likes of the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6a, the iPhone SE, and even the close by OnePlus 10T, you would possibly come away disenchanted. Google’s telephones high the Edge on each the Geekbench 5 and 3DMark rating — with even the cheaper Pixel 6a roughly doubling the latter quantity. The hole is even greater when set in opposition to the OnePlus 10T (priced simply $50 larger), which trounces the Edge in default mode, although you can even activate an non-compulsory efficiency mode to go away Motorola additional within the mud.

Motorola Edge (2022) camera review

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Motorola shed just a few megapixels on its newest Edge sequence camera — about half of them, in truth. It dropped from a 108MP shooter in 2021 to a 50MP possibility for 2022, however there’s not a lot doom or gloom available. The sensor itself barely shrank, the pixels grew barely. The 2022 Edge additionally gives a wider aperture (f/1.8) than its predecessor (f/1.9). Meaning it is best to be capable of let in just a bit bit extra mild for a shallow depth of subject. The camera bins photographs to 12.5MP by default, although you possibly can faucet into the complete 50MP decision at any level if you want.

You would possibly say just a few of these shed megapixels migrated over to the ultrawide lens, which now packs a 13MP decision. The pixels themselves, nevertheless, are precisely the identical measurement, as is the utmost aperture (f/2.2). It dropped one diploma in its subject of view, rounding right down to a pleasant even 118 levels. Extra importantly, Motorola’s ultrawide camera doubles as its macro shooter — we’re at all times glad to commend a bit double obligation over a throwaway low-res macro shooter. The Edge does even have a 3rd lens — a 2MP depth sensor — however it’s principally simply alongside for the experience for portrait pictures. Sadly, meaning there’s no telephoto possibility for optical zoom.

Portrait2x zoomPortraitCustomary

As you possibly can see all through the samples above, the Motorola Edge’s major camera is greater than as much as the duty in most eventualities. It replicates coloration properly, and light-weight digital zoom doesn’t come at the price of too many particulars. The clouds are barely blown out within the scene with the “Open” flag, however they’re extra precisely depicted floating above the sunshine blue signal.

Motorola’s portrait mode is sweet general, although it doesn’t at all times detect the perimeters of non-human objects. For instance, I centered on the lamp submit within the middle picture, however the Edge solely blurred the far background. The picture of the teacup flowers is a greater end result, although it’s probably due to the better distance from the topic to the background. I’ve no actual complaints concerning the macro camera, both, because it captured loads of element within the yellow flowers and feels way more versatile than a devoted shooter would have.

UltrawideCustomary2x zoom5x zoom

The Motorola Edge (2022) gives three buttons throughout the underside of the viewfinder — macro, 0.5x, and 1x zoom. It clearly comes with the expectation that you simply’ll do plenty of zooming out somewhat than in, however I discovered it succesful in both course. The ultrawide camera typically retains particulars properly, a minimum of within the above four-image comparability. Evaluating the chimineas with the slider, the ultrawide’s colours are noticeably muted, particularly the reds. You possibly can see some stretching and distortion across the edges, particularly within the leaves closest to the nook across the yellow constructing and the furthest-left chiminea.

As you make your approach by means of the focal vary, I discovered that the Motorola Edge carried out properly a lot of the approach contemplating it doesn’t have devoted zoom {hardware}. Each particulars and coloration are correct sufficient for usable snaps at as much as about 5x, regardless that the leaves within the background start to get a bit muddy at that stage. The shingles and the cupola on the yellow constructing are a lot cleaner compared.

Low mild with HDREvening mode indoorsEvening mode outside

The Edge’s efficiency at evening is about as diversified as they arrive. For those who discover a scene that doesn’t depend on the automated evening mode, you will get some wonderful outcomes, as within the picture on the left. It’s sharp and properly uncovered and stands in stark distinction to the photographs on the proper. The small figurine seems flat and lifeless, and the colours aren’t enhanced near the evening mode capabilities of rivals. The small pavilion to the far proper falls someplace within the center — it has just a few muddied particulars, particularly within the again, however it gives higher coloration recreation general.

CustomaryPortrait

The Edge lets its 32MP selfie camera stand as the one interruption to the 6.6-inch show, and it delivers acceptable photographs. It bins from the complete decision right down to 8MP by default, and I didn’t have too many points with the colours or readability. The portrait shot is a bit punchier, particularly on my shirt, however I gained’t complain an excessive amount of for one cause — no extra magnificence filtering. Motorola’s previous few choices have been stricken by heavy-handed processing that renders your face all however unrecognizable, however the Edge feels far more pure. Sarcastically, it may use some assist in its edge detection. The selfie camera missed parts of my hair, which isn’t widespread on most different telephones.

Sadly, video continues to be not the Edge’s energy, because the rear camera tops out with 4K at 30fps or 1080p at as much as 60fps. It’s nearly a given to have 4K at 60fps at this worth level, so this can be a huge miss. The rear ultrawide camera can solely deal with 1080p at 30fps, however it jumps again to 60fps when set to macro mode.

Motorola Edge (2022) specs

Motorola Edge (2022) review: The decision

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

We’ve given Motorola a good quantity of constructive criticism in our reviews in recent times and the Edge (2022) looks like the primary cellphone the place it’s being taken to coronary heart. It’s nonetheless removed from the entire article, however it takes just a few huge steps in the proper course. The overdue enchancment to the replace dedication goes a great distance. Even when it’s solely now according to the pack and never on the high with Samsung and Google, it’s nice to see Motorola promising to assist its telephones long-term.

The camera setup has some points with evening pictures and video high quality that hold it out of the massive leagues, however it’s a stable performer in most eventualities. Equally, whereas the cellphone continues to be plastic and the IP52 ranking lags properly behind much more inexpensive units, the mid-range Edge typically feels extra settled than its not-quite-flagship relations whereas nonetheless excelling with its wonderful show and spectacular battery life.

The Motorola Edge (2022) is the sharpest Edge cellphone in fairly a while, however provided that you will get it on the proper worth.

At its full MSRP of $599, nevertheless, there are two shut rivals that give Motorola a very powerful run for its cash — the Google Pixel 6 ($599 at Amazon) and the OnePlus 10T ($649.99 at Amazon). The previous excels with its stellar cameras, whereas the latter blows the Motorola Edge out of the water within the efficiency stakes due to the would possibly of the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. In the meantime, the Pixel 6 gives fast and common updates, whereas the OnePlus 10T packs the quickest charging of any cellphone obtainable within the US. Of the 2, the Pixel 6 is by far the higher all-rounder, although the OnePlus 10T is the flagship killer of alternative for energy customers on a funds.

If you will get Motorola’s newest Edge at its launch worth of $499, accomplish that — the cellphone thrives within the sub-$500 sphere. At its full retail worth, the Edge is considerably dulled in opposition to wonderful competitors.

Motorola Edge (2022)

Glorious 144Hz show • Prepared For connectivity enabled • Lengthy-life battery

The Edge dips its toes into the higher mid-range, the place it in all probability ought to have been all alongside.

The Motorola Edge smartphone packs a superb OLED show with a crisp and adaptive 144Hz refresh price. The software program gives stable efficiency and a variety of customization choices. This cellphone has a long-lasting battery.

High Motorola Edge (2022) questions and solutions

Is the Motorola Edge (2022) waterproof?Is the Motorola Edge (2022) 5G-capable?

Sure, the Motorola Edge (2022) helps 5G throughout sub-6GHz and mmWave bands, although the latter is Verizon solely.

Does the Motorola Edge (2022) have a microSD slot?

No, the Motorola Edge (2022) solely has a single nano-SIM slot.

Does the Motorola Edge (2022) have wi-fi charging?

Sure, the Motorola Edge (2022) gives 15W Turbopower wi-fi charging (or non-proprietary Qi wi-fi charging) and 5W reverse wi-fi charging.

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