Motorola Edge hands-on: A return to (mid-range) form?

I’ve been relatively crucial of Motorola’s current telephones. Nevertheless it looks like the corporate could have taken that criticism to coronary heart as a result of with the brand new Edge 2022 (to not be confused with the Edge+ from earlier this yr) it seems like we’re lastly getting a cellphone with good specs for a good worth and considerably higher software program assist.

The brand new, non-plus, Edge will get an enormous 6.6-inch OLED display that includes a 144HZ refresh fee just like its costlier sibling, together with a large 5,000 mAh battery, 6GB or 8GB of RAM and as much as 256GB of storage. As for its cameras, you additionally get a well-known 50MP primary sensor paired with a lower-res 13 MP ultra-wide cam (which may additionally shoot macros) and a depth sensor to assist with portrait-style pictures. The cellphone additionally helps 30-watt quick charging, 15-watt wi-fi charging and even reverse wi-fi charging for sharing juice with different units.

And whereas Motorola’s resolution to go along with a MediaTek Dimensity 1050 processor as a substitute of a extra typical Qualcomm chip is a bit uncommon, you continue to get compatibility for each sub 6Ghz and mmWave 5G, together with the brand new C-band spectrum. So whereas it’s not fairly as premium because the Edge+, it’s not far off.

However to me, an important improve is that for the Edge, Motorola is committing to a minimum of three main Android updates and 4 years of normal safety patches. Beforehand, software program assist (or lack thereof) was one in all Motorola’s largest weaknesses in comparison with different cellphone makers. The costlier Edge+ from this spring is simply slated to obtain two years of Android updates and three years of safety patches, whereas Moto’s cheaper G-series telephones fare even worse, typically solely receiving just one main OS improve.

That stated, there are a number of specs that might be improved. The Edge’s IP52 score for mud and water resistance means it’s not designed to deal with greater than a light-weight splash, which is form of weak for a mainstream mid-range cellphone. I additionally discover the dearth of a real third rear digicam a bit disappointing. I’d wish to see both a devoted macro cam or some form of telephoto choice.

However right here’s the factor, with a launch worth of round $500 ($498 on T-Cellular or $499.99 unlocked), these shortcomings aren’t almost as annoying as they might be on a costlier handset. The Edge+ additionally lacks a telephoto cam however has a full retail worth of $1,000 (although Moto has dropped the price of that cellphone to simply $750 in current months). And whereas the non-plus Edge is ready to get a worth bump down the road, even at its full $600 itemizing, it nonetheless feels such as you’re getting a superb deal.

In my quick time with the Edge Plus to this point, there are different small issues to understand. For a cellphone with a battery this massive, it’s surprisingly mild, weighing just below six ounces. The show additionally has a peak brightness of 1,300 nits, which is analogous to what you get on the costlier Galaxy S22. And whereas I’m nonetheless unsure how a lot of an impression the brand new RGBC colour filter is having on the standard of the Edge’s selfies, with the cellphone that includes a 32MP sensor in entrance, there aren’t any issues about decision.

It’s nonetheless too early to say if Motorola’s elevated consideration to software program assist is right here to remain. However after years of being annoyed by telephones that felt like they have been deserted after a yr or two, it’s good to lastly see the corporate reply to suggestions. And between its specs and a really engaging launch worth, the Edge is shaping as much as be a superb worth when it goes on sale someday within the “coming weeks.”