Motorola Edge 50 Neo Is Efficient And Smells Like Cologne

It smells different, looks different, and feels different. The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is not just another mid-range phone; it’s a commitment to a mid-range that offers something more or at least something different from the competition.

In addition to its characteristic cologne scent when you first take it out of the box, the Edge 50 Neo presents itself as a sub-500-euro phone with a good-sized screen, ample internal storage, and a 50-megapixel main camera. Not bad, right?

Find out in this review of the Motorola Edge 50 Neo what my experience was like after testing it. As you may know, the 500-euro price range is one of the most competitive in the market, so it has to meet high expectations to be considered a viable alternative.

Who said the back case always has to be glass?

Neither glass nor hard plastic: the back of the Motorola Edge 50 Neo stands out with a leather-like finish, giving it a slightly rugged feel in hand.

This phone makes great use of its front (the screen-to-body ratio is 90.8%), so despite having a 6.4-inch panel, it doesn’t feel at all difficult to handle with one hand.

Additionally, it felt very lightweight to me, which is confirmed by the spec sheet, indicating a weight of 171 grams.

The color of the unit I tested was what Motorola calls “Latte,” which is essentially a salmon tone. The phone is available in three other colors (Grisaille, Nautical Blue, and Poinciana), all PANTONE colors, which the brand highlights as specially selected for this device.

The edges of the Edge 50 Neo are plastic, though they convincingly mimic metal. However, the more affordable finish is noticeable on the buttons (located on the right edge), which are clearly plastic and, a drawback for me, wobble slightly to the touch.

The lower part houses the SIM tray (dual, allowing for one Nano SIM and one eSIM), the USB Type-C charging port, and the dual stereo speaker.

The fingerprint reader is integrated into the screen, while the front panel is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

It has an IP68 certification for water and dust resistance, as well as a military-grade MIL-STD-810H certification, which ensures durability against extreme temperatures, humidity, dust, and more.

Furthermore, the manufacturer includes a protective case in the box, matching the color of the phone’s back.

A Great Screen, Both in Size and Image Quality

In addition to being relatively large, the screen on this Motorola phone also surprised me with its excellent image quality.

It has very vibrant colors, enhanced by HDR10+ technology, and boasts a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits, which is impressive in this price range.

Truly, the LTPO P-OLED panel is a pleasure for multimedia use. The 2,770 x 1,256-pixel resolution is more than enough for this size, and as mentioned in the design section, the front is well-utilized with very slim bezels.

The screen’s refresh rate reaches 120 Hz and is set to automatic by default, though you can choose to lock it at either 60 or 120 Hz depending on your preference.

The screen comes with the Intense color mode activated by default, so if you find it too saturated, I recommend going into settings and trying the Natural or Bright modes; you can also adjust the color temperature manually to your taste.

Even the dual stereo speaker stands out positively, offering a very clear audio quality.

Efficiency as a Priority in a 4-nanometer Processor

Equipped with a 4-nanometer MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, don’t expect the Motorola Edge 50 Neo to run the latest Call of Duty at the highest frame rates without breaking a sweat.

It’s the same processor found in phones like the Oppo Reno 12 Pro 5G and the CMF Phone 1, to name two devices we’ve reviewed in the same range that share this processor.

The processor is supported by a Mali-G615 MC2 GPU, and the RAM, at least in Spain, is offered in a 12 GB version.

As you may have noticed, this phone is not designed to compete with high-end models in terms of performance. It’s built for everyday use—switching between apps or browsing through the entire Instagram feed—with a smooth experience that, above all, optimizes battery consumption exceptionally well.

In Spain, the version of the Edge 50 Neo that Motorola distributes through its official website is the most equipped, with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of internal storage, which, it should be noted, is not expandable via external memory cards.

Three Cameras to Cover All Photography Needs

Unlike other phones in this price range that only come with two cameras, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo boasts a triple-lens setup designed for all situations:

• A 50-megapixel main lens with an f/1.8 aperture
• A 10-megapixel 3x optical zoom lens with an f/2.0 aperture
• A 13-megapixel wide-angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture

The camera performs well outdoors with its main lens, more than adequate for this range.

You’ll only notice a slight drop in performance when there are many colors in the scene, as it sometimes tends to oversaturate.

Overall, it’s the kind of camera you can take anywhere, knowing it will deliver good results. I took it to a family event, and I don’t regret choosing this phone at all.

Android 14 with Five Guaranteed Operating System Updates

Motorola promises five additional Android updates, as well as new AI features arriving in the coming years.

The brand includes some customization in its software layer, especially in the pre-installed apps. Still, it’s not the most aggressive UI on the market, and it has a visually pleasing style.

Of course, artificial intelligence plays a role: with moto ai, you can create images from text or generate wallpapers in your unique style, among other features.

“Only” 4,310 mAh of Battery, but Very Well Optimized

When I saw that the Motorola Edge 50 Neo only had a 4,310 mAh battery, I was a bit concerned, thinking it wouldn’t even last half a day.

But the reality is, it comfortably lasts a full day of use.

I appreciate the powerful fast charging capability—68W wired. This is Motorola’s TurboPower technology, offering up to 12 hours of use with just an 11-minute charge (although you’ll need the branded Motorola charger, which is sold separately).

There’s also wireless charging, albeit limited to 15W.

In the box, you’ll only find the USB-C to USB-C charging cable, but not the wall adapter, which has become somewhat rare in the mobile phone market.

Verdict: A Focus on Efficiency and Balance Translates into a Highly Recommended Mid-Range Phone

I like that Motorola has focused on optimizing battery consumption, making choices like using LTPO technology for the screen and an efficient MediaTek processor for reliable performance. It’s a plus, backed by an ultra-fast 68W charge.

If you don’t mind sacrificing some of the benefits of this Edge 50 Neo in favor of features it lacks, like higher performance or a larger battery, then I would recommend considering alternatives such as the Poco X6 Pro 5G or the Oppo Reno10 Pro 5G.