Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge (2022) and the newer Edge 50 Fusion. As a tech journalist, I'm always keen to understand how specs translate into real-world experiences, so let's get started.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a breakdown of the key specs, designed to show you not just the numbers but what they mean for you:
| Feature | Motorola Edge (2022) | Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 74.2 x 8 mm | 161.9 x 73.1 x 7.9 mm | 50 Fusion is slightly taller, thinner, and a tad narrower. Overall, similar hand feel. |
| Weight | 170g | 174.9g | Both are lightweight; the difference is negligible. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | 50 Fusion offers a bit more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Sharp and clear images on both devices. |
| PPI | 399 | 393 | Both offer great detail, practically the same crispness. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both technologies deliver great color and contrast with deep blacks, very similar overall. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz | Edge 2022 has a slightly smoother feel with faster animations, more noticeable to gamers. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | 50 Fusion is significantly brighter, offering great readability outdoors in sunlight, Edge 2022 can't even compete here. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | 50 Fusion is built on a more efficient process, leading to better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 522,375 | 776,541 | 50 Fusion is considerably faster in benchmarks, expect more responsive apps and multitasking. |
| GPU | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | Adreno 710 | 50 Fusion should handle gaming and graphics-intensive apps a bit better. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should provide a full day of use for most users. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 68W fast charging | 50 Fusion charges significantly faster, a critical advantage if you hate waiting for your phone to charge. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 5W Reverse | Reverse Charging | Edge 2022 has Wireless charging while the Fusion has the faster wired charging |
| Camera | |||
| Main Sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | Both have similar main cameras, with the Edge 2022 having a marginally larger sensor. Very similar performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, 0.7µm | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/3.14", 0.7µm | Similar specs, both should produce good selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/1.5, 1.12µm | N/A | Edge 2022 has a dedicated wide angle lens for landscape and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2.83" | N/A | Edge 2022 has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-ups. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3", 1.12µm | Edge 50 Fusion Has a combined wide angle and macro lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS | Similar video quality on both phones. |
| Features | Triple Camera | Dual Camera, Night Mode, Time-Lapse | Fusion comes with additional time lapse and night mode. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (max 13) | Android 14 (max 17) | 50 Fusion offers a much newer Android version and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | 50 Fusion supports the latest WiFi standards for potentially faster, more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.3 LE with aptX, LDAC, SBC | Edge 50 fusion supports newer Bluetooth standards with better codecs for enhanced audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, L1+L5, E1+E5a, NavIC System | Edge 50 Fusion supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, eSIM | Dual SIM, eSIM | Both offer dual SIM and eSIM for flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256GB or 512GB | 50 Fusion offers up to 512GB of internal storage, that's plenty for many. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | 50 Fusion offers more RAM, leading to smoother multitasking especially with the 12GB version. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, 2 mics | Edge 2022 has an additional noise cancellation microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 5 | 50 Fusion screen is better protected against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Environmental | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | Edge 2022 has extra sensors like Barometer and Magnetometer. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge (2022) Strengths:
- 144Hz Refresh Rate: Gamers and those who like a very smooth display experience will appreciate the higher refresh rate.
- Dedicated Lenses: It features a dedicated wide-angle lens and a separate macro lens.
- Wireless Charging - Unique feature not present in the 50 Fusion
- Environmental Sensors: It includes a barometer and magnetometer, useful for outdoor activities.
- Noise cancellation microphone: Provides better call quality
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion Strengths:
- Significantly Brighter Display: The 1600 nits display is a major advantage for outdoor visibility.
- Faster Processor: The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is more powerful, resulting in a snappier experience.
- Faster Charging: 68W charging is a significant upgrade, reducing downtime.
- Newer Software: It ships with Android 14 and a longer update cycle.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 with better codecs.
- Bigger storage and RAM: 512 GB and 12 GB RAM version offer significant increase in storage and RAM.
- Combined wide angle + macro lens - Better user experience with wide angle and macro functionality on one camera.
- Additional video and camera features - Better video recording and camera experience with night mode, time-lapse, continuous autofocus and more.
Trade-offs:
- The Edge (2022) has a slightly higher refresh rate but doesn't match the Fusion's brightness or performance. The dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses come at the cost of the newer wide-angle + macro lens and additional software features.
- The Fusion lacks wireless charging.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge (2022) is best for:
- Gamers who prioritize a slightly higher refresh rate.
- Users who want dedicated macro and wide-angle lenses.
- Those who would like the additional environmental sensors.
- Users who value wireless charging
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is best for:
- Users who spend a lot of time outdoors and need a bright screen.
- People who want a faster and more responsive phone experience.
- Users who want future-proof software and connectivity.
- Those who want fast charging
- Users looking for better camera software features, combined wide + macro lens, and better Bluetooth codecs.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your choice:
- Screen Visibility: Do you often use your phone in bright sunlight? If yes, the Edge 50 Fusion's superior brightness is a big plus.
- Performance Needs: Do you need the fastest possible processor for gaming and multitasking? If so, the Edge 50 Fusion is the better choice.
- Camera and Features Do you need a dedicated wide angle and macro lens, or do you prefer a combined wide angle + macro lens and additional software features like time-lapse and night mode?
- Future-Proofing: Do you want a phone with longer software updates and newer connectivity standards? The Edge 50 Fusion will be more future-proof.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Outdoor Photographer: Choose the Edge 50 Fusion for its bright display and capable camera features.
- The On-the-Go Professional: Choose the Edge 50 Fusion for its fast charging, performance, and future-proof features.
- The Gaming Enthusiast: The Edge (2022) offers a slightly higher refresh rate and dedicated sensors but may fall short in other categories. Consider also the 50 Fusion with its better processor if you need more performance.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion. While the 144Hz refresh rate and dedicated macro lens on the Edge (2022) are nice, the 50 Fusion's advantages are more compelling for my needs. The dramatically brighter display is crucial for someone like me who is often outdoors, and the faster processor, better charging, and newer software are significant improvements. I also prefer the better camera software features, a combined wide angle + macro lens, and better bluetooth audio support. I feel the benefits of the 50 fusion outweigh the slightly higher refresh rate on the Edge 2022.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities, but the Edge 50 Fusion strikes a better balance of features and future-proofing.
