Alright, let's dive deep into the Motorola Edge (2022) and the newer Edge 50 Pro. We'll break down the specs, cut through the marketing fluff, and figure out what these phones actually mean for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a side-by-side look at the key technical specs, plus what they mean for your day-to-day use:
| Feature | Motorola Edge (2022) | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-22 | 2024-04-08 | The Edge 50 Pro is significantly newer, benefiting from more recent technology and software advancements. |
| Dimensions (mm) | 160.9 x 74.2 x 8 | 161.2 x 72.4 x 8.2 | The Edge (2022) is slightly wider; the Edge 50 Pro is a bit taller and thicker. Both are generally comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 170g | 186g | The Edge (2022) is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to handle. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The Edge 50 Pro has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1220 x 2712 | The Edge 50 Pro has a sharper, more detailed display due to its higher pixel count. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 399 | 446 | Edge 50 Pro offers finer image detail and text clarity due to better pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both use similar technology; you'll likely notice good colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 144Hz | Both offer super smooth scrolling and animations, making the UI feel responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The Edge 50 Pro will be drastically easier to see outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Edge 50 Pro’s Snapdragon chip is more powerful and efficient, making it better for gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 522,375 | 866,863 | The Edge 50 Pro’s benchmark score shows significantly faster performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | Adreno 720 | Edge 50 Pro will deliver smoother graphics and better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.0µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 2.0µm | Edge 50 Pro with wider aperture and larger pixel size on main sensor will perform better in low-light. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45, 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 0.64µm | Edge 50 Pro has higher resolution and a wider aperture for better selfies, especially in low light. |
| Telephoto | None | 10MP, f/2.0, 1.0µm | The Edge 50 Pro adds a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, missing on the 2022 model. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/1.5, 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The Edge (2022) has a wider aperture for low-light wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 20MP, f/2.4, 0.9µm | None | The Edge (2022) includes a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up photos. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@30/60/120fps (EIS) | 4K@30fps (HDR, EIS), 1080p@30/60/120fps (HDR, EIS) | Both record quality video. The 50 Pro records with HDR which increases the dynamic range of videos. |
| Video Slow-mo | 120 fps | 240 fps | Edge 50 Pro has a faster slow-motion capture, allowing more dramatic shots. |
| Camera Features | Many standard features | Edge 50 Pro adds: Time-Lapse, Optical zoom, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Dual capture, RAW, Night Mode. | Edge 50 Pro has more flexibility for advanced users and can capture more kinds of photos. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh | The Edge (2022) has a larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Wired | 125W Wired | The Edge 50 Pro charges much faster, going from empty to full in a fraction of the time. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | The Edge 50 Pro charges wirelessly much faster. |
| Reverse Charging | 5W | 10W | The Edge 50 Pro can wirelessly charge other devices slightly faster. |
| Software and Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 17) | Edge 50 Pro offers a newer operating system and will receive more software updates |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Edge 50 Pro supports newer, faster Wi-Fi standards for better internet connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.4 LE | Edge 50 Pro has a slightly newer version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | Basic | Advanced with L1+L5, E1+E5a | Edge 50 Pro offers more satellite bands, resulting in more precise location tracking. |
| Storage and Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Edge 50 Pro has significantly more storage options, great for storing high quality pictures and videos. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 12GB/16GB | The Edge 50 Pro offers more RAM, enhancing multitasking and overall performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither has expandable storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation | Dolby Atmos | Both phones have good audio quality, but Edge (2022) adds an extra microphone for noise cancellation. |
| Security and Build | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both have simple fingerprint sensors. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass Victus | The Edge 50 Pro offers superior screen protection from scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | Includes Barometer, Magnetometer | None | Edge (2022) has a better set of environmental sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge (2022) Strengths
- Lighter Build: The most noticeable advantage is its lower weight, making it very comfortable for long-term use.
- Macro Camera: A dedicated macro lens for detailed close-ups is a nice addition if you're into that kind of photography.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery can provide good battery life, especially with the less powerful processor.
- Wider aperture wide angle: The Edge (2022) has a slightly wider aperture on the ultrawide camera.
- Fuller sensor suite: Has Barometer and Magnetometer.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Strengths
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset provides a huge performance leap, making it better for gaming and intensive tasks.
- Far Brighter Display: 2000 nits brightness will be much more usable in bright sunlight.
- Better Camera System: The Edge 50 Pro has higher-resolution sensors and a versatile telephoto lens.
- Much Faster Charging: Its 125W fast charging means you'll spend far less time tethered to a power outlet.
- More RAM/Storage: The Edge 50 Pro has more RAM and storage options, which provides more flexibility for different use cases.
- Software Support: More software updates from Motorola compared to the 2022 model.
- Newer Wireless Standards: Support for Wi-Fi 7, 6E, and Bluetooth 5.4 ensures the latest connectivity features.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus ensures the screen is more scratch and drop resistant.
Trade-offs and Limitations
- Edge (2022) Tradeoffs: Noticeably weaker performance, less refined display, fewer camera features.
- Edge 50 Pro Tradeoffs: Higher price, slightly heavier, smaller battery.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge (2022)
- Budget-Conscious Users: If cost is the primary concern and you're not a power user, this phone provides a good value proposition.
- Casual Users: Great for those who want a phone for basic tasks, social media, and casual photography.
- Users Who Value Light Weight: The lighter build makes it better for extended use and handling.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro
- Power Users: Ideal for gamers, multitaskers, and anyone who demands a snappy and responsive device.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Its better cameras and additional lenses make it more flexible for various photography styles.
- Users Who Value Screen Visibility: The incredibly bright display makes it perfect for use outdoors.
- Users Who Hate Battery Anxiety: The much faster charging time means you can be up and running again quickly.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to consider:
- How important is raw performance and speed to you? If you want the latest apps and games to run smoothly, the Edge 50 Pro is the clear winner.
- How often do you take photos or videos, and how important is low-light performance? If you’re a photography enthusiast and need more camera features, the Edge 50 Pro is worth the investment.
- Do you prioritize screen visibility, weight, or battery longevity? If you spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun, the brighter screen of the Edge 50 Pro will be better. If you want a lighter phone, or if you absolutely need the larger battery, the Edge (2022) is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Buyer: If you need to save money and you don't need the best of the best, the Motorola Edge (2022) might still fit your needs.
- Gaming and Multitasking: The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is far better suited for heavy usage.
- Photography Enthusiast: The telephoto lens and better sensors on the Edge 50 Pro win out here.
- Outdoorsy User: Edge 50 Pro with the super-bright display is much more useable outside.
Which Would I Choose?
As someone who enjoys performance and values a high-quality display and camera system, I would personally choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. The improvements in processing power, screen brightness, camera capabilities, and charging speeds are too significant to ignore. While the 2022 model is lighter and has a larger battery, the Edge 50 Pro addresses many of the shortcomings of the older model, and the difference in real world performance is striking.
The faster chipset and larger RAM also make it more future-proof and capable of handling demanding applications. The ability to take much higher quality pictures and videos also makes a big difference for me. While the Edge 2022 is a solid phone for the price, the Edge 50 Pro is a big upgrade that justifies the extra cost for a tech enthusiast and someone who uses their phone heavily.
