Motorola is back with a new flagship, the Edge 50 Ultra, and this time, the phone boasts a unique wooden rear panel. Last year Motorola’s flagship was the Edge 40 Pro, but this year the Edge 50 Pro is the mid-range model and this here Edge 50 Ultra is the flagship. Tricky stuff, but we guess Ultra is Motorola’s new catchy word for 2024. The Edge 50 Ultra we have for review has a light wooden back, and it looks exquisite.
Design and Display
Design-wise, the Edge 50 Ultra doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it refines Motorola’s existing design language. It feels comfortable in hand. While the overall aesthetic is familiar, Motorola has made a noticeable effort to slim down the camera bump, which now blends more seamlessly into the phone’s back. The frame of the phone is made out of aluminum, and not anything fancy like titanium.
The curved display, a Motorola staple, is bright and responsive. The display on the Edge 50 Ultra (and the rest of the Edge 50 family) is curved, which contrasts most of the other premium phones on the market as they tend to have flat displays. Naturally, this is a matter of personal preference, but an edge display seems fitting for a phone lineup that includes “Ultra” word in its name.
Protecting this gorgeous display is Gorilla Glass Victus, although, given its curved nature I would definitely slap on a screen protector just in case one of the edges hits any hard surface by accident.
It is definitely not as heavy as some of the competition, weighing in at just 197g, mind you that this light weight it despite it crams in wireless charging, power sharing circuitry, 100X telephoto lens setup and cooling mechanism.
Biometrics-wise, you get an optical under-display fingerprint reader that is very fast and accurate. The reader is placed a bit upwards from the bottom of the screen and is in a more convenient position than other models in the market. The Edge 50 Ultra comes with a 125W charger and a USB-C cable, and even a case so that you immediately have protection.
AI Features
The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra shines with its AI capabilities. The ‘moto ai’ features are designed to boost users’ creativity while simplifying life. These include enhancements for capturing stunning photos, videos, and audio, as well as creating personalized content and experiences. The AI assists with daily tasks, making the phone an intelligent companion in everyday use.
One standout feature is the AI Magic Canvas with Text to Image Prompt, which allows users to generate customized AI-generated images based on a text prompt. For instance, when prompted with the text “Sunset on a lake with a boat in the foreground,” it generated a beautiful and detailed image that matched the description perfectly. This feature opens up new creative possibilities for users, making it easier than ever to visualize and create unique content.
Camera
Initial camera tests are promising, with good edge detection and natural skin tones in portraits. The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra scored well for photo quality, but its video quality was disappointing.
Here’s a quick look at the full Edge 50 Ultra camera specs:
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Main (wide): 50MP, f/1.6 aperture, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
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Ultra-wide: 50MP, f/2.0, Autofocus
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Telephoto: 64MP, 3X Zoom, f/2.4, Autofocus, OIS
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Front: 50MP, f/1.9, Autofocus
The main camera and even the front selfie camera on the Edge 50 Ultra are solid performers. Images come out with pleasing colors, good dynamics, and a decent amount of detail. The native 3X zoom periscope lens performs well, especially with its wide f/2.4 aperture, allowing it to capture more light in low-light conditions.
As far as AI is concerned, there are a few features that aid the camera performance. For one, you have Action Shot, which adjusts shutter speed and ISO in low-light environments to capture as much light as possible.
Lastly, we have the Auto Enhance feature, derived from Google’s expertise in photo editing software. Motorola integrated this feature into the camera app on the Edge 50 Ultra. Users can choose between Natural (the default) and Auto Enhance mode, which aims to improve image quality with crisp contrasts.
You can record 4K video at 60FPS and 1080P video at a maximum of 960FPS for slow motion. There’s also an option to record in 10-bit HDR10+.
Next, we have Auto Focus Tracking, which helps keep fast-moving subjects clear in the frame while recording videos. Another important video feature is Adaptive Stabilization, which adjusts the stabilization based on how you are holding the phone and your movements.
Performance
On paper, the Edge 50 Ultra seems like a flagship contender. It packs a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor (a slight step down from the standard 8 Gen 3), a whopping 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. But as with any phone, the real test lies in daily use, and that’s where some cracks begin to show.
The one area where Motorola has cut some corners is the performance. Inside the Edge 50 Ultra, you have the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, a slightly less powerful version compared to the 8 Gen 3 that you see on most 2024 Android flagships.
While the 4500mAh battery promises decent longevity, it’s smaller than what many flagship phones offer today. Fast charging is never an afterthought on Motorola phones, and the Edge 50 Ultra comes with 125W charging via wired, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging.
Conclusion
At an offer price of Rs 54,999 on Flipkart and the Motorola website, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra positions itself as a value flagship, undercutting premium phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15 Pro. With its robust camera capabilities and advanced AI content creation features, it becomes an ideal choice for content creators and professionals. The triple camera system, fast charging, ample RAM, and generous storage provide excellent value for money. The unique design and clean software experience further enhance its appeal, making it a standout option for those seeking top-tier performance at a more affordable price.
