Motorola recently launched its edge 30 series of smartphones, incorporating the edge 30 ultra, edge 30 fusion and edge 30 neo.
The top of the range edge 30 ultra sets new standards for a device that retails for $1,399, boasting a 200MP main camera sensor and 60MP front camera, as well as a full battery charge in under 15 minutes.
Appliance Retailer had the opportunity to get hands-on with the middle of the range, edge 30 fusion which carries a price tag of $899.
I’ve always had a fond admiration for the Motorola brand, having had the Motorola W375 2G in my early teenage years. Having then used Apple iPhones and now the latest Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, I was keen to rekindle my love for Motorola and see how far their devices have come over the years.
My first impression – the motorola edge 30 fusion ticks a lot of boxes for a mid-tier smartphone and is great for consumers who want a solid alternative to flagship Apple and Samsung products.
When I opened the box for the first time, the eco-friendly packaging that is plastic-free, uses soy ink and is recyclable caught my attention. The edge 30 series are the first Motorola products to launch in this packaging and reinforces the company’s commitment to use more recycled materials and less single use plastic. A big tick from me here and I’m sure many others who are more conscious about their environmental footprint.
The next thing I noticed was the super lightweight design of the edge 30 fusion – with no compromise on aesthetics. It has a curved edge design and matte glass that offers a premium feel, although a little too smooth for a good grip – nothing a case can’t fix. The stylish design is nicely complemented by a 6.55-inch OLED Full HD+ display – just shy of the 6.8-inch display of my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.
For the first charge of the device, it took just 30 minutes to reach 100% from 39% battery thanks to the TurboPower 68-watt charging, which was quite impressive. Unlocking the phone was easy with the fingerprint reader located on-screen rather than on the back like some other devices.
The camera is typically a big drawcard when purchasing a new smartphone and the edge 30 fusion does not disappoint – in fact, it exceeded my expectations particularly in night mode for low light settings. However, the camera’s zoom capabilities did fall short especially beyond 4x zoom – but for an $899 device, I didn’t expect this to be a stand-out.
With two large stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, the edge 30 fusion packs a punch when it comes to audio with strong bass, vocals, and clarity at higher volumes when listening to music, watching video content and playing games. With a 144Hz refresh rate, navigating the phone is smooth and snappy and with HDR10+ colours and contrast are enhanced when consuming media.
The Snapdragon 888+ 5G mobile platform has Artificial Intelligence (AI) at its core to support enhanced photography, streaming and gameplay as well as deliver better performance, speed, and connectivity – all factors that contribute to a great screen experience.
The edge 30 fusion might not have all the bells and whistles of more premium devices but it’s impressive for the price point as a mid-tier proposition.