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Motorola makes comeback to the smartphone big leagues

motorola edge hero
© Motorola, Montage: nextpit

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It has been a long time since we have seen, let alone bought, a top smartphone of this quality from Motorola. But the new Motorola smartphone duo now wants to win back market share with top-end equipment once again. Unfortunately, the whole thing has a bitter aftertaste.

It is a trend among smartphone manufacturers to launch new smartphone series on the market which do not differ much from each other visually, but which show strong differences in hardware configuration. This is also the case with the new Motorola duo. Externally, the Motorola Edge and the Edge+ are like two peas in a pod. Only when you put the spec sheets next to each other do you realize that the Edge is a premium mid-range smartphone and the Edge+ is the true flagship.

motorola edge detail
The Motorola Edge is already coming to Verizon on May 14, 2020. / © Motorola, Installation: AndroidPIT

The difference lies in the details

Let's start for now with the components that the Edge and Edge+ share and which, in my opinion, will probably be the highlight of both smartphones: the 6.67-inch display with a Super AMOLED panel, 90 Hz refresh rate and a power-saving resolution of 1,080 x 2,360 pixels including HDR10 certification. Doesn't really sound extraordinary, does it? True, the technical basis is actually not worth talking about, because after all, the top smartphones of 2020 are already refreshing at 120 frames per second, or even 144 frames per second.

It gets interesting when it comes to the curved display edges of the two Edge devices from Motorola, because you can use them or not. In the new Motorola software, My UX, you will be able to actively control how you use the curved edges. As an example, Motorola gives string gestures to display notifications or for switching applications. If you love the Motorola Edge or Edge+, but you're tired of curved displays, you can disable them using the software. This way you will be able to get a flat display.

The big difference in the equipment between the Edge and Edge+ is the choice of processor and memory combination. The Edge uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon 765 with 6GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage, while the Edge+ comes with the Snapdragon 865, a full 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. But both smartphones are already ready to dive into the 5G networks.

motorola edge plus detail
Motorola's first real flagship for a long time. / © Motorola, Installation: AndroidPIT

Fine differences in camera systems

Both the Motorola Edge and the Edge+ have a triple camera system that consists of a wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, and a telephoto camera with a triple zoom. Here, too, there is only one subtle difference between the two Edge models: while the Edge+ has a 108-megapixel sensor in the wide-angle unit, the Edge has to make do with only 64 megapixels. We won't know whether this is really a big shortcoming until we get the Edge and maybe the Edge+ into our editorial office and are able to test both.

Apart from that, there are only minimal differences between the Motorola Edge and the Edge+ in terms of dimensions and also the built-in battery. The Edge+ has a battery with 4,500 mAh, while the Edge+ has a 5,000 mAh battery that supplies the smartphone with energy. All further details can be seen in the following table.

Motorola Edge vs. Motorola Edge+

  Motorola Edge Motorola Edge+
Display

6.67-inch, Super AMOLED
90 Hz, FullHD+ (2,340 x 1,080)

6.67-inch, Super AMOLED
90 Hz, FullHD+ (2,340 x 1,080)
Size

161.64 x 71.2 x 9.29 mm

161.07 x 71.38 x 9.6 mm

Weight

190 grams

203 grams
OS Android 10 Android 10
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
Memory

6GB RAM
128GB

12GB RAM
256GB
Battery 4,500 mAh 5,000 mAh
Camera

Back: 64 MP, f/1.8, wide-angle
8 MP, f/2.4, telephoto, 3x optical
16 MP, f/2.2, ultra-wide angle,
Front: 25 MP, f/2.0

Rear: 108 MP, f/1.7, wide-angle
8 MP, f/2.4, telephoto, 3x optical
16 MP, f/2.2, ultra-wide angle,
Front: 25 MP, f/2.0
Special features 5G: mmWave and Sub-6GHz
My UX
15-watt wireless charging, 18-watt quick charge
In-display fingerprint sensor
5G: mmWave and Sub-6GHz
My UX
15-watt wireless charging, 18-watt quick charge
In-display fingerprint sensor
Price TBC (€599 in Europe) $999

Availability and price

The Motorola Edge+ will be on sale on May 14, 2020 and will start with a recommended retail price of $999. It will be exclusive to Verizon, at least at first.

According to Motorola, the regular Motorola Edge will not be available in The USA for the time being but will be coming later in the summer. Interestingly, in Europe the situation is reversed, where the Motorola Edge will launch in May for €599, but there is no news on a European launch for the Motorola Edge+ yet.


This article has been updated since the official launch of the Motorola Edge and Edge+, but older comments have not been removed.

Source: Motorola Blog

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Go to comment (15)
Shu On Kwok

Shu On Kwok
Senior Editor

Since 1999, Shu has written about the colorful world of IT and telecommunications. His career started as a presenter at the five-hour TV show NBC GIGA, which led him through several career stages until he finally joined the AndroidPIT team in May of 2015. His passion for mobile devices and gadgets knows no boundaries. Whether Android, iOS or Windows, Shu feels at home with any OS.

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  • 2
    BrownLuther007 Apr 26, 2020 Link to comment

    Motorola is looking pretty solid with this one. Checking all the right boxes, I hope it gets the market heat it deserves not those same iPhones and Samsung with the same designs. And I guess it will get updated regularly. This Motorola has proved themselves after their razor flop.


  • 10
    Dennis de Getrouwe Apr 23, 2020 Link to comment

    motorola promises 1 OS update,so android 11 is the end of the road for this 1000,- dollar/euro phone and only every 3 months security updates?? hell no, better of with samsung S20/OP+ 8 pro or xiaomi 10 pro


  • marco sarli 39
    marco sarli
    • Admin
    Apr 23, 2020 Link to comment

    I would like to see the real thing and know the price

    Dean L.Sorin


    • Dean L. 34
      Dean L. Apr 24, 2020 Link to comment

      agree that seeing it would help. The pricing I think we know now, $1k US. Ouch that is right up there with Samsung and Apple which is too expensive for me.


  • David Martrano 29
    David Martrano Apr 22, 2020 Link to comment

    Hey LENOVOROLA, take a leap of faith, and jump off your waterfall display. A Verizon exclusive, Verizon BLOATWARE, no unlocked model, a 1,ooo dollar pricetag. This phone is DOA!

    Dean L.marco sarlistorm


  • Dean L. 34
    Dean L. Mar 21, 2020 Link to comment

    Well I took another close look at the pictures. If the curved edge display doesn't have sensitive touch capability, then I might be interested. Of course that also depends on the price.

    Sorinmarco sarliDeactivated Account


  • 1
    R0n1n Mar 20, 2020 Link to comment

    Pricing, nfc, and wireless charging. Glad to see the headphone jack return, but the others are important


  • David Martrano 29
    David Martrano Mar 19, 2020 Link to comment

    Welcome back to the flagship space, Lenovorola? If you improve the camera & video, I'm all in? The jack & the large battery certainly won't hurt! Keep the price down?

    Deactivated AccountDean L.


  • 27
    Sorin Mar 19, 2020 Link to comment

    The new Motorola model looks good, being an alternative for those who like curved edges screen. Even the camera has very good performance. I personally prefer narrower edges, but not wide screen on the edges.

    Deactivated AccountDean L.


  • 46
    Deactivated Account Mar 19, 2020 Link to comment

    It is for sure I will not buy it. The reason I will not buy Samsung is the curved display. Looks like copy cat wana be

    stormDean L.Sorinmarco sarli


  • marco sarli 39
    marco sarli
    • Admin
    Mar 19, 2020 Link to comment

    It will largely depend on the price

    Dean L.SorinDeactivated Account


  • Dean L. 34
    Dean L. Mar 19, 2020 Link to comment

    Agree about the edge display. When I saw the pictures I thought they were Samsung ads in the article. Definitely waiting to see what the pricing will be.

    SorinDeactivated Accountmarco sarli


  • 49
    storm Mar 19, 2020 Link to comment

    Ugh. So over the edge display. It was always a stupid idea.

    SorinDeactivated Accountmarco sarliDean L.


    • David Martrano 29
      David Martrano Mar 25, 2020 Link to comment

      One would think after all this time OEM'S would understand consumers really want flat display's? Edge or waterfalls are just not desired. False touches occur quite frequently but still they just don't care or read our reviews? Many consumers just hard pass these types of display's? Ya know what, I don't blame them one bit!


      • David McCourt 16
        David McCourt Mar 25, 2020 Link to comment

        The new Samsung S20 phones, where the curved edges of the display have been flattened out a lot, are really nice to use as a result.

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