The beauty of Android lies in its versatility, offering alternatives if you don’t like, for example, the new Pixel 8 but still appreciate the pure Android experience. One such alternative is the recently unveiled Motorola Edge (2023) (not to be confused with the Edge 40 Pro).
While I can’t compare the new Edge’s MediaTek Dimensity 7030 chipset with Google’s Tensor 3, you can enjoy the pure Android experience you desire, and it’s worth mentioning that it’s available at a hundred dollars less. The Motorola Edge 2023 starts at just $599.99. The Dimensity chip is paired with 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage.
The device is quite sizable, featuring a 6.6-inch HDR-ready FHD+ (2,400 x 1,080 pixels) pOLED display with an impressive 144 Hz refresh rate, outperforming the Pixel 8 in this aspect. Additionally, the screen boasts a remarkable brightness of 1,200 nits. The only thing I don’t fancy is the curved glass; however, despite my personal preference against curved glass, I can’t deny it feels comfortable in the hand.
The borderless curved edges on the front are complemented by a vegan leather back, enhancing the comfort of the grip. In between, there’s a sandblasted aluminum frame that adds a touch of class, in my humble opinion. The device is IP68-rated.
For me, the standout feature is its profile; it’s the thinnest in its class, measuring a mere 7.64 mm. I miss sub-8 mm phones so much!
Like the Pixel 8, it sports dual rear-facing cameras. Leading the dual snappers is a 50 MP high-res camera system with features like 2.0µm Ultra Pixels, instant all-pixel focus with 32x more focusing pixels, and OIS for stable shots. Additionally, there’s a 13 MP ultra-wide camera with Macro Vision. On the front, there’s a hole punch housing a 32 MP high-res selfie camera with autofocus.
The new Edge caters to the imaging generation with several video and camera enhancements, including Horizon Lock Stabilization, Video Portrait, and Vlog Mode. Other notable features include Audio Zoom, Dolby Atmos, a 4,400 mAh battery with 68W TurboPower charging, 15W wireless charging, 5W reverse wireless charging, 5G radios, Wi-Fi 6E, on-screen fingerprint reader, face unlock, and a USB Type-C port (USB 2.0).
As of the time of this post, the new Motorola Edge (2023) Smartphone is available at an introductory price of US$499.99, making it US$200 cheaper than the Pixel 8.
Images: Motorola.
