The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is the latest addition to Motorola’s 2024 Edge flagship series. Priced at a budget-friendly $349, this model is the most affordable of the lineup. The Edge 50 Fusion marks Motorola’s return to the Fusion series after a hiatus since the Edge 30 in 2022. Despite some mixed reviews on Motorola’s website, we’re here to find out if the Edge 50 Fusion deserves your attention or if it’s a bad boy.
So, let’s unbox this beauty, explore its camera capabilities, gaming performance, and all the other goodies it offers. And hey, if you’re into the latest tech reviews, don’t forget to subscribe and hit that notification bell!
Unboxing: What’s Inside?
As we open the box, it’s nice that Motorola has included a few essentials. The package contains a 68W charger, a USB cable, and a protective case. The inclusion of the charger is a relief, considering many manufacturers are omitting them these days. The case, though plastic, provides decent protection and is a nice touch. Notably, the box has a distinct perfume scent—a quirky addition that might raise some eyebrows, especially when your significant other catches a whiff.
Inside, you’ll find the standard paperwork, a SIM ejector tool, and the phone itself, wrapped securely. It’s a straightforward unboxing experience, but it’s always nice to see that Motorola hasn’t skimped on the essentials. The charger, in particular, is a welcome addition, as fast charging is a major selling point for the device.
Design and Build Quality
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion impresses right out of the box with its sleek design. Weighing in at just around 185 grams, it’s surprisingly light, especially for a phone with a large 6.7-inch display. The screen gently curves around the edges, minimizing bezels and providing a comfortable hand feel. The device’s front features Gorilla Glass 5, though there’s no pre-installed screen protector—something you might want to consider adding yourself.
The model we’re reviewing is in the ‘Forest Blue’ variant, but it’s also available in ‘Marshmallow Blue’ and a striking ‘Hot Pink’ option. The Forest Blue version has a plastic back, while the Marshmallow Blue model offers a vegan leather finish, and the Hot Pink comes in vegan suede. Despite being plastic, the design is quite refined, with a subtle camera bump that barely protrudes.
An important feature to note is the IP68 water and dust resistance, a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the Edge 30 Fusion. This means the phone can survive being submerged in water for up to an hour and a half—a reassuring feature for those prone to accidental spills or drops into puddles. This level of water resistance is rare in this price range, making the Edge 50 Fusion stand out among budget-friendly smartphones.
The overall build quality feels solid, with no noticeable creaks or flexes when pressure is applied. The phone’s frame is made of aluminum, adding a touch of premium feel despite the plastic back. The curved edges and sleek design make it comfortable to hold, even for extended periods. The phone’s dimensions are well-balanced, making it easy to handle despite its large screen size.
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Features and OS
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion runs on a stock Android experience, with minimal bloatware and a clean, user-friendly interface. However, there are some pre-installed apps and games that you might find unnecessary, like Booking.com and LinkedIn. Fortunately, these can be uninstalled.
The Moto app, a staple in Motorola phones, offers a range of customization options and handy tools. Gesture controls, such as twisting the phone to open the camera, are intuitive and fun to use. Security features like phishing detection and a pin pad scramble add an extra layer of safety.
One of the highlights is the device’s in-display fingerprint sensor, which, while basic, works reliably as long as your fingers aren’t wet. There’s also face unlock, which is quick and convenient, though not as secure as the fingerprint option.
Motorola promises three OS updates (up to Android 17) and four years of security patches, which is decent for a mid-range device, though not as extensive as what you’d get from brands like Samsung or Google.
The software experience is further enhanced by the Moto Actions, which include familiar gestures like “chop twice for flashlight” and “twist for quick capture.” These gestures have been a beloved feature in Motorola phones and continue to be useful here. The Moto Display, another handy feature, provides quick access to notifications and information without fully waking the device, saving both time and battery life.
Another noteworthy feature is the Game Time mode, which optimizes the phone for gaming by blocking notifications and adjusting performance settings. This mode is particularly useful for gamers who want an uninterrupted experience. It also includes options to enhance screen sensitivity and customize audio settings, providing a more immersive gaming experience.
Display and Audio
The 6.7-inch OLED display is a standout feature, offering Full HD+ resolution (2400×1080 pixels) and 10-bit color support. This makes for vibrant, crisp visuals, ideal for watching Netflix or browsing photos. The screen is impressively bright, peaking at nearly 2,000 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The 144Hz refresh rate makes for smooth scrolling and gaming, though you can dial it down to 120Hz or 60Hz to save battery.
Audio-wise, the Edge 50 Fusion packs a punch with its stereo speaker setup and Dolby Atmos support. The sound quality is robust and clear, making it a great device for media consumption. The volume can get quite loud, which is useful in noisy environments, though it maintains good quality without distorting.
The lack of HDR support in streaming services like Netflix is a slight drawback, but the display’s overall quality compensates for this omission. The colors are vivid, and the contrast is sharp, making for an enjoyable viewing experience. The screen’s high refresh rate also contributes to a more fluid and responsive feel, particularly noticeable when scrolling through web pages or navigating the UI.
For those who prefer a more natural color profile, the display settings offer the option to switch from the default vivid mode to a more muted, natural color setting. This flexibility allows users to tailor the display to their preferences, whether they prefer punchy, vibrant colors or a more subdued, true-to-life palette.
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Performance and Gaming
Under the hood, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, backed by 12GB of RAM. This configuration is sufficient for most tasks, from multitasking to gaming. However, it’s worth noting that in some regions, the phone may come with the less powerful Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip, so be sure to check the specs in your region.
In everyday use, the phone performs smoothly, with only occasional lags, particularly in the camera app. For gaming, titles like Zenless Zone Zero run well, provided you keep the graphics settings modest. The phone’s screen responsiveness is generally good, though there were occasional issues with touch sensitivity, particularly in menu navigation.
One of the pleasant surprises is the phone’s thermal management. Even during extended gaming sessions, the device remained cool, which is a significant plus for gaming enthusiasts. The Game Time mode also helps optimize performance, ensuring that the phone runs smoothly even during intensive gaming sessions.
The Edge 50 Fusion’s performance in benchmarks is respectable for its price range, though it doesn’t quite reach the levels of higher-end Snapdragon 8-series processors. Still, for most users, the performance will be more than adequate for daily tasks and casual gaming. The inclusion of 12GB of RAM also aids in multitasking, allowing users to switch between apps without noticeable slowdowns.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is another strong suit of the Edge 50 Fusion. The 5,000mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day, even with heavy use. This includes several hours of screen-on time, gaming, and streaming. If you do find yourself running low, the 68W fast charging gets you back to full power swiftly. However, there’s no support for wireless charging—a feature that’s still rare at this price point.
In real-world use, the battery life proved to be impressive. With moderate usage, including social media, browsing, and a bit of gaming, the phone easily lasted through the day and into the next morning. The fast charging is also a highlight, capable of charging the phone from 0 to 100% in just under an hour, which is convenient for those who are always on the go.
The lack of wireless charging may be a downside for some, but considering the price and other features, it’s a minor omission. The overall battery performance, combined with the efficient software, ensures that users won’t have to worry about finding a charger halfway through the day.
Camera Performance
The camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The camera app is user-friendly, allowing quick switches between modes like portrait, night vision, and macro.
In good lighting, the primary camera produces bright, colorful images with respectable detail. The high-res mode is useful for cropping, and the auto-enhance feature can help with challenging lighting situations, though it takes a moment to process. In low light, the night vision mode helps improve brightness, though colors can look slightly off.
The 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens is functional but basic, providing a different perspective without much distortion. Video recording goes up to 4K resolution but is capped at Full HD if you want 60fps. The quality is decent for casual videos, though it struggles in high-contrast or low-light situations.
The 32MP front camera is adequate for selfies, though low-light performance is lacking, and the screen flash can sometimes result in an unnatural pinkish hue. The front camera’s AI beauty mode can be a bit aggressive, smoothing out skin to an unnatural degree, but this can be adjusted or turned off if desired.
Overall, the camera performance is solid for a mid-range device. The primary sensor’s OIS helps in stabilizing shots, especially in low light, and the ultra-wide lens, while not exceptional, adds versatility to the camera setup. The video performance is also satisfactory, with decent stabilization and quality, making it suitable for casual recording.
Conclusion: A Solid Mid-Range Choice
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that offers good value for its price. With a sleek design, IP68 certification, solid battery life, and a near-stock Android experience, it covers all the essentials well. While it doesn’t break new ground in any particular area, it does what it sets out to do competently and without fuss.
For $349, it’s a strong contender in the mid-range market, especially if you prioritize a clean user interface, reliable performance, and decent camera capabilities. However, if you’re looking for more advanced features like wireless charging or top-tier camera performance, you might need to look elsewhere or consider spending a bit more.
