As the increasingly crowded smartphone market continues to be saturated with brands, models, and newer technologies, a new device needs to truly stand out in terms of design, performance, camera, and battery life in order to find its niche.
Given its significant role in the evolution of mobile phones, Motorola is still regarded as a formidable brand especially in recent years following its acquisition by Lenovo. Its 2022 lineup of smartphones includes the impressive Moto Edge 30 Pro which we recently took for an extensive test drive.
In terms of design, Motorola’s premium handset is quite the head-turner. Being taller (163mm) and slightly thicker (8.79mm) than most of the smartphones in its class, it has quite an imposing frame. The Cosmos Blue model that we tested has a nice, elegant sheen to it, with a frosted back panel made of durable Gorilla Glass 5 and punctuated with Motorola’s iconic M logo that recalls fond memories of its classic Razr flip-top, which incidentally was recently revived and updated in a 5G incarnation.
On the top left side of the back panel are the lenses of the Moto Edge 30 Pro’s 50MP ultra-wide and 60MP selfie cameras, which adds to the device’s premium feel.
As you turn on the phone, Motorola’s equally iconic, “Hello Moto” greets you and welcomes you to its sharp and bright FHD+ OLED display. Being a taller phone means that the Moto Edge 30 Pro has more real estate as its 6.7-inch screen has a 20:9 aspect ratio. Even when the display is set to “Natural” instead of “Saturated” or in other phones, “Vivid” which is something this writer does to extend battery life when it drops below 20 percent, the color remains rich and still worth marveling at.
And with its 2400 x 1080 resolution, the Moto Edge 30 Pro’s astounding display is complemented by a 144Hz refresh rate that results in faster, smoother scrolling, swiping and yes, gaming.
Speaking of gaming, while we are quite certain that the Moto Edge 30 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform by Qualcomm is more than up to the challenge of handling the most intensive tasks and the most demanding games, we were still amazed at how smooth and beautiful even the most casual games like Beach Buggy Racing 2, Super Mario Run and yes, even the good old fashioned Candy Crush series on this phone.
Having a first-rate processor and advanced processor like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 also means streaming video including movies on apps like Netflix, iWant TFC and HBO Go all run like a charm on the Moto Edge 30 Pro. And as streaming entertainment goes, movies as well as music from Spotify and Apple Music, especially when wearing in-ear monitors, all sound immersive on the Moto Edge 30 Pro—thanks in large part to its Dolby Atmos feature.
And because the Moto Edge 30 Pro is a phone, after all, calls made and received, whether via your regular line or through apps like Messenger and Viber sound crystal clear on this handset. Even virtual conferences on Zoom and Microsoft Teams sound great here.
Of course, perhaps the biggest reason why people buy smartphones or frequently upgrade to the latest model is the cameras and the Moto Edge 30 Pro does not disappoint in this department. The phone boasts of a 60MP selfie camera and a 50MP main camera with ultra-wide and macro vision. All those megapixels plus Quad Pixel technology translate to very detailed photos whether taken in normal or low light conditions, especially at night.
Those who love to travel will discover that the Moto Edge 30 Pro is a handy companion when it comes to making and preserving great memories whether you’re taking shots from a busy airport, a popular tourist spot that’s part of your tour, or one of those dining options with Instagram-ish interiors and food with eye candy presentations. Pets, vehicles, shopping malls, and of course, selfies are a few more of the ideal subjects that you can snap with the Moto Edge 30 Pro.
As Halloween and Christmas are just around the corner, parties can be preserved for posterity with not just photos taken from this phone’s cameras but also videos that allow you to channel your inner Spielberg. The Audio Zoom, Dual Capture, and HDR10+ features of the Moto Edge 30 Pro’s cameras will make sure of that.
Finally, any phone is only as good as its batteries and if you’re hoping the Moto Edge 30 Pro to last more than a full day with regular use, you won’t need to manage your expectations. Heavy gamers and those who watch a lot of videos may need to charge more than once in a day but the phone’s 68W turbo-charging that gives as much as 50 percent juice in just 15 minutes should not at all interrupt their entertainment.
Oh, and the native Android 12 interface of the Moto Edge 30 Pro also makes it a joy to navigate. That also means you won’t get bloatware apps you won’t need on the phone. While it’s true that streaming and cloud technologies mean that you don’t have to store a lot of video, music, and photo files in your phone, the more than generous 256GB of built-in storage should cover all the files and data that you may need to keep in your phone.
Price-wise, the Moto Edge 30 Pro’s SRP of P34,995 available at the Motorola PH Store in Lazada and Shopee is surprisingly and comparatively more affordable than other phones with this much power and similar features.
All bases covered, the Moto Edge 30 Pro is a formidable contender that easily stands out in the ever-crowded smartphone space. Definitely worth considering if you’re in the market for a new phone.
Image credits: Motorola PH