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This year, compared to last year's Edge 40 series, Motorola has diversified its Edge 50 series pretty well. The company introduced the lineup with the launch of Motorola Edge 50 Pro, starting at Rs 29,999, followed by the launch of Motorola Edge 50 Fusion at Rs 22,999, and now the company has launched Motorola Edge 50 at Rs 27,999 offering stupendous value. Of the three, the Edge 50 Pro is the most high-end for people with larger budgets. The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is at the very bottom of the Edge 50 series and missed the marquee features from the other two, which means that it has a tough act to follow immediately after the Edge 50 launched. Is it still though a good place to start for first-time midrange buyers?
Moto's latest, and the last in the Edge 50 lineup, has been introduced in the country riding on the immense popularity of the mid-tier lineup. The new entrant hits the deck with the best in Edge 50 Ultra, as part of the aforementioned tier. While other devices keep one common design language among themselves, differences in material and texture invariably mean they look incredibly different once you place them next to each other.
Physically, it uses the same design as the Edge 50 Pro and the newer Edge 50, featuring rounded corners with a 3D curved-edge display. It comes in at 175g, which makes it lighter compared to the rest due to the lack of a wireless charging coil. In addition to the vegan leather rear panel, that's on top of a solid grip, be it on a table or in hand. The near-flush dual-camera system complements the smooth profile, and a translucent case is environmentally friendly for further safeguarding.
One of the most eye-catching things about the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is how rugged it is. It carries the IP68 rating, which would protect it from water and dust, enabling it to get past a day at the beach or by the pool. It's lacking, though, in MIL-STD-810H certification coverage in the higher-end models, except in the basic Edge 50 model. Motorola does offer a small shield against water damage: the device can take a freshwater immersion of up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
The Edge 50 Fusion features a 3D curved edge display. This is essentially for aesthetics since the software cannot interact with the edges. Pretty thin are the borders of the display itself however, they are slightly thicker at the top and still at the bottom. It goes up to 1200 nits of peak brightness and features Aqua Touch from Motorola so it works using a wet hand. The display supports PWM/DC dimming and its high refresh rate of 720Hz is not needed, since the hardware wouldn't run demanding 3D games at maximum performance anyway. The display is not HDR certified, which results in a color banding effect in dimly-lit scenes. Yet, it has Widevine L1 available that would enable full-HD streaming.
Hello UI just adds more bloatware to an already clean and highly customizable operating system. Built on Android 14, there are a few other preloaded apps, such as Facebook and Netflix, that you can uninstall if you don't want them. The native weather app does include quite a few ads, as listed in a first for a mid-range smartphone.
The processor of the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion handles the tasks of everyday multitasking. Apps stay in memory, meaning fewer restarts, and there is little lag or stuttering in the interface. The performance is competitively lower compared to devices like the Poco X6 Pro, which carries a high-end processor by MediaTek, namely the Dimensity 8300 Ultra, and that too is designed for gaming purposes. The sound quality, when boosted with Dolby Atmos, is loud, clear, and shudderingly immersive, especially while gaming.
As it uses the newer Sony LYTIA 700C sensor, I was quite expecting a lot from the primary camera on the Edge 50 Fusion. Unfortunately, it is pretty disappointing for a mid-range device. The primary camera does take decent clicks, but HDR processing often leads to shots over and underexposed with colors that feel deeply unnatural. Textures and details are nothing to write home about, and Night mode makes almost no difference.
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion's 5,000mAh battery is fine, but nothing special compared to that of some rivals specifically the OnePlus CE 4, which was phenomenal. It lasts a day and a half with casual use and barely makes a full day with really heavy use. It does charge quickly, with a full charge taking 46 minutes in normal mode and 36 minutes with a Charge boost.
Motorola has successfully mixed style, durability, hardware, and software in Motorola Edge 50 Fusion, yet, somehow execution sounds half-baked. Camera performance and battery life are not satisfactory at all, and raw performance is not too glorious for gaming. In one line, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is a mid-range smartphone, which can be termed as raw in some major aspects.
1. What is the price of the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion?
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is priced at Rs. 22,999 in India. This positions it as an affordable option within the Edge 50 series, which includes other models like the Edge 50 Pro and Edge 50. While the Edge 50 Fusion is at the lower end of the pricing spectrum for this series, it offers several features aimed at mid-range smartphone buyers.
2. How does the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion compare to the Edge 50 Pro?
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is a more budget-friendly option compared to the Edge 50 Pro, which is priced starting at Rs. 29,999. The Edge 50 Pro is considered a high-end mid-range smartphone with advanced features and higher performance capabilities. In contrast, the Edge 50 Fusion offers a simpler design and fewer high-end features, making it a more accessible choice for users with a tighter budget. The Edge 50 Pro also includes better specifications and premium materials that are absent in the Edge 50 Fusion.
3. What are the key design features of the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion?
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion features a sleek design with rounded corners and a 3D curved-edge display. It weighs 175 grams, making it lighter than some of its counterparts due to the absence of a wireless charging coil. The phone has a vegan leather rear panel that provides a good grip, and the cameras are nearly flush with the back panel, contributing to its smooth profile. Additionally, the phone includes a translucent, environmentally-friendly case for extra protection. It is IP68-rated, ensuring resistance to dust and water, which adds to its durability.
4. How is the display quality on the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion?
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion has a 3D curved-edge display that is primarily for aesthetic purposes, as the software does not leverage this feature for additional functionality. The display offers up to 1200 nits of peak brightness and includes Motorola’s Aqua Touch feature, which allows it to be used with wet hands. However, the display lacks HDR certification, resulting in color banding, especially in dimly lit scenes. Despite a high refresh rate of 720Hz, it is not fully utilized as the hardware cannot handle demanding 3D games at maximum settings. The display does support Widevine L1, enabling full-HD streaming.
5. What software does the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion run on?
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion runs on Hello UI, which is based on Android 14. While the operating system remains customizable, it comes with preloaded apps like Facebook and Netflix that can be uninstalled if not needed. The native weather app includes ads, which is a notable addition to a mid-range smartphone. Despite the clean interface, Hello UI has seen an increase in bloatware over time.
6. How does the performance of the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion measure up?
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion’s performance is in line with expectations for a mid-range smartphone. The processor handles everyday multitasking efficiently, with apps staying in memory and minimal lag or stuttering. However, its performance does not match high-end devices like the Poco X6 Pro, which features a more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra processor designed for gaming. The sound quality, enhanced by Dolby Atmos, provides a loud and immersive audio experience, which is particularly effective for gaming.
7. What can you expect from the camera on the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion?
The camera on the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is somewhat disappointing for a mid-range device. It uses the Sony LYTIA 700C sensor, but the results are often overprocessed. HDR processing can lead to images being overexposed or underexposed, with colors that appear unnatural. The camera struggles with details and textures, and the Night mode does not significantly improve low-light performance. Overall, the camera experience on the Edge 50 Fusion is below the standard expected for its price range.
8. What is the battery life of the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion?
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion features a 5,000mAh battery, which offers adequate performance but is not exceptional compared to some competitors. For instance, the OnePlus CE 4 has shown superior battery life in tests. The Edge 50 Fusion typically lasts a day and a half with casual use but may require charging by the end of the day with heavy use. It supports fast charging, with a full charge taking 46 minutes in normal mode and 36 minutes in Charge boost mode.
9. Is the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion a good option for first-time mid-range buyers?
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is a suitable choice for first-time mid-range smartphone buyers due to its competitive pricing and solid design. It provides a good entry point into Motorola’s Edge series but falls short in areas like camera performance and battery life. For buyers looking for a budget-friendly option with a stylish design and decent performance, the Edge 50 Fusion is worth considering, though those seeking higher-end features may want to explore other options within the Edge 50 series or competitors.
