I’ve gone on vacation with the high-end cell phone that stands up to the best for a much lower price.

Either for my work or my own use of the phone, I need a smartphone powerful high-end that meets my needs. In Spain users tend to prefer simpler devices, but it is a fact: I put a lot of ‘cane’ to my phone. Motorola is a firm with a growing offer of this kind of devices, with examples such as the Razr 40.Motorola Edge 50 Ultra everywhere.

Like many other Spaniards, I was recently able to enjoy a short vacation in the sometimes forgotten land of Ceuta. In my hands I carried the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, the top of the line mobile that rivals the best in the market, and seeks to defeat titans such as the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

And at a fairly reduced price, since at the time of writing this article, the Edge 50 Ultra is available for purchase at 899 euros in Spain. It is worth remembering the very high range in which this Motorola phone is placed. Not only does it have the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 as processor -one of the most powerful today-, but it mounts a complete set of sensors to unleash your inner photographer.

Premium in the best sense of the word

One of the aspects that have been turning me off of the most expensive phones on the market is their finish. premium, usually marked by the use of glass and curved screens. Don’t get me wrong; I, as much as anyone, like to have a work of art as a phone. The problem is that these designs come with certain flaws. that the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra gets rid of, such as grips that are too slippery or backs that get dirty almost looking at them.

The Lenovo firm has decided to slightly modify the rear finish of this Edge 50 Ultra, in practically all its versions. For example, there is a rather peculiar version that mimics a wood finish. But the unit in black that mimics vegan leather and makes gives a rubbery feel to the touch. It is by far, the best design decision Motorola has ever made.

This finish maintains the look and feel of the premium The Edge 50 Ultra has a premium look and feel and keeps it slim, but with a much better grip. Picking up and using this Edge 50 Ultra is a joy; it doesn’t slip at all in the hand and its slimness of just 8.59 millimeters makes it very comfortable to hold and use. This is thanks in part to the thin aluminum rim that surrounds the body that favors such grip.

Motorola has decided to leave the glass for the prominent rear camera module and for the display, in a sandwitch very thin collected in the aforementioned aluminum edge that fits its curves. Some edges that host both the lower USB-C port and its upper and lower speakers, which we will talk about later. Taking it to the beach and playing with it even after being in the pool has been a joy.

The whole package ensures that even though the phone is relatively large, it doesn’t feel heavy or bulky in the hand. In addition, we removed along the way the annoying fingerprint smudges that are usually left on the classic glass backs. Of course, this ‘leather’ part is not exempt from dirt, dust specks and liquids. will show through. And yes, we say liquids, because this phone is resistant against dust and water thanks to its IP68 protection.

The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is a stylish, well-built phone that looks and feels more expensive than it really is. The design that Motorola has opted for is not only useful to the end user, but gives the device a personality that is sure to catch the eye of friends and family who see it.

An ideal screen… but curved

This is a top-notch screen, which becomes one of the most important arguments of the Edge 50 Ultra. Just reviewing its specifications it becomes clear why: this is a 6.7-inch screen with 2,712 x 1,220 OLED resolution that also enjoys 2,500 nits of brightness, it has a brutal 144 Hz refresh rate.

Motorola has done a superb job with the design of this screen, as this enjoys a tremendously reduced frames, making the long-awaited sensation of the all-screen is even more accentuated. Adding to this feeling are the curved edges, which are relatively accentuated and give the phone an even more striking look.

In terms of performance, there’s nothing to argue about: the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra’s panel delivers as promised. The brightness is more than sufficient for outdoor use, even in the hours where the sun hits the hardest. Aspects such as color calibration, sharpness and dynamic range are typical of any self-respecting high-end device, making watching movies or playing games a delight.

Especially in the field of gaming. Yes, there are very few games that take advantage of even a part of the 144 Hz that this panel has. Remember that 120 Hz is the norm, so Motorola gives us a not inconsiderable 24 Hz more. The screen feels very fluid and responsive, which helps a lot to the gaming experience. Logically, you can vary between rates ranging from 60 to 144 Hz.

However, I’m not a big proponent of curved screens. The extreme screen utilization sometimes works against the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, as some elements of apps and games are right on these edges. I have found myself more than once having difficulty accessing menus or specific buttons, which were curved into the panel.

Also, the usability of the phone is compromised, despite the rubbery back helping with this. Holding the phone without occupying these edges becomes more difficult and sometimes can generate phantom touches, a constant of this class of displays. However, this is a subjective point, as these ‘problems’ apply to almost any phone that currently has curved edges.

Thus, this will ultimately depend on the user. Those looking for a very high quality, fast and above all responsive panel will find the Edge 50 Ultra a great ally, as these issues are offset by the high quality of the display. However, it is up to the user to decide whether these good quality results make up for the possible drawbacks of the curved edges.

In the field of multimedia aspect, it is also worth mentioning. the excellent sound that mounts the Edge 50 Ultra; an aspect, it must be said, usually forgotten. Motorola has been kind enough to include a dual stereo speaker, one on each edge of the phone. A set powered by Dolby Atmos, with dedicated app included.

Because the phone is incredibly thin, the low frequencies lose a bit, but the mids and highs are very clearly distinguishable in these speakers. You can listen to music just fine without headphones, as the speakers sound very good and powerful. In addition, the Dolby Atmos app and audio settings allow the user to adjust their listening experience with a high degree of versatility.

The phone doesn’t perform: it flies

Under the hood, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra rides the best of the best when it comes to specs. The proof is in the pudding in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a slightly superior version of the already portentous Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and which is constituted as the crown jewel of the American manufacturer. And it is coupled with a number of impressive features.

The spec table is impressive. 1 TB of internal storage with UFS 4.0 paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM on the memory side, and high-speed USB-C that also supports DisplayPort. It is followed by state-of-the-art connectivity, with WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 and 5G. This mobile is, without ambiguity, one of the most powerful and fastest on the market.

The fluidity with which the Edge 50 Ultra moves is simply extreme. The device does not move with agility: it practically flies. It is fast, precise and runs tasks and games without flinching. The sensation of speed is such that even friends who own high-end phones have been amazed to see me using it.

A very important role in this equation is played by the software, which in this case is Android version 14. Motorola continues to go for a relatively clean experience, very similar at least aesthetically to Android. stock. A system that includes in its interface a lot of resemblance to Google Pixel, the kings of the so-called Android stock. Motorola, however, has tucked in a few extra additions.

The software feels very stable and fast; the animations are well worked and in general, the system works according to the performance of the mobile. Of course, the phone comes with some aesthetic changes to which you will have to get used to, as well as a small package of bloatware which will need to be removed.

Some details of software that we liked include the ability to connect the cell phone to a monitor via USB-C. and achieve a desktop interface, similar to what we get with Samsung DeX. Not only that; the Edge 50 Ultra incorporates AI features and connectivity with other devices such as PCs quite interesting that greatly nourish the experience.

The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has been able to handle everything I’ve thrown at it these days. I’ve played some of the most demanding titles on the market without a single crash. frames in between, and with the graphics settings at maximum. Multitasking also proved to be brutal; I found myself using a good number of applications almost at the same time, without the device flinching.

Special mention to the optical fingerprint reader located under the screen, and which serves as the primary method for unlocking the phone -along with the very useful face unlock-. It works very well, almost instantly, and has not given a single problem on my vacation.

A balanced autonomy

It’s no use having all these features if the phone can’t last throughout the day. Motorola has decided to equip its Edge 50 Ultra with a not inconsiderable 4,500 mAh battery, which in turn is powered by With a very impressive 125W fast charging. It also features 50 W wireless charging and reversible charging. And yes: the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra includes the 125W charger in the box, without forcing us to go through checkout.

Motorola promises that thanks to this technology, only about 5 minutes of charging will be necessary to have several hours of autonomy. In fact, in less than 20 minutes the phone is 100% charged, something that has been great for me in my vacation days and that I have been able to certify without any doubt. So much so that it has been a great addition in recent weeks.

And is that both the Edge 50 Ultra battery and its excellent load have made me simply forget my phone, getting no longer worrying about the battery. When the battery was low, it was enough for me to plug it in for a few minutes to have enough battery life for the rest of the day. Also, with no games in between, I managed to squeeze the Edge 50 Ultra. for about two days straight, without having to go through the plug.

Hilarious cameras

The camera is by far the most important point for many Spaniards when buying a phone. And logically on my vacation I have squeezed a lot of the sensors of this Edge 50 Ultra, which are not few. That’s not counting the front camera, which is 50 megapixels.

In total, we have three rear cameras: a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel wide-angle sensor (with a 122° field of view), and a 50-megapixel wide-angle sensor (with a 122° field of view). and a 64-megapixel telephoto sensor, with 3X optical zoom. A ToF sensor and a fairly powerful LED flash are added. These three cameras have replaced my professional camera on my trip.

I have used all the sensors almost equally, being. telephoto being my favorite by far, thanks to its 3X optical zoom. Motorola has put all its efforts in giving the user a versatility and versatility out of the ordinary, so that the user can have fun using the camera. And indeed, I had a lot of fun.

Have the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra cameras delivered on my journey? The truth is yes, but with nuances. This set of sensors has been able to give me very good overall results, coming out well in virtually all situations and giving me a gallery of photographs worthy of the best Instagram galleries. Overall, we are looking at very good cameras.

In this case, and unlike what happened for example with the Sony Xperia 1 VI, the Edge 50 Ultra makes a balance between a good hardware and a moderately subtle processing. The snapshots, in good light, are very satisfactory, with a good level of detail and contrast in most of them. Aspects such as white balance and dynamic range are also good, although only in very good lighting conditions.

Shooting photos exclusively in automatic, we have noticed two small issues. The color calibration of the photos is usually excellent, but in some very rare occasions it tends to oversaturate some very specific colors making them slightly unrealistic. We do not know if this is due to a small bug processing bug or because the camera works like this. We have noticed this in shots where colors such as blue or green are very predominant.

On the other hand, as the light falls off, the dynamic range becomes a bit chaotic due to the HDR effects that the processing applies to the shots. In some cases the bleaker parts of the image are practically invisible in the shot, while the most illuminated parts are very rarely burned out.

Above all, it depends on the sensor used. The 50-megapixel main sensor only fails with HDR and rarely when the light gradually falls. The wide-angle sensor takes very good pictures, but it calibrates the color differently depending on the scene. It’s subtle, and the untrained eye may not even notice it. But those who review the photos well will see differences in colorimetry between the different sensors.

The sensor that surprised me the most was the telephoto sensor. Focusing at such a distance and framing the shot is usually difficult in these cases, but the great stabilization that this sensor has -and that is also present in the main sensor- makes it possible to use it in a very fast way. is much more feasible. It stands out on issues such as detail or sharpness, aspects very well achieved in this sensor.

Night photography, far from being bad, is the Achilles heel of this Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. It is possible to push the phone’s cameras to get good images, but due to the lack of light, they will suffer. from a greater lack of detail. It is no less true, on the other hand, that this is often the most difficult step to overcome for the smartphones Today’s smartphones. In no case, on the other hand, are we facing a dramatic situation.

The camera selfie we also liked it, especially for its high degree of detail. We noticed a small excess in the processing of the self-portraits, as sometimes they are a bit oversaturated in detail. Again, it makes up for it with a very good sharpness, which is noticeable from the very moment the picture is taken. selfie.

Should I buy it?

It is clear that the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is a phone that aspires to the high end, but with some reservations. We can not ignore that despite brushing the barrier of 1,000 euros, this is a phone. that costs several hundred euros less than its direct rivals, which already operate in the 1,500 euro range. It is a high-end in the hardware, but not a high-end premium in the price.

That’s why I think this phone Is in a sweet spot that the high end had lost. A price that does not exceed 1,000 euros, but offers a great pack of features, which excels in power and suffers from very few flaws. Because it is a fact that the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is a great phone, highly recommended for those who aspire to have a high performance mobile.

It is not without flaws, but several of them are subjective. The curved screen is a detail to be taken into account, yes, and the night performance of its cameras could be better. However, it competes toe-to-toe with considerably more expensive devices in key aspects, such as speed and raw power. Anyone who places value on these points, will be pleasantly satisfied with the Edge 50 Ultra.