Motorola Edge 20

Motorola Edge 20 Review: Razor Thin, Refreshingly Capable, But Is It Enough?

I've spent the better part of the last few weeks putting the Motorola Edge 20 through its paces, and it's a device that definitely leaves an impression, even if it's not always the one you might expect. At a price point that sits comfortably in the mid-range, this phone is clearly aimed at those seeking a balance of style and substance without breaking the bank. My testing involved everything from daily tasks and media consumption to a bit of gaming and a fair amount of photo snapping. Here are my honest thoughts after living with it.

Navigating the Mid-Range Maze

The mid-range smartphone market is a crowded battlefield, and Motorola is no stranger to this space. The Edge 20 feels like a calculated play, leaning heavily on its standout features to carve out a niche. Motorola's strategy here seems to be offering flagship-adjacent features, like that impressive display, in a more accessible package. Priced competitively, it undercuts many of the true "flagship killer" devices, and this is where its appeal lies. Personally, I think this pricing strategy is smart; it caters to users who appreciate premium features but are unwilling to stretch their budget to the absolute top tier.

Design and Hardware: A Statement in Thinness

My first impression of the Edge 20 was undoubtedly its incredibly slim profile. At just 7mm thick, it's almost startlingly thin. While I initially shared some of the worry expressed elsewhere about its fragility, it actually feels surprisingly solid in hand. The lightweight build, at 163 grams, is a real bonus for everyday carry. The "Frosted Grey" finish on my review unit is understated and elegant, avoiding the fingerprint-magnet trap that plagues many phones. The materials feel decent for the price, though it lacks the ultimate premium feel of glass-backed flagships. In terms of practicality, the thin design is great for slipping into pockets, but it can also feel a little slippery at times, so a case might be a good idea for peace of mind.

Display: A Feast for the Eyes

The 6.7-inch OLED display is undoubtedly one of the Edge 20's star attractions. The colors are vibrant and punchy, making media consumption a genuinely enjoyable experience. But it's the 144Hz refresh rate that truly elevates the viewing experience. Scrolling through social media feeds and web pages is unbelievably smooth – it's a noticeable difference compared to standard 60Hz or even 90Hz displays. Watching videos is a delight, with excellent contrast and deep blacks that OLED panels are known for. Even for everyday tasks like reading emails and browsing, the fluidity of the display is a welcome addition. I found the brightness to be adequate for most outdoor conditions, although direct sunlight could sometimes be a challenge. Gaming also benefits significantly from the high refresh rate, resulting in smoother visuals and a more responsive feel.

Performance: Punching Above Its Weight

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 778G chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM in my test unit, handles daily tasks with impressive ease. Navigating the interface, launching apps, and multitasking felt fluid and responsive. I put it through a few moderate gaming sessions, playing titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile, and the Edge 20 held its own, delivering smooth frame rates with only occasional minor dips during particularly intense moments. While it might not match the raw power of flagship processors, it certainly offers more than enough grunt for the vast majority of users. I didn't experience any significant overheating issues during my testing, even with extended gaming sessions, which is a testament to its thermal management. It's a capable performer that punches above its weight class.

Camera System: A Tale of Two Halves

The camera system on the Edge 20 is a bit of a mixed bag, showcasing both strengths and weaknesses. The 108MP main sensor has the potential to capture some stunningly detailed images, especially in good lighting conditions. I took it on a few outdoor excursions, and landscapes and close-up shots in daylight were crisp and vibrant. The ultra-wide lens is a welcome addition for capturing expansive scenes, although the image quality isn't quite on par with the main sensor. The 3x optical zoom on the telephoto lens is genuinely useful for getting closer to subjects without significant loss of detail, a feature I appreciated when trying to capture some wildlife from a distance.

However, the performance in less-than-ideal lighting conditions is where the camera system starts to show its limitations. Images can become noticeably noisy, and the processing sometimes struggles to balance detail and noise reduction effectively. Video recording is decent, offering up to 4K resolution, but the electronic image stabilization (EIS) can sometimes introduce some slight wobble. Compared to other phones in this price range, the camera is competitive in good light but falls slightly behind in challenging scenarios. It’s a capable setup for casual shooters, but serious photography enthusiasts might find it lacking some consistency.

Battery and Charging: Getting Through the Day, Just About

The 4000mAh battery in the Edge 20 is sufficient for getting through a typical day of moderate use. My usage pattern involves checking emails, browsing social media, some light video watching, and occasional photography, and I generally ended the day with a bit of charge to spare. However, on heavier usage days involving more gaming or GPS navigation, I found myself needing to top up the battery in the late afternoon. The 30W fast charging is a welcome feature, quickly taking the phone from empty to around 60% in about half an hour, which is handy for those quick power boosts. While not class-leading, the battery performance is adequate for most users, but heavy users might want to keep a charger handy.

Software: Clean and Familiar

Motorola's near-stock implementation of Android is one of its long-standing strengths, and it's no different on the Edge 20. The interface is clean, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. There's minimal bloatware, which is always a plus. Motorola's "My UX" additions are subtle and genuinely useful, such as the gesture-based shortcuts for launching the camera or turning on the flashlight. During my testing, the software felt responsive and stable. However, it's worth noting that Motorola's update policy hasn't always been the most generous. While the Edge 20 launched with Android 11 and has received Android 12, the long-term software support is something to consider.

Value Analysis: Striking a Balance

The Motorola Edge 20 offers a compelling package for its price. You get a stunning 144Hz OLED display, a surprisingly thin and light design, and capable performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The main camera can capture excellent photos in good lighting. This phone is ideally suited for users who prioritize display quality and sleek design and need a reliable daily driver without the flagship price tag.

However, if you're a hardcore mobile photographer demanding top-tier camera performance in all conditions or someone who needs exceptional battery life that lasts for two days, you might want to look elsewhere. Competitors in this price range offer varying strengths, some with better cameras, others with larger batteries. The Samsung Galaxy A series and certain Xiaomi devices are worth considering as alternatives, depending on your specific priorities.

Conclusion: A Solid Mid-Range Contender

Overall, the Motorola Edge 20 is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that gets a lot right. The standout display and thin design are genuinely impressive, and the performance is more than adequate for most users. While the camera system has its limitations, it's still capable of producing good results in many situations. If you value a smooth and visually appealing user experience in a sleek and lightweight package, the Motorola Edge 20 is definitely worth considering. It’s a solid contender that proves you don't need to spend a fortune to get a phone with many of the features you'll actually appreciate and use daily.