Motorola Edge 40 review in 5 pointsBest productivity-focused smartphone under Rs 30,000

By Abhik SenguptaIf you’re looking for a smartphone under Rs 30,000, the good news is that there are plenty of options available. However, having too many choices can also be overwhelming and leave you feeling more confused. If you’re in search of a stylish and productivity-focused smartphone, you might come across the new Motorola Edge 40. Priced under Rs 30,000, it offers a sleek design, a curved display, an OIS-enabled camera, wireless charging, fast wired charging, and a clean Android experience. The Edge 40 could also be a good choice if you’re looking for a value-for-money device for your parents or if you’re a college student who appreciates its edgy design and camera-focused features.

If these points meet your requirements, here are five things to keep in mind before purchasing the Motorola Edge 40.

Design and displayThere’s no doubt that the Edge 40 is one of the most stylish-looking smartphones on the market right now. If you pick the green variant, the back has a leather finish instead of the glass-like finish on the black model. The sides also feature a metal finish, adding great value to its overall premiumness. The only challenge with a slim smartphone is that you may find it difficult to find the right case and screen guard. The package includes a clear hardcover, which is a thoughtful decision from Motorola.

The display performance is also good. It features a 6.5-inch display with HDR support and a 144Hz refresh rate. The two features could help with the viewing experience if the content and app also have the same support.

ProductivityDuring my review, I found the Motorola Edge 40 reliable with daily tasks, be it browsing the web or other app-uses. It carries a MediaTek Dimensity 8020 chipset, which performs relatively better than Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G SoC that powers some of my favourite mid-budget Android phones, like the Galaxy M52. The Dimensity 8020 SoC performs much better than Snapdragon 695 SoC, which has become a go-to choice for many smartphone OEMs in this segment. There’s Android 13, though I found some bugs during my test.

CameraMotorola has chosen to remove a third camera and instead features a 50-megapixel OIS-enabled main camera and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera that doubles as a macro camera. The performance of both rear cameras is similar, but Motorola could enhance its processing capabilities. In well-lit settings, photos and videos default to a high white balance, resulting in a slightly washed-out appearance despite retaining details. The 32-megapixel front camera had the same problem of excessively lightening skin tones. Thankfully, all cameras support 4K recording, which could be useful to many upcoming creators.

BatteryDespite its slim design, the Edge 40 impressively houses a 4,400mAh battery that easily lasted a full day during my testing. It’s worth noting that I had all the power-intensive features enabled, such as the 144Hz refresh rate and Always-On Display (AOD). Additionally, the bundled 68W PD charger performed remarkably well, charging the phone up to 66 per cent in just 30 minutes and reaching a full 100 per cent charge in approximately 50 minutes.

VerdictThe Motorola Edge 40 provides excellent value for its price, especially for individuals who value productivity and aesthetics. However, if you’re an avid gamer, I suggest exploring alternatives like the Poco F5 or iQOO Neo 7, as they outperformed the Edge 40 in benchmark tests. If you’re a fan of clean Android OS, the Pixel 6a is a good choice, but that comes at the cost of a low refresh rate display and no wireless charging.

Readers can read the complete review here. (https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/reviews/story/motorola-edge-40-review-style-and-productivity-on-point-2390945-2023-06-09)