The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion: A First Look at a Budget-Friendly 5G Phone with a Big OLED Display
The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, with brands constantly vying for the attention of budget-conscious consumers. Motorola has thrown its hat into the ring with the release of the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion, a phone boasting a powerful chipset, a stunning OLED display, and a triple camera system, all for a price under Rs. 30,000. But does the Edge 20 Fusion deliver on its promises and offer a compelling value proposition? This first impressions article explores the key features and explores whether it stands out in a crowded market.
Motorola Edge 20 Fusion Price in India:
The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion packs a punch for its price. The base variant with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage begins at Rs. 21,499. The higher variant, boasting 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, is priced at Rs. 22,999. This affordable pricing makes it a tempting option for those looking for a high-quality phone without breaking the bank. The phone is available in two color options: Electric Graphite and Cyber Teal, with our review unit sporting the Electric Graphite finish.
Design and Display: A Captivating Visual Experience
The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion is a true head-turner with its 6.7-inch full-HD+ OLED display. This expansive panel offers a vibrant visual experience, boasting 90Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and a clear cinematic feel. It is further enhanced by HDR10 support, bringing richer color and deeper blacks to the screen. The 20:9 aspect ratio provides a near bezel-less experience, maximizing the viewing area.
The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, providing a decent level of protection against scratches. The top of the display features a hole-punch camera design housing the 32-megapixel selfie shooter. While the punch hole is relatively small, it’s a tad distracting in certain scenarios.
The curved plastic frame around the display offers a comfortable grip and feels solid in hand. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button, providing easy access and a responsive unlock experience. Positioned above the fingerprint sensor, the volume buttons require a slight stretch to reach, which might be a minor inconvenience for users with smaller hands.
The back of the phone boasts a plastic finish, which is susceptible to smudges and fingerprints. Although the Electric Graphite color looks sleek, it requires regular wiping. The triple camera module prominently protrudes from the back, potentially causing the phone to rock on flat surfaces.
Performance: A Powerful Engine
The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion is powered by the capable MediaTek Dimensity 800U SoC, a processor known for delivering smooth performance and efficient energy consumption. This chipset is paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, depending on the variant. It appears to handle even demanding tasks with ease, offering a smooth and responsive user experience.
The phone comes with 128GB of internal storage, which is non-expandable. Although sufficient for most users, the lack of expandable storage may be a deal-breaker for users who require ample storage space for media or apps.
This phone is 5G-ready, catering to individuals who want to be future-proofed for faster internet speeds as networks become increasingly available. However, it’s important to note that 5G connectivity is not currently widespread in India, thus the advantage of the 5G capability will be limited for now.
Camera: A Versatile Imaging System
The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion boasts a triple-camera system comprising a 108-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The ultra-wide-angle camera doubles as a macro lens, allowing for close-up shots.
Based on our initial observations, the primary camera captures decent pictures in daylight conditions with a good level of detail and accurate colors. The ultra-wide-angle camera seems to struggle a bit in low light, rendering images with slightly less sharpness than the primary camera. The 108-megapixel sensor offers a high-resolution image, but the details captured are not always impressive. Nevertheless, the camera system offers a good level of versatility for everyday use and casual photography.
Software: A Familiar and Clean Experience
The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion runs Motorola’s MyUX interface, a toned-down and close-to-stock version of Android 11. This ensures a clean and fast user experience with minimal bloatware, a plus point for many users. The Moto app comes pre-loaded, offering useful features such as Moto Actions: shortcut gestures for quick access to specific actions.
Motorola has committed to providing two years of Android updates, ensuring that the phone will receive updates to Android 12 and 13. Additionally, the phone will benefit from two years of security updates, keeping the device secure and protected. Moreover, the Edge 20 Fusion comes with ThinkShield for Mobile, offering business-grade security features for added protection.
Ready For: A Desktop-Like Experience
One of the unique features of the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion is its Ready For feature. This allows users to connect the phone to an external display, mirroring the phone’s screen and transforming it into a desktop-like experience. This capability enables users to get more done on a larger screen, and the phone seamlessly becomes a productivity tool.
Ready For PC is another interesting feature, allowing users to connect the phone to a Windows PC and utilize various apps on the larger screen. While this feature holds promising potential, it requires a companion app for installation.
Battery Life: Getting You Through the Day
The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion is equipped with a substantial 5,000mAh battery, providing enough juice to last through a full day of typical use. It supports 30W Turbo charging, enabling a quick recharge when needed. The USB Type-C port facilitates fast charging, and the bundled Type-C to Type-C cable ensures compatibility. The box also includes a protective case to keep the phone safe.
Verdict: A Promising Contender in the Mid-Range Market
The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion offers a compelling blend of features and affordability, making it a strong contender in the competitive mid-range market. Its powerful chipset, captivating OLED display, and versatile camera system make it a compelling option for those seeking a high-performing phone at a reasonable price.
However, the lack of expandable storage and the plastic back panel, which is prone to smudges, may be deal-breakers for some users. The overall performance and responsiveness of the phone are positive, and the software experience is clean and user-friendly. Ready For represents a unique and potentially impactful feature.
While our first impressions of the phone are positive, a full review is needed to ascertain its true capabilities and how it stacks up against the competition. Stay tuned for a comprehensive review to get a complete picture of whether the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion lives up to its potential.
