The Motorola Edge 20 Pro: A Premium Flagship with a Stock Android Twist?
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro, the latest addition to the Edge series in India, aims to capture the attention of budget-conscious phone enthusiasts seeking a powerful and sleek device. With a starting price of Rs. 36,999, the Edge 20 Pro directly challenges competition from the likes of the OnePlus 9R, boasting a compelling mix of high-end hardware and a near-stock Android experience. This first impressions piece delves into the design, key features, and initial user experience, leaving you with a glimpse of what this promising device has to offer.
Striking Design and a Vibrant Display
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro shares its DNA with its sibling, the Edge 20, sporting a similar, sleek design. A captivating 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a tall 20:9 aspect ratio dominates the front, delivering vibrant visuals with full-HD+ resolution, a blistering 144Hz refresh rate, and a quick 576Hz touch sampling rate. This combination ensures smooth scrolling and fluid gaming experiences. However, while one-handed operation is achievable due to the phone’s narrow profile, reaching the top of the display with your thumb requires some maneuvering. Both the front and back are shielded by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, providing enhanced durability.
The Edge 20 Pro’s midframe, crafted from an aluminum alloy with a resin coating, exudes a glossiness that may not entirely translate into a premium feel. The device adopts a side-mounted fingerprint scanner positioned on the right alongside the volume controls. Interestingly, competitors like the OnePlus 9R offer in-display fingerprint scanning for added convenience. On the left, a dedicated Google Assistant button ensures quick access to your virtual assistant. The lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a common omission in contemporary smartphones, which is compensated by the inclusion of a USB Type-C port, loudspeaker, and SIM tray at the bottom, and a secondary microphone at the top.
A Camera System Packed with Possibilities
The Edge 20 Pro’s rear camera setup comprises a powerful trio: a 108-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and optical image stabilization, and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera capable of capturing macro shots. This versatile system promises to capture impressive images in various scenarios, from everyday shots to close-up details and expansive landscapes. For selfies, a 32-megapixel front-facing camera resides in a discreet punch-hole cutout at the top of the display. This camera module, unlike its Edge 20 counterpart, doesn’t protrude as significantly, enhancing the device’s overall aesthetics.
Power and Endurance: A Winning Combination?
Powering the Edge 20 Pro is the highly capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC, backed by 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. While this single configuration caters to the Indian market, the demand for a 12GB RAM, 256GB storage variant might be a worthwhile consideration for Motorola. A sizable 4,500mAh battery fuels the device, complemented by a 30W TurboPower charger included in the box. The Edge 20 Pro boasts an IP52 rating, protecting it from light splashes.
Software: A Near-Stock Android Experience
Motorola’s Edge 20 Pro runs Android 11 with its MyUX interface layered on top, delivering a near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware. Motorola promises two years of software updates, ensuring a consistent and secure experience. The device arrived with the September Android security patch, demonstrating Motorola’s commitment to timely updates. This software approach appeals to users who value simplicity and a clean user interface, eliminating unnecessary distractions.
Early Verdict: A Strong Contender in the Premium Mid-Range
The Motorola Edge 20 Pro, with its captivating design, powerful hardware, and clean software experience, presents a compelling alternative within the premium mid-range segment. The device’s impressive camera setup, fast display, and long-lasting battery hold great promise. However, a comprehensive review is necessary to gauge its performance in real-world scenarios, such as gaming, camera quality, battery life, and overall user experience. Stay tuned for the full review to see how the Motorola Edge 20 Pro fares against the OnePlus 9R and other prominent players in this competitive market.
