Motorola Edge 50 Neo performance review: most powerful smartphone under Rs 25,000?

Pros

• Smooth and reliable performance
• Clean OS and useful proprietary apps
• Consistent frame rates in BGMI

Cons

• Compact size for hardcore gamers
• Average thermal management

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is a good option if reliable performance and clean software experience matter to you. Motorola also offers multiple proprietary features to boost productivity, and you can make the best out of it already own a Windows laptop. For gaming, the smartphone maintains consistent frame rates while playing demanding titles like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile. However, its compact build may not be ideal for users who prefer a more spacious display.

Introduction and process

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is the fourth Edge smartphone under Rs 30,000 in 2024. It continues the legacy of Edge 50 (review) and Edge 50 Pro (review) by offering a dedicated telephoto camera. It also looks vastly similar to other Edge 50 series smartphones but features a smaller display.

For our detailed review, we compared the Edge 50’s performance against the OnePlus Nord CE4 (review) and Realme P2 Pro (review). We also pitted it against its younger sibling, the Edge 50 Fusion (review). The results are based on extensive testing, which includes benchmarks and gaming. Here’s everything you need to know.

Geekbench

Winner: Motorola Edge 50 Neo

In Geekbench’s single and multi-core tests, the Dimensity 7300 SoC-powered Motorola Edge 50 Neo, achieved respectable scores, highlighting the smartphone’s CPU capabilities while handling basic as well as complex tasks.

It attained higher single and multi-core scores than its sibling Motorola Edge 50 Fusion, although the differences aren’t significantly wide. Of the three phones we compared against the Edge 50 Neo, only the OnePlus Nord CE4 achieved a higher single-core score. The Realme P2 Pro attained 2,930 points in the multi-core score, but it was way behind its rivals in the single-core test (866).

Real-world context: While Geekbench shows Edge 50 Neo’s superiority, differences in real-life could be difficult to distinguish. For instance, I did not face any issues while launching apps or gaming on either of the smartphones. Minor stutters and bugs are common, and that’s also visible on these four devices. Otherwise, the Edge 50 Neo offers a stunning colours, but I personally prefer a taller display than its 6.4-inch screen.

AnTuTu

Winner: OnePlus Nord CE4

Unlike Geekbench, AnTuTu evaluates the smartphone’s graphics, memory, and animation. In some senses, it’s a more thorough process, and the simple rule is the higher the score the better it is.

While Motorola Edge 50 Neo continued to be ahead of Edge 50 Fusion, the Realme P2 Pro and the OnePlus Nord CE4 achieved higher AnTuTu scores.

Real-world context: During my experience, the OnePlus offered relatively smoother animation, especially while switching apps. However, this is not always consistent. As mentioned, the differences in real-life performance are hard to distinguish.

CPU Throttle

Winner: Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

The CPU throttle test evaluates a smartphone’s CPU capabilities under heavy workload. As the workload intensifies, the phone tends to overheat, which can also be influenced by the surrounding environment as well. The test indicates whether the smartphone can maintain smooth performance under heavy pressure and, if so, to what extent. For this test, we used the Burnout app.

Notably, all the Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered smartphones exhibited more stable performance at peak performance. The two Snapdragon 7s Gen 2-powered Realme P2 Pro and Edge 50 Fusion were neck and neck in the throttle test at around 76 percent, but the latter took the top spot by a very small margin. Do remember, the Burnout test subjects the smartphone to severe workloads to assess performance.

Real-world context: During my test, I did not encounter any heating issues with the Edge 50 Neo while running apps indoors. However, I did notice some degree of heating when testing the cameras outdoors, though it did not significantly impact performance. Notably, you may experience a slight lag when clicking photos if the phone’s internal temperature is high, as I did during my Edge 50 Neo test.

Gaming

Winner: Realme P2 Pro

For our gaming test, we played Call of Duty, Battlegrounds Mobile India, and Real Racing 3 on all smartphones for 30 minutes each. We are considering the change in temperature after every game. We are also analysing which smartphone offered the most consistent frame rate while gaming.

Firstly, in terms of experience, gaming on all these four smartphones was good, if not the best. The two Motorola phones, the Realme P2 Pro, and Nord CE4 feature an AMOLED display for punchy viewing and stereo experience for a loud sound experience.

FPS performance

To check the average frame rates, we used TakoStats, though it did not run on the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion. It also didn’t work while playing COD on the Nord 4. Overall, the Edge 50 Neo offered better frame rates (smoothness), especially while playing action titles like BGMI and COD. These games are more demanding as players compete against others online, putting the phone under a heavier load.

After 30 minutes of gaming on each smartphone, the Edge 50 Neo managed thermals better than the others in BGMI, suggesting better optimisation for this particular smartphone. In COD and Real Racing 3, the Realme P2 managed thermals better than its rivals. I also enjoyed playing games on the Realme smartphone due to its tall display. Frankly, the experience of the Edge 50 Neo was good, if not better. The P2 Pro also offered a more comfortable grip for prolonged gaming.

Thermal test 

Final verdict

Based on our benchmarks and gaming test, all smartphones are tied up for the top spot. This also suggests that all these smartphones exhibited their own strengths and weaknesses in several aspects.

• For instance, the new Edge 50 Neo outperformed its rivals in Geekbench, proving its superiority in dedicated CPU performance.
• Similarly, the Nord CE4 achieved the highest score in AnTuTu, which considers key parameters like CPU, GPU, memory, and UI.
• The Edge 50 Fusion also performed better than its rivals in the CPU throttle test.

Therefore, it all comes down to real-life usage.

• If we consider the software experience, which is equally important to many users, the two Motorola phones stand tall in terms of features and minimal third-party apps.
• The OnePlus Nord CE4 might be a more compelling option if an Android ecosystem matters to you as the brand now offers smartwatches, tablets, and of course, audio products.
• Based on our gaming tests, the Realme P2 Pro was ahead of the three smartphones.