Motorola Edge 40 Neo Review: Almost perfect mid-range smartphone
Introducing the Motorola Edge 40 Neo, a budget-friendly smartphone that defies expectations with its premium features and an enticing price tag of just £300.
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo is a testament to Motorola’s dedication to providing affordable yet feature-packed smartphones. It’s a device that stands out in the crowded smartphone market, offering premium features like water resistance, a high-refresh-rate display, fast charging, and enhanced camera capabilities, all without breaking the bank. If you’re looking for a smartphone that offers exceptional value for your money, the Edge 40 Neo is definitely one to consider. So let’s unbox this smartphone and experience the latest and greatest that Motorola has to offer.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo: Video Review
| Specs | Motorola Edge 40 Neo |
| Display | 6.55 inch, P-OLED, 144Hz, 1080 x 2400 pixels, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak), 20:9 ratio |
| CPU | MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MC3 |
| RAM | 8GB, 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB |
| Memory Card Slot | No |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| OS | Android 13 |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Front Camera | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 0.7µm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM, eSIM or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| NFC | Yes |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 68W wired, 50% in 15 min (advertised) |
| Dimensions | 159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm (6.28 x 2.83 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 170 g or 172 g (6.00 oz) |
| Waterproof | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Colors | Black, Soothing Sea, Caneel Bay |
Unboxing
As soon as I popped open the box of the Motorola Edge 40 Neo, my immediate thought was, “Why does it suddenly smell like there was an explosion in a purple rare factory?” And then it hit me – Motorola has partnered with a fragrance company called Ferminike, and they’ve created an official Motorola fragrance that they actually spray into the boxes for the Edge phones.
But enough about the fragrance, what else do you get bundled in the box? Well, you’ve got yourself a 68-watt power adapter, ensuring your device charges up quickly. A USB Type-C cable is also included for all your connectivity needs. And to top it off, Motorola has kindly thrown in a protective case.
What makes this case special is that it’s 100% constructed from plants. It’s a head trip to think that this thing is constructed from plants, yet it’s sturdy and provides protection for your precious device.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo: Design
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo available in three unique color versions is Black Beauty, Soothing Sea and Caneel Bay, each adorned with the prestigious Pantone logo.
Each color option extends across the back flap of the device and seamlessly blends into the frame. Notably, the Soothing Sea and Caneel Bay versions feature back covers crafted from vegan leather, while the Black Beauty variant boasts an acrylic finish.
Despite its affordable price tag, the aesthetics of the Motorola Edge 40 Neo truly stand out. The phone is only 7.8mm thick and has a soft-touch surface. Its near-borderless display, with subtle curves at the left and right edges, enhances the visual appeal. While the frame is constructed from plastic rather than metal, it does not detract from the phone’s overall allure.
The device’s weight of just 170 grams adds to its appeal, making it feel notably lightweight compared to some of its more expensive counterparts in the smartphone market. Additionally, like the iPhone, it boasts an IP68 water resistance rating, providing peace of mind for those unexpected encounters with water.
In terms of usability, the phone offers an ergonomic design that fits comfortably in your hand. Its textured back surface provides a secure grip, ensuring it remains slip-resistant, and is remarkably adept at resisting fingerprint smudges, except on the screen.
Display
The display on the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is a striking feature that bears a striking resemblance to its pricier sibling, the Motorola Edge 40. While there’s a slight deviation in the maximum declared screen brightness, with the Edge 40 Neo boasting 1300 nits.
Measuring 6.55 inches and utilizing a pOLED matrix, the screen on the Edge 40 Neo offers a crisp resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. Its 20:9 aspect ratio provides an excellent balance between screen real estate and ergonomics, making it a great fit for various multimedia and multitasking needs. Moreover, the device sports an impressive 144 Hz refresh rate, coupled with HDR10+ support, which results in a visually delightful experience.
In practical terms, the display truly shines. Colors are rendered with vividness and saturation, blacks are inky and deep, and the viewing angles are impeccable. Perhaps most notably, the maximum screen brightness proves to be more than sufficient for comfortable usage even in the glaring sunlight of September. The fluidity of displayed content is equally commendable, and considering the price point, the display on the Edge 40 Neo stands out in a class of its own.
Diving into the settings, you’ll find a range of customization options to tailor your display experience. This includes a dark mode for the menu, a blue light filter for reduced eye strain, an option to prevent image flickering in dimly lit environments, and the flexibility to adjust the refresh rate and color temperature to your liking.
Among the practical features inherent in the rounded side edges, the “edge lights” option deserves special mention. This functionality illuminates the side edges of the screen in response to incoming calls, notifications, or alerts, mirroring the functionality seen in the Motorola Edge 40.
Performance
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7030 processor, complemented by Mali-G610 MC3 graphics, and boasts an impressive 12 GB of RAM. While the processor and graphics may not quite match the performance of the pricier Motorola Edge 40, they are still more than capable, especially considering the device’s budget-friendly price point. In everyday use, the phone performs smoothly and without any hiccups, even during extended periods of heavy usage.
Benchmark results for the Motorola Edge 40 Neo were as follows:
- Antutu Benchmark 10.0.9 (with GPU test disabled) – 446,400 points
- 3D Mark (Sling Shot Extreme test) – 4256 points
- 3D Mark (Wild Life Extreme test) – 704 points
Comparing these results, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo achieves 3D Mark scores similar to those of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G, which is currently available at a similar price point. This performance is more than adequate for most users and ensures a seamless experience in day-to-day tasks. Additionally, the phone maintains consistent performance even during extended usage, with stress test results indicating a remarkable 99% stability rate.
The device offers ample storage space with its 256 GB of built-in internal memory, providing approximately 222 GB of usable storage for your apps, files, and media. While there is no memory card slot, the generous internal storage should suffice for most users’ needs.
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo is a Dual-SIM device, offering the convenience of two phone numbers. However, it has only one slot for physical nanoSIM cards, with the option to add a second phone number through the eSIM service. For data transmission, the device supports 5G, LTE, and Wi-Fi 6, ensuring fast and reliable connectivity.
Other notable features include a USB-C 2.0 port, NFC support, and a comprehensive suite of navigation modules, including GPS, Glonass, and Galileo. Interestingly, the smartphone also features Bluetooth 5.4, the latest version of Bluetooth technology, which introduces improved two-way communication capabilities with thousands of end nodes from a single access point.
In terms of security, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo offers multiple options. The under-screen fingerprint reader, while placed slightly lower on the display, operates quickly and efficiently. Additionally, the phone supports facial recognition for fast and reliable unlocking. Users can also set a password or pattern as standard security measures.
Software
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo comes equipped with Android 13, a familiar and reliable operating system that is sure to please users. This version of Android is visually reminiscent of pure Android, but Motorola has added a few of its own applications and functions to enhance the user experience.
One notable addition is the way notifications work. They now appear as small buttons at the bottom of the screen on the lock screen, providing easy access to your notifications. This subtle tweak streamlines the notification experience.
Users can explore various themes and customize the colors and shapes of icons to match their preferences. Additionally, Motorola has included its own set of wallpapers, adding a touch of uniqueness to the device’s aesthetics.
The software experience on the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is not only visually pleasing but also performs exceptionally well. When the display frequency is set to 120 or 144 Hz, the system operates smoothly and stably, ensuring a fluid user experience.
Motorola has introduced a couple of applications to enhance functionality. “Moto Secure” is a noteworthy addition, offering features like securing selected folders, screen access, and network access. “Moto” is another app that allows users to fine-tune their device’s appearance, including fonts and icons. This level of customization enables users to tailor their device to their liking.
One of the features of the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is “Ready For.” This function allows you to connect a second display to the phone, effectively transforming it into a desktop computer or extending its capabilities to other devices such as a computer or tablet. This feature adds versatility to the device, catering to a range of user needs and preferences.
Camera
The primary camera boasts a 50-megapixel sensor, featuring f/1.8 optics, optical stabilization (OIS), and phase-detection autofocus (PDAF). It serves as the workhorse for your standard photography needs.
Complementing the main camera is a 13-megapixel wide-angle lens with f/2.2 brightness optics. Interestingly, this wide-angle lens also serves as a macro camera for close-up shots.
In well-lit conditions during the day, the main camera captures sharp and detailed shots with accurate colors. However, when switching to the wide-angle camera, you may notice a drop in detail and some variance in color rendering. This is a common characteristic in cameras within this price range, and while it’s noticeable, it doesn’t severely impact the overall quality of your photos. Indoors, under artificial lighting, there may be occasional issues with slight blurriness or movement in the photos, which is somewhat surprising considering the presence of optical image stabilization (OIS). Fortunately, these issues are infrequent.
In low-light situations, the camera performs well when capturing scenes with ample illumination, such as well-lit cityscapes at night. However, as light diminishes, you may encounter colored noise in your photos. Night mode, while effective in some scenarios, can sometimes introduce unwanted blue noise, particularly in photos taken with the wide-angle camera. It’s advisable to review your results carefully when using this mode, especially for wide-angle shots.
The front camera boasts a 32-megapixel sensor and features f/2.4 brightness optics. During daylight hours, the front camera excels, producing photos with abundant details, natural color reproduction, and effective background blur in portrait mode.
However, in low-light conditions, the front camera’s performance may not be as stellar. Photos taken at night tend to lack detail and can suffer from slight blurriness. As a result, it’s recommended to use the front camera primarily in well-lit environments for optimal results.
Battery
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo packs a 5000 mAh battery, a sizeable power source that theoretically promises an extended operating time on a single charge. However, the real-world performance, while not spectacular, still offers reliable endurance. On average, users can expect about one and a half days of usage in a mixed cycle or a full day with intensive usage.
When it comes to charging options, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is a bit more limited, but that’s to be expected given its budget-friendly price point. It does not support wireless charging or reverse wireless charging, which is in line with its cost-effective positioning. Instead, users rely on wired charging using the provided TurboPower charger, which boasts a maximum power output of 68 watts.
Charging times using this charger are as follows:
- 10 minutes: 41% charged
- 25 minutes: 76% charged
- 42 minutes: 100% charged
While the Motorola Edge 40 Neo may not vie for the title of the fastest charging smartphone on the market, the charging times it offers are still commendable. In just over 40 minutes, the device reaches a full charge, ensuring that users can quickly top up their battery when needed.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo: Conclusion
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo proves to be a compelling addition to Motorola’s smartphone lineup, offers an excellent balance of features, performance, and affordability. It caters to users looking for a stylish and capable smartphone without breaking the bank.
Whether you prioritize a stunning display, smooth performance, or customization options, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo has much to offer in the mid-range smartphone market.
You can also check out the best-selling Smartphone on Amazon:
2 thoughts on “Motorola Edge 40 Neo Review: Almost perfect mid-range smartphone”