8.0 Motorola Edge Plus Like
Refined, premium-looking design

Big battery and quick charging

Great curved show and audio
Don’t like
No expandable storage

Photos taken are too vibrantly untrue-to-life

Nothing distinguishes it aside from it opponents
The Motorola Edge Plus is the newest premium smartphone aimed on the US, and an all-around improve on final 12 months’s Edge Plus. With its massive battery and aggressive value, Android followers have one other top-tier contender to think about when cellphone purchasing. Motorola has refined its premium telephones through the years, including some options and taking others away in an effort to seek out the best mixture that may enchantment to top-tier cellphone patrons. The latest Edge Plus is one of the best mixture thus far. But it is also not precisely the identical cellphone bought all over the world, since Motorola releases barely totally different variations in several areas. For occasion, the Edge Plus out there within the US is nearly an identical to the Edge 40 Pro in Europe and elsewhere, however has a bigger battery and extra modest recharging pace. David Lumb/CNETIn earlier years, it has been robust to advocate the Edge Plus collection over equally priced (and even cheaper) Samsung rivals. But with its $800 price ticket, which is $200 cheaper than its predecessor, the brand new Edge Plus is a good different to the $800 Samsung Galaxy S23, and lands proper in-between the $600 Google Pixel 7 and $900 Pixel 7 Pro. That doesn’t suggest that the Edge Plus is the very best worth. It’s pricier than the $700 OnePlus 11, although its base mannequin packs extra onboard storage. And like different higher-end Android handsets, the Edge Plus faces stiff competitors from the $500 Pixel 7A, which has most of its pricier Pixel sibling’s options.The Motorola Edge Plus appears to be like and feels premium with a pointy show that includes waterfall-style curved edges. That display together with almost top-of-the-line specs, like an enormous battery and actually quick charging speeds, make the Edge Plus an acceptable choice for anybody who would not want the Galaxy S23’s zoom picture capabilities or the Pixel 7’s AI-powered picture enhancing. But other than its super battery life, there is not a lot else that distinguishes the Edge Plus from different premium telephones. The Edge Plus’ show curves over the facet of the cellphone. David Lumb/CNETGood battery life, nice recharge speedsThe new Motorola Edge Plus has a 5,100-mAh battery, which is 300 mAh greater than its predecessor. In apply, the cellphone simply survived media-heavy on a regular basis actions. When I put the Edge Plus by means of CNET’s intensive-use media check — which incorporates streaming motion pictures, taking part in video games, scrolling social media, and becoming a member of video requires a complete of 45 minutes — the battery dropped 8%.That’s similar to the battery drain on the Galaxy S23 and Pixel 7A in the identical check, and a bit worse than the Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra. Based on my early testing, the Edge Plus merely lasts longer than many different telephones, particularly when watching movies and taking part in video games. The battery made it by means of a full day of use after which some, although it probably will not be capable of final two full days with out a recharge.The Edge Plus’s quick charging outperforms a few of its friends. It might not have the ridiculously quick 125-watt charging of the European Edge 40 Pro, however the 68-watt charger included within the field is greater than sufficient. When my check unit was right down to 3% battery, a 30-minute recharge juiced it again as much as 80%. Compare that to the 25-watt max charging on the usual Galaxy S23 or 45-watt charging on the S23 Plus and Ultra, and the Edge Plus has, properly, the sting.The Edge Plus’ charging would not beat some telephones with high-wattage chargers, just like the OnePlus 11 with a 100-watt charger that juiced up a cellphone from zero to totally charged in 26 minutes. In addition to 68-watt wired charging, the Edge Plus has 15-watt wi-fi charging and might cost different units at 5 watts. The Edge Plus has a matte-finish metallic again. David Lumb/CNETThe best-looking Motorola cellphone but (come at me, Razr followers)Motorola’s premium telephones have been on a journey because the model launched the Edge Plus debuted in 2020. The authentic had a beautiful gadget, and its show edges curved right down to abruptly meet the cellphone’s rear metallic plate with such a extreme edge that I nonetheless bear in mind it biting into my hand as I gripped its sides. The subsequent Edge Plus in 2022 did away with the waterfall-style edges in favor of a regular flat display, which was much less painful but additionally much less trendy.The newest Edge Plus is a return to kind with fastidiously curved show edges that easily meet the polished metallic body. The again is a matte metallic with a slight texture, like fine-grain sandpaper, that offers it a refined look and contrasts in opposition to the shiny Motorola emblem. The smoky glass-covered sq. digital camera block is a severe improve over the considerably cheap-looking digital camera oval on final 12 months’s mannequin. Overall, it is a cellphone that will look skilled being held as much as your ear, if we ever raised our telephones like that anymore.The Edge Plus’s 6.7-inch, 2,400×1,080-pixel OLED show has sharp and clear visuals and helps HDR10 Plus. It has a 165Hz refresh charge, which is technically quicker than the final Edge Plus’s 144Hz refresh charge display. While I may barely inform the distinction between the cellphone’s most 165Hz refresh charge and the 120Hz step down setting, the upper refresh charge did look barely smoother when scrolling by means of the working system animations or shopping the net. It additionally has an under-display fingerprint sensor for safety, in addition to facial recognition to unlock your cellphone along with your mug. The show has a hole-punch cutout for the selfie digital camera. David Lumb/CNETSpecs sustain with the competitorsThe Edge Plus packs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the top-tier premium silicon from Qualcomm, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and both 256GB or 512GB of storage, although it lacks the choice for expandable storage by way of microSD card. This is a little bit of a step down from final 12 months’s mannequin, which got here in each 8GB and 12GB of RAM configurations, however I did not really feel the brand new Edge Plus was let down with out the extra reminiscence.Overall the Edge Plus performs properly. I did not expertise any slowdown or delays transitioning between apps or doing gentle duties. The cellphone saved up with extra process-intensive duties like gaming and twiddling with video, like switching between horizontal and vertical video orientations. For uncooked stats, the Edge Plus saved up with its rivals scoring comparable benchmark check outcomes to its premium handsets friends. Take a have a look at Geekbench 5 outcomes under.Geekbench V.5.0 single-core Motorola Edge Plus 1,470Samsung Galaxy S23 1,518OnePlus 11 1,160 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
Geekbench V.5.0 multicore Motorola Edge Plus 4,849Samsung Galaxy S23 4,789OnePlus 11 4,840 Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
The Edge Plus runs Android 13 with a principally inventory model of the working system and can get three years of Android updates and 4 years of twice-monthly safety updates, which is encouraging for people who need to hold their telephones for longer. Though with Android 14 anticipated to launch in October, Motorola’s cellphone will not be on a par with different main Android telephones for that lengthy. Samsung nonetheless leads the pack with a assured 5 years of main Android updates and safety updates.The Edge Plus additionally retains Motorola’s small suite of beloved gesture management shortcuts just like the chop-chop to activate the flashlight and the double-twist to open the digital camera app.  The Edge Plus has triple rear cameras. David Lumb/CNETCameras are good, however not one of the bestThe Edge Plus has a triple rear digital camera consisting of a 50-megapixel, f1.8 principal shooter, a 50-megapixel ultrawide and a 12-megapixel, 2x optical zoom digital camera that extends to 16x digital zoom. Given final 12 months’s Edge Plus lacked a telephoto lens, this alone makes the brand new mannequin superior to its predecessor. Edge Plus principal digital camera   David Lumb/CNETPhotos taken with Motorola telephones have by no means reached parity with these shot and processed on premium Apple and Samsung telephones, and whereas that is nonetheless the case, Motorola is catching up. In side-by-side comparisons of the identical pictures taken on an iPhone 12 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, the Edge Plus’s pictures have barely extra saturated colours however lack element in shadows.  Edge Plus principal digital camera (portrait)   David Lumb/CNETThis leads colours to streak into uniform hues slightly than dappled with refined variations from angled gentle, moisture or another issue. It’s not too noticeable until you look carefully. Edge Plus principal digital camera   David Lumb/CNET Edge Plus principal digital camera   David Lumb/CNET   Edge Plus telephoto digital camera (2x zoom) David Lumb/CNET   Edge Plus telephoto digital camera (16x digital zoom) David Lumb/CNETThe Edge Plus’ 2x telephoto works properly and compares favorably with an iPhone, although the premium Galaxy telephones nonetheless take far clearer pictures out to a distance. The ultrawide digital camera has a narrower discipline of view, capturing much less space than both Galaxy or iPhone.  Edge Plus principal digital camera (portrait) David Lumb/CNETThe Edge Plus’s cameras take succesful portrait pictures, and whereas the saturation is a bit a lot for regular pictures, it truly pops properly in opposition to the added depth. At evening, pictures seize quantity of sunshine, preserving element of topics if dropping out on some shadow and texture. Photos from the 60-megapixel, f/2.2 front-facing shooter have a powerful quantity of element and shade, although come out a bit extra vibrant than they need to. The cellphone can file 4K video in 60fps with the principle and ultrawide cameras. The Edge Plus’ digital camera app. David Lumb/CNETShould you purchase a Motorola Edge Plus?Motorola made the best tweaks with the Edge Plus, with a snazzier design and slight upgrades in all places else to make it higher than its predecessor. While its cameras and software program nonetheless do not produce pictures that actually high these popping out of Samsung or Apple telephones, they get shut, producing good photographs in darkish and light-weight settings. But it is the Edge Plus’s $800 value that makes it a real competitor to the Galaxy S23 and different premium telephones. So lengthy as you do not want intensive zoom picture capabilities or Google’s line of picture software program tips. The new Edge Plus’s massive battery and quick charging ought to make it a consideration amongst top-end Android units.How we check phonesEvery cellphone examined by CNET’s evaluations group was truly utilized in the actual world. We check a cellphone’s options, play video games and take pictures. We study the show to see if it is vibrant, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and construct to see how it’s to carry and whether or not it has an IP-rating for water resistance. We push the processor’s efficiency to the extremes utilizing each standardized benchmark instruments like GeekBench and 3DMark, together with our personal anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution movies and taking part in graphically intense video games at excessive refresh charges.All the cameras are examined in quite a lot of situations from vibrant daylight to darkish indoor scenes. We check out particular options like evening mode and portrait mode and evaluate our findings in opposition to equally priced competing telephones. We additionally try the battery life through the use of it each day in addition to working a collection of battery drain assessments.We bear in mind further options like help for 5G, satellite tv for pc connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus help, quick charging speeds, foldable shows amongst others that may be helpful. And we stability all of this in opposition to the value to provide the verdict on whether or not that cellphone, no matter value it’s, truly represents good worth.Motorola Edge Plus (2023) specs Display dimension, sort, decision 6.7-inch, OLED, 2,400×1,080 pixelsPixel density 394 ppiDimensions (millimeters) 161.2 x 74 x 8.59 mmWeight (ounces, grams) 203 g; 7.2 oz (transformed)Mobile software program Android 13Digicam 50-megapixel principal, 50-megapixel ultrawide, 12-megapixel 2x telephotoFront-facing digital camera 60-megapixelVideo seize 8K UHD (30fps)Processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 2RAM, storage 8GB RAM; 256 or 512GB storageExpandable storage NoneBattery, charger 5,100 mAh, 68W chargingFingerprint sensor YesConnector USB-CHeadphone jack N/ASpecial options 165Hz, 68W charger included in boxPrice off-contract (USD) $800Worth (GBP) Converts to £649Worth (AUD) Converts to AU$1,225