Motorola’s Edge 40 series continues to impress with its third model of the year, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo. Aimed at providing a similar experience to the vanilla Edge 40 but at a more budget-friendly price point, the Edge 40 Neo manages to maintain several key features while making a few compromises. Now we can see the phone’s design, display, performance, software, camera capabilities, and its Achilles’ heel, the battery life.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Design and Build | Thin plastic frame, IP68 rating |
| Display | 6.55-inch OLED display, 144Hz refresh rate |
| Audio | Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support |
| Biometrics | Under-display fingerprint reader |
| Software | Android 13 with Motorola enhancements |
| Performance | MediaTek Dimensity 7030 chipset, 5G support |
| Storage Options | 128GB or 256GB (non-expandable) |
| Battery | 5,000mAh battery |
| Charging | 68W wired charging (no wireless charging) |
| Camera Setup | – 50MP Main Camera with F1.8 aperture |
| – 13MP Ultrawide Camera with autofocus | |
| – 32MP Selfie Camera | |
| Video Recording | 4K video recording with electronic stabilization |
| Software Updates | Two OS upgrades and three years of security updates |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Dimensions | (Not specified) |
| Weight | (Not specified) |
| Colors | Soothing C (vegan leather), other color options |
| Water and Dust Resistance | IP68 rating (dust and water-resistant) |
Design and Build Quality
The Edge 40 Neo, being the budget option in the Edge 40 series, doesn’t skimp on aesthetics or build quality. It retains the premium feel with a thin plastic frame, offering a choice between a vegan leather backing (in the soothing C colorway) and an acrylic back. The device maintains IP68-rated protection against dust and water, a common feature in the Edge 40 family, ensuring durability.
Also Read: Moto Edge 40 Pro Review: Unveiling the Next Big Thing for Moto
Display
The 6.55-inch OLED display with a fast 144Hz refresh rate is a highlight of the Edge 40 Neo. Its curved edges provide a unique viewing experience, although this may be a matter of personal preference. The display offers HDR10+ support and decent color accuracy, making it suitable for multimedia consumption. It’s impressively bright, with a peak brightness exceeding a thousand nits.
Audio and Biometrics
The stereo speaker setup with Dolby Atmos support delivers loud and balanced audio. However, there’s room for improvement in the bass department. The under-display fingerprint reader, while responsive, could have been placed higher for improved comfort.
Software
Running a nearly stock version of Android 13 with Motorola’s enhancements, the Edge 40 Neo offers customization options, gestures, the peak display, and the game time utility within the Moto app. It also supports Moto’s ready 4, allowing the phone to connect to a TV or monitor for a larger screen experience. The Edge 40 Neo benefits from two OS upgrades and three years of security updates, although this falls short compared to the Edge 40 Pro’s support.
Also Read: Motorola Moto G 5G Review: Affordable 5G Connectivity with Compromises
Performance
Powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7030 chipset with 5G connectivity, the Edge 40 Neo delivers solid mid-range performance, comparable to devices running chips like the Dimensity 1080. It handles graphics-intensive tasks well and maintains sustained performance during stress tests.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the downsides of the Edge 40 Neo is its battery life. Despite its sizable 5,000mAh battery, it falls behind its mid-range competitors, earning an endurance rating of 80 hours. However, the device compensates with rapid charging using the included 68W adapter. A 0 to 82 percent charge can be achieved in just half an hour, with a full charge taking 51 minutes. Unfortunately, there’s no wireless charging support.
Camera Capabilities
The Edge 40 Neo boasts a 50-megapixel main camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide with autofocus. While the main camera produces images with ample detail and wide dynamic range, colors appear muted. Portrait mode works well, but digital zoom portraits lack detail. In low light, the Night Vision processing enhances photo quality.
Video recording at 4K is supported by all cameras, with the main camera delivering detailed but somewhat gloomy footage. Electronic stabilization is available but may exhibit occasional focus hunting. Ultrawide videos maintain the overall look of the main camera, with good detail but dark and unsaturated results.
The 32-megapixel selfie camera impresses with detailed photos, natural skin tones, and wide dynamic range.
Also Read: Top 5 Best Budget Phones in 2023: Affordable Devices without Compromising Features
Conclusion
In many ways, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo punches above its weight class, offering features typically found in more expensive models within the Edge 40 series. However, its Achilles’ heel is the mediocre battery life. If fast charging can compensate for this drawback, the Edge 40 Neo becomes a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers. It’s a device that brings value for money while making a few compromises along the way.
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