TechPhonesI tried Motorola’s new Edge 50 Neo and found 5 ways it beats the Google Pixel 9Motorola’s new Edge 50 Neo could be a stealth Pixel alternativeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechPhonesI tried Motorola’s new Edge 50 Neo and found 5 ways it beats the Google Pixel 9Motorola’s new Edge 50 Neo could be a stealth Pixel alternativeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Motorola’s new Edge 50 Neo could be a stealth Pixel alternative
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
Motorola has found something of a groove recently: if you’re after one ofthe best phonesthat’s free from the sort of customisation that is typical of Samsung or OnePlus, then Motorola offers one of the purest Android experiences around.
Sure, there are some areas where Google is the clear leader, not just in terms of bettering Motorola, but bettering the rest of the market too – camera performance being a case in point. But with theGoogle Pixel 9– which I’ve reviewed;T3’s Pixel 9 Pro XL reviewis also live – receiving a price bump over thePixel 8from last year, some might be looking for something a little more affordable.
Enter Motorola stage left with additions to its Edge family. I’ve already reviewed theMoto Edge 50 Ultra(which is the flagship) and theMoto Edge 50 Fusion(this being a cheaper option), but now the Moto Edge 50 and Moto Edge 50 Neo have joined the family. It was the Edge 50 Neo that caught my eye as a cheaper alternative to the Google Pixel 9.
Here’s a quick rundown of the essential specs, so you can see how they compare – and 5 ways the Motorola can be considered a Pixel-beater handset option.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyMoto Edge 50 Neo vs Google Pixel 9Header Cell - Column 0Moto Edge 50 NeoPixel 9Display:6.4-inch pOLED, 3000 nits6.3-inch Actua (OLED), 1800-2700 nitsResolution & Refresh:1200 x 2670 (460ppi), Adaptive 120Hz1080 x 2424 (422ppi), 60-120HzProcessor & RAM:Dimensity 7300, 8/12GB RAMTensor G4, 12GB RAMBattery & Charging:4310mAh, up to 68W wired4700mAh, up to 30W wiredSize (WxHxD) & Weight:71.2 x 154.1 x 8.1mm / 171g72 x 152.8 x 8.5mm / 198gCameras:Triple: 50MP main, 13MP wide, 10MP 3x teleDual: 50MP main, 48MP wideSelfie camera:32MP10.5MPColours:Poinciana, Grisaille, Lattè, Nautical BlueObsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, Peony
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Moto Edge 50 Neo vs Google Pixel 9Header Cell - Column 0Moto Edge 50 NeoPixel 9Display:6.4-inch pOLED, 3000 nits6.3-inch Actua (OLED), 1800-2700 nitsResolution & Refresh:1200 x 2670 (460ppi), Adaptive 120Hz1080 x 2424 (422ppi), 60-120HzProcessor & RAM:Dimensity 7300, 8/12GB RAMTensor G4, 12GB RAMBattery & Charging:4310mAh, up to 68W wired4700mAh, up to 30W wiredSize (WxHxD) & Weight:71.2 x 154.1 x 8.1mm / 171g72 x 152.8 x 8.5mm / 198gCameras:Triple: 50MP main, 13MP wide, 10MP 3x teleDual: 50MP main, 48MP wideSelfie camera:32MP10.5MPColours:Poinciana, Grisaille, Lattè, Nautical BlueObsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, Peony
A high-tech display
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Starting with the display, I praised the Google Pixel 9 for its 2700 nit peak brightness, but Motorola is offering a 3000 nit peak on the Edge 50 Neo.
That’s not only brighter than the Pixel 9, but it’s an LTPO display, so it’s slightly more advanced. That tech means it can also offer an adaptive refresh rate – which the entry-level Pixel can’t. It’s the same size display, but it is slightly more high-tech.
It’s has a telephoto lens
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
I’m going there. Yes, I know that the Pixel offers some of the best images that you’ll get from a smartphone and I was quick to praise it in my review. But it’s not the main camera or the ultrawide that I’m interested it, it’s optical zoom. Simply put, the Pixel 9 doesn’t have optical zoom (that’s reserved for Google’s Pro models).
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The Motorola Edge 40 Neo does, though. It features a 3x optical zoom lens and offers digital zoom out to 30x. I’m not endorsing the performance at 30x, but the fact that you have a dedicated telephoto lens is a credit to Motorola.
Sure, you don’t get all the fancy AI tricks like the Pixel offers, but you do get access to features like Magic Editor through Google Photos – so you can replicate some of the skills of the Pixel once you’ve taken the photo.
The charging experience
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The Pixel 9 has a 5000mAh battery, while the Edge 50 Neo only has a 4310mAh battery. I’ll concede that the Pixel will have better endurance, but Motorola’s secret sauce is splashed elsewhere, with support for 68W charging.
That leaves Google’s 27W charging in the dust. Unfortunately you’ll have to buy that charger separately, but it’s well worth it for super-speedy charging you’ll get from it. Almost all phones these days only include the USB cable in the box rather than the plug.
A finish with a difference
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Google has a really premium finish on the new Pixel phones, from the squared frame to the Gorilla Glass Victus of the back panel. But the Pixel 9 has a matte frame and a glossy back – and its back is prone to smeary fingerprints and attracting dust.
The Moto Edge 50 Neo is finished in vegan leather and comes in a range of Pantone certified shades: Poinciana (red), Grisaille (grey), Lattè (brown) and Nautical Blue. It’s all part of Motorola’s partnership with the colourist.
The Motorola’s finish is great, and while you might want to put a case on your phone, I’ve found that the leather finishes wear well – they provide grip, they avoid smears, and they look great. They give a real premium finish to the phone, making it stand out as something a little different.
The price
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Today’s best Google Pixel 9 and Motorola Edge 50 Neo dealsGoogle Pixel 9$799.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 9 and Motorola Edge 50 Neo dealsGoogle Pixel 9$799.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 9 and Motorola Edge 50 Neo dealsGoogle Pixel 9$799.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 9 and Motorola Edge 50 Neo deals
Google Pixel 9$799.99ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 9$799.99ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 9$799.99ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 9
Google Pixel 9
$799.99View
$799.99
$799.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Then you come to the price. The Google Pixel 9 costs £799 / $799 / AU$1349, but the Moto Edge 50 Neo is a £399 / €499 phone (that’s a $525 / AU$772).
It’s not slated for a release in the US, where Motorola launches different variants, and I don’t have pricing for Australia, but whichever way you cut it, it’s substantially cheaper for those markets in which it will appear.
Google Pixel 9 v Moto Edge 50 Neo
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Of course that doesn’t make the Motorola immediately thebetterphone overall. But it certainly does have advantages over Google’s offering if you’re looking for 6.4-inch device.
Google’s phone is more powerful, the main cameras are likely to be better, it has 7 years of software support (which is market-leading), not to mention the fact that it will be first in line for Android software updates. Motorola will be offering 5 years of updates on the Moto Edge 50 Neo.
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