Motorola Edge 50 Fusion review: A stylish, battery-focused budget smartphone

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Motorola Edge 50 Fusion review: One-minute review

Motorola has made rather nan comeback successful caller years, led by its Razr statement that consistently holds a spot successful our guideline to nan best foldable phones. However, its Edge family of handsets is besides making a sanction for itself successful 2024, going caput to caput pinch nan likes of Samsung and Google successful nan mid-range market. This is acknowledgment to 4 caller smartphones bookended by nan astir powerful Motorola Edge 50 Pro and nan affordable Motorola Edge 50 Fusion successful this review.

A premier illustration of really to make a fund telephone consciousness premium, nan Fusion delivers coagulated capacity crossed nan board, and is fitted pinch a long-lasting battery, positive an fantabulous camera trio, each while incorporating useful AI functionality that adds a touch of high-end flair.

While what's wrong matters most, Motorola's Edge 50 lineup is each astir style, and nan Fusion is nary objection – putting aesthetics beforehand and halfway contempt being nan astir budget-friendly of nan Motorola Edge 50, Edge 50 Neo and Edge 50 Pro. It boasts a contoured, bladed creation that is wildly charismatic successful its vegan suede Hot Pink, Marshmallow Blue faux leather finish, aliases nan integrative Forest Blue option, pinch a luxurious 6.7-inch show that curves seamlessly into nan coloured metallic frame. Those aforementioned AI devices moreover let for personalising wallpapers based connected your ain photos, adding a nosy furniture of customisation and letting you trade a inheritance based connected your favourite artwork aliases outfit.

However, arsenic striking arsenic nan creation is, what’s wrong and really it performs is ever going to beryllium much important, and nan Edge 50 Fusion is each but seamless erstwhile taking connected regular daily activities. However, I did find its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 spot struggles pinch high-performance tasks – astir glaring erstwhile taking photos quickly successful shutter mode and aft agelong periods wrong nan camera app – thing I besides noticed successful my Motorola Edge 50 Pro review, contempt its somewhat much powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip.

Still, for mundane tasks, nan Fusion is overwhelmingly smooth, and its cheaper value constituent makes these mini issues easier to header with. Whether you're scrolling done societal media, watching videos, aliases playing casual games for illustration Clash Royale and Marvel Snap, nan acquisition is excellent. The 50MP main camera, paired pinch optical image stabilisation and a Sony sensor, ensures sharp, vibrant images moreover erstwhile conditions (or nan photographer) aren't perfect. Plus, nan 13MP ultrawide action adds versatility to nan dual rear cameras and nan 32MP front-facing lens is simply a standout characteristic pinch specs that hit nan selfie cameras of immoderate of nan best phones, fto unsocial nan best inexpensive phones.

Those beautiful snaps request a show to showcase them, and nan Fusion’s 6.7-inch surface is up to nan task. The curved edges heighten nan viewing acquisition and adhd a premium look, but nan downside is occasional mis-touches. But, while its 1,600-nit highest brightness falls short of what you mightiness get successful a flagship handset, it still displays true-to-life colours and crisp item – making media depletion a joy.

One of nan Fusion’s standout features is its artillery life. In testing, I recovered that streaming Netflix for 2 hours mislaid conscionable 8% battery, while 4 hours of on-screen YouTube took it from 73% to 53%. The Fusion boasts "over 30 hours of artillery life" according to Motorola and, for mean users, I tin spot nan 5,000mAh-capacity battalion making it done 2 activity days without needing to beryllium charged. The Fusion should beryllium capable to get moreover nan astir demanding telephone users done nan day, arsenic my six hours of surface clip near it astatine astir 30% depending connected what I'd been doing. Better yet, it comes pinch a 68W fast-charger that takes it from dormant to afloat successful nether 50 minutes, and provides capable juice for nan time successful conscionable 15 minutes.

While nan Fusion’s 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of information patches mightiness not fulfill users looking for a semipermanent handset, it still offers awesome value. With beardown camera performance, reliable artillery life, and nosy AI features, nan Fusion stands retired arsenic 1 of nan champion fund options connected nan marketplace today. And, pinch nan inclusion of a accelerated charger and a protective lawsuit successful nan box, it’s difficult to find a amended woody astatine this price.

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion review: Price and availability

• Launch value of £349.99 / AU$599
• Launched connected April 16 successful nan UK and May 15, 2024 successful Australia (unavailable successful nan US)
• Available successful 3 colourways and 1 retention option

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is not disposable successful nan United States, wherever Motorola's balanced affordable smartphone is nan Motorola Edge 2024. Almost identical to nan Fusion specs-wise, nan Motorola Edge 2024 differs only successful having 4GB little RAM (8GB compared to nan Fusion’s 12GB), a slightly smaller show and nan committedness of a fewer much hours of artillery life.

Compared to nan £599.99 / AU$999 Motorola Edge 50 Pro, nan Edge 50 Fusion is practically half nan value astatine conscionable £349.99 / AU$599 – particularly for those who want a larger telephone compared to nan much compact £649 / AU$799 Motorola Edge 50 Neo. We've seen it for nether £253.91 / AU$500, truthful grabbing it during awesome sales for illustration Black Friday could summation its bang for your subordinate moreover further.

• Value Score: 5/5

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion review: Specifications

Here's a speedy summary of nan cardinal specs:

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion review: Design

• IP68 h2o and particulate resistance
• Sleek metallic and solid build
• Slim floor plan pinch curved edges

The first point I noticed astir nan Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is conscionable really slim and ray it was. In fact, broadside by broadside it feels dramatically lighter than nan Motorola Edge 50 Pro, contempt nan Pro being conscionable complete 10g heavier. The adjacent most-noticeable facet is conscionable really bully nan vegan leather backing of nan Marshmallow Blue exemplary (the colourway I was sent for this review) feels successful hand, intimately followed by nan charismatic curved-edge show that blends seamlessly pinch nan premium metallic framework of nan device. If you don’t for illustration leather, you tin opt for nan Hot Pink suede aliases you tin spell for nan integrative Forest Blue exemplary that still manages to look premium contempt nan cheaper material.

While I was sold connected nan ray blue, nan Edge 50 Fusion is arsenic charismatic arsenic immoderate telephone connected nan marketplace successful immoderate of its 3 colours and textures. And, my favourite creation characteristic of nan Motorola Edge 50 Pro – its ridged camera array – reappears connected its fund sibling. It's a mini touch, but nan bump that blends into nan backmost of nan instrumentality really elevates nan style and makes it look overmuch much premium. As a bonus, successful opposition to nan mostly of smartphones connected nan market, including nan Edge 50 Pro, nan Fusion lies almost level connected a aboveground truthful that it's not perpetually wobbling around, thing I perfectly appreciate.

I besides deliberation nan Fusion's creation betters nan much costly Edge 50 Pro successful different cardinal area – grip. One of nan biggest issues I had pinch nan Pro was its slipperiness, and while that was chiefly owed to nan acetate rear sheet connected nan type I tested, it’s besides nan (very slightly) larger, wider and slimmer framework of nan Fusion that makes it overmuch much comfortable to clasp successful my ample mitts. While it didn’t show immoderate signs of undue deterioration during my clip pinch it (about 4 weeks), I’m uncertain really good nan leather and nan suede versions of nan Fusion will clasp up successful nan agelong tally compared to a harder integrative aliases solid backing – and arsenic you tin astir apt see, nan leather is rather nan attractant for pouch debris.

I’d beryllium remiss successful talking astir really nan creation feels successful nan manus without rubbing connected nan curved display. I've already mentioned really it adds to nan premium look of nan curved screen, and I'll touch connected really it performs later successful this review, but 1 cardinal effect – and 1 of nan main reasons galore manufacturers person ditched curves – is nan accidental touches they impart arsenic nan entirety of nan surface connected nan Edge 50 Fusion is usable. I wasn't too disappointment by them, but immoderate users mightiness good be. One illustration I deliberation will fuss group is nan thenar accidentally triggering a shutter merchandise erstwhile taking photos.

The Edge 50 Fusion isn't each conscionable bully looks and aesthetics – it’s besides rather solidly built. I deliberation it tin grip moreover nan toughest of regular routines acknowledgment to its IP68 particulate and h2o guidance standing and, while I didn't trial it retired pinch a driblet onto concrete, its Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and aluminum framework had nary problem surviving my satchel, nan area of my table and a masterful driblet from thorax tallness to my ft successful nan gym.

• Design Score: 4.5/5

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion review: Display

• 6.7-inch pOLED show pinch a 144Hz refresh rate
• 2400 x 1080 solution
• Curved show edges

The curved show that bleeds into nan framework is nan recurrent taxable for members of nan Edge telephone family, and it’s achieved by opting for a integrative substrate show arsenic opposed to a much accepted solid surface (hence pOLED, not OLED). While I had a fewer vexing moments acknowledgment to nan curved display, nan Edge 50 Fusion offers an acquisition that immoderate personification could beryllium happy with, moreover if it's not nan champion surface connected nan market.

And, if you're personification who spends a batch of clip watching movies, TV shows aliases different contented connected your phone, nan cinematic acquisition of nan Fusion will time off you wanting for very small – moreover compared to nan higher-end Edge 50 Pro. However, if I was going to watch a movie connected either device, I’d take nan Pro each clip because it has nan amended display. That’s acknowledgment to its higher highest brightness, amended resolution, HDR10+ support and deeper colours. However, nan Fusion is £150 / AU$300 cheaper, but nan ample 6.7-inch surface makes watching movies and TV connected nan Fusion a pleasure, moreover if it's not flagship specs. Its ample pOLED display, mixed pinch a precocious 144Hz refresh rate, 2400 x 1080 HD solution and 10-bit colour extent lets nan Fusion spell head-to-head pinch much costly phones.

While it can't rather hit nan highest brightness of nan One Plus 12 aliases moreover nan 2,000 nits of nan Motorola Edge 50 Pro, I had nary issues pinch nan 1,600 nits highest brightness of nan Motorola Edge 50 Fusion. The Fusion was easy to usage outdoors, and nan show was readable successful moreover nan brightest nonstop sunlight.

In fact, astatine its value point, nan show of nan Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is very difficult to find responsibility pinch astatine all. Of course, its specs could beryllium better. It could beryllium sharper, nan solution could beryllium higher, and it would beryllium bully if it was a touch brighter – but past it wouldn't beryllium £599 / AU$999.

• Display Score: 4/5

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion review: Software

• Runs Android 14 retired of nan container
• Enhanced customisation pinch Motorola My UX
• Only 3-4 years of package and information updates

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion runs Android 14 pinch Motorola's My UX overlay, offering a near-stock Android acquisition pinch a simple, intuitive interface. One of nan standout features of My UX is nan precocious level of personalisation it offers, pinch wallpapers, icon shapes and fonts each connected nan paper – aliases each 3 astatine nan aforesaid clip by changing themes – to amended lucifer your personality. One of Moto AI's much nosy features, and 1 that perfectly aligns pinch Motorola's continued manner sense, is nan unsocial AI-customisable wallpapers – a characteristic that’s besides successful nan remainder of nan Edge 50 family. This lets you dynamically alteration your wallpaper to lucifer thing you photograph – beryllium it your outfit, artwork aliases a favourite scene.

Motorola’s motion controls besides merit a cardinal mention, arsenic they proceed to beryllium 1 of nan astir applicable features successful nan Edge series. You tin pat nan surface pinch 3 fingers to return a screenshot, making a chopping motion to activate nan torch function, simply twist your wrist to unfastened nan camera and a full bunch that make taking photos easier. Designed to make life easier, Motorola's gestures are 1 of nan fewer shortcuts that really enhanced my acquisition pinch a phone, and location are plentifulness of options to suit each user.

Really, nan only portion of nan Fusion's package that falls short is longevity, but that’s not unsocial to it. Unfortunately for those looking for a longer-term device, nan Motorola Edge 50 Fusion joins nan Pro pinch only 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of information patches to its full Edge 50 Pro and Fusion models, which is little than what immoderate competitors offer, pinch moreover Samsung's fund Galaxy A55 receiving 4 years of OS support. This is besides interestingly little than nan Edge 50 Neo, which will person 5 years of support. While this won't effect nan device's contiguous performance, it does impact its semipermanent worth – particularly arsenic much apps and services proceed to request newer package versions complete time.

That said, nan package remains cleanable and user-friendly, pinch small bloatware and mostly adjuvant pre-installed apps, ensuring a soft out-of-the-box experience. But, while it delivers coagulated day-to-day usability pinch a precocious grade of personalisation, nan comparatively short package support model could beryllium a dealbreaker for immoderate users.

• Software score: 4/5

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion review: Cameras

• 50MP main camera pinch OIS for consistently unchangeable results
• Versatility pinch nan 13MP ultra-wide and macro lens
• 32MP selfie camera pinch improved low-light performance

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion impresses pinch its 50MP main camera, delivering consistently crisp and vibrant images, moreover for users who aren’t seasoned photographers. Thanks to built-in optical image stabilisation (OIS), I recovered that nan camera array tin efficaciously trim blur owed to unsteady hands.

I’m peculiarly partial to nan 13MP ultra-wide camera which, I found, performs admirably successful astir conditions, offering a wider section of position for capturing landscapes aliases group shots. While you don't get nan aforesaid level of item aliases move scope arsenic nan main camera, it's a awesome action for erstwhile you request that broader perspective, and nan nonaccomplishment successful item is hardly striking to nan mean person.

Telephoto(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

Main camera(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

2x zoom(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

Perhaps nan astir awesome camera inclusion, though it doesn't lucifer nan Edge 50 Pro, is nan 32MP beforehand camera – a selfie snapper of a value that galore overmuch pricier smartphones connected nan marketplace don’t match. More than up to nan task for selfies, clear video calls aliases vlogging, nan beforehand camera moreover performs good successful less-than-ideal lighting scenarios for illustration dim interiors aliases rooms pinch harsh lighting.

One characteristic that is notably absent compared to nan Edge 50 Pro – and 1 that mightiness spot galore ammunition retired for nan much costly exemplary – is nan telephoto lens, which adds versatility for zoomed-in shots. While nan Edge 50 Fusion lacks this 3rd lens, nan main and ultra-wide cameras still efficaciously screen astir shooting scenarios – moreover return decent close-ups. Its absence will beryllium felt by much superior mobile photographers, but for mundane pics nan Fusion's camera strategy is highly capable.

During that regular use, though, I did find immoderate flimsy capacity issues. After prolonged photo-snapping sessions aliases erstwhile utilizing nan shutter button, location was noticeable lag successful testing, pinch nan app slowing down occasionally. It still took nan photos I wanted, but nan show would lag behind. This did not impact nan last image quality, and nan telephone still produced crisp photos. It surely affected my acquisition testing nan phone, but it will only effect those who walk superior amounts of clip taking snaps, and moreover then, fixed really good nan photos travel out, it mightiness beryllium worthy immoderate stuttering fixed nan affordable value point.

(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

(Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is besides missing nan Long Exposure instrumentality I was capable to effort successful nan Edge 50 Pro, which is some nosy for novices and important for existent photographers, but my favourite camera instrumentality is still present – Scan. Working flawlessly, Scan allows your telephone to create speedy and easy archive digitisations – an absolute dream for those uncommon (or not truthful rare) occasions wherever it's needed.

Overall, nan Motorola Edge 50 Fusion’s camera strategy is simply a reliable performer, offering awesome results for casual users and photography enthusiasts alike. Relatively insignificant capacity hiccups and nan deficiency of a telephoto lens are nan main drawbacks, but they don't return distant from what is different an fantabulous camera setup for nan price.

• Camera score: 4/5

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion review: Performance and Audio

• Powered by nan Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip
• A ample 12GB of RAM
• Stereo speakers positive Dolby Atmos support

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion comes equipped pinch nan Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset – an SoC that’s akin to nan Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 utilized successful nan Edge 50 Pro, but pinch somewhat little processing power, which makes it a cheaper action for fund handsets.

While it doesn't rather connection flagship-level performance, its pairing pinch a generous 12GB of RAM (system memory) ensures nan telephone smoothly handles mundane tasks for illustration browsing, streaming, video calls and ray gaming rather smoothly, and tin moreover woody pinch a small multitasking.

Apps unfastened quickly, and switching betwixt them is mostly seamless, acknowledgment to nan ample magnitude of RAM that helps support inheritance processes moving without noticeable slowdowns, moreover pinch aggregate apps open. I opportunity without noticeable slowdowns – and that was nan lawsuit astir of nan clip – but I did brushwood occasional stuttering erstwhile moving much resource-heavy tasks aliases quickly switching betwixt apps, particularly aft extended usage and erstwhile moving debased connected battery.

For gaming, nan Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 handles casual and moderately aggravated games pinch ease, though it struggles pinch much graphically demanding titles, resulting successful immoderate framework drops. It’s expected for a spot of this caliber, and while it isn’t a gaming powerhouse, it’s serviceable for communal tasks.

The thermal capacity remains reasonably stable, pinch nary important overheating during gaming aliases multitasking sessions – though location was immoderate warmth erstwhile utilizing it while charging.

The benchmark results further bespeak its middling performance. The Edge 50 Fusion scored 3038 connected nan Wildlife 3D Mark trial and 791 connected nan Wildlife Extreme Stress test, showing that it tin grip astir tasks but whitethorn struggle nether sustained loads. In GeekBench 6, it achieved 989 and 2868 successful nan single-core and multi-core scores, respectively. These results are successful statement pinch expectations, but some nan Galaxy A55 and Google Pixel 8a outperform it number-wise successful some benchmark tests.

The audio experience, though, is impressive. Equipped pinch stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support, nan Edge 50 Fusion delivers large and clear sound that’s cleanable for watching movies aliases playing music. The stereo separation enhances nan immersion, and moreover astatine higher volumes, nan sound remains crisp without distortion. It mightiness not rival nan audio systems recovered successful flagship phones, but I had very small rumor pinch nan Fusion's audio, whether I was watching movies aliases listening to euphony while it was successful my pouch erstwhile doing laundry.

Overall, nan Motorola Edge 50 Fusion provides a soft capacity acquisition pinch insignificant stutters, making it a coagulated prime for nan regular tasks and ray gaming of nan mean telephone user. However, its limitations successful high-powered gaming and occasional app stuttering forestall it from reaching top-tier capacity contempt its precocious refresh rate, meaning different likewise priced aliases somewhat much costly mid-range phones could beryllium amended choices for some.

• Performance and Audio score: 4/5

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion review: Battery

• A high-capacity 5,000mAh battery
• 68W accelerated charging
• The Edge 50 family’s astir long-lasting smartphone

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion stands retired pinch its awesome 5,000mAh battery, offering acold amended endurance than nan Edge 50 Pro. Motorola claims nan Fusion provides complete 30 hours of artillery life, and successful my experience, this declare mostly holds up, though you would person to only lightly usage your telephone to deed that number.

Even pinch mean to dense use, including video streaming, gaming and multitasking, nan Fusion easy saw maine done nan day, sitting astatine 20-50% artillery pinch astir six hours of usage (depending connected nan tasks I'd completed) aft taking it disconnected complaint astatine 6am and returning location astatine 6:30pm. The Fusion’s 5,000mAh artillery consistently outperforms nan artillery successful nan Edge 50 Pro, which promised “over a day” but astir six hours of regular usage would spot it struggling to scope half that.

Of course, nan Pro counteracts that pinch its super-fast 120W charging capability, but nan Fusion still offers awesome 68W accelerated charging. With nan included charger, nan Edge 50 Fusion will summation astir 40% complaint successful astir 15 minutes – capable to spot you done nan time – 80% successful a small nether 40 minutes, and a afloat complaint successful little than an hour.

If you walk your greeting and day commutes watching your favourite shows, nan Fusion has nary issues letting you eat up media without quickly consuming battery. It dropped only 8% aft streaming The Grey Man for complete 2 hours astatine 50% brightness and muted volume, while 4 continuous hours of on-screen YouTube saw it driblet conscionable 20%. This makes nan Edge 50 Fusion perfect for users who walk a batch of clip connected streaming platforms aliases engaging successful extended societal media sessions. The Fusion besides handles dense usage well, and doesn’t get excessively basking erstwhile gaming aliases utilizing apps for longer periods, further adding to its artillery reliability.

Overall, nan Motorola Edge 50 Fusion excels successful artillery performance, moreover outdoing nan Motorola Edge 50 Pro and providing reliable, semipermanent endurance. Combined pinch nan convenience of 68W accelerated charging, a battery-saver mode and an AI instrumentality that allows nan Fusion to study erstwhile it tin extremity apps moving successful nan background, this fund telephone ensures users don’t request to interest astir moving retired of powerfulness during nan day. With nan accelerated charger included successful nan box, it’s an fantabulous action for users who request a mid-range telephone pinch artillery to past (or those who regularly hide to put their telephone connected charge).

• Battery score: 5/5

Should you bargain nan Motorola Edge 50 Fusion?

Buy it if...

Don't bargain it if...

Also consider

If this reappraisal of nan Motorola Edge 50 Fusion has you weighing up your options successful nan fund and mid-tier telephone market, you're correct excessively return your time. With a heap of value handsets successful this value range, nan champion action will beryllium different for different types of users. Here's a fewer likewise priced smartphones, and really they comparison to nan Edge 50 Fusion.

How I tested nan Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

• Review period: Five weeks
• Testing included: Everyday usage specified arsenic web browsing, societal media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, euphony playback
• Tools used: 3D Mark: 3D Mark: Original, 3D Mark: Extreme, 3D Mark: Slingshot Extreme (unlimited), Geekbench 6.2.2, Geekbench, autochthonal Android stats

I began my reappraisal of nan Motorola Edge 50 Fusion by moving modular benchmark tests to measure its earthy performance. After gathering those numbers, I switched to real-world testing, utilizing nan telephone arsenic my regular device. This included everything from browsing societal media to streaming video and playing games for illustration Marvel Snap, Candy Crush and Clash Royale to spot really nan telephone handled regular use.

The Edge 50 Fusion went pinch maine everyplace – to nan office, retired for errands, aliases conscionable lounging astatine home. I tested nan telephone successful various scenarios, from utilizing it astatine afloat brightness extracurricular to catching up connected shows indoors and trying to threat pics of nan section wildlife while my canine did her champion to resistance maine around.

I assessed durability, and nan telephone survived nan occasional gaffe from my table and an accidental driblet onto a tiled floor. It besides held up good aft being exposed to splashes of h2o successful nan room and steamy bath conditions while listening to euphony successful nan shower.

Finally, I spent clip focusing connected nan artillery performance. I tested really quickly it drained nether some ray and dense usage, including letting it beryllium idle for agelong periods and streaming video for hours. Charging velocity was evaluated astatine different intervals – testing really accelerated it charged from 0% to 50% and past afloat charging pinch nan included 68W charger.

I’ve already tested a fewer fund and mid-range phones for TechRadar – including nan Motorola Edge 50 Pro and nan Samsung Galaxy A55 – giving maine a clear thought of really nan Motorola Edge 50 Fusion compares to different similarly-priced competitors connected nan market.

Read much astir how we test

[First reviewed October 2024]