Motorola, known for its feature-packed devices offering a clean Android experience, has recently introduced the Motorola Edge 40 Neo. The device comes with an impressive curved display and a compact form factor.
We had the opportunity to get our hands on it, and it appears to be a compelling addition to the growing mid-range market. In this article, we’ll delve into our unboxing experience and share our initial impressions of this exciting smartphone.
Unboxing Experience
I’m trying a Moto phone for the first time, and I’m genuinely impressed by their commitment to plastic-free packaging. Even the phone wrapper is made from paper. I would say it is far better to actually implement plastic-free packaging in real life rather than just talk about it in a 10-minute video during the mega event. I guess you understand who I am talking about.
Inside the box, you’ll find:
- Motorola Edge 40 Neo
- 68W fast charger
- USB Type-C cable
- Protective case
- SIM ejector pin
- Quick start guide and warranty card
Design & Build
Sporting a 6.55-inch curved display, the Edge 40 Neo houses a fingerprint scanner beneath it, complemented by a centrally positioned 32MP selfie camera. The phone feels premium, with a vegan leather back offering both aesthetics and a comfortable grip.
The buttons have a tactile feel, and the fingerprint scanner works efficiently. The haptic feedback is also impressive. The rear showcases a dual-camera setup: a 50MP primary and a 13MP ultrawide, alongside an LED flash.
The device also features an IP68 rating which means it is water-resistant up to a depth of 1.5 meters in fresh water for a duration of up to 30 minutes, and it also offers dust protection. According to Motorola, it is the lightest IP68 smartphone yet.
Display
The device features a 6.55-inch Full HD+ 10-bit pOLED curved display with a 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 360Hz touch sampling rate, and a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels.
It offers DCI-P3 coverage and reaches a peak brightness of 1,300 nits. The screen is sharp and vibrant, perfect for enjoying media, even in outdoor lighting. The edge display adds a unique touch that catches the eye.
Hardware & Performance
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo runs on the Dimensity 7030 SoC, coupled with up to 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage. It comes preloaded with Android 13.
In daily use, the device performs smoothly, handling popular games like BGMI, Call of Duty, and Real Racing with ease. However, extended gaming sessions may lead to slight heating, though not to a concerning degree.
Geekbench 6 scores indicate solid performance, with 1060 in single-core and 2500 in multi-core.
Camera
The device’s rear camera setup comprises a 50MP primary lens with OIS and a 13MP ultrawide lens with a 120° field of view. The 32MP front-facing camera handles selfies.
The back camera performs decently in good lighting but faces challenges in low light, as does the selfie camera. The front camera does well in favorable lighting conditions but loses detail in low light. These issues appear to be related to optimization and could potentially be resolved with software updates by Moto.
Photo Samples in good lighting conditions:
Software Experience
Motorola’s commitment to a clean software experience continues with the Edge 40 Neo, which runs on Android 13 out of the box. If you love stock Android, you will love this phone for sure.
Battery Life
The device is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery and supports 68W fast charging. According to Motorola, the included 68W power adapter can charge the 5,000 mAh battery from empty to 50% in just 15 minutes. So far, in initial testing, the battery has performed admirably, even when using the device at a 144Hz refresh rate. However, further testing is needed for a proper review.
Sound
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo features stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support, delivering loud and punchy sound quality.
Pricing and Colors
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo is available in PANTONE Black Beauty, PANTONE Soothing Sea, and PANTONE Caneel Bay colors. It is currently available in India through Flipkart at a price point of Rs. 20,999 (limited period price).
Closing Thoughts
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo appears impressive on paper and lives up to expectations in real-world usage. If you’re seeking a solid all-around smartphone, this is a great choice, especially for its appealing curved display. While it may not satisfy camera enthusiasts with high standards, it excels as a versatile and reliable device.
Stay tuned for a more comprehensive review with further details.
