The smartphone market in India is witnessing intense competition in the mid-range segment, with OnePlus and Motorola emerging as key players. The recent launch of the OnePlus Nord 4 and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro earlier this year has further intensified this rivalry.
Both phones offer impressive specifications and features at competitive prices, making it a tough choice for consumers. In this detailed comparison, we will delve into the various aspects of both phones, including design, display, performance, camera, software, battery life, and pricing, to help you make an informed decision.
1. Display
The Nord 4 boasts a 6.74-inch 1.5K 2.8D curved AMOLED ProXDR display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Edge 50 Pro counters with a slightly smaller 6.7-inch 1.5K 144Hz pOLED display.
Both panels offer vibrant colors and smooth visuals, but the Edge 50 Pro takes the lead with its higher refresh rate for a potentially smoother user experience, especially in fast-paced games.
Additionally, the Edge 50 Pro uses a pOLED display technology compared to the AMOLED display on the Nord 4. While both offer excellent viewing experiences, pOLED panels can be slightly more power-efficient.
However, the Nord 4 holds an advantage with its peak brightness of 2150 nits, surpassing the 2000 nits of the Edge 50 Pro.
2. Design and Build Quality
The OnePlus Nord 4 boasts a sleek and modern design with an aluminum back created using cutting-edge techniques like nano-etching and a revolutionary antenna design. The phone comes in three attractive colors: Mercurial Silver, Obsidian Midnight, and Oasis Green. It has an IP65 rating, which means it can withstand accidental water splashes and moderate rain.
On the other hand, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro features a metal frame and a vegan leather finish, available in Luxe Lavender and Black Beauty colors. There’s also a limited-edition Moon Light pearl finish option with a smooth finish. The phone has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, making it more durable than the Nord 4.
3. Performance
The Nord 4 packs a punch with the latest Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC, potentially offering a slight edge over the Edge 50 Pro’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. This advantage might be noticeable in benchmark scores and demanding applications.
Both phones come with up to 12GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking, but the Nord 4 offers the faster LPDDR5X RAM type compared to the Edge 50 Pro’s LPDDR4X. Storage options range from 128GB to 256GB on both phones, with the Nord 4 boasting the newer UFS 4.0 storage standard in its higher configuration.
4. Software
Both phones run Android 14 out of the box. OnePlus promises a commendable 4 years of Android OS updates and a whopping 6 years of security updates for the Nord 4, exceeding what Motorola offers with the Edge 50 Pro’s 3 years of OS updates. OnePlus’ OxygenOS 14 is known for its clean and near-stock Android experience, while Motorola’s version offers a more customized interface with Moto gestures and features.
5. Camera
The Nord 4 features a 50MP Sony LYT-600 main sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor. The Edge 50 Pro boasts a more versatile triple-camera system with a 50MP main sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide sensor with macro capabilities, and a 10MP telephoto sensor with 50x hybrid zoom.
The Edge 50 Pro also boasts a higher resolution 50MP front-facing camera compared to the Nord 4’s 16MP sensor. Both phones offer AI features to enhance photos, but the Edge 50 Pro’s additional telephoto lens and higher resolution front camera might make it more appealing to photography enthusiasts.
6. Battery Life and Charging
The OnePlus Nord 4 boasts a larger 5500mAh battery compared to the Edge 50 Pro’s 4500mAh battery. Both phones support fast charging, with the Nord 4 offering 100W SuperVOOC charging that can fully charge the phone in 28 minutes, while the Edge 50 Pro supports 125W TurboPower charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging.
7. Pricing and Availability
The OnePlus Nord 4 is available in three variants: 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 256GB. The prices for these variants are Rs. 29,999, Rs. 32,999, and Rs. 35,999, respectively.
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is available in two variants: 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB. The 8GB variant comes with a 68W charger and is priced at Rs. 31,999. The 12GB variant with a 125W charger is priced at Rs. 35,999.
Both phones offer competitive pricing, with the OnePlus Nord 4 being slightly more affordable in the base variant.
8. Conclusion
Choosing between the OnePlus Nord 4 and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a tough decision as both phones offer compelling features and specifications. If you prioritize performance, brighter display, faster storage, a larger battery, and longer software support, the OnePlus Nord 4 might be a better choice. However, if you prefer a more durable phone with a slightly higher refresh rate, a telephoto camera lens, and a vegan leather finish, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro could be the right fit for you.
Ultimately, the best phone for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Consider your priorities in terms of performance, camera capabilities, design, and software updates, and then weigh the pros and cons of each phone before making a decision. Both the OnePlus Nord 4 and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro are excellent mid-range smartphones that offer great value for money.
