Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021) Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021) is a mid-range smartphone that offers impressive specifications and features. With a 144Hz refresh rate display, a 108-megapixel main camera, and a large 6.8-inch screen, it aims to compete with other smartphones in its price range. In this review, we will analyze its design, performance, software, display, camera, battery life, connectivity options, and provide a comparison with related devices. Let's dive in and see if the Motorola Edge 5G UW is worth considering.

Design and Build Quality

The Motorola Edge 5G UW features a sleek design with a glass front and a plastic back. It has a large 6.8-inch display with thin bezels and a small punch-hole camera at the top. The phone's dimensions are 169 x 75.6 x 9 mm, making it slightly larger than average. Despite its plastic back, it feels sturdy and well-built in the hand. The device has a water-repellent design, which adds durability and protection against accidental splashes or spills. However, the glossy back is prone to fingerprint smudges and dust. Overall, the design is modern and attractive, although some may find it a bit slippery and prone to sliding off surfaces.

Display

The Motorola Edge 5G UW boasts a large 6.8-inch LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth and immersive viewing experience. The display has a resolution of 1080 x 2460 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 395 ppi. Colors appear vibrant and accurate, and the high refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel fluid. The display also supports HDR10, enhancing the contrast and dynamic range of compatible content. However, it is worth noting that the display is an LCD panel, so it may not have the deep blacks and infinite contrast ratios of OLED displays. Nevertheless, the display on the Motorola Edge 5G UW is impressive and ideal for media consumption and gaming.

Performance

The Motorola Edge 5G UW is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, which offers solid performance for everyday tasks and multitasking. It has an octa-core CPU and the Adreno 642L GPU, providing smooth graphics and gaming experiences. The phone comes with 6GB of RAM, which ensures smooth performance when running multiple apps simultaneously. In terms of storage, it offers 128GB of internal storage, which should be sufficient for most users. However, there is no option for expandable storage. Overall, the performance of the Motorola Edge 5G UW is reliable and handles most tasks with ease.

Software and User Interface

The Motorola Edge 5G UW runs on Android 11, providing a clean and near-stock Android experience. Motorola has a reputation for offering a close-to-stock Android experience, which means minimal bloatware and a clean user interface. The software is intuitive and easy to navigate, with customization options available through the Moto app. Motorola also promises two years of software updates, which is a welcome addition. Overall, the software experience on the Motorola Edge 5G UW is smooth and user-friendly.

Camera

The Motorola Edge 5G UW features a triple camera setup, including a 108-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The main camera captures detailed and sharp images in daylight, with good dynamic range and accurate colors. However, in low-light conditions, the camera struggles to maintain detail and can produce noisy images. The ultrawide lens provides a wider field of view, allowing users to capture more in a single frame. The camera app offers various shooting modes and features, including Night Vision mode, which improves low-light photography. On the front, there is a 32-megapixel selfie camera that captures decent selfies with good detail and natural colors. Overall, the camera performance on the Motorola Edge 5G UW is decent but falls short of some of its competitors in low-light conditions.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge 5G UW is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for most users. With moderate usage, the phone can easily last a full day without needing to be recharged. Additionally, the device supports 30W wired charging, allowing for quick top-ups when needed. However, it is worth noting that the phone does not support wireless charging, which may be a drawback for some users. Overall, the battery life on the Motorola Edge 5G UW is impressive and should meet the needs of most users.

Connectivity and Networking

As the name suggests, the Motorola Edge 5G UW supports 5G connectivity, allowing users to take advantage of faster data speeds where available. It is compatible with both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G networks. The phone also offers Wi-Fi 6 support, providing faster and more stable wireless connections. Other connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and GPS. The device has a USB Type-C 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. It is worth noting that the phone does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, so users will need to rely on Bluetooth headphones or use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. Overall, the Motorola Edge 5G UW offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options.

Additional Features

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Motorola Edge 5G UW with related devices in its price range, it stands out for its 144Hz refresh rate display and 108-megapixel camera. However, it faces tough competition from devices like the Google Pixel 6 and the iPhone SE (2020). The Google Pixel 6 offers a more refined camera experience and faster software updates, while the iPhone SE provides a more compact form factor and the Apple ecosystem. Ultimately, the choice between these devices will depend on individual preferences, with the Motorola Edge 5G UW offering a strong balance of features and performance.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

The Motorola Edge 5G UW (2021) offers a compelling package with its impressive specifications and features. The 144Hz refresh rate display provides a smooth and immersive viewing experience, while the Snapdragon 778G chipset ensures reliable performance. The camera performance is decent, although it falls short in low-light conditions. The device has good battery life and offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including 5G support. While it lacks wireless charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack, the overall package of the Motorola Edge 5G UW is strong, making it a worthy contender in the mid-range smartphone market.