Motorola Edge Plus Review: Flagship Performance Reimagined
In a smartphone market dominated by giants like Samsung and Google, Motorola has been quietly plotting its comeback. The latest entry in its premium lineup, the Motorola Edge Plus (2025)—building on the solid foundation of the 2023 model and the innovative Edge 50 Ultra—reimagines what a flagship should be: powerful, stylish, and unapologetically user-focused without the sky-high price tag. Priced at around $800 (with the 2025 refresh hitting $550 for the base Edge model in the US), it punches way above its weight, blending cutting-edge hardware with Motorola's signature Moto AI smarts. After weeks of hands-on testing, I'm convinced this is the Android powerhouse that could lure you away from your Galaxy or Pixel. Let's dive in.
Design: Curves That Command Attention
Gone are the days of boxy, forgettable slabs. The Edge Plus (2025) revives Motorola's love affair with quad-curved edges, wrapping a stunning 6.7-inch pOLED display around the sides for an immersive, edge-to-edge feel that's both ergonomic and eye-catching. The soft-touch matte glass back in Pantone-validated Deep Forest green (or vegan leather options on select variants) resists fingerprints like a champ and feels premium without being slippery. At 8.6mm thick and 203g, it's lightweight enough for one-handed use but substantial where it counts.
Durability gets a serious upgrade too: MIL-STD-810H certification means it can shrug off drops, extreme temps, and vibrations, while Corning Gorilla Glass 7i on the front offers twice the scratch resistance of previous generations. IP68 water and dust resistance rounds out the package, making it as tough as it is beautiful. In a sea of flat-edged flagships, the Edge Plus stands out—literally.
Display: Smooth, Vibrant, and Unwavering
The 6.7-inch Endless Edge display is where the magic happens. With a 165Hz refresh rate (upgradable to 144Hz on the 2025 refresh for buttery-smooth scrolling), HDR10+ support, and Dolby Vision, it's a feast for gamers, streamers, and scrollers alike. Colors pop with Pantone validation ensuring true-to-life accuracy—perfect for photo editing or binge-watching. Peak brightness hits 1,300 nits, so outdoor visibility isn't an issue, and the 360Hz touch sampling rate makes it a gaming beast, outpacing even the Galaxy S24 in responsiveness.
One minor nitpick: The FHD+ resolution (2,400 x 1,080) keeps pixel density at 395ppi, which is sharp but not quite as razor-like as QHD+ rivals. Still, for everyday use, it's immersive without draining the battery excessively. If you're tired of screens that feel clinical, this curved beauty reimagines immersion.
Performance: Power That Anticipates Your Needs
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (or MediaTek Dimensity 7400 on the 2025 US variant) paired with up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage delivers flagship fury. Benchmarks? AnTuTu scores hover around 1.5 million, trading blows with the OnePlus 12. Gaming like Genshin Impact runs at max settings without a stutter, thanks to Moto Gametime's performance tweaks and acoustic lighting effects.
But it's Moto AI that truly reimagines performance. Hold the new AI Key for real-time features like Circle to Search (scan anything on-screen for instant info) or proactive assistants that summarize notifications and suggest replies. Multitasking is seamless with up to 8GB extended RAM, and Wi-Fi 7 plus UWB support future-proofs connectivity. Heat management is solid—no throttling during extended sessions—and it's whisper-quiet compared to fan-cooled competitors.
Camera: Versatility Meets AI Magic
Motorola's cameras have leveled up dramatically. The triple rear setup—50MP main with OIS, 50MP ultrawide/macro, and 12MP 2x telephoto (up to 64MP 3x on Ultra variants)—captures everything from sweeping landscapes to zoomed portraits with ease. DXOMARK praises its autofocus and low-light prowess, often edging out the Galaxy S24 Ultra in motion handling and exposure. Colors are vibrant yet natural, with minimal over-processing, and the 50MP front camera nails selfies in any light.
AI steals the show here: Auto Smile Capture detects grins for perfect timing, while Photo Enhancement Engine sharpens details post-snap. Night Vision mode pulls miracles from shadows, and Adobe-powered document scanning is a productivity godsend. Video hits 4K/60fps with rock-steady stabilization—great for vloggers. It's not quite Pixel-level computational wizardry, but for $800, it's reimagined flagship photography: fun, reliable, and full of surprises.
Battery Life: All-Day (and Then Some) Endurance
This is where the Edge Plus shines brightest. The 5,100mAh (or 5,200mAh on 2025 models) battery earns DXOMARK's Gold Label, lasting up to two days on mixed use—web surfing, streaming, and light gaming. Standby drain is negligible, and adaptive battery tech learns your habits to stretch further.
Charging? Blazing fast. 68W TurboPower juices it to 50% in 15 minutes (full in under 40), and 15W wireless is cable-free bliss. No more FOMO at 20%—this reimagines endurance as effortless.
Software: Clean, Smart, and Evolving
Android 14 out of the box (upgradable to 15) with Motorola's near-stock skin means bloat-free bliss. Three years of OS updates and four years of security patches is a huge leap for Moto, putting it on par with mid-tier Google promises. Moto AI integrates seamlessly: Catch Me Up summarizes missed texts, and Ready For turns it into a desktop rig via USB-C.
Gestures like chop-chop for flashlight are intuitive, and the AI Key unlocks generative tools without cluttering the UI. It's polished, playful, and—crucially—secure.
A Flagship for the Rest of Us
The Motorola Edge Plus (2025) isn't just an incremental update; it's a reimagining of flagship ethos—delivering 90% of the S24 Ultra's prowess at 60% of the cost. Stellar battery, AI-driven smarts, and a design that turns heads make it a joy to use daily. Drawbacks? Camera processing can occasionally oversharpen, and software support, while improved, trails Samsung's seven years. But at $800 (or $550 for the US Edge refresh), it's unbeatable value.
Pros:
- Jaw-dropping battery and charging speeds
- Curved display that's immersive and durable
- Moto AI elevates everyday tasks
- Triple cameras punch above their price
Cons:
- Resolution not QHD+
- Update policy good, but not elite
- Limited color options in some markets
If you're craving flagship thrills without the premium pain, grab the Edge Plus. It's proof Motorola's back—and better than ever. Rating: 4.5/5 stars. What's your take—ready to edge out the competition?
