Motorola Edge 20 Pro review

Competition

The Edge 20 Pro has a list price of €700 for a 12GB/256GB version in Europe, and that's essentially the only version you can find. The deal is sweetened here or there with a pair of the company's VerveBuds 800 TWS earbuds (worth some €50-80, depending on who you ask), while in other places, you can straight up get it for €600. Nowhere did we see a bundle with the Ready For cable, however, as we already mentioned. That said, these offers are temporary and regional, and we'll be treating the Edge 20 Pro as a €700 phone for the purposes of these here comparisons.

The OnePlus 9 retails for €800 if you want to match the Moto's RAM and storage, but for Moto money, you can get a base 8GB/128GB version. The OP may be able to put out a few extra nits, while the Moto has a few extra Hertz, but neither is a decider. In theory, the Oneplus 9's SD888 may be beefier than the Moto's SD870, but the Moto could actually be a better performer in the long run. The Moto will run longer on a charge, while the OP will charge faster, and it can charge wirelessly. Perhaps a true differentiator between the two is the telephoto camera on the Edge 20 Pro - the OP has none. Then again, the OP's ultrawide is superior. It's a tough one, but we're leaning towards the Moto, even though it lacks stereo speakers, a field where the OP has a checkmark.

The Mi 11 can be had for about as much as the Edge 20 Pro, and even if it's 24Hz short, its display is arguably superior thanks to its higher resolution and brightness. The Mi is missing a telephoto, but its main camera is a bit better, and its macro unit is... different and interesting in its own right. The Moto outlasts the Mi by a lot; the Mi is quicker to charge and can also do so wirelessly. Again, the Mi has stereo speakers; the Moto does not.

Asus will normally ask €800 for a Zenfone 8 Flip with 8GB/256GB on board, and for that premium, you'll get at least 40 extra grams in your pockets - it's quite the chonker. It also packs a triple main camera that's also a triple selfie camera and has other motorized tricks on offer - perhaps a better choice for photography then unless you're dead set on a 5x tele. The Zenfone also has goodies like a microSD slot and, once more, stereo speakers. On the other hand, the Moto has longer battery life and a way higher refresh rate than the Zenfone's pedestrian 90Hz.

There's a Galaxy we have in mind too - the S20 FE, while we're waiting for the S21 FE. It's comfortably cheaper, retailing for under €600, so it beats even the promo deals on the Moto. Its tele is only 3x, the ultrawide has no autofocus, there's no macro capability - perhaps the Edge 20 Pro is the better option for taking pictures. But the Fan Edition has a proper IP68 rating, microSD slot, and stereo speakers.

OnePlus 9 • Xiaomi Mi 11 • Asus Zenfone 8 Flip • Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

Verdict

The headliner of all the Moto Edges this year, the 20 Pro does a lot of things right. It boasts a proper triple camera setup with a periscope tele camera, like the real flagships, something you can't find elsewhere at this price. The autofocusing ultrawide that doubles as a macro shooter is also a standout feature in this segment.

The display is also not just any other display - its 144Hz refresh rate is all but mainstream, and the phone also allows for high frame rate gaming, in no small part thanks to the consistently powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset. The SoC also makes the Ready For functionality all the more appealing, though it's not like any competitor at the price point has an alternative anyway.

While all that is great, the Edge 20 Pro does make a few missteps, and these are mostly already evident in the spec sheet. Stereo speakers are missing on the Edge 20 Pro, plus the single speaker it has isn't too great. Headphone jacks and microSD slots aren't a given anymore, but you can find them here or there among rivals. Most rivals charge quicker too, but we'd take the Moto's stellar battery life instead.

All things considered, the Edge 20 Pro is at the top spot in the Moto lineup for a reason and also makes a strong case against competing efforts in the price range. Unless your specific preferences or priorities clash with one or the combination of its relatively minor shortcomings, we can't see why you shouldn't get one.

Pros

• Excellent display - OLED, 144Hz refresh rate, good max brightness.
• Top-class battery life.
• Great marriage between stock Android looks and extra Moto features, Ready For can actually be useful.
• The SD870 chipset's performance is just a shy short of the SD888.
• Good daylight photo quality from all cameras, capable main camera in low light.

Cons

• No stereo speakers.
• Charging speed is not competitive, no wireless charging.
• No Night mode on the ultrawide and the telephoto cam.