Motorola has been on a roll lately, delivering compelling smartphones that offer flagship-like experiences without the exorbitant price tag. The Edge X40 is the latest addition to their lineup, and it promises to be their most impressive device yet. But does it live up to the hype? I spent the past few weeks putting the Edge X40 through its paces to find out, and here’s my detailed review.

Design and Display

Sleek and Smooth with a Blazing Refresh Rate

The first thing that struck me about the Edge X40 is its stunning design. The phone is crafted from premium materials, with a sleek glass back and a polished aluminum frame. The curved edges feel great in the hand, and the overall look is undeniably eye-catching.

The display is equally impressive. It’s a 6.7-inch OLED panel with a 165Hz refresh rate, making everything from scrolling through web pages to gaming buttery smooth. The colors are vibrant and accurate, and the HDR10+ support ensures stunning contrast. Watching movies and TV shows on this display is a real treat.

Performance

A Powerhouse Under the Hood

The Edge X40 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which is paired with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, depending on the model you choose. This combination makes the phone an absolute powerhouse.

 I was able to handle even the most demanding tasks with ease, from multitasking between multiple apps to playing the latest graphics-intensive games. The phone never stuttered or slowed down, even when I pushed it to its limits.

Camera

A Capable Shooter for Most Situations

The Edge X40 boasts a triple-lens rear camera system, consisting of a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide sensor, and a 12MP telephoto sensor. The camera system takes great photos in most lighting conditions. 

The main sensor captures sharp and detailed images, while the ultrawide sensor is great for capturing expansive landscapes or large groups of people. The telephoto sensor offers 2x optical zoom, which is handy for getting closer to your subject without losing quality.

In low-light conditions, the Edge X40’s camera performance is decent, but not the best. Some noise is noticeable, and the images can appear a bit soft. However, the Night Vision mode helps to improve things in these situations.

The 20MP front-facing camera is also quite good. It takes selfies that are sharp and clear, even in low light. And if you’re into vlogging, you’ll be happy to know that the Edge X40 can record 8K video at 24 fps or 4K video at 60 fps.

Battery Life

Fueling Your Day

The Edge X40 is equipped with a 4600mAh battery, which is more than enough to get you through a full day of use on a single charge. In my testing, I was able to get around 7 hours of screen-on time with mixed usage. And thanks to the phone’s support for 125W fast charging, you can quickly top up the battery when you’re running low.

Software

A Clean and Clutter-Free Experience

The Edge X40 runs on Android 13 with Motorola’s My UX skin on top. My UX is a relatively light skin that doesn’t add much bloatware to the experience. I appreciate that Motorola has kept the software experience clean and clutter-free. The phone also receives regular updates, so you can be sure you’re always getting the latest security patches and features.

Verdict

A Compelling Flagship Alternative

So, is the Motorola Edge X40 a worthy flagship contender? In my opinion, it definitely is. It offers a premium design, a stunning display, powerful performance, a capable camera system, and excellent battery life. All of this comes at a price that is significantly lower than many other flagship smartphones.

If you’re looking for a high-end smartphone that won’t break the bank, the Motorola Edge X40 is a great option. It’s a well-rounded phone that excels in almost every area. However, it’s not perfect. The camera performance could be better in low light, and the lack of a microSD card slot might be a dealbreaker for

Here are some additional points to consider before making your decision:

Alternatives:

• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the current king of Android smartphones, offering even better camera performance, a built-in S Pen stylus, and a larger display. However, it also comes at a significantly higher price.
• Google Pixel 7 Pro: The Pixel 7 Pro is another great option, with excellent camera performance, clean software, and a unique design. However, its battery life isn’t as impressive as the Edge X40’s.
• OnePlus 11 Pro: The OnePlus 11 Pro offers similar performance to the Edge X40 at a slightly lower price. However, its camera system isn’t quite as good, and its software experience isn’t as clean.

Final Thoughts:

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to buy the Motorola Edge X40 comes down to your priorities and budget. If you’re looking for the absolute best smartphone on the market, regardless of price, then the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the better option. However, if you’re looking for a great value flagship experience with a clean software experience and excellent battery life, then the Edge X40 is a fantastic choice.

Here are some additional questions to consider:

• How important is camera performance to you?
• Do you need a stylus?
• How long do you want your phone to last on a single charge?
• How much are you willing to spend?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be in a better position to decide whether or not the Motorola Edge X40 is the right phone for you.