Motorola has just unveiled the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) for North America, which is their latest flagship smartphone boasting impressive power and performance, a triple high-resolution camera system, a massive battery, and rapid charging capability. The phone is designed to take on some of the best Android phones of the year, including the Samsung Galaxy S23 and OnePlus 11.
The Motorola Edge Plus (2023) features a 6.7-inch pOLED display with ultra-thin bezels, resulting in a virtually borderless appearance. The front of the display has an anti-fingerprint coating, while the back has a velvet antiglare glass inlay. True to its name, the “Edge” of the screen is curved on all sides, including the top, bottom, left, and right.
During a recent visit to Motorola’s headquarters in Chicago, we were able to get our hands on the Edge Plus and it felt great to hold. The glass back has a refined texture, and although the curved display may not appeal to everyone, it undeniably looks impressive.
The Edge Plus (2023) boasts Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, ensuring long-lasting endurance against scratches, impacts, and falls. Additionally, it holds an IP68 rating, safeguarding it from submersion in fresh water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters.
When it comes to specifications, the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) leaves no room for complaint. It is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, delivering approximately 35% better CPU performance, 25% better GPU performance, and 40% improved power efficiency than its predecessor. The Edge Plus (2023) also boasts 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of internal storage. The pOLED display supports HDR10+ and has been certified by Dolby Vision, and boasts a remarkable 165Hz refresh rate. The device also boasts immersive audio through Dolby Atmos and two large stereo speakers, and supports Motorola Spatial Sound.
To put things into perspective, popular models such as the Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro feature 120Hz refresh rates. While the increase from 120Hz to 165Hz may not seem as significant as the leap from 60Hz to 120Hz, the Edge Plus (2023) offers unparalleled speed and fluidity, as we experienced during our hands-on testing of the device. Whether it’s opening applications or browsing home screens, every action on the Edge Plus (2023) is lightning-fast and smooth.
Let’s now turn our attention to the camera capabilities of the Motorola Edge Plus (2023). This smartphone features a triple rear camera system consisting of a 50MP main shooter with optical image stabilization (OIS) and instant all-pixel focus, a 50MP ultrawide camera with macro vision, and a 12MP 2x telephoto portrait camera. On the front, there’s a 60MP front-facing camera that utilizes Snapdragon’s Cognitive Image Signal Processor to optimize different segments of the scene, such as the sky, buildings, landscapes, and skin tones, resulting in a more realistic image.
The video recording capabilities of the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) are equally impressive, with support for recording up to 8K UHD (30 fps), 4K UHD (30/60 fps), FHD (30/60 fps), 4K UHD HDR10+ (30 fps), and slow-motion FHD (960/240/120 fps). The device also offers several new video shooting modes, such as Night Vision for brighter footage with more detail, Horizon Lock Stabilization for extreme sports, Auto Focus Tracking to keep the subject clear and focused even with motion, and Portrait mode for creating background blurs.
The Motorola Edge Plus (2023) boasts a massive 5,100mAh battery, and it comes with a 68-watt TurboPower charging adapter in the box. While wireless charging is limited to 15W, the device also supports 5W reverse wireless charging. Motorola claims that the battery can last up to two days on a single charge, and with the 68W TurboPower charger, you can recharge the device fully in just nine minutes.
The phone runs on Android 13 and will receive three years of Android upgrades, as well as four years of bimonthly security patches. The device also supports the Ready For platform, which enables users to play games on a bigger screen or use the phone as a webcam with a computer or connect it to a PC. Additionally, the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) is compatible with Lenovo ThinkReality A3 smart glasses.
Starting May 9, the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) will be available through Boost Infinite and Boost Mobile, followed by Spectrum Mobile and Consumer Cellular. Unlocked versions will be sold at Best Buy, Amazon, and Motorola’s website starting May 25, with pre-orders for the unlocked version starting on May 19. The phone’s starting price is $800.
In Canada, the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) will be available through Motorola.ca starting on May 25, with pre-orders starting on May 19 at $1,300 Canadian dollars.
While it’s still early to provide a final verdict on the device, the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) appears to be a promising phone. It boasts impressive design and display, and the specifications are impressive for the price. We’ll be conducting a full review soon, and we’re excited to put it to the test.