March is a tough month. Even in prosperous times, March has always been difficult: choosing gifts for March 8, incomprehensible weather, when the sun gives way to snow and rain, roads turn into an incomprehensible mess of ice, water and mud, and dog poop timidly begin to peep out on the lawns. And the first crazy people are already running on the streets: the other day, one uncle, in response to a remark made that he did not clean up after his dog, threatened that he would also leave a bunch now, and reached out to unfasten the belt on his jeans (I oppose, what would you do?).
And the devices themselves have practically ceased to enter our market. And for many, March has become a month of anticipation: whether the pre-ordered new Galaxy from Samsung will arrive or not.
But still, for the overall development, it is useful to know what is happening on the smartphone market and what new models have appeared.
I would also like to say that the division of smartphones into price segments looks more than arbitrary at the moment. Obviously, there will be a shift of about 30% up from the current boundaries. But, perhaps, there will also be a shortage, when prices simply break away from reality. A good example of these fancy prices is the new POCO X4 Pro 5G. An excellent machine, if only it cost $350 for the top configuration.
CURRENT RATING
A bestseller is a model with outstanding performance (it can be the price, and not just the technical specifications). On the models marked with the word “Bestseller”, you should pay close attention.
challenger. Phones of this category have not matured to the player’s class, but they have a number of attractive features (for example, the cost, but it can also become a negative factor, and then the player turns into a contender), they may lack many functions that have become standard for a particular class. As a rule, devices of the second and third tier manufacturers or overpriced phones of large manufacturers fall into the “Challenger” category.
Technology for the sake of technology. Niche products, interesting for their technical solutions, but not intended for a wide audience. Based on the capabilities, the device is interesting, but its size and speed cross out its merits and make it niche.
Not for all. Niche solutions, usually distinguished by an extraordinary design or the presence of unique, but unnecessary features. Designed for a narrow group of buyers who buy original items for self-expression.
An ordinary product. This category includes devices that are initially focused on everyone and no one. Phones that don’t have distinct features, making them one of the many on the market.
Outsider. Phones that, contrary to common sense, enter the market and do not even attract consumers to a small extent. From time to time, devices may appear that are already available for purchase, but not yet represented in official retail.
Operating system: Android 12
Memory: 8/12 GB / 128/256/512 GB, no memory card slot
Screen: 6.7 inches, OLED, 1080 x 2400 resolution, 393 ppi, 144 Hz, HDR10+, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Battery: Li-Po 4800 mAh, wired/wireless charging 68 W, 100% in 35 minutes
Main camera:
50 MP, f/1.8, (wide angle), 1/1.55″, 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultra wide), 1/2.76″, 0.64µm, AF
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)
Video recording 8K@24fps, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Front camera: 60 MP, f/2.2, (wide-angle), 1/2.8″, 0.61µm
SIM card: 2 Nano-SIM
Network & Data: GSM 900/1800/1900, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.2, A-GPS (dual band), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, NFC, USB Type-C 3.1 / DisplayPort 1.4
Sensors: fingerprint scanner (side), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass, barometer
Other: water-repellent impregnation, no 3.5 mm jack, NFC, stereo speakers
Dimensions: 163.1 x 76 x 8.8 mm, weight 196 g
Motorola continues to try to play in the premium segment. After LG’s departure from the US home market, the company has more opportunities.
Last time we saw a modern version of the legendary Motorola Razr and the first flagship in several years, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro (in fact, the first was the 2020 Edge +, but, objectively speaking, it was not drawn to this role). It’s nice that Motorola is consistent. And now, a year later, we are already showing the Edge 30 Pro.
So, we have a device for $ 900 (flagship price) on Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (flagship chipset). We conclude that we have a flagship. Let’s go over the strong, weak and weird points point by point:
No water protection, but only water-repellent impregnation (this is strange)
And even Edge + had Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (weak solution, but, apparently, Motorola could not buy top-end glass, because there is a shortage)
The smartphone is on Android 12 and will receive updates up to Android 14 (this is average, but overall good)
The device supports both 5G, and Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2 (well done, they did not save on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
The 50 MP ultra-wide module can also work as a macro lens (wow, how cool! And see the next paragraph!)
Front camera 60 MP
The main camera is 50 + 50 + 2 MP (the smartphone is positioned as “the best Android phone with a camera” – this is so clumsily translated on the official website the phrase camera phone, that is, we have, at the request of Motorola, the best photo smartphone on Android – interesting, right?)
Fast charging 68W, which can 100% in 35 minutes, 50% in 15 minutes. This is pretty advanced technology.
Own shell MyUI 3.0. I’m glad that Motorola has finally realized that bare Android is boring. Motorola promises that the image is easy to display on the TV (not only pictures and videos, but also video calls and applications).
You can buy a case with a built-in stylus for your smartphone (Motorola is the only manufacturer (apart from Samsung) that tries to integrate a stylus into the system).
As you can see, Motorola turned out to be an interesting device. Yes, there are questions on a number of points to him, but it arouses curiosity, right? And yes, the design is good. But the price would be desirable, of course, at the level of 800 dollars. How are you?
