[atnyia]

I have been using Pixel 7 Pro for a couple of years. Heating isn't a major concern for daily use (no gaming).
Battery backup is okay. Could have been better, but no concern. The great part is that battery wear is only 5% with 22 months of medium heavy use.

Display and everything else is great too.

I might be moving to a lighter/compact phone. Maybe S23. The iPhone 13 has spoilt me with ergonomics.

More than the total weight, the top heavy nature of weight distribution is the real issue while using the phone. The wrist and finger pain at times. I use a Caseology case as phone otherwise is too slippery.

[DCEite]

Any real user experiences and reviews on the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra ?

I am considering it as replacement for S21 FE.

What I am mainly looking for is :

1. Crisp, big, high res display > 6.6 inches

2. Decent battery life (atleast a day with average use) and very fast charging.

3. Non-Chinese, Non-Samsung

4. Decent everyday performance and casual gaming.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by DCEite

Any real user experiences and reviews on the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra ?

I am considering it as replacement for S21 FE.

What I am mainly looking for is :

1. Crisp, big, high res display > 6.6 inches

2. Decent battery life (atleast a day with average use) and very fast charging.

3. Non-Chinese, Non-Samsung

4. Decent everyday performance and casual gaming.

I really think you should consider the Oneplus 12 after exchanging your S21 FE at www.oneplus.in.

The overall price after exchange and card discount comes to less than 40k and for that price it's a heck of a phone.

PS: Motorola (aka Lenovo) is Chinese as well.

[Thad E Ginathom]

I am still dithering about buying Pixel, even though I have had my Moto g84 for less than six months. There is no way I would be doing this (my phones, like my clothes, get used until they wear out ) except, as I've mentioned before, the moto does not work with my hearing aids.

In a recent conversation on this forum, I was after the 7a (a smaller phone really appeals and it is newer). A fellow member said, go for the 7: it is almost as cheap. I was still fixed on the 7a, but now the 7 is substantially cheaper! The downside is that the newer (7a) phone will get full Android updates for much longer. I don't think I am very much concerned about this: updates seem to mostly be in the area of AI integration, and I am not, as yet, attracted by AI. And there will be security updates for longer. And, if necessary then, I'll get back into the world of rooting and custom roms!

One thing bothered me: the Google search bar cannot be removed from the home screen(s) of the Pixel browser. That's very bad. But internet says, no worries, just use Nova launcher, which I have been using for years anyway.

Probably next month...

PS: even 30k-plus is a huge amount of money for me to spend on a phone! No, I am not considering Pixel 8 or 9.

[It's Magic]

Originally Posted by DCEite

3. Non-Chinese, Non-Samsung

FYI, Motorola is also a Chinese company.

If you’re looking for non-Chinese mobile companies, you have the following options available:

Samsung
Apple
Google
Nokia
Micromax
Lava
Asus

If you don’t want to go with Samsung, you can explore the remaining options."

Best Wishes!

[Fuldagap]

Originally Posted by It's Magic

FYI, Motorola is also a Chinese company.

It isn't. With that scale, Land Rover & Jaguar would be Indian.
Motorola is a US company owned by Chinese Lenovo.

[atnyia]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

A fellow member said, go for the 7: it is almost as cheap. I was still fixed on the 7a, but now the 7 is substantially cheaper!

One thing bothered me: the Google search bar cannot be removed from the home screen(s) of the Pixel browser. That's very bad. But internet says, no worries, just use Nova launcher, which I have been using for years anyway.

Go for Pixel 7 instead of 7a. Total no brainer.

Having ALWAYS used the Nova launcher on all my phones before Pixel, I strongly urge you to give Pixel launcher a chance. This is the best launcher by far despite seeming to be non customisable. This is the default for me to search apps and settings directly rather than going through the separate settings menu. It learns that which apps are used at what time of day and keeps them on top. During mornings/evenings it keeps team-bhp/twitter and AC apps on top. During the day time, it keeps my UPI/shopping apps at top. Then there is material UI which is subtle and classy. It is done much better than iOS 18.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by atnyia

Go for Pixel 7 instead of 7a. Total no brainer.

Having ALWAYS used the Nova launcher on all my phones before Pixel, I strongly urge you to give Pixel launcher a chance. ...

It sounds clever. I still think I'd prefer to stick to my existing "workflow," in which almost every app I use can be accessed by a swipe up on one of the nine folders I keep across two home pages, plus five "standard" phone/messaging apps in the dock. Most days, I only use two or three apps.

But I appreciate the recommendation, and will certainly give Pixel a spin

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I was still fixed on the 7a, but now the 7 is substantially cheaper! The downside is that the newer (7a) phone will get full Android updates for much longer.

I think we have had a Q&A on the same thread last year after I bought Pixel 7a.

My recommendation would be to go for Pixel 7. The thick bezels on 7a are an eyesore which bother me even today after using it for 9 months. Size wise I think the Pixel 7 is just 1 or 2 mm wider than 7a, so not a huge difference. For me, the handiness is more about the width and not length.

[tbppjpr]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I was after the 7a (a smaller phone really appeals and it is newer). A fellow member said, go for the 7: it is almost as cheap. I was still fixed on the 7a, but now the 7 is substantially cheaper! The downside is that the newer (7a) phone will get full Android updates for much longer.

Pixel 7 is better built with better hardware overall. Currently I see the price of 7 between 30-35K which is VFM.

If updates are bit of concern then get the Pixel 8a and above.

After Motorola getting back to Qualcomm with the Edge50 series, they are also worth to consider. Edge 50 with MIL grade rating and the new Sony camera sensor is better option IMO over the Pixels.

Google is taking the same Exynos chipset too far from Pixel 6 to 9 which has very poor battery efficiency, and those small batteries make the things worse when you are using the phone outdoor without any charging source available for the whole day. Otherwise performance is decent for the normal daily tasks, its smooth.

Worst part is they have made their camera app very bad which offers too little customization for any type of serious photography or videography. Earlier the sliders for changing and locking the white balance and exposure used to be available on the main camera screen but that feature is now buried under many layers which makes the process very slow and demotivating.

This type of idiotic changes have made me use my full frame camera more and more over the Pixel. Now I rarely feel motivated to use the Pixel camera for photos or videos except when something need to be documented. You have to use the camera the way Google wants, not the way you want. Problem is many locked features can't be unlocked in the third party camera apps.

Google phones are not as open in the reality as they are perceived to be, they are also getting into the locked ecosystem similar to Apple.

Motorola does far better job and feels far more open. You can get much better results in their cameras using different camera apps (on models with comparable sensors), even the modded Gcam apps works better there compared to the stock Gcam app in the Pixels.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by DCEite

Any real user experiences and reviews on the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra ?

I am considering it as replacement for S21 FE.

Amazing phone, bought it last month.

+ points :

1. Fantastic value for money, camera and screen are highlights
2. Clean Android
3. Good hardware overall , not the top spec but pretty good.
4. Comes with 125 watt charger in box. I think better then my Macbook's charger
5. Wooden back is interesting

- points :

1. Availability is iffy, not available in Amazon / Croma etc. Not all colors are available.
2. Motorola site does not offer exchange
3. Not easy to buy screen guard in local shops, had to buy it from Amazon
4. Cases are not easily available . One case does come in the box.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

But I appreciate the recommendation, and will certainly give Pixel a spin

I have another suggestion which could work for you.

There is a slightly old device called the Oneplus Nord CE 3. I have three of those in my family (my wife, mother and mother in law all use it). And all three users are extremely happy with it.

It's still available on Amazon for 19k (link), which I think is a really value for money price. Pretty no nonsense phone for someone like you who doesn't care about regular updates.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Oxy

I have another suggestion which could work for you.

Thanks. I'm hemmed in by the list of compatible phones for Starkey hearing-aid Thrive app. OnePlus phones are there, but I also have had a wish for a Pixel!

Whilst I'm sad to hear that the camera app on Pixel is poor (I thought the google phone app was one of the best at one time?), I do my serious picture taking with a "real camera." I value the quality of the phone snaps, but I'm not really looking to do anything technical with the phone camera.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Thanks. I'm hemmed in by the list of compatible phones for Starkey hearing-aid Thrive app. OnePlus phones are there, but I also have had a wish for a Pixel!

Whilst I'm sad to hear that the camera app on Pixel is poor (I thought the google phone app was one of the best at one time?), I do my serious picture taking with a "real camera." I value the quality of the phone snaps, but I'm not really looking to do anything technical with the phone camera.

My wife is really happy with the camera on this one as well, if that helps. The mothers don't use it as much unfortunately.

[mayankk]

I was sort of trying to generate cajunas to splurge on the Pixel 8 Pro, or even the 9 pro (started off with considering the Pixel 8, but you know how these tensions escalate).

Reading the last few posts, is the Motorola 50 ultra really as good, or comparable?
As good as the 8/8 Pro? Close enough to the 9/9 pro maybe ?

My primary requirement is the camera, it should be good enough, doesn't have to out of this world even. I had a motorola edge 20 fusion and though the numbers against its cameras were large, the capability was very mediocre. RIght now have a nothing phone 1, and that barely has a camera. So if someone who owns a 50 ultra can share a hand-on-heart review, and maybe some pictures?