Motorola Edge 70 first impressions: Slim design, big battery, smart balance

The Motorola Edge 70 aims to redefine expectations for slim smartphones. While 2025 sees phones like the Samsung S25 Edge (5.8mm) and iPhone Air (5.6mm) pushing the boundaries of thinness, these often come with compromises in battery life and affordability. The Edge 70 manages to be just 5.99mm thin while packing a substantial 5,000mAh battery and dual stereo speakers.

Slightly thicker than its rivals, the Edge 70 distinguishes itself with its battery performance, a key consideration for most smartphone buyers, especially given the inevitable decline in battery health over time. Despite housing a larger battery, the Edge 70 is also surprisingly light.

The phone's design includes a back cover with a subtly coarse, nylon-inspired silicone texture, lending a premium feel. The camera module is housed within a distinctive squarish metal island. The Edge 70 is available in three colors: Pantone Gadget Grey, Pantone Lily Pad, and Pantone Bronze Green.

Durability is another highlight, with IP69/IP68 water resistance, MIL-STD-810H certification, and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection for the display.

Reflecting the growing trend of instant AI access, a dedicated AI key is located on the phone's left side.

Display and Audio

The 6.7-inch 1.5K Extreme AMOLED display is a standout feature, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. With a pixel density of 446ppi, the display delivers sharp visuals. HDR10+ is supported, although Netflix HDR playback is currently unavailable due to certification limitations. Pantone validation ensures accurate color reproduction, and users can customize the visual experience with Radiant or Vivid modes. Despite its slim design, the phone features stereo speakers that produce ample volume.

Performance and Cameras

Internally, the Motorola Edge 70 is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, paired with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. While not a flagship-level chipset, the phone delivers stable performance, particularly in CPU-intensive tasks. The phone maintains performance even during gaming, with smooth everyday app usage and the ability to achieve 120fps in games like BGMI. Casual gamers can expect a fluid and reliable experience.

The camera system comprises a 50MP main camera with OIS and a 50MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus on the rear. A dedicated three-in-one light sensor helps ensure accurate color capture. The front-facing camera is also a 50MP sensor for selfies.

Images captured by the main camera are sharp, with a natural color profile and minimal processing. The 2x zoom preserves detail and remains usable up to around 5x. HDR performance is notable, providing good highlight control across both the main and ultra-wide cameras. The ultra-wide camera is impressive for its price range and also functions as a macro lens.

All three cameras (main, ultra-wide, and selfie) support 4K video recording at 60fps. The absence of a telephoto lens is mitigated by this well-rounded camera setup.

Software and Battery

Motorola is committing to three years of software updates and four years of security patches for the Edge 70. Users also have access to familiar Motorola features like Moto Gestures, Smart Connect, and Family Space.

AI integration is becoming increasingly prominent. Pressing the AI key unlocks features such as Google Gemini, Circle to Search, Remember This, and Playlist Studio. The AI experience is continuously evolving.

The box includes a 68W PD charger, compatible with other devices. 15W wireless charging is also supported. A more comprehensive assessment of battery performance will be included in the full review.

Priced at Rs 29,999 at launch, the Motorola Edge 70 hints at the future of mid-range smartphones, showcasing that slim designs don't necessarily require significant compromises. It achieves a compelling balance between features and design, demonstrating that phones can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.