iPhone SE (2022) vs Motorola Edge 50

The iPhone SE 2022 and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro are two distinct smartphones, released in March 2022 and April 2024, respectively. While the iPhone SE 2022 operates on Apple's iOS, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro runs on Android, offering users different software experiences. These devices cater to varying preferences, with the iPhone SE 2022 emphasizing a compact form factor and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro focusing on a larger, more immersive display and advanced camera capabilities.

When considering the longevity of a smartphone, several factors come into play, including software support, physical resilience, and ease of repair. The iPhone SE 2022 and Motorola Edge 50 Pro offer different approaches to durability and long-term usability.

• Software Longevity: The iPhone SE 2022, released in March 2022, typically receives iOS updates for approximately five to six years from its launch, extending its software relevance well into the future. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro, launched in April 2024, is expected to receive three major Android OS updates and four years of security updates, providing a solid period of current software support.
• Physical Durability: The iPhone SE 2022 features an IP67 rating, indicating resistance to dust and water immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. It is constructed with a glass front and back, and an aluminum frame. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro boasts an IP68 rating, offering enhanced protection against dust and water, allowing immersion beyond 1 meter. Its design includes a glass front, often protected by Gorilla Glass 5, and a choice of vegan leather or polymer for the back, framed by aluminum.
• Repairability: The Motorola Edge 50 Pro has a reported repairability score of around 5.0 to 5.5 out of 10, suggesting that while some components are accessible, others might require more effort for repair. Information regarding the specific repairability score for the iPhone SE 2022 is less consistently available, though Apple devices generally present a moderate challenge for independent repairs due to integrated components.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, app responsiveness, and handling demanding applications. Both devices offer capable internal hardware, but with different architectures and resulting user experiences.

• Processing Power: The iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a powerful processor, enabling smooth operation for everyday applications, multitasking, and mobile gaming. This allows for efficient handling of various tasks without noticeable slowdowns. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro features a current-generation mobile platform designed to manage daily usage and moderate gaming effectively, providing a responsive user experience.
• Memory and Storage: The iPhone SE 2022 comes with 4GB of RAM, which supports its operating system and application multitasking. It offers storage options of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro provides more generous RAM options, typically 8GB or 12GB, which can contribute to smoother transitions between numerous open applications and more intensive tasks. Storage configurations for the Edge 50 Pro include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone SE 2022 has a battery capacity of 2018 mAh, which provides sufficient power for typical daily use, though heavy users might find themselves charging more frequently. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro includes a larger 4500 mAh battery, generally offering extended usage times. It also supports rapid wired charging at 125W and wireless charging at 50W, allowing for quick power replenishment.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer different visual experiences tailored to their design philosophies.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone SE 2022 features a 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels, resulting in clear visuals for its size. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro sports a larger 6.7-inch pOLED curved display with a 1.5K resolution (1220 x 2712 pixels), offering a more expansive and detailed viewing area.
• Brightness and Color: The iPhone SE 2022's display reaches a peak brightness of 625 nits, providing good visibility in various lighting conditions. It offers accurate color reproduction. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro excels in brightness with a peak of 2000 nits, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility. Its pOLED panel also supports HDR10+ and DCI-P3 color gamut, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The iPhone SE 2022 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which provides a consistent visual experience for most users. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers a higher 144Hz refresh rate, resulting in noticeably smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, particularly beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content.

Camera capabilities are a significant consideration for many users, and these two devices present different photographic strengths and features.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a single 12MP wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS). It includes features like Smart HDR 4, Deep Fusion, and Portrait Mode, which enhance image quality in various scenarios. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro features a versatile triple camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with a wide f/1.4 aperture and OIS, a 13MP ultrawide lens that also functions for macro photography, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS.
• Photography Performance: The iPhone SE 2022 performs well in good lighting conditions, capturing detailed and color-accurate photos. However, it lacks a dedicated Night Mode, which can limit its performance in very low-light environments. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro's larger main sensor and wider aperture contribute to strong low-light performance, and its camera system is validated by Pantone for accurate skin tones.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices can record video up to 4K resolution. The iPhone SE 2022 supports 4K at up to 60 frames per second. Its front camera is 7MP. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro records 4K video at 30 frames per second and features a high-resolution 50MP front camera with autofocus, suitable for detailed selfies and video calls.