I've been using the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion for a month, and I dont think the iPhone 17e or Samsung Galaxy A57 can touch it for value

Date:
Sun, 31 May 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Description:
The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion defies its budget price by offering a premium design, a good-looking display, and a huge battery.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Motorola
Edge 70 Fusion two-minute review I always come away from Moto phones either hot or cold: the last handset I tested from the company disappointed, and the one before that was my favorite phone of 2025. So which way would the Edge 70 Fusion land? Having spent some time putting it through its paces, I'd say
it's an absolute winner.

Motos latest low-cost mobile is ostensibly an affordable sibling to the Edge 70 , giving phones journalists something to write about while we wait for the Edge 80 line. But the timing of its release, around the same time as the iPhone 17e and Samsung Galaxy A57 , makes it an unexpected rival to these big companies budget blowers. And, even more unexpectedly, it blows them out of the water. And that's not just because of its price although that certainly helps. The real reason is that the Edge 70 Fusion is another superb-value Motorola phone that, in certain areas, feels every bit like a true premium handset. Latest Videos From

For a start, the display here is an absolute winner, offering more colors and a higher level of brightness than you should expect for the price. The battery, too, trumps most rivals, with the 7,000mAh capacity lasting two or more days of use.

For me, though, it's the phone's design that delights most. The textured
rear, curved edges, and bronze trim see this handset stand out from your average chocolate-bar handset.

However, not all is rosy; there are a few rough edges. The software had a few annoying quirks the app search function has been replaced by a slow AI tool that takes ages to find your app, for example. The Bluetooth connection was prone to drop-outs, frequently interrupting any music I was playing through the device. Plus, software support is only guaranteed for three years, which falls short of some rivals.

But with the cost of tech skyrocketing in 2026, a budget phone has never been more attractive and the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion is currently my favorite mid-range pick. Yes, even over the Samsung Galaxy A57. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

I was ready to be even more ecstatic about the Edge 70 Fusion, until I realised that Moto had released another handset at this price point only a year ago that was far, far more advanced. The Moto Edge 60 was 2025s best-value phone, but due to apocalyptic RAM prices, the new model doesnt offer nearly as good value for money as that option. Try to find it on sale before you consider the Fusion or any 2026 mobile, for that matter. Motorola Edge 70 Fusion review: price and availability (Image credit: Future) Released on March 2, 2026 Costs 379.99 / AU$499 (about $520) Not on sale in the US The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion was announced on March 2, 2026, at the Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona. It follows the standard Edge 70, which was released the previous October.

The handset comes in at an affordable 379.99 / AU$499 (about $520), but I wouldnt go so far as to call it "cheap" since Moto G handsets cost even less. Nevertheless, its a far cry from the 699 (roughly $920, AU$1,400) price of
the main Motorola Edge 70 .

Motos range of handsets varies by region, and the Edge 70 Fusion isnt on sale in the US. While in Australia, all of Motos phones are priced less than elsewhere. Motorola Edge 70 Fusion review: specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Motorola Edge 70 Fusion specs Header Cell - Column 0 Header Cell - Column 1

Dimensions:

162.8 x 75.6 x 8mm

Weight:

193g

Screen:

6.78-inch FHD (1,272 x 2,772mm) 144Hz AMOLED

Chipset:

Snapdragon 7s Gen 3

RAM:

8GB

Storage:

256GB

OS:

Android 16

Primary camera:

50MP, f/1.8

Ultra-wide camera:

13MP, f/2.2

Front camera:

32MP, f/2.2

Audio:

Stereo speakers

Battery:

7,000mAh

Charging:

68W wired

Colors:

Pantone Silhouette, Pantone Blue Surf, Pantone Orient Blue, Pantone Sporting Green Motorola Edge 70 Fusion review: design (Image credit: Future) Premium-feeling design Available in a range of Pantone colors IP68/IP69 and military protection Motorolas really settled into a groove with its Edge designs, and on looks alone, I'm not sure Id be able to pick out the Edge 70 Fusion in a lineup with its contemporaries.

The handset measures 162.8 x 75.6 x 8mm and features Motos regular
four-circle camera bump on the back. In the UK, it's available in just a single color, while in Australia, you get a choice of Pantone options. The power button and volume rocker both sit on the right edge; the former is easy enough to reach, but the latter isnt.

Picking up the phone reveals some neat touches. Its pretty light, at 193g,
and fits in the hand snug thanks to a rear panel that tapers in at the edges. The thickness isnt "brag about it in marketing" levels of slender, but it's a noticeable difference in the hand over other models.

The rear of the phone is plastic, but with a textured, almost fabric-like finish. As such, the device feels pretty premium in the hand and grips well
on canted surfaces. Its little touches such as these that elevate Moto phones above the average chocolate-bar-style handsets that the majority of companies churn out.

The device arrives with both IP68 and IP69 ratings, meaning it can survive being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, as well as withstand high-pressure water jets. It also meets MIL-STD-810H standards, a military-grade durability certification designed to test devices against tougher knocks, drops, and jolts. Design score: 4.5 / 5 Motorola Edge 70 Fusion review: display (Image credit: Future) 6.78 inches, 1,272 x 2,772 resolution 144Hz refresh rate, 5,200 nits max brightness Under-display fingerprint scanner hits and misses The Moto's 6.78-inch, 1,272 x 2,772-resolution screen is about average for an Android phone. However, it's there that the comparisons with other similarly priced handsets end.

An AMOLED display, it offers a 1-billion-color gamut, plus a 144Hz refresh rate and 5,200nits max brightness. These are specs youd expect to see in a top-end phone, not a handset at this price. Fittingly, movies and games look great on the screen, full of color and punch.

If theres anything that could be better, its the under-display fingerprint scanner. It worked most of the time, but now and then it wouldn't pick up my thumb, and Id need to try again. This is the type of issue you wouldnt experience on a premium mobile. Display score: 4.5 / 5 Motorola Edge 70
Fusion review: software (Image credit: Future) Android 16 with Moto twists Three years of OS updates Some bloatware, and infuriating features Motorola packs its phones with software thats akin to stock Android, but with a few additions and, notably, a few removals.

Ostensibly, were looking at Android 16, but booting up the phone reveals a
few Moto-themed extra apps and tools. My favorites remain the quick gestures: a karate-chop motion to turn on the torch; a twisting gesture to open the camera; placing the handset screen-down to immediately turn on do-not-disturb mode.

However, some Android 16 features are missing such as the system themes overhaul, which delivers greater customization options through your phone.
You also get fewer years of guaranteed software updates than most other phones, at only three years.

Theres a bit of bloatware and some built-in AI tools that rarely saw the
light in my testing, but tidying up the Edge 70 Fusion is easy enough. For those familiar with stock Android, everything is where you want it to be,
with few other features thatll distract you. Sure, converts might miss some iOS or One UI features but theres nothing wrong with simplicity.

The one thing that did prove an annoyance is that Moto has replaced the
search bar in the app drawer with an AI bot, which claims to figure out what youre asking of it, if you give it some time to think. However, if youre simply trying to track down and launch a particular app, the slow loading
time of this tool makes using it counterintuitive. For example, when I wanted to find the clock app to set an alarm, the bot would take far longer to find the app than a standard search bar would. Its an example of AI making the usability of a phone worse. Software score: 3.5 / 5 Motorola Edge 70 Fusion review: cameras (Image credit: Future) 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 5MP macro cameras Cameras lack some vibrancy and optimization A range of useful camera features Its hard to find listings for the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion
that dont scream about the Sony Lytia 710 sensor in the main camera. This is because this 50MP module debuted with the series, and Motos really trying to big up this partnership.

Like a grumpy Roman emperor, my thumbs usually pointed downwards when it
comes to Motorola phone cameras, but the Fusions example isn't bad at all. It does what other Motos cant, in making pictures look bright and colorful.

Pictures display more dynamic range than Im used to seeing, making snaps
taken on sunny days appear more joyous, while also lending more variety to foliage. Its no Galaxy phone, but the sensor change is clearly adding some pizzazz to the pictures.

Joining the main camera is a 13MP ultra-wide, if you'd like to get more
ground and sky into your shots. Pictures taken with this camera display a similar color profile to those taken with the main camera, but you dont have to crop in far to see lots of grain.

On the front of the phone is a 32MP f/2.2 module for selfies. While selfies looked a touch less colorful than snaps from the main camera Lytias set my standards too high, clearly the artificial bokeh is smart at avoiding blurring strands of hair.

You get Portrait, Slow-mo, Panorama, and Night options, alongside Photo
Booth, which takes four pictures and presents them in a grid. Camera score: 3.5 / 5 Motorola Edge 70 Fusion camera samples Image 1 of 9 This photo was taken at 2x zoom, showing the sun low over a river. (Image credit: Future) This photo was taken at 1x zoom, showing some flowers in an array of colors. (Image credit: Future) This picture was taken at 1x zoom in a dimly-lit room, showing a pizza toppings. (Image credit: Future) This is the first of a run
of pictures showing a city-scape, starting at 0.6x or ultra-wide. (Image credit: Future) This is the second of a run of pictures showing a city-scape, taken at 1x on the main camera. (Image credit: Future) This is the first of a run of pictures showing a city-scape, starting at 2x zoom. (Image credit: Future) This is the first of a run of pictures showing a city-scape, starting at 10x zoom or the maximum digital zoom range. (Image credit: Future) This Portrait picture was taken on the rear camera. (Image credit: Future) This picture of geese was taken on the 1x camera. (Image credit: Future) Motorola Edge 70 Fusion review: performance and audio (Image credit: Future)
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, 8GB RAM and 256GB storage Can handle games, but not perfectly Bluetooth 6.0 for audio had some drops The Moto Edge 70 Fusion is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset a solid mid-powered processor designed to help more affordable phones punch above their weight. Weve already seen it deliver in the Fairphone 6 and Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus .

In Geekbench 6 multi-core tests, the phone returned average scores in the 3,200-3,300s, roughly in line with those of the aforementioned phones and other mid-rangers. For context, the non-Fusion handset hit 4,100s, while the Edge 60 hit 2,900, and premium phones generally crack five figures.

Tests I ran on 3DMark showed noticeably lower frame rates and scores below those of top-end phones from the past few years. This isnt a gaming phone,
but it can handle games.

In tests, I found that the Edge 70 Fusion was capable of handling the titles
I threw at it, although not always at the top graphics settings or at blazing speeds. However, for a non-flagship device, I wouldnt have expected more.

A quick note for buyers, though: the handset did prove quite sluggish in use for the first week of testing. Normally, handsets find their pace quicker
than this, but it soon caught up.

Audio-wise, the handset features the same stereo speakers as seen on other phones, plus support for Bluetooth 6.0. It lacks a traditional 3.5mm
headphone jack, but a USB-C converter enables the use of wired headphones.

Unfortunately, my test handset's Bluetooth connection proved quite
unreliable. A number of speakers and headphones I used would temporarily drop out, repeatedly more than they did on other devices. While I can't say for certain whether it's an issue with the handset in general or just the review sample, the fact that it would happen most frequently when I put my hand in a certain spot which seemed to block out the Bluetooth signal indicates it's the former. Performance score: 3.5 / 5 Motorola Edge 70 Fusion review:
battery life (Image credit: Future) Large 7,000mAh battery Multiple days of use per charge 68W charging plus some battery health features Motorola includes a decent-sized battery in the Fusion: a 7,000mAh power pack to be precise (although it seems that in some regions its only 5,200mAh, so be sure to check).

Such a module ensures I could reliably get through two days of use on a
single charge. On lighter-use days, I was working through only about 30% of the battery.

At 68W, you can power up the handset quickly but not so fast that you risk overheating the device. With a compatible charger, you can get from empty to full in about an hour. However, said charger a Motorola TurboPower 68W Charger doesnt come in the box.

To ensure your phone remains in good health for years to come, you can use
the battery protection tool. This allows you to schedule when the phone is charged to 100%, or the handset will learn your habits and wont charge past 80% until you need it. Battery score: 4.5 / 5 Motorola Edge 70 Fusion review: value (Image credit: Future) Its impossible to talk about the Motorola Edge
70 Fusions value without acknowledging that tech has become significantly
more expensive in 2026 you simply don't get the same level of bang for your buck as you once did with Motorola phones.

Even so, compared to today's rivals, the Edge 70 Fusion still offers exceptional value. Its one of a few genuinely affordable handsets that
manages to feel premium in a few key areas.

Its design, display, and battery life all punch above its price point. The cameras, performance, and software might deliver middling performance, but taken as a whole, this is still an excellent package. Phones that deliver a similar experience will typically cost you considerably more. Value score:
4.5 / 5 Should you buy the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion? Swipe to scroll horizontally Motorola Edge 70 Fusion scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

In an expensive year, you're getting a reliable phone at a low price.

4.5 / 5

Design

To look at it, you'd think that this was a top-end phone, especially if you can buy some of the interesting color options.

4.5 / 5

Display

The Fusion's display is bright, full of pixels and vibrant.

4.5 / 5

Software

Moto's spin on stock Android has some neat tools, but many pre-installed apps and some bloating features.

3.5 / 5

Camera

The main camera takes decent pictures, but it's still no camera phone.

3.5 / 5

Performance

The chipset is fit for purpose, but it's no gaming phone, and the Bluetooth isn't reliable.

3.5 / 5

Battery

With a 7,000mAh, you're getting days of lasting power with the Fusion.

4.5 / 5 Buy it if... You use your phone outdoors a lot Between its rugged protection and bright screen, the Moto is better than most mobiles for
outdoor use. You need a long-lasting battery A 7,000mAh capacity means you dont need to charge daily, with lighter users getting two or three days of
use per charge. You care about a phones hand-feel Thanks to its curved front sides, the Fusion sits comfortably in your hand, much more than your generic rectangle phone does Don't buy it if... You care about frequent software updates You'll want a long-lasting phone, and the Moto is hardy, but it will only get software updates for three years. You need a budget camera phone Lytia is a great get, but the lack of a telephoto camera or software tools means rivals are better camera phones. Motorola Edge 70 Fusion review: Also consider Not convinced by the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion? Other companies have their own flagship-alternatives, or competitive mid-rangers, and here are
some worth considering. Samsung Galaxy A57 Samsung's flagship-alternative Android costs a little more than the Fusion. It has a thin design, handy software and a decent screen, but the same camera and performance
shortcomings as the Moto.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy A57 review iPhone 17e The budget iPhone costs a little more than the Moto, but it's super fast and gets you into the iOS ecosystem. There's only one rear camera, though, and the display isn't fantastic.

Read our full iPhone 17e review Poco X8 Pro Max For only a little more than the Moto (and less, during frequent discounts), this Android has a huge battery and loads of gaming power, though it's no looker.

Read our full Poco X8 Pro Max review Swipe to scroll horizontally Header
Cell - Column 0

Motorola Edge 70 Fusion

Poco X8 Pro Max

Samsung Galaxy A57

iPhone 17e

Starting price (at launch):

379 / AU$499 (about $520)

$469 / 469 (about AU$940)

$549.99 / 529 / AU$749

$599 / 599 / AU$999

Dimensions:

162.8 x 75.6 x 8 mm

162.9 x 77.9 x 8.2mm

161.5 x 76.8 x 6.9 mm

146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm

Weight:

193g

218g

179g

169g

OS (at launch):

Android 16

HyperOS 3, Android 16

One UI 8.5, Android 16

iOS 26

Screen Size:

6.78-inch

6.83-inch

6.7-inch

6.1-inch

Resolution:

2772 x 1272

2772 x 1280

2340 x 1080

2532 x 1170

CPU:

Snapdragon 7s Gen 3

Mediatek Dimensity 9500s

Exynos 1680

A19 Bionic

RAM:

8GB

12GB

8GB / 12GB

Not specified

Storage (from):

256GB

256GB / 512GB

128GB / 256GB / 512GB

256GB / 512GB

Battery:

7,000mAh

8,500mAh

5,000mAh

4,005mAh

Rear Cameras:

50MP main, 13MP ultra-wide

50MP wide, 8MP ultra-wide

50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro

48MP

Front camera:

32MP

20MP

12MP

12MP How I tested the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion (Image credit: Future) Tested for one month Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback Benchmarked using Geekbench 6, 3DMark, native Android stats I used the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion for a month, and as my main handset for the past
three weeks.

As a result, most of the testing was based on real-world use. I used the
phone as my everyday device for everything from communications and entertainment to navigation and work. I took it on day trips, relied on it to navigate around the city, and used it for a range of voice and video calls.

I also carried out some lab-style benchmark testing to check out performance and battery life.

I've been reviewing smartphones for TechRadar since early 2019, including countless Motorola mobiles and plenty of other low-cost Androids.

Read more about how we test First reviewed May 2026



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