Motorola has launched the Edge 70, a new ultrathin smartphone designed to compete in a shrinking segment. While slimmer than some rivals, the Edge 70 stands out with a larger battery capacity, aiming to address a key compromise in thin-phone design. This move comes as other manufacturers, like Samsung, reconsider their commitment to ultrathin devices amid declining consumer interest.
The Thin Phone Dilemma
The Edge 70 is 5.99mm thick and weighs 159 grams, positioning it between the iPhone Air (5.6mm, 165g) and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (5.8mm, 163g). Despite the slight bulk, Motorola’s device boasts a 4,800-mAh battery – significantly larger than the 3,900-mAh battery in the Galaxy S25 Edge and the 3,149-mAh in the iPhone Air. The battery uses silicon-carbon technology for higher energy density, a detail competitors haven’t yet matched.
Why this matters: Thin phones historically sacrifice battery life for aesthetics. Motorola is betting that a larger battery will sway consumers, even if it means a minor increase in thickness. This could reshape the thin-phone market if successful.
Features and Performance
The Edge 70 features a triple 50-megapixel camera setup (main, ultrawide/macro, and front-facing) with 4K video recording. It includes a dedicated light sensor for improved image quality. The device also integrates Motorola’s AI tools (Moto AI), including features like proactive suggestions (“Next Move”), notification summaries (“Catch Me Up”), and information saving (“Remember This”).
The phone supports 68-watt fast-wired charging, significantly faster than the 25-watt charging speeds of the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air, along with 15-watt wireless charging. It is also rated IP68 and IP69 for dust and water resistance, matching leading competitors. Available colors include pantone bronze green, pantone lily pad, and pantone gadget gray.
Market Uncertainties
The Edge 70 will initially launch in Europe and China (branded as the X70 Air), with no immediate US release date. Historically, international models receive better specs than their US counterparts.
The big question: Whether ultrathin phones have lasting appeal remains unclear. Trade-offs include shorter battery life and potentially reduced camera performance. Motorola is attempting to mitigate this by prioritizing battery capacity, but long-term consumer preference will determine whether this strategy pays off.
“It’s refreshing to use something that feels innovative, and I’m surprised at how much more comfortable it is to use a lightweight phone,” said CNET phone expert Abrar Al-Heeti.
Despite the innovative design, the challenge for Motorola and other manufacturers will be minimizing compromises to attract a broader customer base.
