The Motorola Edge 70 arrives as the first phone in the new Edge 70 series, and it's making a statement that has nothing to do with spec sheets or benchmark wars. This phone is 5.99mm thin and weighs just 159.7 grams—making it one of the lightest flagship phones of 2025.
But thinness without substance is just a gimmick. After spending time with the Edge 70, I can tell you: this isn't just a thin phone. It's a genuinely balanced device that happens to be remarkably slim. Let me explain why.
Full disclosure: This review was done in collaboration with Motorola, but all opinions are my own genuine impressions after hands-on testing.
First Impressions: Paper-Thin, Premium Feel
Opening the box, the first thing that hits you (besides the pleasant fragrance—yes, Motorola scents their packaging) is how impossibly thin this phone feels.
At 5.99mm thick and 159.7 grams, the Edge 70 is lighter than most phones with plastic frames. The crazy part? It uses a metal frame—brushed aluminum with a color-coordinated finish that looks genuinely premium.
The Design Philosophy: Thin Meets Tough
Here's what shocked me: despite being under 6mm thin, the Edge 70 meets Military Standard 810H certification and carries IP68/69 rating.
That's dust-tight, water submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, and protection against high-pressure water jets. In a phone this thin. That's engineering worth respecting.
The In-Hand Experience
The back features a "nylon-inspired silicone finish" that's grippy without being sticky. You can feel subtle ridges that help with grip, and somehow, despite how thin and light it is, the phone never feels fragile.
The camera module has evolved from previous Edge designs—there's now a metal frame around the cameras with accented rings around each sensor. On the gray variant, these rings are blue or purple (they sent me the Bronze Green Pantone Validated color, which also looks excellent).
This phone feels like holding a premium sheet of paper with a screen. It's a sensation you need to experience to understand.
Display: Flat is Back
Motorola made a smart decision here: the curved display is gone, replaced by a completely flat 6.67-inch screen.
Screen Specifications
- 6.67-inch Xtreme AMOLED display
- 1.5K resolution for crisp text and images
- 1600 nits HBM brightness
- Pantone Validated colors
- Three color profiles: Standard, Neutral, and Vivid
Stick with Standard or Neutral—they're color-accurate and beautiful. The Vivid profile oversaturates unnecessarily.
Bezels? What Bezels?
The screen-to-body ratio is exceptional. The top bezel especially is incredibly thin—you can see it right now in photos. Combined with the flat display, this creates an immersive viewing experience without the distortion and accidental touches that plagued curved displays.
The display also comes with Gorilla Glass Victus protection, so it should handle drops reasonably well (though I'm not recommending you test that theory).
Performance: Big Jump from Edge 60
Snapdragon 7 Gen 4: The Sweet Spot
If you're upgrading from the Edge 60, this is a massive leap. That phone used the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. The Edge 70 jumps to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 built on a 4nm process.
AnTuTu scores: Around 1.4 million (Version 11)
That's solid mid-range flagship performance. You can play BGMI at 120fps right out of the box—no settings tweaks required.
The Single Configuration
There's only one variant: 8GB LPDDR5X RAM + 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. No microSD card slot, but 256GB should suffice for most users.
The LPDDR5X RAM is faster than typical LPDDR5, and UFS 3.1 storage ensures quick app launches and file transfers.
Thermal Performance: Cool Under Pressure
I ran both CPU and GPU stability tests, and both scored over 80%—meaning the phone maintains performance even under sustained load without throttling.
Gaming sessions produced no concerning heat. The phone gets warm but never uncomfortably hot, which is impressive given how thin it is. There's clearly smart thermal engineering happening inside that slim chassis.
Battery & Charging: Bigger Than Expected
5000mAh: How Did They Fit That?
The Edge 70 packs a 5000mAh battery (compared to 4800mAh in the global Edge 60 variant). In a phone this thin, that's remarkable.
Charging comes in two flavors:
- 68W wired charging: 0-100% in about 45-46 minutes
- 15W wireless charging: Slower but convenient
Having wireless charging in a phone this thin and light is a genuine bonus. Most ultra-thin phones skip it to save space.
Real-World Battery Life
While I need more time for a full review, initial impressions suggest solid all-day battery life with moderate use. The efficient 4nm chipset helps significantly here.
Software: Clean with AI Smarts
Hello UI Based on Android 16
The Edge 70 runs Hello UI based on Android 16 with a commitment to:
- 3 years of major OS updates
- 4 years of security updates
That's respectable longevity for a mid-range device.
The Clean UI Experience
Setup tries to push Glance (you can disable it) and includes Indus App Store. But here's the good news: unlike some brands, Motorola doesn't bombard you with notifications nagging you to download apps or update services.
There are one or two preinstalled apps like PhonePe, but overall, I'd call this a "cleanish" UI. It's smooth, fluid, and gets out of your way.
Moto AI: Actually Thoughtful
Motorola seems to be taking AI seriously this time. Here's what sets their approach apart:
Freedom of choice: Choose your AI assistant—Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot—whatever you prefer works with Moto AI.
Hybrid approach: Some tasks run on-device (like text summarization) while heavier tasks (image generation, advanced photo editing) leverage cloud processing.
This hybrid model is smart. As updates arrive, I expect more capabilities to shift to on-device processing.
AI Features Worth Using
Update Me: Summarizes notifications using AI so you can quickly see what matters.
Image Studio: Text-to-image generation. Create wallpapers, enhance photos, change looks—all through simple text prompts.
Playlist Studio: Point your camera at a concert poster or artist photo, and Moto AI identifies the artist and creates a playlist of their music. That's genuinely clever.
Take Notes: Voice notes that transcribe, summarize, and create bullet points in your preferred language.
Remember This: See a social media post or tweet you want to recall? Save it to Moto AI's memory for later.
Gestures: The back tap gesture is back—double-tap to trigger Moto AI, take screenshots, or start screen recording.
There's also a dedicated AI button on the side, though I wish it had more functionality. Currently, it only triggers Moto AI, but it could be so much more with software updates.
Additional Features
- Think Shield and Moto Secure for security
- Smart Connect for device connectivity
- App Drawer news section (I recommend turning this off)
Cameras: Accurate Skin Tones Shine
Triple 50MP Setup
Motorola calls this a "triple 50MP camera system":
- 50MP primary sensor
- 50MP secondary sensor (likely ultra-wide)
- 50MP front selfie camera
- Plus a three-in-one sensor for depth/macro
What Stands Out: Skin Tone Accuracy
The Edge 70 nails skin tones. They're absolutely accurate—no weird orange casts, no overly cool blue tones, just natural, realistic skin colors.
This is where the Pantone partnership really shows. Just like the display benefits from color accuracy, the camera processing produces true-to-life colors.
The Telephoto Trade-Off
Unlike last year's Edge 60, there's no dedicated telephoto lens. But you can shoot portraits at 2x lossless zoom, and honestly, the results are excellent.
Portraits capture accurate skin colors, good detail, and natural depth of field. If you're primarily shooting people, you won't miss the telephoto.
Camera Features
Full feature set includes:
- Slow Motion
- Photo Mode
- Portrait Mode (with accurate edge detection)
- Pro Mode for manual control
- Night Vision for low light
- Panorama
- Ultra Resolution Mode
- Photo Booth
- Group Shot
- Time Lapse
- Dual Capture (front + back simultaneously)
Important: All sensors (front and back) support 4K 60fps video recording. That's a genuine plus for content creators.
Ultra-Wide with Autofocus
The ultra-wide features autofocus, meaning you can shoot macro photos and videos from as close as 10cm. It's a dual-function lens that adds versatility.
Sample Photos
I've uploaded full-resolution samples to Google Drive (link in description). Check them out to judge quality yourself, but in various conditions—daylight, low light, portraits—the Edge 70 consistently delivers.
Photos benefit from Motorola's photo enhancement engine (likely AI-powered) that processes images to the point without overdoing it. Plus, since it uses Google Photos app, you get all of Google's AI photo editing features included.
Glitches Gone
The Edge 60 had numerous camera glitches. In my initial testing of the Edge 70, I haven't encountered any. Motorola seems to have cleaned up the camera software significantly.
Multimedia Experience: Impressive for the Size
Video Viewing Excellence
The color-accurate display makes video content look fantastic. Whether you're watching YouTube, Netflix, or scrolling Instagram, colors pop naturally without looking oversaturated.
HDR support on YouTube works well, and the Widevine L1 certification means you can stream HD content from Netflix, Prime Video, and other services.
Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos
Given how thin this phone is, I was skeptical about speaker quality. But Motorola increased speaker size, and it shows.
The Dolby Atmos stereo speakers are loud with decent quality. Not audiophile-grade, but perfectly adequate for phone speakers. Watching videos and playing games delivers enjoyable audio.
Volume levels are impressive—this doesn't sound like a thin phone.
Connectivity & Extras
Strong Connectivity Suite
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- All necessary 5G bands
- Bluetooth 5.4
- NFC for contactless payments
- No IR blaster (if you use your phone as a remote, you'll miss this)
Sensors & Security
In-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock both work quickly and reliably. No complaints on security or sensor performance.
The Missing Features
- No FM radio
- No notification LED
- Dual nano-SIM only (no microSD card slot)
SAR values are within limits. The haptic feedback is decent but not exceptional.
What's in the Box
- Motorola Edge 70
- 68W USB Type-C charger
- USB Type-C to Type-C cable
- SIM ejector tool
- Documentation and warranty card
- No case included (you'll want to buy one)
Pricing & Value (Expected)
While official pricing wasn't available during my unboxing, the Edge 70 should launch around ₹30,000 (roughly $360-370 USD), give or take ₹1,000-2,000.
At that price point, you're getting:
- Premium build quality
- Excellent display
- Solid performance
- Good cameras with accurate colors
- Respectable software support
- Ultra-portable form factor
The Competition Question
The mid-range market is crowded. How does the Edge 70 compare?
It wins on: Design, thinness, in-hand feel, display quality, software cleanliness, AI features
It might lose on: Absolute camera versatility (no telephoto), charging speed (some competitors offer faster)
It matches on: Performance, battery life, overall value
Who Should Buy the Motorola Edge 70?
Buy It If:
You value portability: Nothing in this price range feels this light and comfortable to carry all day.
You want a flat display: If curved screens annoy you (accidental touches, distorted edges), this is your phone.
You shoot portraits frequently: The accurate skin tones and color science make people look natural and beautiful.
You appreciate clean software: Minimal bloatware and thoughtful AI features beat heavily customized UIs.
You consume lots of media: The display and speakers create an enjoyable viewing experience.
Skip It If:
You need maximum camera zoom: The lack of telephoto means you're limited to 2x lossless. If you shoot distant subjects frequently, look elsewhere.
You're a heavy gamer: While it handles games well, there are more powerful options at this price for gaming-focused users.
You need expandable storage: No microSD slot means you're stuck with 256GB.
Edge 70 Series: What's Next?
The Edge 70 is just the beginning. Motorola has hinted that additional phones in the Edge 70 series are coming—likely Edge 70 Pro, Edge 70 Ultra, and possibly others.
This standard Edge 70 sets a strong foundation. If the Pro and Ultra variants build on this while addressing the telephoto absence and pushing performance higher, Motorola could have a genuinely competitive lineup.
Final Thoughts: A Balanced Surprise
I went into this review expecting a gimmick—another thin phone prioritizing specs over usability. I was wrong.
The Motorola Edge 70 is a genuinely balanced device that happens to be remarkably thin and light. The flat display is a smart choice. The performance jump from Edge 60 is significant. The camera quality—especially for portraits—is impressive. The AI features are thoughtful rather than forced.
Yes, I miss the telephoto lens. And yes, faster charging exists elsewhere. But as a complete package, the Edge 70 delivers a premium experience at a mid-range price.
Standout features:
- In-hand feel and build quality
- Flat, color-accurate display
- Accurate camera colors and skin tones
- Clean software with useful AI
- Strong multimedia experience
Room for improvement:
- No telephoto camera
- AI button could do more
- Case should be included
If you're in the market for a mid-range phone around ₹30,000 and portability matters to you, the Motorola Edge 70 deserves serious consideration. It's not trying to be everything to everyone—it's focusing on being a well-balanced, beautifully designed smartphone that you'll enjoy using every day.
And honestly? That's exactly what most people need.
Have questions about the Motorola Edge 70? Drop them in the comments and I'll answer based on my testing. What's your take on ultra-thin phones—gimmick or genuinely useful?
