The first thing you notice about the Moto Edge Plus is that it fits well in one hand, is the size of a candy bar and makes good use of its wraparound screen.
Motorola launched the Moto Edge Plus as its return to the flagship smartphone market. The Moto Edge Plus is a $999 device that features Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 processor and 5G service from Verizon, which exclusively carries the device.
After a week with the Moto Edge Plus, its 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage I conclude it's a good value flagship that may fare better with wider distribution beyond Verizon. For instance, the real win for the Moto Edge Plus is Verizon's 5G network, but in my area the network wasn't available.
The value proposition for the Moto Edge Plus rhymes with the OnePlus 8 Pro. The general theme for both devices is that you can get premium specs for less money than you'd get with the Samsung S20 Ultra. Both the OnePlus 8 Pro and Moto Edge Plus will run you $999 for the 12GB and 256GB storage option.
Moto Edge Plus packs a 108MP Quad Pixel and OIS main camera, 3X high-resolution optical zoom, and 16MP ultrawide camera where the OnePlus 8 Pro camera has more conservative specs with a 48MP rear camera, 8MP telephoto camera and 48MP ultra-wide-angle zoom.
Frankly, I liked both the OnePlus 8 Pro as well as the Moto Edge Plus. The cameras on both were comparable and solid performers but trailed the color quality and detail of Samsung's Galaxy S20 Ultra. That comparison isn't fair since Samsung's flagship costs much more, but after taking photos with all three devices Ultra won the most and the Moto Edge Plus vs. OnePlus 8 Pro was a wash depending on preference.
The choice between the OnePlus 8 Pro and Moto Edge Plus comes down to this:
Like most devices, the choice between two devices ultimately comes down to the camera. Here's a look at the same pictures taken by the Moto Edge Plus and OnePlus 8 Pro. I added a Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra shot as a benchmark. These photo bake-offs are subjective but give you a feel for how the devices are different.
Shot with Moto Edge Plus.
Same shot with OnePlus 8 Pro.
And the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra version.
Here's a look at how the Moto Edge Plus processed a flower relative to the OnePlus 8 Pro (bottom).
Moto Edge Plus
Add it up and the Moto Edge Plus is a lot of phone for the money. So is the OnePlus 8 Pro. Both are pushing the mid-tier to flagship line at a price less than $1,000.
Here are select Moto Edge Plus specs: