Motorola offers two impressively thin phones for sale right now – the $899 Edge 70 and the $1499 Signature.
These two phones share the same DNA but they’re targeted for different audiences. With a $600 price gap it’s important to consider which one is the best Motorola phone for you.
In this article we’ll deal with the differences from a lifestyle perspective. For a more structured feature comparison, check out our product guide here.
Who should buy the Motorola Edge 70?
If you’re looking for a great deal but don’t want to sacrifice that premium experience, the Edge 70 is a great option. Its fabric-like Pantone back feels great in the hand and pairs well with your other accessories.
For a particularly bold statement piece, the Edge 70 Swarovski edition comes in a unique colourway and quilted design with embedded crystals.
If you’re upgrading from an older midrange phone, the Edge 70’s processor offers decent performance and should comfortably outcompete your old phone.
As a daily driver the Edge 70 strikes a good balance between affordability and performance while providing a premium thin-phone experience.
Here’s our review of the Edge 70.
Who should buy the Motorola Signature?
The Motorola Signature is a high-end device that handles heavy workloads well. Its powerful processor, impressive camera suite, and gorgeous display make it a compelling phone for power users.
It still manages to strike a thin profile with all this hardware inside. Coming in at just under 7 millimetres, it shows that flagship phones don’t have to equate to a brick in your pocket.
If you’re planning to keep your phone for years to come, the Signature is a great option. It comes with a 7-year software update commitment so that your significant investment holds value longer.
It’s also great if you’re looking for a flagship experience without the price tag, since it comes in at a lower price than comparable models.
Check out our review of the Motorola Signature.
The $600 Question
So is the price gap justified? It depends.
If your priority is phone photography, heavy workloads, and longevity, the Signature might be the better option for you. Its camera suite is a touch better and the strong hardware is backed up with a solid support tail.
If you’re just looking for a stylish, thin phone that checks the boxes for daily usage, the Edge 70 is more than capable. It disappears into your pocket or handbag, keeps up with you through the day, and easily handles your regular tasks.
Quick Picks:
- Best Camera: Signature
- Best Pocket Feel: Edge 70
- Best Style: Edge 70
- Best Longevity: Signature
- Best Value: Edge 70
- Best Battery Life: Signature
2 comments
Phil McCurtayne
When you say the Signature has a “touch better” camera set up, how much better is it? And would the Edge 70 camera be a big step up from my Egde 50?
Scott Hunt
Hey Phil,
The Signature’s camera is a bit more responsive and I thought the results were more consistently good, but the Edge 70 is definitely a capable camera phone as well. You can click through to our reviews on both to see sample photos from each setup.
The most noticeable difference between the two is in low-light performance. The Signature’s main sensor is physically larger and the lens has a wider aperture, meaning it can pull in more light for greater detail. In regular daytime shooting the differences aren’t as significant, but they are there, and if you use manual modes the Signature offers greater flexibility.
There is an optical zoom telephoto lens on the Signature as opposed to digital zoom on the Edge 70, meaning better detail when zooming.
Regarding the Edge 50 vs Edge 70 cameras, you can expect similar performance from the main lens. The Edge 70 offers improved dynamic range and better detail retention if you’re shooting in tricky lighting. You’ll see a massive detail boost in the ultrawide lens with greatly increased resolution on the newer model. The tradeoff is you will lose the telephoto lens, but I found the digital zoom on the Edge 70 pretty good up to 3x and acceptable up to about 5x.
If you use your phone for video, the Edge 70 offers 4K 60fps recording, which is double the limit of your Edge 50. The Signature matches this and adds Dolby Vision compatibility.
Hope this helps! Any more questions don’t hesitate to reach out.