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Motorola Moto S50: In-Depth Review of Common Issues, Problems, and Bugs - Should You Buy It?

Motorola Moto S50: In-Depth Review of Common Issues, Problems, and Bugs - Should You Buy It?

The Motorola Moto S50 stands out in Motorola's lineup as a mid-range smartphone, packed with a capable Snapdragon processor, a smooth high-refresh-rate display, and a powerful camera setup. It aims to provide a premium feel and performance without the high price tag of flagship models. But, as with any device, the Moto S50 has its share of issues that might impact user experience. In this article, we’ll explore these commonly reported problems, provide potential solutions, and determine if the Moto S50 is worth buying or if you should consider other options in the market.

Key Specifications of the Motorola Moto S50

  • Model: Motorola Moto S50
  • Operating System: Android 13 with Motorola’s My UX
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
  • Memory and Storage: Up to 8GB RAM, 256GB storage (expandable with microSD)
  • Display: 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 1080 x 2400 pixels
  • Camera: Triple rear camera setup – 64MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro; 16MP front-facing camera
  • Battery: 5,000mAh with 33W TurboPower charging
  • Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C

1. Battery and Charging Concerns

With its 5,000mAh battery, the Moto S50 promises strong battery life, while the 33W TurboPower charging adds convenience by allowing quick top-ups. However, some users report battery and charging-related issues that can hinder the phone's usability.

  • Battery Drain During Intensive Use: While battery life is generally good with standard tasks, users report that power drains quickly when engaging in resource-heavy tasks like gaming, using the camera extensively, or operating at a 120Hz refresh rate.

    "It’s great for everyday use, but when I play games or use the camera for long sessions, the battery seems to drop faster than expected," shared a user.

  • Overheating While Charging: Some users have experienced overheating during charging, especially when using the device while it’s plugged in. This may cause the phone to throttle performance or automatically reduce charging speeds to prevent damage.

Potential Solutions:

  • Use Adaptive Battery Settings: Enabling adaptive battery settings in Android can help extend battery life by limiting background processes.
  • Switch to 60Hz When Possible: Setting the display to 60Hz for regular usage can help conserve battery.
  • Avoid Using the Device While Charging: To prevent overheating, it’s best to avoid using the phone while it’s charging, particularly with heavy apps.

2. Display Quality and Issues

The 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate on the Moto S50 offers vibrant colors, smooth scrolling, and good overall visibility. However, users report a few issues with display quality.

  • Flickering at Low Brightness: Some users have noticed slight flickering on the display when the brightness is set very low, which can be irritating in dim lighting or at night.

  • Touch Responsiveness Issues: Occasionally, users experience lag or a lack of responsiveness, particularly along the edges of the display, which can impact typing and gesture navigation.

Potential Solutions:

  • Adjust Brightness Levels: Keeping brightness slightly higher can help reduce flickering on AMOLED displays.
  • Disable Adaptive Brightness: Some users find the flickering issue is less noticeable with adaptive brightness turned off.
  • Clear Cache: For touch responsiveness issues, clearing the cache from time to time may help as it reduces clutter in the system.

3. Performance and Stability Issues

Powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset, the Moto S50 delivers solid performance, particularly suited for moderate multitasking and mid-range gaming. However, some users report performance hiccups.

  • Stuttering and Lag: When multitasking heavily or switching rapidly between apps, users occasionally experience lag or stuttering, which may hinder a seamless experience.

  • App Freezing and Crashes: Certain apps may freeze or crash unexpectedly, which could be due to compatibility issues or software bugs.

    "The phone is usually fine, but sometimes when I switch quickly between apps or open a heavy game, it starts to lag a bit," noted one user.

Potential Solutions:

  • Limit Background Activity: Closing background apps can help free up resources and reduce stuttering.
  • Use Motorola's Game Mode: This mode optimizes resources for gaming and helps prevent notifications and background tasks from disrupting performance.
  • Clear App Cache Regularly: Clearing the cache for apps that are used frequently can help reduce freezing or crashing issues.

4. Camera Performance and Bugs

The Moto S50’s 64MP main camera and additional ultrawide and macro lenses offer versatility for different photography needs. However, users report some camera-related issues, particularly with low-light performance and software stability.

  • Poor Low-Light Performance: Although the camera performs well in daylight, low-light photos tend to be grainy or lack detail, particularly with the ultrawide and macro lenses.

  • Camera App Lag: Some users experience delays when switching between camera modes or activating features like HDR, which can lead to missed shots.

    "The main camera is great in good lighting, but low-light shots aren’t as clear as I expected. Also, there’s a delay when switching to the macro lens," reported one user.

Potential Solutions:

  • Enable Night Mode for Low-Light Shots: The built-in Night Mode improves clarity in dark settings, though it may take a second or two to process the image.
  • Clear Camera App Cache: Regularly clearing the cache can help reduce lag in the camera app.
  • Try Third-Party Camera Apps: Some third-party apps may offer additional features and better processing for low-light photography.

5. Software and User Interface Bugs

The Moto S50 runs Android 13 with Motorola’s My UX, providing a clean and mostly stock Android experience. While Motorola’s software is usually reliable, some users encounter software glitches.

  • Random Freezes and Reboots: A few users experience occasional freezing or unexpected reboots, particularly during high-resource activities like gaming or video streaming.

  • Notification Delays: Some users report delayed notifications, especially for messaging apps, which may be due to aggressive battery-saving features.

  • Infrequent Software Updates: While Motorola does provide updates, they may be slower compared to brands like Samsung or Google, potentially leaving certain bugs unresolved.

Potential Solutions:

  • Check for Software Updates Regularly: Updates can bring fixes for bugs and improve system stability.
  • Turn Off Battery Optimization for Important Apps: Disabling battery optimization for messaging apps can help ensure timely notifications.
  • Perform a Factory Reset: If freezing or reboot issues persist, a factory reset can help resolve software-related problems. Be sure to back up important data first.

6. Connectivity Issues

The Moto S50 supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 for fast and stable connectivity. However, users report some occasional connectivity problems.

  • Wi-Fi Connectivity Drops: Some users experience Wi-Fi disconnections, particularly on high-speed networks or when moving between different Wi-Fi channels.

  • Bluetooth Audio Lag: A few users notice lag when using Bluetooth audio devices, especially during video playback, which can disrupt the experience.

Potential Solutions:

  • Reset Network Settings: In the settings menu, this option can often fix Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues.
  • Restart Router: For Wi-Fi connectivity issues, resetting the router may help stabilize the connection.
  • Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off: This can help reset and improve connectivity without fully rebooting the device.

Conclusion: Is the Motorola Moto S50 Worth Buying?

The Motorola Moto S50 offers a solid mid-range experience with good features for the price, including a large 120Hz AMOLED display, a 64MP main camera, and a 5000mAh battery. Its performance is capable, though not flawless, and the camera is versatile, though limited in low-light situations.

Is it worth buying?
For users who value Motorola’s clean Android experience, the Moto S50 is a worthwhile choice in the mid-range segment, offering balanced performance for everyday tasks. However, for those who prioritize low-light camera performance, high-end gaming, or faster updates, exploring alternatives may be wise.

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re considering other mid-range options, here are a few alternatives:

  1. Samsung Galaxy A54 - Provides a similarly clean experience with a more polished camera setup and better software update support.
  2. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro - Offers a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display, similar performance, and fast charging.
  3. OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite - Known for its smooth OxygenOS experience, solid performance, and competitive pricing.

Final Recommendation: The Moto S50 is a great option for users who want a capable mid-range device with Motorola’s minimalist software. However, alternatives like the Galaxy A54 or Redmi Note 12 Pro offer competitive features that may be worth considering if you prioritize camera quality or faster updates.

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