Motorola’s new Edge 50 Professional is (arguably) among the best “mid-range” telephones ever launched. And that’s a giant, daring declare – I do know…
However there’s one thing else that makes the Motorola Edge 50 Professional actually “particular”, and that’s the truth that it begins at roughly €350 in India (the place it launched first), which is exactly what makes it the unbelievable deal that it’s in Asia.
Nonetheless, because it seems, the identical Motorola Edge 50 Professional will value (anticipate it…) €700 in Europe (US launch is pending). That’s seven – zero – zero.
You don’t must Google it (and I didn’t must both) – that is probably the most staggering market-to-market value distinction I’ve ever encountered as a tech fanatic and author. Which suggests it’s time to speak about it!
What occurred to Motorola’s math? Is that this regular? Ought to individuals in Europe (and the US) begin importing their telephones, and likewise… Are phone-makers attempting to “tax the wealthy”?
Motorola’s new mid-range cellphone prices €350 in India and €700 within the EU: Are phone-makers attempting to “tax the wealthy”?
The Motorola Edge 50 Professional stacks up surprisingly effectively in opposition to the Galaxy S24 Extremely however Lenovo ought to know higher – the S24 Extremely isn’t the one to beat.
To reply the best query first, no – a cellphone costing as a lot because it prices in a
a special area of the world (be it China or India) will not be “regular”. To place issues into context, right here’s a fast value comparability of a number of the hottest telephones within the EU and India:
Apple’s iPhone 15 prices:
- 800 USD (now $700 on Amazon Renewed)
- 950 EUR (now €735 on Amazon)
- 80,000 INR (that’s €900, or €50 lower than the iPhone bought within the EU)
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 goes for:
- 800 USD (now $725 on Amazon)
- 900 EUR (now €725 on Amazon)
- 80,000 INR (or €900 – the identical launch value because the EU)
The mid-range Galaxy A35 is priced at:
- 400 USD (now $340 on Amazon)
- 380 EUR (now solely €300 on Amazon)
- 30,500 INR (that’s €340)
As you’ll be able to see, typically Apple/Samsung telephones are inclined to value extra in Europe in comparison with the US, which is well justified by the worth of the euro/greenback, trade charges, and the truth that smartphone costs within the EU embrace tax. In India, the costs of the telephones given for example are fairly according to these in Europe.
Is Lenovo’s determination to cost the Edge 50 Professional at €700 justifiable? For probably the most half, probably not…
By pricing the Edge 50 Professional at €700 in Europe, Motorola is messing with the fallacious fanbase. Imagine it or not, many individuals assume all Android telephones are “Samsung” telephones.
Nonetheless, attempting to justify Lenovo’s wildly totally different pricing technique is kind of not possible for me, and that’s as a result of there’s no means the additional bills for promoting the Edge 50 Professional in Europe add as much as €350 extra in comparison with promoting the cellphone in India.
Whereas a €100-150 value distinction could be greater than affordable if we took into consideration the typical revenue, import charges (that are unclear), and naturally, the EU’s tax insurance policies, charging 2x extra for a similar cellphone is de facto, actually laborious to rationalize.
The one affordable rationalization for the large value disparity is that, in Lenovo’s ebook, the Edge 50 Professional represents a “totally different worth” within the EU to the worth it brings to the Indian market. And one might argue that is certainly true…
The Indian smartphone market has turn out to be extremely saturated up to now few years, and is rapidly catching up with the Chinese language one. There are various mid-range alternate options to the Edge 50 Professional in India (the place new telephones appear to be launched on a weekly foundation), which isn’t the case in Europe, the place Chinese language phone-makers take some time to launch telephones already launched in China/India – or simply don’t do it in any respect.
Nonetheless, info are info, and the very fact is that the Edge 50 Professional Lenovo is promoting for €700 in Europe is strictly the identical cellphone you should buy for half the value in India. And once we ignore the context of the respective smartphone market(s), the worth proposition right here is similar.
In actual fact, one might argue the value of the Edge 50 Professional needs to be as little as attainable in Europe if Motorola desires to steal a few of Samsung’s (numerous) customers – which needs to be the final word aim of competing with the South Korean big.
Is Lenovo sabotaging Motorola? Do you have to purchase the Motorola Edge 50 Professional, or get a “actual” Android flagship for the flagship value?
In Europe, the €700 Motorola Edge 50 Professional appears costly subsequent to the Pixel 8, whereas the Pixel 7a is almost half the value (on sale).
Because of its flagship options, if the Motorola Edge 50 Professional was €500-600 on the worldwide market, it nonetheless would’ve been thought of a sound various to the likes of the Pixel 7a and Galaxy A55 – even when they go for €400-500. Nonetheless, at €700, the worth proposition is dramatically totally different, pitting the Edge 50 Professional in opposition to the superior Galaxy S24 ( which is €700 on sale).
In the long run, whereas (as a European) I’ve at all times been fairly vocal relating to smartphone pricing in several areas of the world, what Lenovo has performed appears to cross the road slightly bit… And that’s an actual pity, as a result of the Edge 50 Professional (on the proper value) appears like the perfect worth mid-range smartphone I’ve ever seen. Interval.
As you’ll be able to learn in our full Motorola Edge 50 Professional evaluate, it brings a surprisingly (for Motorola) glorious digicam system; an awesome software program expertise; super-fast charging; all-day battery life; and even satisfying efficiency for a “mid-range” cellphone. It’s additionally the one mid-ranger available on the market that offers you a combo of premium extras together with IP68 mud/water-resistance, in addition to wi-fi + reverse wi-fi charging.
This makes the €350 Edge 50 Professional the best-value mid-range cellphone within the loopy aggressive Indian market, and (sadly), a not-so-great “flagship” competitor in Europe, the place it goes face to face with the likes of the Galaxy S24 (€725 on sale), Pixel 8 (€580 on sale), and the less expensive Pixel 7a (€380).
Lastly, I go away to you the query whether or not Lenovo is attempting to “tax” the wealthy, or not. For those who ask me… It appears prefer it. Is it the precise factor to do? I don’t know. I suppose it relies upon how “wealthy” you might be. My boss makes certain I stay center class at finest, so don’t be imply to me within the feedback.
The best way to get an excellent deal on the superb however overpriced Motorola Edge 50 Professional (trace: perhaps… don’t)
The Motorola Edge 50 Professional is but to launch within the US however the telephones’ value in America will finally decide how critical Lenovo is concerning the loopy value distinction between the EU and Indian Edge 50 Professional.In the meantime, in the event you’re questioning how one can get an excellent deal on the Moto Edge 50 Professional outdoors of India, why not:
- Import the Edge 50 Professional – as I perceive, some on-line importers provide this imperfect answer; or go on a vacation to India from Europe and get your Motorola Edge 50 Professional there – it’d work out cheaper!
- Wait till the value of the Edge 50 Professional comes down – on condition that that is an Android cellphone we’re speaking about (additionally, a Motorola), this shouldn’t take too lengthy – maybe a few months
- Look forward to a deal on eBay – because it at all times occurs, somebody will purchase and (for one purpose or one other) resolve to promote their new Motorola Edge 50 Professional, providing you with an opportunity to grab this glorious cellphone for much less
- Or you understand… purchase a special cellphone – maybe Lenovo ought to study an vital lesson, and cease sabotaging itself; the Galaxy S24, Pixel 8, and Pixel 7a seem like stable alternate options relying in your finances
By the best way, sure – I’m barely jealous of the Motorola Edge 50 Professional’s superior value in India, however I’m additionally comfortable for our Indian readers who get such an incredible deal – one which (apparently) is “unachievable” within the EU.
