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 (look ahead to 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 essentially 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 in addition… Are phone-makers making an attempt to “tax the wealthy”?
Motorola’s new mid-range cellphone prices €350 in India and €700 within the EU: Are phone-makers making an attempt to “tax the wealthy”?
The Motorola Edge 50 Professional stacks up surprisingly properly 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 few 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 may 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, alternate charges, and the truth that smartphone costs within the EU embrace tax. In India, the costs of the telephones given for example are fairly in step with these in Europe.
Is Lenovo’s determination to cost the Edge 50 Professional at €700 justifiable? For essentially the most half, probably not…
By pricing the Edge 50 Professional at €700 in Europe, Motorola is messing with the improper fanbase. Imagine it or not, many individuals assume all Android telephones are “Samsung” telephones.
Nonetheless, making an attempt to justify Lenovo’s wildly completely different pricing technique is kind of unattainable 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 admittedly, actually exhausting to rationalize.
The one affordable rationalization for the massive value disparity is that, in Lenovo’s e-book, the Edge 50 Professional represents a “completely 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 into extremely saturated prior to now few years, and is shortly catching up with the Chinese language one. There are lots of mid-range 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, information are information, and the very fact is that the Edge 50 Professional Lenovo is promoting for €700 in Europe is strictly the identical cellphone you should purchase for half the worth in India. And after we ignore the context of the respective smartphone market(s), the worth proposition right here is similar.
In reality, one might argue the worth of the Edge 50 Professional must be as little as doable in Europe if Motorola desires to steal a few of Samsung’s (numerous) customers – which must be the last word purpose of competing with the South Korean big.
Is Lenovo sabotaging Motorola? Must you 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 sort of half the worth (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-about a legitimate 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 completely different, pitting the Edge 50 Professional in opposition to the superior Galaxy S24 ( which is €700 on sale).
Ultimately, whereas (as a European) I’ve all the time been fairly vocal in relation to smartphone pricing in numerous areas of the world, what Lenovo has completed appears to cross the road somewhat bit… And that’s an actual pity, as a result of the Edge 50 Professional (on the proper value) seems like the very best worth mid-range smartphone I’ve ever seen. Interval.
As you may learn in our full Motorola Edge 50 Professional overview, it brings a surprisingly (for Motorola) wonderful digicam system; a terrific 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 in the marketplace that provides 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 depart to you the query whether or not Lenovo is making an attempt to “tax” the wealthy, or not. Should you ask me… It seems prefer it. Is it the correct factor to do? I don’t know. I suppose it relies upon how “wealthy” you might be. My boss makes positive I stay center class at finest, so don’t be imply to me within the feedback.
Methods 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 severe Lenovo is in regards to the loopy value distinction between the EU and Indian Edge 50 Professional.In the meantime, when you’re questioning find out how to get an excellent deal on the Moto Edge 50 Professional exterior of India, why not:
- Import the Edge 50 Professional – as I perceive, some on-line importers supply this imperfect answer; or go on a vacation to India from Europe and get your Motorola Edge 50 Professional there – it would work out cheaper!
- Wait till the worth 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 ahead to a deal on eBay – because it all the time occurs, somebody will purchase and (for one motive or one other) resolve to promote their new Motorola Edge 50 Professional, providing you with an opportunity to grab this wonderful cellphone for much less
- Or you understand… purchase a special cellphone – maybe Lenovo ought to be taught an necessary lesson, and cease sabotaging itself; the Galaxy S24, Pixel 8, and Pixel 7a seem like stable options relying in your price range
By the way in which, sure – I’m barely jealous of the Motorola Edge 50 Professional’s superior value in India, however I’m additionally pleased for our Indian readers who get such a tremendous deal – one which (apparently) is “unachievable” within the EU.
