Motorola may have clinched 2026 with a battery and charging design that remains unmatched by any phone.
The new Edge 70 Max, launching today in the UK and Europe (unfortunately not in the US), boasts absolutely remarkable battery specifications. Additionally, it remains just affordable enough to be deemed a mid-range phone, priced at £700 at launch.
Here’s the reason it might be the most outstanding phone of the year thus far.
A battery capacity to (not) die for
Among its features is a massive 7100mAh silicon-carbon (Si-C) battery which easily outperforms similarly-priced competitors such as the Galaxy S26 (4300mAh) and Pixel 10 (4970mAh). There’s no sign that the forthcoming Pixel 11 series will come close.
Motorola
Motorola hasn’t made any concrete claims about battery life, but if the Oppo Find X9 Ultra‘s 7050mAh Si-C battery is any indication, most users should anticipate several days of battery life. In other words, battery anxiety could be a thing of the past.
Super-fast charging
Importantly, Motorola has combined the vast battery with swift charging capabilities – 90W, to be precise. The company asserts you can achieve “power for the day” in merely six minutes, though it remains uncertain what percentage this represents.
the Edge 70 Max has the most comprehensive battery and charging system of any phone released this year
However, there’s a caveat: that estimate specifically pertains to Motorola’s 90W ‘TurboPower’ charger, which is sold separately. It’s currently unavailable in the UK, but the compatible 125W model will cost £49.99 as of now.
Motorola
Nonetheless, even if you do not achieve the top speeds, any authentic USB-C fast charger will prevent you from spending extensive time charging that large battery.
Integrated Qi2 – finally!
The impressive battery and quick charging aren’t even the most thrilling battery-related specs, however.
Motorola has positioned itself among the few Android phone manufacturers to integrate Qi2 magnets directly into the back of the device – Qi2.2, to be specific. This allows for convenient wireless charging at up to 25W while also ensuring compatibility with a variety of magnetic accessories, including those designed for Pixelsnap on the Pixel 10 series and MagSafe on the iPhone.
Motorola
Having the magnets built-in provides a distinct benefit compared to most 2026 flagship models – including the entire Galaxy S26 lineup – that depend on cases for Qi2 functionality.
This positions the Edge 70 Max with the most all-encompassing battery and charging arrangement of any phone released this year. And there’s more.
Impressive specifications elsewhere
Amidst a landscape of high prices and minimal enhancements, how has Motorola succeeded in delivering outstanding battery specifications while maintaining a mid-range price? By considering a series of intelligent compromises, at least on paper.
Instead of the premium Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the Edge 70 Max utilizes the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. This chipset remains incredibly competent, with our OnePlus 15R review particularly lauding its “excellent performance”.
A large 6.82-inch AMOLED boasts a resolution superior to both the Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10, all while maintaining a glass back – even if this elevates the weight to a robust 221g.
It also exhibits increased durability compared to many flagship devices, sporting a combined IP68 and IP69 rating for water and dust resistance, along with military-grade MIL-STD-810H certification.
Motorola
Camera capabilities seem to be the apparent compromise, featuring a 50Mp primary rear lens paired with merely an 8Mp ultrawide, thus lacking a telephoto option. If you’re after photos that can compete with the top camera phones available, this might not be the right choice for you.
Moreover, although the Edge 70 Max operates on Motorola’s sleek and largely bloat-free software, it will receive only three significant Android OS updates and five years of security patches. With the device shipping with Android 16 instead of Android 17, this means Android 19 will be its final update.
The top phone of 2026?
Despite its mid-range pricing, the Edge 70 Max stands a chance of being the most remarkable handset of the year to date. It addresses a prevalent issue with contemporary phones – inadequate battery performance – while combining it with outstanding charging speeds and the versatility of Qi2.
Importantly, no apparent dealbreakers exist elsewhere, featuring a powerful chipset, high-quality display, and class-leading durability.
If you’re looking for images that compare to the best camera phones on the market, this probably isn’t for you
If you can forgo high-end photographs and the absence of new Android features in the coming years, the Edge 70 Max seems to satisfy all requirements. Emphasis on “seems”, however – as is often the case, we won’t know for certain until we experience it ourselves.
The Edge 70 Max is now available from the Motorola UK website, priced at £700. A launch promotion presently includes a pair of Moto Buds Loop earbuds and a 65W charger, although the latter isn’t powerful enough to fully utilize the 90W charging capability.
Summaries of the Most GadgetLad Phone Yet
Motorola’s Edge 70 Max has burst onto the scene, making waves with its colossal battery and fast charging. Encased in a clever design, it’s the Geordie lad of 2026 – tough, dependable, and a bit cheeky. It’s designed for those who are tired of battery woes, though it might not secure you a win in a photography contest. So, if you want a device focused more on resilience than aesthetics, this could very well be your new best friend. Just don’t forget to carry your charger.
