Motorola is one of the oldest and most iconic brands in the mobile phone industry. It pioneered the first commercial cellular phone, the DynaTAC, in 1983, and introduced the world to the flip phone, the StarTAC, in 1996. Since then, Motorola has gone through many changes, including being acquired by Google in 2012, sold to Lenovo in 2014, and rebranded as Moto in 2016. Despite these challenges, Motorola has managed to stay relevant and competitive in the smartphone market, offering a wide range of devices for different budgets and preferences. In this blogpost, we will take a look at the history of Motorola phones and discuss their pros and cons.
Motorola group of phones: A review of the past and present
Motorola was founded in 1928 as Galvin Manufacturing Corporation by brothers Paul and Joseph Galvin, the company started out by making car radios and later expanded into other fields such as television, radio communication, semiconductors, and consumer electronics. The company changed its name to Motorola in 1947, inspired by the word "motor" and the suffix "-ola" that was popular for audio products at the time.
Motorola was a pioneer and innovator in many aspects of wireless technology, from the first handheld cellular phone, the DynaTAC, in 1983, to the first flip phone, the MicroTAC, in 1989, to the first clamshell phone, the StarTAC, in 1996. Motorola also introduced some of the most popular and influential phone models of the 2000s, such as the RAZR, which sold over 130 million units worldwide, and the Droid, which was the first phone to use Android 2.0 "Eclair" and helped popularize the platform.
However, Motorola also faced many challenges and difficulties in the highly competitive and fast-changing mobile market. The company lost market share and profitability in the second half of the 2000s due to its inability to keep up with the rise of smartphones and touchscreens. It also suffered from internal conflicts and divisions that led to its split into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions, in 2011. Motorola Mobility focused on smartphones and consumer devices, while Motorola Solutions focused on enterprise and government solutions.
Motorola Mobility was acquired by Google in 2012 for $12.5 billion, mainly for its patent portfolio. Under Google's ownership, Motorola Mobility launched some of its best-reviewed phones, such as the Moto X, Moto G, and Moto E series, which offered a simple and pure Android experience with some useful features and customization options. However, Google sold Motorola Mobility to Lenovo in 2014 for $2.91 billion, retaining most of its patents.
Under Lenovo's ownership, Motorola Mobility continued to produce phones under the Moto brand, as well as revived some of its classic models such as the RAZR as foldable phones. It also expanded into new markets such as India, Brazil, and China, where it faced strong competition from other brands such as Xiaomi, Samsung, and Oppo. In 2020, Lenovo announced that it would unify its smartphone business under the Motorola name globally.
Below is a list of the latest (2023) and most popular Motorola smartphones:
- Motorola Edge 40 Pro
- Motorola Razr 40 Ultra
- Lenovo/Motorola Moto G200
- Lenovo/Motorola Moto G31
- Lenovo/Motorola Moto G Stylus
- Lenovo/Motorola One Hyper
- Lenovo/Motorola One Vision Plus
- Lenovo/Motorola One Action
- Lenovo/Motorola Defy
- Motorola Razr+ (Foldable)
Motorola have many advantages and disadvantages that make them appealing or unappealing to different types of users. Below are some of the main pros and cons of Motorola phones:
Some of the pros of Motorola phones are:
Simple and clean Android interface: Motorola phones have a minimalistic and user-friendly software experience that does not have much bloatware or unnecessary features. They also receive timely updates and security patches from Android.
Generous storage capacity: Most Motorola phones come with at least 128GB or even 256GB of internal storage space that can store plenty of photos, videos, apps, games, and files.
Long-lasting battery life: Motorola phones have large batteries that can last for two days or more on a single charge. They also support fast charging technologies that can replenish their power quickly.
Wide carrier compatibility: Motorola phones work on most if not all networks in the US and other countries. They support various bands and frequencies for GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), and 5G technologies.
Frequent price drops: Motorola phones often go on sale a few months or even weeks after their launch, sometimes with significant discounts. They also have a good resale value and trade-in options.
Some of the cons of Motorola phones are:
Not very innovative or distinctive: Motorola phones tend to follow the trends and standards of the industry rather than set them. They do not have many unique or exclusive features that make them stand out from the crowd.
Mediocre camera performance: Motorola phones have decent cameras that can take good photos and videos in favorable conditions, but they are not very impressive or consistent in low-light, dynamic, or challenging scenarios. They also lack some advanced features such as night mode, portrait mode, or optical zoom.
Poor customer service and support: Motorola phones have a reputation for having poor customer service and support that can be slow, unresponsive, or unhelpful. They also have limited warranty and repair options that can be costly or inconvenient.
Limited availability and distribution: Motorola phones are not widely available or distributed in some markets or regions. They are often sold online or through specific carriers or retailers that may not have the best deals or offers.
Inconsistent quality and reliability: Motorola phones have varying levels of quality and reliability that depend on the model, batch, or unit. They may have some issues or defects that affect their performance, durability, or functionality.
Motorola is a brand that has a long and rich history in the mobile phone industry, and it continues to offer a diverse and innovative portfolio of devices for different users and needs. Whether you are looking for a premium flagship with a stunning design and performance, a productivity-focused device with a stylus and a suite of apps, a foldable phone with a nostalgic and futuristic appeal, or a budget-friendly phone with a stylus and 5G support, Motorola has something for you. However, Motorola also has some areas where it can improve, such as its camera quality, its feature completeness, its availability and popularity, and its brand recognition. Overall, Motorola is a brand that deserves more attention and appreciation from the smartphone market, as it has proven to be resilient and creative in the face of challenges and changes.
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