Motorola
The father of the smartphone has some of Android's best
Motorola is a longtime communications company, the manufacturer of the first cellular telephone — and it may well be responsible for making Android what it is today.
Motorola wasn't the first smartphone maker, but it was the Motorola Droid on Verizon that helped make Android the household name it is today. The original Droid (known as the Milestone in Europe) sold millions and spawned a number of successors. The Droid MAXX on Verizon continues to be popular, though aging.
But Motorola struggled to make money, and in August 2011 it was announced that Google would purchase Motorola Mobility — they company previously spun off Motorola Solutions — for $12.5 billion. Hardware was just one reason for the purchase — patents were very much another. Google insisted that it didn't buy Motorola with the intention of continuing to lose money, and indeed Motorola began to lose less. But in January 2014, Google announced it was effectively unloading Motorola to Chinese company Lenovo for $2.91. (Much of the disparity in price is due to the paring down of the company, as well as Google retaining "the vast majority" of patents.)
Much of 2012 and 2013 was quiet for Motorola, but in August 2013 Motorola rolled out its rebirth — the Moto X. Wonderfully designed, with customizable features such as the front color, back casing (including wood!) and camera housing — and it was to be assembled in Texas. (Sadly, that assembly line shut down.) The Moto X was heralded as an above-average smartphone that bucked the oversized trend, and didn't fall into the trap of packing in unwanted features and redesigned software.
The Moto X paved the way for two lower-cost smartphones — the Moto G and Moto E.
Motorola also has the excellent Moto 360 for Android Wear.
Latest about Motorola
Best Motorola phones 2024
By Patrick Farmer last updated
Hello Moto! Here are the best Motorola phones you should consider if you're planning to buy a new phone. From budget options to foldables, there are many choices.
The best Motorola deals of July 2024: save big on foldable phones, flagships, and more
By Patrick Farmer last updated
Go Moto! Whether you need a budget phone or an innovative foldable, these are the best Motorola deals on the web today.
I miss the old days of smartphones
By Andrew Myrick published
Beyond the Alphabet Don't you ever wish we could go back to the days of when phones were fun? Yeah, me neither.
The already dirt-cheap Moto G Play (2023) is now under $100 with this exclusive Prime Day deal
By Roydon Cerejo published
Save up Typically retailing for around $170, this 41% discount on the 2023 Moto G Play during Prime Day is a pretty good deal, if you want a smartphone for just calls and messages, but not much else.
It's the last day of Prime Day! Grab the best Motorola phone deals before they're gone for good
By Derrek Lee published
Go Moto! Prime Day 2024 has officially begun and we're already seeing some truly remarkable smartphone deals from the minds of Samsung, Google, and of course, Motorola.
I literally get paid to hunt down Android deals, and I'm collecting all my favorite Prime Day discounts LIVE
By Patrick Farmer last updated
Here we go!! Whether you want a sweet phone deal or a historic discount on a popular Android watch, we're gathering all of the best Prime Day deals LIVE.
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 vs. OPPO Find N3 Flip: A relatively easy choice
By Roydon Cerejo published
Battle royale The Razr Plus makes a strong argument, but the Find N3 Flip is no pushover.
Android 14 is finally coming to the Motorola Razr and Razr Plus, and it only took a year
By Brady Snyder published
It’s about time Android 14 is finally coming to the Motorola Razr and Razr Plus 2023, following Motorola’s announcement of newer models.
Is the Motorola Razr 2024 waterproof?
By Judy Sanhz published
Splish Splash Learn how waterproof your Motorola Razr 2024 is so you know what situations you need to be more careful with its IP rating.
How to use Motorola Smart Connect
By Nicholas Sutrich published
Many screens, one device Motorola Smart Connect lets you share a mouse and keyboard between your phone, PC, and tablet with almost no effort but it can also do so much more!
Motorola Razr 2024 vs. Razr Plus 2023: Last year's flagship is this year's entry-level
By Judy Sanhz published
Motorola Face Off The Motorola Razr 2024 vs. Razr Plus 2023 comparison is critical to determine whether the newer model offers the upgrades you want.
Motorola Razr 2024 vs. Razr 2023: Is the new phone better?
By Judy Sanhz published
New vs. old A look at the Motorola Razr 2024 vs. Razr 2023 will help you decide if the newer Motorola brings enough changes for the upgrade to be worth it.
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Which is the best?
By Roydon Cerejo published
Flipping out The new Razr Plus 2024 brings some noteworthy upgrades, but is it enough to dethrone the Z Flip 5?
How many software updates will the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 receive?
By Judy Sanhz published
Updates! If software updates are important to you, see how many software updates the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 will get to know if it makes it your next smartphone or not.
The new Moto Tag joins Google's Find My Device as a do-it-all tracker for $29.99
By Nickolas Diaz published
Tag! Motorola debuted the new "Moto Tag" Bluetooth tracker, available for Google's Find My Device network.
The Motorola Razr 2024 series flips the script with a massive cover screen and AI smarts
By Jay Bonggolto published
smarter flip Motorola officially launches the Moto Razr and Razr Plus 2024 with better chipsets and Google Gemini on the cover screen.
The Motorola Razr Plus 2024 could pack a game-changing camera upgrade
By Jay Bonggolto published
'flip the script' A new leak suggests the Moto Razr Plus 2024 might bring a killer camera upgrade and even survive a splash or two.
The next Motorola Razr foldables will launch very soon in the US
By Nickolas Diaz published
Flip it again! Motorola confirmed that its next wave of foldables is set to launch next week for U.S. consumers.
Be an expert in 5 minutes
Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of Android