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
The best Motorola deals of April 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.
What is virtual RAM, and should you use it?
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Life in the slow lane Your phone might have a feature claiming to add virtual memory. How does that work and is it something you need?
Motorola announces the new Edge 50 Ultra with the latest Qualcomm AI chip
By Brady Snyder published
The big reveal Motorola's new Edge 50 series lineup includes the Edge 50 Pro, Edge 50 Fusion, and Edge 50 Ultra — but they're not available in North America just yet.
Motorola fuels the Edge 50 Ultra hype with charging and launch date teasers
By Nickolas Diaz published
Hello, Moto Motorola posted a couple of teasers for the upcoming Edge 50 Ultra alongside its launch date.
Moto G 5G 2024 review: A slice of luxury for less
By Nicholas Sutrich published
Leather clad The Moto G 5G 2024 is a surprisingly decent phone for the price, and the new vegan leather back is a slice of luxury we didn't expect.
The best Motorola phones are getting record discounts during Amazon's Big Spring Sale — here are the deals I'd buy
By Patrick Farmer published
Go Moto Amazon is discounting a bunch of our favorite Motorola devices during its Big Spring Sale, and we've gathered all of the best offers.
Moto G Power 5G 2024 review: Two steps forward, one step back
By Derrek Lee published
Better value The new Moto G Power 5G 2024 brings a new design language while offering features well above its price point, like wireless charging.
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro could make its debut in early April
By Jay Bonggolto published
all but confirmed It seems like the Motorola Edge 50 Pro launch is right around the corner now.
Best Motorola phones 2024
By Patrick Farmer last updated
Hello Moto Motorola phones have been hit or miss in recent years, but if you're looking for the best devices that the brand has to offer, this list is for you.
Here's our first look at Motorola's next flagship Android phone
By Jay Bonggolto published
it's in the fabric A new leak shows off the Motorola Edge 50 Pro's fabric-like pattern on the back and unique colors.
The tech hype train is going off the rails
By Jerry Hildenbrand published
Android & Chill A never-ending parade of products that never were and nobody would even buy.
Samsung and Motorola want us to wear our smartphones. We REALLY shouldn't.
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday MWC 2024 was full of sci-fi-esque tech like transparent laptops, but a wearable, bendable smartphone doesn't even make sense on Star Trek.
Motorola teases first AI-powered Android phone to challenge Samsung's AI throne
By Jay Bonggolto published
all about AI Motorola just dropped a teaser about a new phone, and it sounds like it's all about the smarts.
The coolest things we saw at MWC 2024
By Derrek Lee, Nicholas Sutrich published
Cool tech things Some things didn't make our Best of MWC 2024 list, but they're cool enough to point out anyway. Here are those products.
Android Central's Best of MWC 2024
By Derrek Lee, Nicholas Sutrich published
Best of show Android Central lists the top devices and features shown off at MWC 2024, from upcoming devices to crazy concepts that may never hit store shelves.
Motorola confirms that all new phones will feature Gorilla Glass
By Steven Shaw published
Kongratulations, Motorola Gorilla Glass is set to be used on all 2024 Motorola devices, as companies deepen their relationship.
Latest Moto G Power 5G (2024) leak reveals two new colorways
By Brady Snyder published
Fresh colors Motorola is likely just weeks away from launching the Moto G Power 5G (2024), and we just got a look at the phone's new colorways.
These Motorola phones are getting Android 14, but we still have one big question
By Derrek Lee published
But when Motorola is expecting to update quite a few phones to Android 14, but we're still not sure when it'll arrive.
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