Motorola introduced the cell phone, but during the early smartphone age, it slipped behind. It was undoubtedly saved by Google’s acquisition, but it continued to deteriorate under Lenovo’s control. That is, until LG made a mistake.
According to new data from Counterpoint Research, Motorola has risen to become the third-largest smartphone manufacturer in the United States. Even though it’s a distant third place, it’s still outstanding.
The data from Counterpoint extends through the end of 2021, shows Moto continuously increasing market share month after month. Not coincidentally, LG began gradually winding down its mobile operations at the same time.
The initial reports about LG’s departure surfaced in early 2021, and it was confirmed by April. And, as luck would have it, that’s when Counterpoint claims Motorola snatched the lead. LG hadn’t produced a hit flagship in years by the time it shuttered its Android phone division.
Low-cost phones
However, because to its low-cost phones, which were popular with carriers, it remained a solid third-place finisher. Motorola began focusing considerably more on the cheap segment last year—it didn’t even issue a genuine flagship phone in 2021, and it’s been only 18 months since it released a foldable Razr—and it’s just been a year since it released a folding Razr.
Moto’s unexpected success, according to Counterpoint, is due to products like the Moto G Stylus, Moto G Power, and Moto G Pure, which are all under $300. Moto is also valued by carriers for its low return rates and ability to quickly ramp up production volume.
This has improved the economy. With a market share of 22 percent, Samsung has more than doubled Moto’s and will continue to do so in 2021. Apple does not licence its software to OEMs, therefore it controls 58 percent of the iOS market.
Motorola vs Samsung?
Motorola isn’t going to make a dent in that anytime soon, but it may capitalise on its newfound Popularity by releasing more attractive flagship phones to compete with Samsung’s Galaxy S and Apple’s iPhone lines.
Motorola has just announced a new version of the Edge+, its first flagship phone since 2020. However, when you can obtain a high-end Samsung or Apple phone for a little less, the $1,000 price tag is still a challenging sell.
