If we are considering buying a Motorola mobile , in this guide we explain everything there is to know about the brand. The models it offers, its strengths and weaknesses, the most common opinions of users and other curiosities.
We have already recommended some Motorola mobiles to buy, which are safe bets, but this guide will allow us to know better what to look for in order to choose a quality phone , adapted to our needs and with the cheapest possible price.
In the past we explained what you should know before buying a Xiaomi, and now it’s time to discover Motorola’s secrets to get it right when it comes to renewing the smartphone.
Table of Contents
So are the Motorola mobile ranges
Motorola offers a fairly wide catalog of smartphones , which is updated every year (or even a few months), so we are going to explain in broad terms how it is organized. Currently, it has five large families, within which there may be more or fewer models depending on the launches of each moment.
These are the ranges of mobile phones that Motorola currently sells:
- Razr : the most premium mobiles, with a folding screen and a cover design, starting at €1,000.
- Edge : Motorola’s high-end, it can range from €300 to €800.
- Moto G : the mid-range, where the brand has historically been most successful, at a cost between €200 and €400.
- Moto E : The cheapest entry phones, between €99 and €150.
- Defy : rugged models, that is, resistant to falls, shocks, water and others.
Although they fit into the above categories, Motorola has sub-ranges Stylus , with models that include a touch pen, and Power , which denotes a larger battery.
Of course, these are simple trade names, and Motorola may change them, add more, remove some or reorganize its catalog in another way in the future.
Almost pure Android and complex updates
One of Motorola’s strengths is that it uses an almost “pure” version of Android, very close to the original Google version . There are those who prefer customization layers such as Xiaomi’s MIUI or Samsung’s One UI, but in general an Android close to the original is usually considered an advantage.
Motorola calls its light customization of Android My UX, where it adds a few extras. For example, some gestures as shortcuts : turning the locked phone twice with the wrist directly opens the camera, and shaking it up and down turns on the flashlight.
It’s possible to customize colors, fonts, or icons , and we do have a few extra apps, like a game center , but otherwise the experience is minimalist.
Unfortunately, Motorola applies a confusing update policy , in general their mobiles receive two major versions of Android after launch, but there are no clear rules that are maintained over time.
Using almost pure Android should make it easier to update, however, it is complicated by the high number of mobile phones launched each year on the market. A good idea is to check on their website if there is a promise of updates to the model we are interested in buying , something that sometimes happens, but not always.
The best and the worst of Motorola mobiles
As we have already mentioned, one of Motorola’s strengths is its almost pure version of Android , which few manufacturers use, and which many users consider superior to the manufacturers’ customizations.
Another positive point is that Motorola has a wide and varied catalog , so it is easy to buy a model that suits our specific needs.
Motorola has the Ready For platform available on some of its phones, which allows us to enjoy content on a television or monitor with optimizations that go beyond sending the image to the screen.
On a TV we can send videos and use the mobile as a remote control , show other users of a video call, enjoy a game using a remote for control or make a slide show.
On a computer, thanks to Ready For it’s easy to access the mobile’s apps and files from the PC . There are several wired or wireless connection options, plus several additional accessories, that make Ready For a superior experience to connecting your phone to a screen in the normal way.
Nor should we forget that Motorola continues to bet on mobile phones with a stylus (touch pen) in all its price ranges . There are not many manufacturers that continue to collect this heritage of the Galaxy Note, but Motorola does offer them.
A weak point of the Motorola is that its value for money is usually not as good as other rivals. For example, Xiaomi, Oppo, Realme or Huawei usually give us better features at a lower price.
It is also not positive that the update policy is unclear , unless the brand has committed to a specific smartphone, it is difficult to know if we will receive one, two or three versions of Android.
Manufacturers frequently change their update policy, although if we opt for Samsung, Oppo or Realme phones of the same range, we will probably have a much clearer idea of what to expect.
This does not mean that the mobile will keep up to date for longer, but it does mean that these brands tend to make their plans clearer from the outset. Regarding Xiaomi, the updates to its huge catalog are complex, broadly speaking they are usually somewhat better than Motorola, depending on the case.
Is it advisable to buy a Motorola?
It is undeniable that Motorola has a hard time competing with Chinese brands , even though it is actually owned by Lenovo, a company based in China. In general, it is not able to offer as good value for money as Xiaomi, Oppo, Realme or Huawei.
In any case, Motorola phones are attractive phones that are worth considering , because a phone is more than hardware at a certain price. Apart from pure Android, Motorola phones tend to have an attractive design, be robust against possible accidents and quite durable.
In addition, the Motorola brand suggests a nostalgia and prestige that some value when buying their new mobile. The firm launched the Dynatac 8000x, the first mobile phone in history, in 1983 and was at the forefront of technology for many years.
Along with Nokia, it was one of the big names in the early years of mobile phones, and many consumers continue to appreciate the brand, especially in the United States, because until it was bought by Lenovo in 2014, the company was American.
In summary, Motorola is a good brand to buy a mobile , although it certainly has very tough rivals. Now we know what to look for when choosing a phone and what aspects to compare with its rivals, something key if we want to get the best option.
